*Poof*

I seriously think poofs (or poufs) are one of the most versatile small scale pieces one could own.
In general, they make a good foot rest, but in a pinch (at a party) they easily double as casual seating.
You could even  balance a tray on top and have it become a little side table.
It also makes a great bench at the end of the bed.

Cassandra LaValle via Rue Mag

via

 
^While I'm a huge fan of the Moroccan poof, I just can't get over the cozy texture of this knitted one. Used in the space above it feels warm yet industrial and masculine, but I also think it works great in  kids spaces.
In fact, I'm designing a floor plan for class right now in which I use two of these in a play area.
Knitted ones can be found at CB2

via

I know some people think poofs are overdone, but I think they are too versatile to give up just yet.
What do you think of poofs?
Would you go Moroccan or knitted?
xo

Intro to Drafting - First Assignment

On Friday I began tackling my first drafting assignment.
From the pictures, it looks pretty easy...Don't let the pictures fool you.
As a first timer, it was tricky to get a handle on all the different drafting tools (parallel bar, t-square, triangle squares, architects scales, etc). And it was VERY time consuming!

The assignment was to draw the six specifically patterned squares to the proper scale, making sure all lines and points met up completely precisely.
If you're measurements were even the slightest bit off, the diagonal lines would not pass perfectly through each corner. Super frustrating!

First we did a rough copy on a newspaper pad, and then traced it onto this blocked vellum paper.
The rough copy is still underneath in these pictures, which is why you see some faded lines beneath.

We used a 1" = 1' scale. Using this scale, each square had to be 3'x3', and be spaced 1' apart. Furthermore, they had to start 1'-6" away from the vellum's border on the side and 2'-6" down from the border on the top.

You can't really tell from the pictures, but we had to use different leads for certain lines as well.

 

 Next drafting class we complete the other half of this project, which is the lettering.

On another note, the bf came to visit this weekend! We went to a Toronto Marlie's game (since the NHL is locked out). It was a lot of fun and the Marlie's won 5-0!

How was your weekend?

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations,‘The Secret Source of Belgium’

 

Frequently I receive emails from readers who are planning to visit Belgium and who are looking for addresses of antiques dealers.

Today I’d love to introduce you to one of my favorite antiques dealers, the in Antwerp based Bie Baert.

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

The renown US antiques dealer Amy Perlin, who passed away 2 years ago, named Bie Baert ‘the secret source of Belgium’.

The introduction text on the website of Bie Baert is written by Amy Perlin, who was a dear friend of Bie.

Introduction text by Amy Perlin. To read it, click HERE.

 

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

To read on the website of Bie Baert :

“Entrez sans frapper is Bie Baert's motto when you walk through the front door of her charming house in Sint Job in 't Goor, 20 km from the center of Antwerp, where Bie lives and works.

“I want people to feel comfortable when they come to visit my house“ Bie says, it has to be a bit like coming home, where you can sit in easy chairs, surrounded by warm wooden objects, naturalia pieces and comfortable furniture. Where the coffee and tea are always ready and where the atmosphere is warm.” (text Website Bie Baert)

Isn’t this inviting?!

 

Impressions Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

Bie Baert Antiques & Decorations

 

Let us take a look at some of my favorite antique pieces of Bie’s today’s offer.

 

19th century English tilt top table, fine quality, great inlay work, small piece to cherish ....

 

elegant small Napoleon III tilt top table, dimensions 64 cm diameter, 70 cm high

Notice the table leg!

 

1 solid piece of Lebanese cedarwood, table top placed on 2 fruitwood treetrunks, dimensions

 

child's chair, England, 18th century, beautiful patina

detail of the child’s chair

 

19th century English comfortable chair

 

Dutch cabinet, scraped to the original paint, completely genuine, with the original old glass, wonderful small proportions, 208 cm high, 140 cm wide and 40 cm deep

 

wooden double door with painted landscape panels, Italy, 18th century, original paint

 

Biot glassware, Biot/France, mid 19th century

 

pair of tazza's, yewwood, England, 19th century, superb quality

 

pair of guilder lathe turned wooden candlesticks, faded colors, Italy 18th century

 

ovalshaped copper bowl, here filled with papier mâché and wax fruit, Italy 18th century

 

very elegant pair of sycamore candlesticks, England, 19th century, 14,5 diameter x 35 cm high

 

2 dairy bowls, sycamore, England, 19th century

 

pair of romantic English paintings, 18th century, oil on canvas

 

If you plan to visit Belgium, I definitely would recommend you to visit Bie Baert , you will discover the most gorgeous antiques and decorations.

To make an appointment contact Bie  at info@biebaert.be

BIE BAERT Antiques & Decorations

http://www.biebaert.be

Laaglandlaan 14
2960 Sint Job in 't Goor
Belgium
Mob: +32 477 50 31 33

E-mail: info@biebaert.be

 

I hope that my post of today will help my readers who are planning to do some antiques shopping in Belgium!

xx

Greet

 

All images : website Bie Baert : http://www.biebaert.be

Combo Nation

I have some new Shoppe additions..

so...what combo are you??

1/2/3

Some School Stuff & Kelly Wearstler

Hi guys, I promise that next Friday I'll try to get back to the usual Fave Furniture series, I've just been settling in to school and such.
Speaking of which...Today I have my first drafting assignment! I'm so excited but a little bit nervous.
It's basically aimed at getting us used to the different drafting tools, as well as to learn the universal lettering style of the industry.

For next week I also have to "choose and interestingly designed object or project, such as an interior space, building, art work, piece of furniture, etc." to perform an architectural analysis on.
This means exploring issues such as shape, form, line, vertical and horizontal elements, etc.

While most of the suggestions given to us were of older historical artists and projects, I'd really like to discuss the lobby of The Tides South Beach Hotel, designed by Kelly Wearstler (who else could I choose!? She really packs so much drama and interest into a space).

I mean...gorge. Am I right?
I hope that the prof approves this one!
For more goodness check out the dining space of this hotel (also designed by Wearstler):

Woah, woah, woah. I'm going to have to work a picture of this into my presentation. I'm thinking to demonstrate the lines of that cool white and gold folding-screen-looking wall treatment, which is also used in the foyer (see the first image).

And those mounted tortoise shells seem totally relevant this week, what with Nate Burkus's Target line launching this week and all...The white shell is my fave thing in the collection I think!

Wish me luck y'all!
What designed object or project would you choose if you had this assignment?
xo

Mango & Lea

 

Dear friends, so many of you asked me about Mango recently. Thank you so much for the interest in the well-doing of my precious one! So sweet of you all! Therefore, today I would like to brief you about her. A year ago Mango became a member of our family (see my post here)!

Mango is doing fine! Even though she is already 18 years old, she is still in an excellent condition. She is very well cared for at the manège and she seems to be very happy!

I try to ride her as much as possible. Sunday afternoon is our fixed appointment and depending on my job schedule, I try to be with her two or three times a week, to not only ride her but of course to pamper and comfort her!!

My son Anthony took these pictures of me riding Mango yesterday.

 

This summer Mango spent many days on the grass-land with her friend Rioja. The 2 mares became inseparable friends and they even have their boxes next to each other.

Mango (left) and her friend Rioja.

 

Next to Rioja’s friendship, Mango is taking advantage of yet another remarkable friendship!!

Naast de vriendshap van Rioja, profiteert Mango nog van een andere bijzondere vriendschap!!

‘The Friendship of Lea’

‘De Vriendschap van Lea’

And this part of this post I will write even in Dutch abling Lea to follow this post.

Yes, today I love to introduce you to Lea.

Ja, vandaag wil ik u voorstellen aan Lea.

Lea is a very sweet and smart 12 year-old-girl and an excellent horse rider. And she really loves horses!!

Lea is een heel lief en pienter meisje van 12 jaar en een uitstekende amazone. En ze houdt heel veel van paarden!!

I often noticed that there was a mutual understanding between Lea and Mango. That is why I asked Lea if she agreed to ride Mango in her free moments, on the days that I am not able to ride Mango.

Ik had reeds dikwijls opgemerkt dat er een klik was tussen Lea en Mango. Daarom heb ik haar gevraagd of ze met Mango wou rijden tijdens haar vrije momenten, op de dagen dat ik het te druk heb.

And yes, she agreed! Lea not only rides Mango, she also helps me to take care of Mango!  Isn’t that wonderful?!

En ja, ze was akkoord! Lea berijdt niet alleen Mango, ze helpt mij ook om voor Mango te zorgen! Is dat niet fijn?!

Lea and Mango

Lea as a groom!

 

Lea and me saddling up Mango.

 

These 2 pictures of Lea and her own horse Speedy, I took this summer when Lea was attending her first jumping competition.

Deze 2 foto’s van Lea met haar eigen paard Speedy, nam ik deze zomer toen Lea deelnam aan haar eerste jumping competitie.

Lea with her own horse Speedy.

 

Thank you so much sweet Lea for all your help, your love and devotion to Mango!

Dank u wel lieve Lea voor al uw hulp, uw liefde voor en toewijding aan Mango!

 

 

Thank you again my friends, for the interest in Mango! I so appreciate it !

Happy weekend to each and everyone of you!

xx

Greet