Spirals for Inspiration

I was watching Oprah Winfrey's Supersoul Sunday this morning on facebook.  Thank goodness Oprah can air that on facebook, because the OWN programming we get in Canada really isn't what it should be.

Oprah had scholar Karen Armstrong speaking about her spiritual book, The Spiral Staircase.  She uses a description of a spiral staircase as a metaphor to her life journey.  The facebook page asks, what would you use as a metaphor for your own life journey?  I haven't come to a confidant answer on that for myself yet, but have considered a boat in an ocean full of big waves.  It's easiest to go with the current, rather than against it.

"I toiled round and round in pointless circles, covering the same ground, repeating the same mistakes, quite unable to see where I was going. Yet all the time, without realizing it, I was slowly climbing out of the darkness. In mythology, stairs frequently symbolize a breakthrough to a new level of consciousness." - Karen Armstrong

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/Book-Excerpt-The-Spiral-Staircase-by-Karen-Armstrong#ixzz2VmIh4dID

Being one who has worked with stairs often, and whom has been attracted to fun looking spiral staircases since I can remember, I was greatly inspired by the Breathing Space exerpt at the end of the show. http://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/Breathing-Space-The-Beauty-of-Spirals-Video  And would like to bring some of those photos here, to you, except it is on a video, so hopefully the link works.

I'll do a quick search on pinterest and see what I can find.

meandmybentley.tumblr.com

Gerry Shibayama

 

I especially like the plants that show spirals.  Remember, these photo's are not mine, they are shared on pinterest.  You can find them on my boards, but I pinned them there from other people's boards.

 Iden Convey

 stumbleupon.com and Gabrielle Hunter

Nature can bring us so many colours, shapes and patterns.  I love all the shadows in the rose photo, with the contrasting colours.  I've not seen such a long spiral of the climber above, but hopefully one day I will.  Notice the light reflecting off one side and the trail leading directly into the water.

 Namaste

IDS West - Sept. 2011

Meagan and I had so much fun at the Interior Design Show West in September 2011.  It was held in the new Vancouver Convention Centre West.  I love the rotating globe suspended above the main entry.  The ceiling finish is very creative as well.

During the opening event, we got to see fashion shows from Vancouver based designers.  If you haven't been to a fashion show, you must put it on your bucket list. 

There were many exhibitors and speakers during the event.  If you'd like more info on any of the photo's I can dig up the pamphlets and business cards I collected.  There are many more products displayed that I loved, but can't fit them all in!

We listened to artisan, Jeremy Cole speak of how he built his successful business, making ceramic light fixtures.  He was fascinating.  His pieces are absolutely beautiful and are all made by hand, not by machines. http://www.jeremycole.net/stage.html

These rock climbers are very fun, we almost bought a set right there and then.

I was very impressed with the size of these solid surface slabs in the Colonial Countertops exhibit. 

If you can get this product to work with your project budget, go for it! 

It works for both horizontal and vertical applications.

These planters are pretty fabulous too.  I love the modern white combined with the organic shapes.

One day I will own one of these fabulous fireplaces, I especially admired the stone surround, or is it stone?  Could it be solid surfacing?  Oh maybe it is plaster?  Maybe Meagan remembers.

I'm sure Meagan remembers this chair, she said it was comfortable, but I was too chicken to try it.

When trade day ended, it was Ross Lovegrove's turn to take the stage.  People filled the seating area way faster than we expected, and we had to stand during his talk.  He's an innovative, world renown designer.  If you get a chance to see him live, or see his CNN show 'Just Imagine,' don't miss it.  http://www.rosslovegrove.com/

I love these types of paintings.

Lighting has become one of the most innovative areas of interior design. 

You could really make a statement with this peice.

We'll try to make it to next year's IDS West, let me know if you want to join us.

New Workplace and Kelowna Home Show

I've spent the last few months adjusting to a new workplace.  The company is Bluegreen Architecture Inc, here in Kamloops BC.  We have an office in Kelowna as well.  (It was formerly Coast Architecture.)  I'm currently doing loads of building technology drafting on a Mac with Vectorworks.  It's very different from what I am accustomed to, but it is working out very well. 

I have done some interior design work, including exterior finish selections.  I'm very excited for a modern house I helped with.  It is being done with a denim blue, warm greys and bright timbers.  Once it is built, I will try to get a photo for the blog.

The Kelowna Home Show was fun this winter.  I helped man the IDIBC / IDC Booth.  We offered free 15 minute consultations with Registered Interior Designers.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I did my shift on the 'design dilemma' sessions, but it turned out to be really fun. 

I learned about a number of places I want to shop at in Kelowna.  One day I will go buy the hot tub with the built-in waterfall. 

I love the twin copper floor lamps, and wish they were built to be outside.  I could put them next to two new wooden lounge chairs and anchor it with a new outdoor carpet.