I’ve just completed a large residential project, thought I would post some shots of the house. And what better spot to start then in the heart of the home. THE KITCHEN. This kitchen is truly a stunner, as it embodies traditional flare with a contemporary kick. The colour combo, using the white cabinetry with a dark black island is still on trend and wokring its way into timeless territory. The tones in the kitchen are seamlessly woven together through countertop & hardware finishes.

This countertop is a new product that I found distributed by DIMASTONE, a stone composite, similar to the Caesarstones and Silestones we are familiar with. The island is in their Calcutta series, which I love as it has the tones you would find in a traditional calcutta marble, but exaggerated in the weight of the veins. CRAZY beautiful, almost graphic. The darker countertop along the back of cabinetry, also a DIMASTONE, but in the ‘Nature Empire’ – dark, dark brown with tiny golden veins.
LOVE THIS PRODUCT- SUPER-FAN!

Momentous occasion, Andrika Lawren has officially joined what they call ‘social media’.
This is a very big day…for us all. My inner bird is ready.

@AndrikaLawren

Another sneak peak into season 2 of THE BIG DECISION, set to air tonight at 9pm on the CBC.
If you look and listen closely you will hear the bellow ‘DRIVEWAY SEALER!’, delivered by yours truly. Now that’s a sound bite!

( oh, and yes if you are wondering, that IS the back of my head)

The Big Decision is a show on CBC that features the Dragons; Arlene Dickinson and Jim Treliving, investors who find companies in need of help and challenge them to change their ways. If the companies are successful they could be given a life-changing investment from the most revered business leaders in the country. At the conclusion of each episode, Jim and Arlene have to decide whether they’ll invest in one, neither or both of the companies vying for their cash.

I was asked to be a part of the series and give my expert advice to a family run hardware store who has to compete with the big box mega do-it -yourself centres. Their space needed a little re- organization and aesthetic pick me up.  I was happy to lend my loud voice and give them my opinion.

My advice will be featured in the premiere episode of the second season, set to air the 16th of this month. In  anticipation of the series launch the show has released this trailer-

Well yes, its a new season here.. in TV land. Steven and Chris on CBC is back for a new season with a not so new face. I’m back with some shopping and beautiful room set ups. I started this season touring Union Lighting showroom and creating some unexpected lighting vignettes.

I found this light in the showroom, then decided I needed to own it, because it it HUGE and wonderful…so I bought it, brought it to the studio and then brought it home to live on my kitchen Island: which is covered in seasonal stuffs…

I also created this simple seating arrangement and challenged it with a chandelier, because I (we) can!

Here are some thoughts I have when it comes to lighting and shared on Steven and Chris:

1. Go Big or Go Home. Look for the fixture you think you should have in a space, and then go one size larger.

2. Chandeliers aren’t just for dining rooms anymore. Use them in bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms … anywhere you want to add sparkle and drama!

3. Give Love to Lamps. Lamp lighting is a key element for creating ambiance in a space. If you’ve got more than one lamp in a room, 40 watt bulbs are a great choice, with only one lamp as the star of the show, a 60 watt bulb is a good bet!

4. There is power in numbers. Hang pendants in multiples. Hang three pendants over an island, try two chandeliers side by side over a long dining table to create instant impact!

5. Be Bold With Shades. Don’t be afraid to replace the shade that came with your lamp and opt for something more dramatic. Think big!

Keep tuning in to CBC…I’m all over it!

This summer I was lucky enough to visit the Carter- Ryan Gallery in Canmore Alberta. I was walking out of a dollar store, because I bought a postcard of the mountains for an Australian little girl (she is my pen pal, we should all have one), and was immediately drawn into this gallery. The gallery features work of one Jason Carter, a really exciting Canadian Aboriginal Artist. His work is the kind of work that makes me crazy. In a good way. The simplicity, the power, the composition and the SOMETHING spoke to me. The something, I later found out was the humour and optismim. After reading Jason’s artist statement, he mentioned he approaches both his canvas and stone work with humour and optimism. THAT was the something I was so attracted to.

Perhaps I would like to believe I approach my work in the same way.

Old Man Mountain with Great Mother Bear, a huge 60′-7′ installation was just put up in the Edmonton International Airport. Super cool.

You can find his work in a number of galleries across canada and if you find yourself moseying through the quaint mountain town of Canmore you should definitely visit the Carter- Ryan.

My mission is to find a way to get my hands on one of these bunnies…

Hello, Hello,

Truth be told, I have not posted in some time. Shame on me. It’s been a busy summer.

I have committed to sharing some of the amazing moments that have kept me away from the blog. The biggest one being building a house. The before’s and afters will be posted….WHEN WE FINISH. I will say waiting for a couch and bed frame that have been on order since MAY are currently responsible for the hold up. The work is awesome and the house is beautiful, so you will have to stay tuned.

Beyond the house, I have been shopping, quilting, attending paper mache parties ( this really happened), making a movie, creating an art project and well…taking up tennis.

Must say, pretty good summer.  Hitting the air waves with a new season of Steven and Chris and will be heading to the studio this coming Tuesday. Mum, please feel free to get tickets and bring your lady friends.

I’ll leave you with some images of a house I staged for a freind. She put her charming downtown house on the market early last month and we are happy to report the sign out front says SOLD. The thing we collectively learnt after empting the house to the bare bones is that people CAN live with very little. We clutter up our lives, so why not just keep the things that make it pretty! Ha. Also, I learnt that living without a coffee table is pretty easy, as I lent her mine for a month. No coffee table, no problem.

Tune in tomorrow to Steven and Chris to see me go on a hunt for stand out pieces.

The studio vignette will feature wallpaper from my favourite source NEW WALL , who has the most stunning collection. I settled for a motif in a neutral colour palette form the J&V collection. All the furniture pieces and accessories are courtesy of KUDA imports. The lovely natural area rug can be found at West Elm. Here is a sneak peek!

Studio shots of the MADE segment with STEVEN and CHRIS. The art changing up from segment to broadcast. A stylish vignette made with only 7 pieces…so simple. A console, an art piece, the inevitable floral, multi purpose felt stools, blown glass lamp and a stack of art books…oh and a Jack.