FLOCK #4

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I love the demolition phase.  Another Flock in progress!

DINNER BY DESIGN installation and Pecha Kucha talk at the Design Exchange on the Historic Trading Floor - for DX and CASEY HOUSE

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PHOTO BY JFD

PHOTOS BY PETER A. SELLAR, PHOTOKLIK

 PHOTO POSTED BY AZURE MAGAZINE

 PHOTO POSTED BY DESIGN EXCHANGE

What an amazing week!  This was my installation for the Dinner by Design exhibit on the historic trading floor of the Design Exchange as a fundraiser for the DX and Casey House.  Installation was a hectic whirlwind within 24 hours but everything came together thanks to all of the supporting contributors.  I designed a 13 foot long Caesarstone and walnut table, had custom designed wallpaper printed by Rollout, and a heroic crew from Gillanders Construction came to install walls and hang precious artwork from the AGO and Hollace Cluny.  There was a cocktail reception as well as a lavish dinner the next evening, followed by an open-to-the-public display.  I also survived a Pecha Kucha talk moderated by Amy Rosen, thank goodness.  And I made a cookbook called Meals to Share! [version 1.0...]

Thank you so much to:

DESIGN EXCHANGE
CASEY HOUSE
CAESARSTONE
GILLANDERS CONSTRUCTION
PARALLEL GENERAL 
HOLLACE CLUNY
AVENUE ROAD
INTERIOR ELEMENTS
ROLLOUT
KIOSK
MAUREEN O'CONNOR
AGO
CJ GRAPHICS
PETER SELLAR / PHOTOKLIK
COCKTAIL EMPORIUM  /  BYOB
MJOLK
EMBLEM FLOWERS
OYSTER BOY
PRISM VALUATION
CALIFORNIA CLOSETS
ARTVERB


See other installations with mine at AZURE thanks to Senior Editor Catherine Osborne.  http://www.azuremagazine.com/article/dinner-by-design/
 
And on Instagram from HOUSE AND HOME Editor in Chief Suzanne Dimma:  https://www.instagram.com/p/BAvl1D6txKn/?taken-by=suzannedimma

and HOUSE AND HOME via Senior Features Editor Kimberly Brown   https://www.instagram.com/p/BAxRCGqLpNm/?taken-by=houseandhomemag 

CANADIAN INTERIORS
http://www.canadianinteriors.com/interior-design/second-annual-monogram-dinner-by-design-to-support-casey-house-and-design-exchange/1003735054/ \

INTERIOR DESIGN
http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/11574-food-and-design-merge-at-toronto-s-dinner-by-design/

FAULHABER COMMUNICATIONS
http://www.faulhabercommunications.com/fdrive/fevents-dinner-by-design-2016

MONACLE

https://monocle.com/radio/shows/section-d/226/

Also the printed cook book is available on AMAZON.COM
http://www.amazon.com/MEALS-SHARE-JENNY-FRANCIS-DESIGN/dp/1364557983/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1454191753&sr=8-2&keywords=jenny+francis+design




XOXO

Port Credit House 4

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PHOTOS BY PETER A. SELLAR, PHOTOKLIK

I am so pleased to have worked on this project with amazing clients.  It has recently been written up in Dwell and the Globe and Mail, see links below.  Thanks to Parallel General - after all of the wrangling of structural steel, reveals, nice fixtures and fine millwork; we pulled off what I had imagined.

AS SEEN IN DWELL:
http://www.dwell.com/house-tours/article/hillside-toronto-renovation-immerses-residents-surrounding-tree-canopy#6

AS SEEN IN THE GLOBE AND MAIL:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/architecture/mid-century-home-of-lynchmere-founder-gets-a-respectful-update/article28146187/

CHICAGO

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LANDING AT MIDWAY

TRENCHERMAN, WICKER PARK

 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, OAK PARK

 VIOLET HOUR

 GREEN STREET MEATS

 CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTRE

 

LATERAL OFFICE ILLUSTRATION

 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT, OAK PARK

TULUM HOTEL MODEL, CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTRE

Chicago - what a marvelous city, full of interesting neighborhoods, ambitious buildings, art, food and contrasting adjacent scales of architecture and cultural detail.  After a cancelled flight due to the heaviest November snowfall in 120 years, I had one more precious day to add to my brief trip to discover inspiring places during the architectural biennial.  

Unsound Toronto - Hearn Generating Station

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The Unsound Toronto event that was part of the Luminato Festival took place at the Hearn Generating Station.  What a space.  Industrial majesty.  Immense steel members support soaring ceilings, masterfully illuminated for the night.  The steel reverberated with the music.  I felt lucky to have gotten a rare glimpse inside of this relic.  It reminded me of the times when I would sneak into forbidden infrastructural spaces in New York.  The scale of building necessary to run a city can be breathtaking.  I always dreamed of building something that defies imagination.

Port Credit House 3

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The windows and lift and slide doors are going in today!  Following the violence of demolition comes the quiet peace of a new vision and future for the house.  The living spaces are suddenly full of light with views akin to those from a treehouse.  The lush gardens with mature trees can be appreciated from every room.  The custom millwork is being fabricated, and the finishes and fixtures will soon be installed.  I feel that the integrity of the original house has been preserved and celebrated also.  Rather pleased.  Thank you to C+C and Parallel General.

Port Credit House 2

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One of my favorite stages on a construction site is when the steel is going in.  Getting this big chunk of steel through the front door was not so easy.  A lot of laughing and bluster, inch by inch rotations and some nearly pinched fingers.

Port Credit House 1

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Starting work on a perfect 1950's home in Port Credit - very sensible spacious plan, amazing street and lot backing on to a ravine.  The original light fixtures, little surprises such as the vintage in-wall radio (that works!), and views through the mature trees surrounding make this house even more special.