Halifax 2

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The trip to Halifax was remarkably productive and inspiring.  At a civilized yet purposeful pace between morning and evening flights I toured and documented the clients' two residential properties in Halifax, the cottage on nearby St. Margaret's Bay, and the office with its collection of oil and watercolour paintings.  We also visited several local showrooms in downtown Halifax, including that of a skilled furniture maker who specializes in gorgeous custom solid black cherry pieces - my favorites were the Shaker style credenzas, benches and headboards that would last a lifetime.  The vistas around St. Margaret's Bay (near Peggy's Cove) were spectacular - at the cottage property the islands on the horizon were serene and wild - the siting of the house created the sensation that we were the only people for miles to witness the view.  We also saw many wonderful examples of the local maritime vernacular of silvered cedar shakes and impeccable white trim -- somehow a perfect definition of good design: a synthesis of contextual relevance, functionality, elegant simplicity, and a respect for high quality natural materials.

North Clinton House 3_In Progress

DURING CONSTRUCTION

FURNISHING IN PROGRESS

 

The full renovation of the North Clinton house in Seaton Village is in its final stages.  The new kitchen and the bathrooms are nearly complete with gorgeous surfaces of limestone, statuario marble, white glass and white oak.  The selection of new furnishings throughout is in progress.  We wanted to create a sense of serene simplicity and spaciousness, with a few planes of vivid colour in the bedrooms and beautiful lighting fixtures positioned to accentuate the architectural shapes.

Corvo Chair

 

The Corvo chair from Bernhardt Design was a pleasure to see at the ICFF this year in NYC.  The sculpted curves in rich walnut are sensual and well crafted, referencing several classic shapes - it is a chair we'd love to use in more than one project currently on the boards.

Paris to Narbonne

A trip to France has been booked for August: several days in Paris, followed by a jaunt to the south coast on the TGV in order to explore the countryside between Nimes, Narbonne and Toulouse.  The plan is to immerse ourselves in a heady combination of architecture, the city, the sea, food and wine, and the chance to reconnect with good friends who will be heading to Paris from their home in Thionville to meet us for a celebratory dinner.  Material for a new photography project is also going to be a mission, as I am working on another book and series of graphic projects and so this is another opportunity to capture as much inspiration as possible.

That unforgettable first memory of Paris was of course the moment when the fragrance of hot croissants, browning butter and baguettes filled the still shuttered streets at 6am, as an early morning flight had left me wandering the cobblestones whilst the much more civilized Parisians were still asleep in their apartments.  The silver haired bakers in their floured aprons proudly tore bread with me, and I had the best espresso of my life.

JF

Halifax 1

Looking forward to flying out to Halifax later this month, in order begin design consultation for both this residence and the same owner's cottage property on beautiful St. Margaret's Bay (near Peggy's Cove).

Avenue Road

Visit this gallery of photos taken by a GQ/Vogue columnist at the opening party of the beautiful new Avenue Road.  There I am enjoying champagne and good company in photo #20!

JF

Olive Avenue_Custom Millwork Installation In Progress 2

INSTALL IN PROGRESS

As the finishing touches are being completed for the millwork installation - there are still a few elements missing - we are beginning to compose the walls with the beautiful paintings and prints from the owner's collection.

Olive Avenue_Custom Millwork Installation In Progress 1

INSTALL + PAINTING TOUCH UPS IN PROGRESS

MILLWORK DETAIL

IMPECCABLY FITTED CUSTOM CABINETRY

MHY PENDANT LAMPS, NEW PANTRY

The custom millwork installion at the Olive Avenue house is going very smoothly.  The new millwork along with the freshly painted walls and new lighting fixtures have completely transformed the living area and kitchen, which now feel modern, open and full of light.  The millwork is well made and perfectly fitted, with solid edging, matched select veneers and high quality hardware.  The wall of shelves and long bench extending into the dining area are nearly ready to receive the owner's impressive collection of books, music and art.  Furniture selection is in progress.

Thanks again to Parallel General.

Cottage Life

Having spent many a luxurious summer day at this family cottage, its simple pleasures seem even more precious on Canada Day.

This cottage is one of a small enclave of Latvian cottages hidden amongst birches and ferns only an hour north of downtown Toronto, with the sweet name of 'Saulaine', or 'Sunshine'.  Lately the inexorable push of suburban sprawl surrounding Hwy 400 has meant that the gravel side roads are giving way to asphalt, and incongruous monster homes are encroaching on the edges of farmers' fields and the unmarked rural roads that have surrounded Saulaine since it was conceived in the early 1950's.

Still, Saulaine within its boundaries seems as untouched as ever, with its fiddleheads, wild strawberries, trilliums, migrating salmon, and humble cedar clad structures between the trees.  Perhaps one thing that has saved it from being completely overrun is the fact that it lies on an escarpment above the wild Nottawasaga River, without a lake to attract summertime traffic. 

The cottage itself is situated on a small slope, so that where the land falls down toward the trees the lower level of the cottage opens directly onto the forest floor, while the entry ground level is afforded a balcony along the length of the rear.  The main room is high and airy, with partially exposed beams at a peaked ceiling that opens to wood framed glazing to the east.  The plan is superbly sensible, with two bedrooms and a bathroom off of the main room, and a basement a half level below the entrance.  The rooms have been perfectly frozen in the 1960's, filled with teak furniture and views that have likely remained the same since they were built.  Its spirit - a charming union of Canadian and Latvian sensibilities - also bears kinship to the soul of the Finnish cottages I had visited while living in Helsinki.

What a treasure.

JF