Tuesday 31 May 2011

Design for the Designers

The latest design find for local designers, architects and stagers is the much buzzed about Design District Studio (or DDS as it is affectionately known within Victoria's design scene). A flexible, economical, and practical solution for many consultants in town that do not have their own studio space or sample library.

 

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Members receive a multitude of benefits including the use of the space for client meetings, use of the extensive samples available for sourcing and presentations, as well as access to all of the DDS accounts for ordering fabrics, furniture, wallpaper, fixtures and more. The Design District Studio also offers very helpful advice including trade and installer references, assistance with sourcing and use of the space for private functions.

 

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What's more, Design District studio also offers weekly updates and regular design events to keep members connected and informed. They also allow any business mail or shipments to be delivered to the studio if a member does not want to give out their home address to clients and suppliers.

 

We've heard nothing but positive feedback from Design District Studio members and affiliates. Kudos are certainly in order to Danisha Drury and Donna Morrison for making this wonderful resource available, thank you ladies!

 

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Danisha Dury

 

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The Design District Studio is located at 1826 Government St, Victoria, BC V8T 4N5 - PH (250) 590-8598

 

www.designdistrictstudioinc.com

 

Ivan Meade is a local designer and principal of Meade Design Group, a multidisciplinary interior and graphic design studio in the heart of downtown Victoria – www.meadedesigngroup.com



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Monday 30 May 2011

Eye Candy of the Week – Philippe I by Casamania

 

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PRODUCT

Philippe I – Cafe Tables

 

DESIGNER

Sam Baron

 

MANUFACTURER

Casamania

 

COLLECTION

Philippe I is a mini-collection of ‘gueridon’ or small tables and café tables.

 

MATERIALS

Lime-wood, MDF, walnut

 

COLOURS

black/mirrored glass; white/extra-clear transparent glass

 

DIMENSIONS

low side table: L/W 42 P/D 42 H 42
tall side table: L/W 39 P/D 39 H 52

 

DESCRIPTION

With references to the 18th century French cabinetry tradition coupled with an attention to detail, these collection of ‘gueridon’ tables are that type of pieces that I love, as they work seamless with traditional or contemporary styles.

 

Sam Baron, created these tables that in my personal opinion share the same design aesthetic of Philippe Starck or Jaime Hayon pieces.  Pieces that have their own language, but a clear inspiration from the past.

 

I would love to use groups of these pieces in different sizes and finishes.  How would you use these tables?

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Nectarous!!!



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Tuesday 24 May 2011

IN CONVERSATION WITH GRANT K. GIBSON

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Grant K. Gibson


Grant K. Gibson doesn't necessarily fit into a box when it comes to design style. But that is by no means a drawback! He masterfully executes designs that are traditional, modern, youthful, eclectic, or rustic - but they are always immaculately well done. And wouldn't you know, he's a witty blogger too?


Grant founded Grant K. Gibson Interior Design in 2002 and now works across the continent with offices in San Francisco and New York. The firm strives to create spaces that are direct representations of his clients, without any imposed nuances or elements that are not befitting of their personalities. 'No project is too large or two small in our eyes" says the company profile, as well as a firm stance on attention to detail and customer service and satisfaction.


Our readers have most likely heard of Grant before, he has had numerous features in Elle Décor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and Better Homes & Gardens. He has also received prestigious positioning within these pages, including being names as one of "The 10 Designers to Watch" in Domino, and the "5 Designers to Watch" in Elle Décor.


His blog has also been well-received, Grant's focus is typically design-related, but he certainly touches on other elements of his life including his love of fashion, food and travel.


He is a true design star and we are thrilled to get his input for our 'In Conversation With' series, read on to get in on the conversation…


Ivan Meade - What was your first experience by design?


Grant K. Gibson - I would have to say that my first design experience was designing my childhood bedroom. Even at a really young age, I was always changing things around and moving things, painting the walls and taking up carpet to show the hardwood floors hidden under.


My path to design really started when I was in college studying for a degree in psychology (which has totally come in very handy in interior design) I was on the path to become a psychologist when a good friend told me about an art history class that she thought that I should sit in on. Before the end of the lecture, I had already made up my mind that I was going to switch majors. That really started my love of art and architecture and design. In New York, I then interned and worked a few antique stores and then started to do my own apartment as well as friends who liked the way that I did my apartment.


I then thought, why not try to do my own thing and start my own company in interior design. The dream was then born and then I ended up moving to San Francisco, where I really started to get serious about my design company. New York always holds a spot in my heart, so I am happy that I can have the best of both words and work between both cities with offices in both New York and San Francisco.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade – What is the most practical thing you own and what is the most rare?


Grant K. Gibson - I think that the most practical piece that I own is a custom table that I designed with a very tailored slipcover over it. I love that it can serve as a desk or table and I can make a mess with paperwork or books or fabrics, but then at the end of the day, I can put things in baskets and hide them away. Under the table, I also have a small file cabinet for important papers and a printer. I don't like to look at those things, so it is wonderful to keep those things hidden.


As for the most rare piece that I own. It would be a Beidermeir secretary that I have in my dining room. I purchased it around 5 years ago as a birthday treat to myself. It was from a dealer in New York. I simply fell in love with it and just bought it on the spot. It was the most spontaneous purchase that I have ever made, but I look at it everyday and it makes me smile.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade - What should every room have in it?


Grant K. Gibson - Every room should have good lighting. With this, I suggest having everything on dimmers. This is from the overhead lighting and table/floor lamps. Lamps that are on too bright are too harsh.


I also think that it is key to have a layering of lighting, so that it is not all from one light source. The layering adds dimension and depth to a space. Bad lighting can really kill a room.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade - What do you think the homes of today are missing?


Grant K. Gibson - Were do I start? Architectural details? History? creativity and originality? I don't understand builders that construct new houses that have horrible construction or lack of architecture at all. These details really help to make a space. When I say creativity or originality- by this I mean I see lots of people with these cookie-cutter designs. They have what everyone else has. This is the problem that we face with so many big companies. I feel like creating custom, fine crafted pieces are like pieces of art and make a space feel unique and individual. I am not suggesting that a whole house has to be custom, but mixing styles and sources and making it your own is what I think is interesting about a space.


An interior is about the people that live in them. It should reflect their lifestyle- how they live and what they like.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade - What do you look for in a furniture piece?


Grant K. Gibson - Like we just talked about with custom design, I tend to do a lot of custom pieces for my clients. When I look at pieces or am working with my vendors to create pieces, I am looking for quality and something that is timeless. I like pieces of furniture to be able to last for many years. If someone gets tired of the fabric, it can be re-covered.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade - One of the elements that I really like about your design aesthetic is that you always use real art in your projects and elements with old world patina - Is this part of your design philosophy?


Grant K. Gibson - Thank you. I do like to mix in things with a touch of old world charm. Trust me, not all of my clients like that look at all. I like to think of myself a traditionalist- but a new traditionalist. I love and respect things that come from the past, but I like to mix them up and play with things and make them more current today. I like to keep things light and not to heavy handed. I think of this as being not the way that your parents or grandparents would have had. I work with a lot of young couples that want to keep it fresh and fun. I do like to add an element of humor and surprise if I can to every project. I would say overall that I have an eclectic style and have really enjoyed learning and pushing the limits with my clients over the past years.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade - What is your approach to lifestyle and design?


Grant K. Gibson - I wake up everyday and I pinch myself. I have been very fortunate in life and I love what I do. So many people have jobs that they are not passionate about. My job keeps me on my toes (and can be a challenge for sure). It's not like all I do is go shopping and pick out pretty things all day long. I think that overall, I have a pretty positive outlook and attitude on life. I am a pretty relaxed and funny person. This I feel like reflected in the designs that I work with in my client projects. I am pretty clear with my clients from the start that there will be delays and always some issues along the. I like to tell them that really there is no such thing as a "design emergency". At the end of the day, we still have people without jobs, children starving in the world and so many other things to think about. It is not that I am a lazy designer and make excuses at all, I take each project very seriously. I just feel that we don't leave this world with any of the things that we have collected or purchased. Buying things doesn't solve problems or at the end of the day make people happy.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade – You seem to really enjoy blogging, which is part of what makes your blog so much fun to read. What is your favourite thing about blogging?


Grant K. Gibson - For me, my blog is very one sided. It is pretty much about me and my life. I don't really blog too much on other designers or use recycled photos of spaces. I love writing about my travels and my projects that I am working on. I have loved connecting with other designers and bloggers out there. That part has been wonderful to meet other people that are interested in the same things.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade – It’s great that you share some of your personal life with your bloggers as well, such as your own personal and clients projects. What has that process been like?


Grant K. Gibson - When I started my blog, I started it so that I could share photos of a trip to Paris with friends back home. I thought that it was a way that I could put up photos and talk about my time. After returning home, I thought about it and I decided to just start writing more and keep it up. That was around 3 years ago. For me it has been an amazing tool to put myself out there and for people to get to know me more. I have actually found many clients because of it. They have told me that they felt like that were able to get to know me more by reading my blog. By my cooking or traveling or all of my adventures. I think that often a website is static and it doesn't get updated very often. A blog is meant to get updated frequently (I try to blog once a week) and be up to date.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade - What is the best advice (design related or otherwise) that you have ever received?


Grant K. Gibson - Years ago, a very wise and well known design in this industry told me to: Never forget that you are the designer and they are the client and not to live the same lifestyle that the client does. He meant that so many designers get caught up in the design world and end up trying to live the same lifestyle that the client does. This designer also told me to give the client what they want. That has been key for me. There are times that I might not like exactly what they have selected. I have to remember that they are the ones that will be living there at the end of the project- not me.


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Interior Design by Grant K. Gibson


Iván Meade - What does it feel like to be announced as one of Top 5 Designers to watch in America by Elle Décor Magazine?


Grant K. Gibson - I am still on top of the world from this. I have been reading Elle Decor forever. I always had big dreams of being published in the pages of Elle Decor one day. When Margaret Russell picked up the phone to call me to tell me that she wanted to select me as one of the Top 5 designers to watch- I nearly dropped the phone.


I feel honoured and know what a special and unique being selected by Elle Decor is. To be honest, my life hasn't been the same since. I have received a great group of wonderful new clients and I couldn't be happier.


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Interior Design by Grant K.Gibson


Iván Meade – What is next for Grant K. Gibson Interior Design?


Grant K. Gibson - Well, I am always playing with the idea of a line of fabric and furniture and I have actually started a book. All of which might take me years to complete. I am in no rush and I am not going anywhere!


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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Monday 16 May 2011

Eye Candy of the Week – Chrome Obleeek Cylinder

 

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PRODUCT

Chrome Obleeek Cylinder

 

MANUFACTURER

Urban Nature

 

COLLECTION

Chrome Collection

 

MATERIALS

Chrome

 

DESCRIPTION

One of our beloved blog fans Miz Tanya Weber sent us a link to these wonderful chrome planters.  I guess Miz Weber knows exactly what we like because this chrome planter collection is stunning. 

 

I love the asymmetry  of the Obleeek Cylinder planters and the fact that they are made with heavy gauge sheets of aircraft-grade aluminum containing up to 80% recycled content.

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Sweet, Sweet, and Sweet!!!



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Wednesday 11 May 2011

In Conversation with Axis Decorative Arts

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Foster Eastman & Tracy Averill

 

Tracy Averill and Foster Eastman turned their passion for collecting French antiques into a business. By 2001, when Axis Decorative Arts opened on Howe Street, the pair had been collecting French furnishings from the 1920's-1940's for over a dozen years. They were an immediate success thanks to their refined eye and design skills. Visiting their showroom alone is a real experience, the combination of vintage pieces in pristine condition paired with contemporary accents and their brilliant glamour-meets-industrial space is a combination to die for.

 

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Axis Decorative Arts

 

Axis Decorative Arts focuses on 3 main types of business: Interior Design, Sales, and Consulting. Their spaces are stunning combinations of styles, moody lighting, and textures that feels so decadent yet liveable. Their inclusion of art and antiques really do add a personal but rich touch to the overall atmosphere. The sales portion of their business is a great find - all of the beautiful pieces from Paris and Southern France that once can see in their showroom are actually for sale, and you can be sure that it is a genuine, quality piece when purchasing from Axis. And lastly, their consulting has brought them much success with movie sets and events - glamorous!

 

I have always admired their showroom and their work, and I cannot wait to find out more about the men behind Axis Decorative Arts - read on to get in on the conversation…

 

Ivan Meade - What was your first experience with design?

Tracy Averill -I worked for a fashion retailer in the late 70's and early 80's and that company trained me for their display department. I was a quick learner and ended up managing a region for them. I then went to work for Holt Renfrew and worked as the visual presentation manager for ten years.

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade - Where does your passion for collecting 1920's -1940's French Furnishings come from?

Tracy Averill -Foster and I both collected 18th and 19th century antiques for a few years and did two apartments in that style. When Foster opened Axis Hair Salons we started to look at Art Deco pieces from the 1920's for the salons and soon became hooked! We moved to a modern apartment and changed our collecting from that point on. I loved the clean lines of the Deco period and how well they worked with contemporary  furniture and art. We have been on that hunt for great pieces ever since. That has opened our eyes to all things 20th century. The French part of it has been many trips to Paris and the south of France and that has also taken us to Italy looking for great pieces from the 1960's

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade - What do you look for in a furniture piece?

Tracy Averill -I like what vintage furniture adds to the room. I feel that a good piece should also add function but for me uniqueness and quality would be what I would want out of it. So much of what I see I see everywhere and that would not hold my interest for very long. It is hard to put into words but I just know when I see a piece that works. It has very little to do with price but like all things the best are always going to cost.

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade – What is the most practical thing you own and what is the most rare?

Tracy Averill -All pieces that have storage are practical and add tons in what has become smaller and smaller spaces. I love using sideboards or buffets in living rooms to anchor the room and you can put so much in them. I also think that a desk in the living room with a great desk chair is perfect. I have one and I use it all the time and with lap tops you can keep them small and tidy? I have a desk set by Hermes made in the 1930's in perfect condition... that is rare.

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade - What do you think the furnishings of today are missing?

 

Tracy Averill -Most furnishings that I like today, and I like many just need time and use to soften the edges. I now look for pieces from the 70's to do that in coffee tables end tables even soft furnishings so I don't have to wait.  

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade - One of my favourite aspects of your designs is that you use original Art, Sculptures and elements with old world patina in all your projects - Do you design around these pieces or are the pieces guests to your spaces?

 

Tracy Averill -I think that all my interiors start from a few pieces that I like the look of together. I then start to fill in the spaces with pieces that are needed to make the room function. I would always wait for them to come from a vintage source in my own rooms but that is not always the way that it works with clients. In that case we look at what is available in the new lines. But for me the balance should lean toward vintage this is where the room will stand out from what we see around us today. Art is very important and original art is also very assessable at any price level. Sculpture is a little more difficult as good pieces are hard to find and will cost a bit, but don't put a ugly sculpture in a room as it will always stand out!!

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade - I also noticed that you often enhance every space with beautiful paneling and custom fireplaces that work in concert with modern living, but also relate with the antique furnishings  you use - How do you achieve this?

 

Tracy Averill -I am glad you ask this question as I think it is what I try to do in all rooms. The back grounds to fine antiques and 20th century vintage need to help contain the pieces. I love to use a grid of panels to frame the room and help focus the eye. A fire place is a great central focus for a room. Most new homes or apartments unfortunately have ugly fireplaces in the worst places so for me they need to be redone or blocked up.

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade - What is your approach to lifestyle and design?

 

Tracy Averill -I think that some of us see design in everything that we approach and the lifestyle is almost a by product. Living with style takes some work you have to take the time to put things in order. It is often the small details that set this apart from the ordinary and I try to see through what I find as mundane and make it more interesting.

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade - What is the best advice (design related or otherwise) that you have ever received?

 

Tracy Averill -Having the patience to research and find just the right piece to give the room that WOW factor.

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade –  What is next for Axis Decorative Arts Interior Design?

 

Tracy Averill -My market is now global and I have alined myself with 1st Dibb's most of my business is now international and I see that as the future.

 

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Interior Design by Axis Decorative Arts

 

Iván Meade - Lastly, you have created a stunning body of work in a multitude of mediums – what would you like your legacy to be?

Tracy Averill -That clients enjoy the experience as much as I do. Helping them see them selves in their homes living with quality vintage pieces and striving for uniqueness.



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Sunday 8 May 2011

Eye Candy of the Week – Molecule Door Knob

 

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PRODUCT

Molecule Door Knob

 

MANUFACTURER

Sherle Wagner

 

COLLECTION

Modern Hardware, Levers, Knobs and Pulls

 

MATERIALS

Back Plate in Polished Nickel

 

DESCRIPTION

Unfortunately, there is not much information about this ultra cool door knob collection.  I just found it randomly on the web and I fall immediately in love with its design.  An anonymous piece with a really big memorability factor.

 

This door knob is very edgy but has an elegance to it.  I would love to use the Molecule door knob in a beautiful Art Deco inspired custom cabinet made with Senegal Ebony wood, or to making an entrance really shine.

 

Where will you use this door knob?

 

YUMMY FACTOR

Addictively Delicious!!!



MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011

Sunday 1 May 2011

In Conversation with Erika Smolders

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Erika Smolders

 

Erica Smolders is without a doubt one of the best floral designers in the city. She runs the premiere luxury floral boutique, Rook and Rose located in the fashionable district in lower Johnson Street (aka "LoJo"). 

 

I met Erica over a year ago when she was opening her quaint shop, and since then every time I walk by on my way to the studio her floral displays outside make my day brighter and happier.  She always has the most beautiful and unexpected flower arrangements ready to take home and you'll undoubtedly find the most stunning selection of seasonal and exotic blooms as well. 

 

Erica Smolders and her talented team including Lolita, her bulldog (which has stolen my heart completely) are available to work with each and every client bringing the beauty, the unique and the unexpected to every floral creation.

 

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Lolita

 

Iván Meade - What is your favourite local find? Where did you get this item – how long have you had it?

 

Erica Smolders – Last spring I found a 1950’s Smith Corona typewriter while helping a friend clean out their garage. A few months later, I opened Rook & Rose and really liked the idea of using it at the shop to hand-type card messages and little love letters.

 

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Iván Meade - Why is it important/inspirational to you?

 

Erica Smolders – I think it makes people happy. The sound of a typewriter might seem a bit out of place in a flower shop but it sure gets a lot of attention. I also really like that no two notes are ever the same. Some might be a tiny bit crooked or have a spot of white-out but I think that makes them special and I bet people will keep those cards for a really long time.

 

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Floral Design by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade -  How does this item reflect upon your personal design philosophy?

 

Erica Smolders – In floral design I really appreciate small, unexpected details and I think you can always tell when someone has taken the time to include those things. Plus, I love anything with a slight DIY vibe and I’m a sucker for anything vintage.

 

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Floral Design by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade - What was your first experience with floral design?

 

Erica Smolders – I was attending University overseas, took a part-time job at a small flower stand and fell in love with it. Within weeks I’d decided that I just had to be a floral designer... and the rest is history.

 

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Floral Design by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade - Who or what has influenced your style aside from nature itself?

 

Erica Smolders –Without a doubt, the years spent working in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore and were the most inspiring and influential experience I could have asked for as a young designer.

 

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Floral Design by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade - Your shop is really unique and beautiful - It is not your typical flower shop what is your idea behind the shop?

 

Erica Smolders – I actually framed a restaurant napkin that I used to take notes when I was coming up with the concept for the shop. It says “clean, modern, stress the basics, affordable luxury, approachable design, beautiful packaging, quality customer service” and I think we’ve really done that.

 

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Rook & Rose – Floral Boutique

 

Iván Meade - It was very refreshing to find someone in the city who does new and different floral designs. How do you keep current in the floral industry?

 

Erica Smolders –My eyes are always open. I follow high fashion, interior design and modern art really closely and have noticed that it doesn’t take long anymore for trends in those industries to influence floral design.

 

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Floral Design by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade - Do you feel that Victoria is ready for a change? Where do you see floral design going in the next 10 years?

 

Erica Smolders – Absolutely! There’s been efforts to push the envelope around the city but it’s sometimes been met with hesitation. Luckily, being a new business, we’ve built an incredibly supportive clientele who are always checking in to see what’s new and that really keeps us on our toes. Hopefully within the next 10 years more and more people will choose flowers to compliment the style of their surroundings and maybe those fluffy, tacky, novelty arrangements will finally retire! 

 

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Floral Design by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade - What project are you most proud of?

 

Erica Smolders – I live for the moments when a bride tells me that her bouquet was ‘exactly what she wanted’ or that the flowers were ‘the favourite part of her wedding day’. Knowing that you’ve made someone so happy on one of the most memorable days of their life... you just can’t beat that.

 

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Floral Bouquets by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade - What would be your dream project if you were given carte blanche?

 

Erica Smolders –I really love events to have either a clear theme or a really cohesive look, so a dream project for me would be having a hand in the planning process from the beginning so that I can spend a majority of my time on all the thoughtful little details. Our flowers just look so much nicer on a perfectly planned table.

 

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Floral Design by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade - What is your favourite plant to work with?

 

Erica Smolders – Orchids! It might seem like a really obvious answer but I just love how versatile they are and some of the rare varieties are really special.

 

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Floral Design by Rook & Rose

 

Iván Meade - Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work with many mediums and styles, what would you like your legacy to be?

 

Erica Smolders – Oh wow...I don’t know! I’m still just the new kid on the block. Ask me again in 5 years?

 

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Erika Smolders in full action.

 

I invite you to discover Rook and Rose website at:

 

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MEADE DESIGN GROUP - THE BLOG. Copyright 2007-2011