the Suquet home tells a story of eclectic elegance, taste and style
La Carinthia Fireplaces among Italian Leather Sofas (you can choose your style and colour).
Last Thursday I attended a designer & artist champagne reception to toast the newly opened Suquet Interiors in Vancouver’s Yaletown. A feast for the eyes…décor and art sublime!
Artist: Tanya SlingsbyArtist: Justin Ogilvie
The building itself has industrial flair with its high vaulted ceilings which melds perfectly to the furnishings inside; an enduring amalgamation of old world charm and modern luxe mixed with captivating art. A perfect combo.
the entrance
It doesn’t get much better than this.
I find the furnishings themselves are works of ART, and
definitely the standout magnificent mirrored fireplaces. Do you get the idea of how much I like them?
Artist: Tanya SlingsbyTanya Slingsby stands beside one of her ART pieces.
I met lovely Tanya Slingsby, an artist who has impressive and varied works of art displayed around the store. There are some amazing stand-alone pieces.
Mosaic wall art by Jason DussaultGeorgina Masana stands next to a set of her paintings
Georgina Masana is another talented local artist. She is originally from Mexico City. Her son Ramon Jr. is co-owner along with Rick Bohonis (previously of Urban Barn). I asked Georgina if there was a meaning to the name Suquet. Her explanation:
“Suquet is the last name of my late husband Ramon’s mother. It is also a Catalan word that means a broth in diminutive. When you use the letters ‘et’ in Catalan it means a diminutive. There is also a dish called Suquet that is similar to bouillabaisse with shellfish and broth served in a casuela. But basically my husband wanted to use it because it sounds nice.”
suquet meal
I agree. It does sound nice and it’s as nice as the tasty photo she sent me of the eponymous dish. Best of luck!
Suquet Interiors – 1014 Homer St. (in Yaletown) Vancouver.
Remember the post where I declared my love for the Vintage Airstream Trailer? That was 10 days ago although it seems like months now.
I found out that many travel companies are getting on board the vintage trailer bandwagon: In November, rental company Airstream 2 Go partnered with Texas boot-maker Lucchese (love them too – bought a pair in Nashville) on a custom itinerary through the Lone Star State, which includes a trip to the factory and a pair of custom boots.
Airstream says it’s selling five times as many trailers as it did in 2009, spent $6 million on a new office space, and recently hired 130 new employees. Sounds like the making of a major comeback story.
CHECK THIS OUT:
If you’re not the road trip type but want to experience the Airstream lifestyle for a night or two, here are five firmly planted and beautifully decorated hotels for your next vacation.
El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas
El Cosmico Photo: Courtesy of El Cosmico
There is probably no place more appropriate to situate a trailer than Marfa, the art-centric, holistic desert oasis of the Southwest. El Cosmico offers tepees, yurts, and, most important, several models of trailers that are sparsely decorated but seriously cozy. There’s a minibar in each but, intentionally, no Wi-Fi.
AutoCamp, Santa Barbara, California
Autocamp Photo: Courtesy of Autocamp
This tiny Airstream-based hotel is made up of five vintage trailers, some of which come equipped with flat-screen TVs, large bathtubs, and Malin + Goetz products. Each trailer also comes with two beach cruiser bikes for getting around the camp.
Hotel Daniel, Vienna, Austria
Hotel Daniel Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Daniel
Nestled in the garden just outside the boutique hotel, one silver Airstream trailer is available as a room option for guests. The 172-square-foot space was created by interior designers specializing in yachts and has a sleek, minimal feel. It nods to the experience of being out on the open road, but is in the middle of a busy urban center.
Italy Airstream, Venice, Italy
Italy Airstream Park Photo: Courtesy of Italy Airstream Park
The website touts this as “the first Airstream park in Italy,” and it’s certainly the first of its kind on the Adriatic Coast. Recently opened in April, the six Airstreams each sleep up to four people, with a shaded canopy bed outside. It’s 30 minutes to Venice by car, or you can take a longer two-hour ride to reach the Dolomites. There’s also a beach just outside the park.
Caravan Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Caravan Tokyo Photo: Courtesy of Caravan Tokyo
For those looking to skip the Ritz or the Park Hyatt for something a little more low-key, Caravan is the place to stay in Tokyo. It’s a single trailer that sleeps two, parked near the bustling Harajuku neighborhood in a mixed-use office complex. It’s a fantastic example of innovative, smart Japanese design, with a gray exterior, modern pendant lamps and paper stools inside, and a wooden outer deck and lounge area.
I know this is not the same thing but….
It’s what I have for now and it’s more easily transportable. I’ve made many meals in this rig including once in Texas a fully-cooked Christmas dinner. It’s true! Coffee anyone?
Source: Vogue Magazine Article (by Brooke Bobb) 5 Airstream Rentals That Trump Traditional Hotel Rooms
A piece of work! These earrings were a gift from a good friend who knows that I like mixing something old with something new and a preference for pieces that can be worn with everything from jeans to a cocktail dress.
This pair is perfect because they go with everything and they don’t bother my overly sensitive ears one bit. Even my diamond studs which have a tiny amount of nickel in the backings bother my ears.
The designers make each piece by hand by incorporating new ideas and they use simple tools with old recyclable materials from scrap metals like aluminum, sterling, brass or copper sourced from their various travels. Some feature landscapes of the West and the like.
What a coincidence that just last year I bought two pairs at the outdoor VillageFest which takes place every Thursday evening in downtown Palm Springs.
Southwest polymer clay necklace
Their one-of-a-kind creations are found in various galleries and gift shops throughout the U.S. and online at Etsy. To purchase:
When you live on the water I think you want something reflective of your surroundings.These photos from a friends house overlooking a lake show a balance of simple comfy casualness mixed with sophistication. Of course I love all the sea details with starfish, shells and fish strewn throughout the house.
A little breakfast nook to have coffee, afternoon tea or just relax and readThe view is the main attraction but there’s no shortage of places to sit & chatCountry Style hanging pots & pans with lots of sunshine that flows from all directionsI like the wood details & oversized chair & sofa – well suited for the location
I like this stained glass piece in the entryway even though the owner wants to replace it with something different.
Colourful artwork is displayed all over the house but I’ve decided not to post photos as they are stolen private.
Do you have a favourite home style?
For me, it’s a mix of belongings picked up from various travels. All that matters is that they have meaning to me and bring back memories of places, people and times. I like a combination of rustic and modern, colour, black & white or plain white walls with lots of art. I’m leaning towards less is more now (don’t laugh, I mean that). Ideally, I would have several small homes and each one would be different. A pied-à-terre in Paris, New York and something on the beach. In the meantime, I will live vicariously through some of my friends. It’s always nice to see other people’s tastes.
I’ve been thinking about buying a new helmet for my scooter for the past three years now. Most of the ones I’ve come across are geared towards men.
This one shouts “look at me” – why don’t they have a female version or is it androgynous? Too tough looking for me.So instead of wearing a helmet I dyed my hair RED to match my MiO
A matching helmet did not come with my vintage-inspired creamsicle lookingscooter so I’ve been wearing one that a friend gave me (so that he could buy a nicer newer model) that is all scratched up and doesn’t really suit me. Mine is ‘real’ vintage but not in the good way. I can have one painted to match (that’s too matchy) or just buy a new one but every time I go to check them out I think the old one is good enough because the newer ones are just as ordinary. I don’t want something that looks like I’m riding a Harley and I don’t want one that looks like I’m riding a horse either. Maybe I should create some fashionable helmets for women with scooters? Or maybe I’ll just buy one of these:
the four variations in the series of ‘custom made helmets’ – by jyo john mullor
Dubai-based digital designer jyo john mullor has realized a series of helmet designs that appear to leave the human head totally exposed to outdoor elements. The trompe-l’œil effect brings about the illusion that a series of different people with shaved heads are seamlessly integrated into the plush, yet sturdy protective gear. Four variations include a motorcycle cap with ears and earrings, a simple bicycle style with shaved brunette hair, and a vintage safety hat with attached goggles stretching over the surface of the skin. Although not yet physical objects, Mullor’s ‘custom made helmets’ provide a look at the possibilities of extreme personalization, and would guarantee a double take on the road.
A vintage safety hat with attached goggles stretches over the surface of the skin. I could go with this.Now this style appeals to me. I even like the colour combo.
What do you think? Would YOU wear one of these?
Jia Jia says “yes” to this Vespa in mint condition with sidecar – but then it would be “what kind of helmet do I get for him?”
Design, Art, Travel, Shopping – these are some of my favourite things!
Maria Gabriela Brito is an art collector and interior designer living in New York City and the author of Out There: Design, Art, Travel, Shopping ($60USD – Pointed Leaf Press). The book is an insider’s guide to designing interiors and developing an art collection. OUT THERE is a fresh and exclusive look behind the scenes of a passionate and exciting new design authority on mixing contemporary art with home decoration. It features highlights of Brito’s favorite contemporary artists, photographs of eight New York City apartments that she designed, and an extensive look at favorite galleries, shops, and hotels worldwide.
The following is taken from her interview by Danielle Pergament for Allure Magazine.
Rather than trying to match art to your furniture or throw pillows, look for work that you love but that is on the edge of your comfort zone in terms of brightness. Color is the fastest way to bring life to a room.
Go BIG. The bigger the piece, the more it will transform a room. Don’t shy away from a large piece. People tend to choose art that is too small for the space. Take your cue from the furniture your art will hang near. If your sofa is 70 inches long, go for a piece that’s 50 inches: if the couch is 96 inches long, try something that measures 80 inches. If you can’t find one really big image you like, you can cheat by placing two side by side. The bottom of the frame should sit six to ten inches above the top of the furniture, and the closer the top edge is to the ceiling, the higher your ceilings will look.
Present it Properly. If you’re buying art from a gallery, follow their framing or mounting suggestions, which usually reflects the artist’s wishes. As a general rule, stretched canvases don’t need a frame, and large photographs look best mounted in acrylic or Plexiglas. If the colors of the artwork are muted, consider a colorful frame to liven it up.
Advance your Placement. Before you automatically hang a new piece in the living room, think about your entire home. Instead of the predictable console and mirror in a foyer, imagine a huge, vibrant print/painting there. I especially love to incorporate smaller pieces of art in unexpected places, like a bathroom or kitchen. In the bedroom, go a bit more subdued – black-and-white photography, for example – to keep the room peaceful.
How to hang a gallery wall. Hallways make great mini galleries, but it can be tricky to hang lots of pieces of varying sizes. Here’s how to do it: take a piece of butcher paper the size of the wall (or tape paper panels together) and put it on the floor. Arrange all the artwork you want to hang on the paper. You can play around until it really looks right, then use a pencil to mark exactly where each should go. Tape the paper to the wall and hang each piece on its designated mark. Finally, rip the paper carefully. Voilà – your own gallery.
What is SHE doing in MY closet?? Gwen…GET OUT! My dream room (minus the kid although he is real cute). sweetydesign.com
I’m trying to make the best out of a tiny situation, namely my closet space. The fact is I have more clothes than closet. My closet is a walk-in but not very deep – more like a “stand in” and now it’s time to edit everything – for the change of season.
A lot of stuff I’ve given away and I used to consign but decided it’s now better to put it into the clothing bins. I still have closet envy but short of moving to a bigger closet house, I have to make the most of a small situation. That was part of my spring cleaning promise to myself – to clean up my act closet and re-arrange my life it all. Not an easy task. Have you done this recently? Maybe you’ve been thinking about it too.
Hooks help to organize a few hats, scarves & bags. Hanging shoe racks are a good idea too.
RULES. The first step…
Time to get some of those thin Velcro hangers like they sell at Costco – then you can add a few more items.
Edit your closet. Really take a good look at your lifestyle and realize that some pieces (like the mesh studded crop top) will never see the light of day again. Divide into 3 piles.
1) Keeper
2) You want to keep it but be strong because you know you won’t wear it – possibility pile)
3) Definitely Not!
2+3 – Giveaways(if clothes are in good shape, washed and/or dry-cleaned & still in style you can probably consign them). I’ve consigned many times in the past & after almost forgetting about it after several months would get a phone call to say there’s a cheque for hundreds of dollars (because you won’t get more than 50% of what they decide to sell them for). Great news. Of course you can take the money and go buy more clothes right away with it. But be strong….because remember why you’re getting the cash? You had to clean out your closet.
4)You’ve heard it before but it’s true…..if something doesn’t fit right but it’s worth keeping have it altered to fit properly. If not, give it away. Nothing is worse than an ill fitting outfit. Your body changes so if something that once fit now doesn’t think about giving it away unless you plan to hire a personal trainer & work really hard.
5)Separate into piles the type of clothing & what you wear most often. Jeans, other pants, blouses, t-shirts, blazers, cardigans and put them in order of what you’re most likely to wear – so you can grab & go.
6)In the end you’ll feel so much better that you edited your closet. Then try to resist feeling like you wasted so much money, time and effort in choosing waaay more than you realized you’d have to part with – but know that it’s true. You wasted so much $$$$. Some of your friends will benefit from this & vice versa. You’ll feel good about giving it to someone who wears it better (although a bit envious). You realize you may have either lost or put on a few pounds (most likely) or that you no longer look good in a teeny Brazilian string bikini (not that you ever did – ouch). Good news: one pieces, especially retro style that cover up more skin are back in a BIG way. Realize you don’t need to sweat the small stuff. A well edited tiny closet is a BIG deal. Simplifying things is much easier…..yeah, yeah that is what my head keeps telling me. I still want a big walk-in.
Catchphrase: Make the most of what you have
SPACE SAVER: I love this corset hanger for containing some earrings & pendants. You can hang necklaces on the back.
I can’t imagine a world without Wolford! I’ve never enjoyed wearing stockings so much and they’ve made it difficult to go back to basics.Wolford is a remarkable brand onto themselves. A stunning range of fashion tights & hosiery incomparable to anything else on the current market. Basically no other stocking can compare. They make a fashion statement on their own. Instead of putting your stockings on last, you put these on first and then find something to go along. Most likely people won’t be able to take their eyes off your legs so you can stick on the plainest dress or skirt overtop and it will look great.
Wolford is known mainly for glamorous legwear but they’ve grown to include an international premium brand of ready-to-wear, lingerie, swimwear and accessories. The company whose head office is located in Austria, spans over 60 years and fulfills their claim of being both unique and unmistakable. For instance their sought after bodysuits do not have any seams.
In the late 1990s, the company’s advertising campaign was shot by the photographer Helmut Newton.
Sexy Shapewear
Rachel D. from Los Angeles, Ca has this to say: The gentleman who gave me my first pair of Wolford tights sparked a serious and expensive addiction. These beautiful patterned tights are warm, cozy and totally sexy. I went back and bought a pair of twenties-style fishnets that make me feel like a million bucks. Sexy legs deserve the best in hosiery. Wolford is the only way to go!
Luz C. from Brooklyn, N.Y. writes: Once you go Wolford, you’ll never go back. I’ve had some pairs for years and washed them many, many times without ever seeing a degradation in quality or durability. I would say if you can swing it price-wise, they are one hundred percent worth the cost. I would always prefer to pay more for something of good quality that will last a long time than pay a low price for something of poor quality that I’m going to have to replace ten times.
Poster with Wolford bodysuit & stockings
Vancouver Location is at 753 Burrard St. (between Robson & Alberni).
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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