Man Up! Decorating and the Single Guy..... Ladies you better read this too!

The ultimate guy office chair

Over the years we have built a strong client base, but today I want to focus on the men. With young people getting married much latter in life and divorce rates hitting 40%, single men have become a significant part of our clientele. Linda and I were having coffee last week, and we both commented  "love selling to the male clients, they are decisive." 

While our male clients are decisive, they often feel a bit  "where do I start?" When setting up house. If your starting out on your own for the first time or recently divorced, here is the Surroundings cheat list.

Setting up house for the Single Man

1. Do an Inventory. 

Did your mom give you the sofa from the rec room and you have kept it because..... worse yet you own a futon. Take a close look at your belongings, are they hand me downs from family or left overs from a marriage. Ask yourself  " do I really want to keep this."

2. Disposal

Identifying what you don't want is one thing, follow up with the action. Get rid of it! 

3. Sleep

You need a bed to sleep in, and do other things. Please buy a proper mattress. It's totally ok if you want to put it on the floor, that can look very cool. Buy sheets with at least 200 thread count, and bedding. Restoration Hardware does a pre-washed Belgian linen bedding line that is very manly.

4. Eat

You need a place to eat, you can not eat out forever, and let's face it sooner or latter you are going to invite someone for dinner. The men who come into Surroundings always go for a beat up Canadiana small harvest table, I have to say, it's a winner. Put it with modern chairs for a more current look. 

5. Be an Adult

Im stealing this line from a male blogger from girls on the grid. Just because your on your own does not mean  you get to leave a weeks worth of dishes in the sink, a bed unmade, sporting gear piled a mile high at the doorway. If your a busy professional, yes, hire a housekeeper!

6. Make it Yours

As a rule most men shop alone, this is also to your advantage. You make a purchase based on what you want, not what your friends think. I wish I could encourage my female clients to act solo, and not always seeking approval of others. Guys, enjoy your single digs and make them your own.

7. The Sofa

I have watched marital strife over sofa's. Your single, want a sofa you can lie down on, go for it. Just keep in mind that one day when you find the love of your life and you start to meld 2 houses together, she is going to hate your sofa, guaranteed. Sorry, guys I have seen it. So don't spend a fortune on the sofa, unless you plan on being a bachelor for a long time.

8. Work

We work from home, it is what we do. Buy yourself a great desk, something that you will enjoy looking at for years to come. This is the piece I always feel must be an antique. I mean, really, an office depot desk does not impress anyone. Spend some time and find a desk that reflects you. 

9. Walls

I think this is where the guys feel most overwhelmed. To be honest few people know how to hang art mush less purchase it. First, art takes on many forms, a map, old shutters, black and white photo of your dog. We have sold old broken instruments as art. Think outside the box, your male, that should be easy.    

Don't feel the need to fill space. I would rather see a blank wall, than a beer poster, or a fake print from Home Sense. 

10. Cook

We all love to eat. Stock the kitchen with cutlery ( matching helps), standard white plates ( Ikea rocks for dishware), 3 good knives ( carving, paring, bread ), pots ( Paderno is good mid-range), and a pepper grinder. Mix-matched mugs, It's one of those things. You can tell a lot about a person from their mug collection. Cook! Cook for yourself, cook for others, cooking is what makes a house a home.

Linda and I are always here to help when comes to design and what works with what, never hesitate to ask. 

Cheers, 

Kristiane

Cool People Garden .........Really!

Front garden at Rennick Cottage at sunrise

Last year I was being interviewed for a magazine article, the writer asked what I did on my time off, my response, " I garden". The look on her face said it all, how boring, how am I suppose to write about this so called cool person.

The reality is,  cool people garden. If I think of all the cool people I know they have one thing in common, yep, they garden.

Take a close look at the creative geniuses of Grant Leier and Nixie Barton, their garden in Cedar is now closed to the public, but those of us fortunate enough to have visited during the years were truly inspired. Barton and Leier took gardening to a whole new level, creating a masterpiece.

Closer to home, I have always loved the garden of  super cool interior designer Barb Gergel,

Sidewalk in front of Gergel residence

I relied a lot on the advice of Gergel when planting my own garden. She knew which plants would survive the heat of the Cowichan Valley ( Rennick Cottage is next door to a vineyard), and what the deer would think twice about sampling.

Entrance to Gergel's garden

Creating outdoor rooms, is the essence of Barb's garden. Her best advice, " every time you place a plant in the garden, go inside the house and look out, make sure you like the placement from the inside view. This is where we most often view our gardens from".

The terraced entrance

Gardens have a sense of arrival. Gergel defines space with different levels. The main entrance to the house is defined by the landscape not the architecture.

The courtyard

Privacy in the city was created by a wall that is essentially a large planter. You can rest in the back yard and no one walking by will see you.

Then there is the garden of mega cool artist Marilyn Wallace. I have long admired Wallace's encaustic and mixed media work.

The boulevard in front of the Wallace residence

We have all seen boulevard plantings, but Wallace takes it to a whole new level with a wide selection  of diverse plantings.

The back yard is a carefully planned network of foot paths meandering through the garden. No grass here! Parts of the garden are still young with space still to be filled as plants mature. Wallace has been careful making sure it is not over planted. 

A restful place to sit, although Im quite sure Marilyn never sits. This is the one area that I do not have in my own garden as of yet, a place to sit. 

Some people weed a bit, buy some geraniums and call it a day. That is not gardening. Gardening for us is a creative extension of our lives, spirits, and careers. We take it to a whole new level. creating environments that leave people in awe and hopefully inspire.

Cool People Garden.

Follow us on Facebook.......Finally!

We did it! Surroundings has a Facebook page. I know, it's about time. 

When you are looking  on the website you will see a green "f" in the top right hand corner. Tap it and it will take you to our Facebook page.

Finding stock, restoring, selling, and delivery takes up most of my time. Stocking the store with beautiful pieces of furniture and home decor is top priority.

Nowadays having a website, blogging , Facebook, tweeting and everything else is also a big part of maintaining a business. While the website has been up for several years now, it is time for a change. Comments have come in that my out of town clients would like to see more stock on the site. Plans are currently in the works to offer a more comprehensive view of what is in store.

I will be posting on Facebook new finds as they come in, and in general what we are up to at Surroundings.

Working on a couple of blogs for the upcoming weeks, watch for some very cool people and places to know about.

Cheers,

Kristiane

Through the Doorway

Sometimes in life the most beautiful perspective of a room is looking through the doorway. After I move furniture around here at Surroundings, I often go to the doorway to see how it looks from  a clients first glance. We approach rooms through doorways, so why is it we take for granted the value of one of the most important elements in our homes ...... the door.

It starts with the front door, and I must say I have seen my fair share of ugly front doors! Which the above photo is NOT!  Leaded glass panes surround and comprise a majestic face in the glass, this door dates to early 1900's, solid fir.

The vestibule in the house is framed by more leaded glass, repetition, scale, symmetry.... perfection.

The complete view down the hall to the front door. 

I love the 5 storage doors, with matching hardware, the clients sourced at General Salvage. In new construction we would be looking at cheap bi-folds in an area like this. There is no mistaking the above doors are solid wood with classic shaker panels.

This home was gutted last year and completely redesigned by The Meade Group. The homeowners wanted a double entrance. First you come through the front door, a place for coats and hats, then you move to the second entrance ( photo above) doorways lead to kitchen, stairway, and living area.

You turn right and WOW, that is what the homeowners wanted. This house actually has a great ocean and mountain view, but that is your next left turn. I love how they made the home the starting point and not the view. This house has great doorways and each one offers a view that is spectacular.

Doors to cabinets can be a work of art. These doors purchased at Surroundings are pine dating from  Quebec 1820. The cabinet was custom made for the doors by the English Cabinet Maker on Fort Street.

We currently have a set of 3 doors similar vintage from Ontario, which I think would also look great hanging on a custom cabinet.

Who says double doors are only for the front entrance. This is the bathroom door in my favourite place to stay in Brussels, Chambres en Ville. This petite hotel is known for its super cool decor ( it has been written up in every European design mag).  These doors give a sense of grandness to the space, the bathroom is massive, the doors work with the scale.

Here is a beautiful set of double doors from South Africa, circa 1880, for sale at Surroundings. Just think how grand they would be used interior, as opposed to the front door.

Of course, all those fabulous windows we see in Paris, are really french doors. This beautiful building was across the street from the apartment I was renting. 

 As Im writing this today, Im repainting my screen door. On my farmhand cottage the screen door was stained a burnt Siena. Im now painting it white, to go with the windows, and to stand out more. I will post a pic when Im done. Im off to paint another coat.

Keep an eye on those doorways.

Cheers,

Kristiane

Individuality .........

The front entrance of a condo, the custom made entry stand with tin inserts

This week I was in four homes in a row that were full of individuality, personality and lots of love. It starts with the photo above. The new home owner took out what was a very contemporary closet, she wanted the space more open and consistent with the age of the building. Sorry the photo is so dark!

The house maid

Next to the front door stands an objet d art, this home is filled with original modern art and vintage objets, a wonderful blend of new and old.

The bathroom sink

Even the bathroom has art, and I love this tiny art installation next to the sink.

The front closet. No bi-folds here!

Next Im off to fishermen's Wharf to deliver to a float home. This closet door just inside the front door   is so beautiful. This float home is small and open concept, everything is visible. The owner cringed at the thought of bi-folds, her solution, make the door to the front closet look like a piece of furniture. She had a local craftsman build the doors and frame to look like a late 1800's wardrobe. Brilliant!

A collection of side mirrors

This art installation is in the home of Mary Patterson and Sean Shepherd, the owners of Polychrome Fine Arts Gallery. I have been in and out of their home over the years, purchasing various things from their collection. I so love going to their house!!! Personality reigns supreme here. This was Mary's idea, a collection of car side mirrors mounted on the wall in a narrow spot.

This demonstrates so beautifully that art can take many forms, and the everyday can look outstanding when displayed outside the box.

The fourth home I was in, sadly I did not take a photo. I got distracted by the dog, a pug named Zoe, too cute. 

I go into a lot homes buying and delivering furniture, the stand outs for me are always those filled with individuality, homes that reflect the owners, and not what you would necessarily expect. I always encourage my clients to buy pieces they love, are passionate about, and not getting so hooked up on "is it going to match", we don't match at Surroundings! 

Be passionate about your home environment, and guess what?  You will have a beautiful home. Don't worry what others think, you live there, it is your home. Make it yours.

Cheers,

Kristiane

Have a Seat ......... at the Table

 Pedestal Table Circa 1890.

Of all the pieces of furniture I sell, I love selling tables the most. It is here around the dining/kitchen table that life happens, birthdays are celebrated, homework is done, and where loved ones gather daily.

This is beyond an important purchase, and it is the one antique I think EVERYONE should own, and I mean EVERYONE. A table with age has presence and energy that can not compare to the modern world. By all means put very modern chairs with it, you bet, it will look great. 

I love the contrast of the antique table and modern chairs, to me it is a classic look. If your living in a modern condo, that antique table is going to sing!

Early Canadiana Farm Table

The more rustic the piece, the more modern the environment around it should be. This table above would look great in the entry way of sleek condo, or use as a sofa table, put a flat screen on it, the options are endless.

Pembroke Table, Mahogany, Circa 1850

The classic of all drop-leaf tables, the Pembroke ( named after the Earl of Pembroke), is perfect for small space living. It is compact when both leaves are down, and has a drawer on each end for that oh so valuable storage element.

Canadiana Drop-Leaf Table

This makes the best kitchen table, it becomes very large with both leaves up, and can sit 6 quite comfy. A more humble table than the Pembroke. This is also great for those super tall men in your life, leg room under the leaves means not dealing with the skirt ( the side structure) of the table.

Prairie Farm Table

Made by the farm owner, this is not fine craftsmanship, it is far more important, it represents the founding and building of our nation. This was not meant to be pretty, but functional. Here we are 130 years after it was built and it still functions and has become more beautiful with age. This one would look wicked with modern chairs.

The Classic Dining Table

For those who want to sit in the dining room and entertain for hours, there is no greater pleasure than sitting around a beautiful dining table.

There was a lot of discussion this weekend at Surroundings over dining/kitchen table height. Here are the basics. European tables are often 29" high, North American 30" high, chairs are 18" seat height.

I personally prefer tables at 29" high, and it has nothing to do with the fact Im not that tall!!  In the Netherlands where everyone is tall, dining tables are often 29" high, it just feels better, regardless of how tall you are. Find a beautiful table that  feels right for you.

Cheers,

Kristiane

The Italian Job

Custom Upholstered Italian Sofa, All organic on the inside, 8 way hand tied springs, down and feather seats, Italian Leather detailing, Price $3395

This very lovely love seat just arrived in Surroundings last week. It is one of our latest custom upholstery projects, and has some exquisite details. The frame comes from Italy, hand carved in the 1950's. This little sofa was originally purchased at Eaton's Fine Furniture Gallery in Toronto in 1956. These were glory days for Eaton's, and their Fine Furniture Gallery carried the best furniture from around the world.

The year is 2010, Im called to an estate sale, there is the above sofa looking very tattered and worn, but the beauty of the frame still is magnificent. I purchase it just for its bones. The little sofa then makes a trip to the Cowichan Valley to the upholsterers, we talk in great length about fabric, it had to be just right. I bring back linen from belgium, nope, makes the wood look dead, back to the drawing board.

This beautiful fabric called "Quill" was used a few years ago on a Bergere chair, we had enough left over for the love seat. Originally the finished edge near the wood work was done in what we call gimping. For the record nothing dates a vintage piece more than gimping. I wanted it updated but not trendy, always a delicate balance. There was enough Italian leather left over from a previous job to do the trim work, finished off by antiqued bronze french nails by hand.

The gracious curve of the arm, balance, proportion, symmetry. The hand carved frame was stained a rich cherry colour, and has a patina of a much older piece.

More than just a pretty face, you must sit on it!! OMG ( I hate that expression, but it seems appropriate here), this is the most comfortable seat in the house. If you have a chance try it out.

Cheers,

Kristiane

Happy New Year, From the Road Where I Live

It was a crisp sunny day during Christmas, Im walking home from a long dog walk, I look down the road, this is where I live. I love where I live.

Love Where You Live

It is my tag line, it is on the store window, business cards, website, but more importantly it is my way of living.  When we love where we live, we take care. We take of our homes, our neighbours, and the community at large. There is a massive positive social impact to those communities where people love where they live. As we head into the new year  I hope you take some time to reflect on those simple words "love where you live". Think about your home and community and what it means to live there. 

When I first moved to the Cowichan Valley 9 years ago, a neighbour swung by and asked if I was fixing up the cottage to flip. His tone of voice was very clear, if I was going to flip it, he was going to turn around and leave my yard. I understood his questioning, there was no point in getting to know me if I was going to leave. 

During that first year my neighbours watched in awe as I transformed a neglected cottage into a loving home. One by one they came onto the property mesmerized by what I was doing. The hard work was done out of love for this property.  As the years go by, neighbours drop off rocks for my many rock walls I have been building, and manure for my garden, and in return I bring home anything they need from Victoria. 

Ida is curled up on her dog bed sound asleep, the fire is roaring in the wood stove, the fog is so thick I can not see the beautiful countryside, it does not matter. I love where I live.

Happy New Year.

Kristiane