new at IKEA

From time to time around here I share my picks from the newest crop of goods being offered up at IKEA. I'm not sponsored by IKEA in any way. I'm just a fan. My duties take me to IKEA frequently. So frequently that I'm now able to distinguish the new SKUs from the throng of product. Of course, IKEA makes it easy to id the new products on its web site by categorizing them under a section cleverly called "new". But that's just so obvious. Anyhoo, here are my top 4.

This is the Storsele rattan chair, $99. I have a serious case of the wants for a pair of these. I searched high and low for chairs like this for our little cottage in PEI, but had no luck finding some in time for the mag photo shoot. Sigh. As a backup, we coordinated a quick makeover for a pair of pretty little faux bamboo tub chairs we already owned. They look great, but are utterly uncomfortable. So tragic. I REALLY want to swap them out for a pair of these. The complicating factor of course, is the logistics of getting a pair of chairs from PEI to Ontario and getting these from Ontario to PEI. Fun times, but I guess that's what we signed up for. OK, back to the chair. Here's what I REALLY love about it. The guiding principle in the design of this thing was to ensure it was comfortable without any cushions. That's a stroke of brilliance for a piece of rattan furniture. Do you think they do that at McGuire? Hmmm, not sure.

This is the Sigurd dining chair, $69.99. To me this is elegant simplicity. However, I'm already imaging a million ways to hack this thing. It's a blank canvas waiting for interpretation. Off the top of my head, I'd love to add some padding and upholstery to try to boost its comfort factor. Would love to see it in a Joseph Frank fabric.

I think Mr. A would have a canniption fit if I came home with this. The current count of cream throws chez nous is in the neighbourhood of 5 or 6. But, as I have argued before, I am a stylist, and a stylist can never have enough cream throws. This one is all cabley and soft cotton perfection. The Ursula for $39.99.

it's white, it's an amazing shape. It's the Tisdag work lamp. It's $69.99 and it will be finding a new home at my office soon. Oh, and PS. it's LED so uses 80% less power than a standard work light.

That's it for now. Have a great week and if I don't talk to you again before the big day, have a wonderful Holiday.

a tale of teacups

Barbara Barry Curtain Call by Wedgwood.

In honour of the tabletop market going on right now in New York, today I'd like to talk about teacups. Tabletop market is a twice-yearly event that takes place at 41 Madison Ave., a magnificent Manhattan office tower filled with showrooms for all of the world's top tabletop manufacturers. I have visited the Wedgwood showroom there, though have never attended tabletop market. I'd love to. I adore all things tabletop. Now, about the teacup. I always judge a china pattern by its teacup. The shape's the thing. Here's my bias: Just say no to tin can teacups! Give me curves, tapers, trumpets. Above is one of my favourite shapes - Wedgwood calls it the peony shape. Deep curved bowl, delicate footed base, flared rim and elegant curved handle. Love.

Above is my wedding china. It's Alice by Royal Doulton. Here's another shape to love. Not as much flourish as the one above but still a lovely little foot and a classic trumpet shape bowl. 

Intaglio by Wedgwood. At first glance the sides of this cup look straight, but no, there's an ever so subtle taper to the sides, and the incredible angular handle elevates this to the realm of the desirable in my mind. The embossing detail is all the embellishment this cup needs. I first fell for this pattern when I used it when styling this photo a couple of years ago. Photographer Edward Pond and I worked on this together - one of my favourite shoots.

And finally, below an example of the offending tin can teacup.

Please, don't serve me tea in one of these. I'm told the shape has become ubiquitous thanks to the increasing role of men in the decision-making process when choosing wedding china. So sad. These opinionated men want to have a say, but aren't secure enough in their masculinity to hold on to a curvy cup - or even own one. Please. Thanks to them, we get this. Fine bone china made into the shape of a can of Coke. I weep.

the bay window display

It's amazing the things you can see when your eyes are open and you're not just scurrying to get from A to B and wondering if you'll make it to C on time. Last week I experienced this and came upon this fantastic window display at The Bay on Queen St. in Toronto. It's for a new Maison Martin Margiela fragrance called (untitled). 

You may know I am a lover of all things white, so it's no surprise I freaked when I saw this and walked around and around and around it to make sure I saw every detail. Faboosh...