modern interpretations

My first article for 2011 in the Ottawa Citizen, published yesterday, talks about the 2011 Trends based on the upcoming imm cologne exhibition in Germany. The four themes for this year are "Emotional Austerity", "Surprising Empathy", "Re-balancing" and "Transforming perspectives". Each will be represented at the show (If I can find picture after the show, I'll post them). In the article I picked 11 original items belonging to one of the four trends, shown below.

1. Still Lives by Yvonne Fehling & Jennie Peiz (Re-balancing)


2. The Straw Chair by Osko+Deichmann (Surprising empathy)


3. The Brave New World Lamp by Freshwest Design (Transforming perspectives)


4. The Network Chair by Bertjan Pot (Transforming perspectives)


5. The Eugene Lounge Chair by Stefan Diez (Emotional austerity)


6. Cloud softlight by Molo Design (Surprising empathy)


7. The Monster Chair by Marcel Wanders (Transforming perspectives)


8. The Void Light by Tom Dixon (Transforming perspectives)


9. The Accademia Patio Chair by Studio Hannes Wettstein (Emotional austerity)


10. The Bess Sofa by Stefan Diez(Emotional austerity)


11. The Bell Table by Sebastian Herkner (Transforming perspectives)

Holidays Decorating Trends 2010

I recently wrote a little article on Holiday decorating trends for the Home and Garden Shows here (Go to "Tips and Trends, the click on "Design & Decor"). Stay tune for some mood boards (hopefully soon!)

Designing the man cave

My latest article on the Ottawa Citizen was published this weekend. Designing a man cave would be really neat. Here's a picture of the shelf I was talking about from Fusca, based in Mexico. I really like it. You can have a lot of fun with it and it would be great in a library or in a bookstore !


photo: Fusca

Tips for small spaces

My latest Ottawa Citizen article is out. I discovered a few interesting items that help in small homes. I was really impressed with the Goliath table from Resource Furniture. I wish I had discovered that table before I bought mine. It's like condo dweller's secret weapon for entertaining.

Espace-Loggia's bed are really neat too. And despite the fact that they're based in France, they ship to Canada. These would be great in those 500 sq ft downtown condos.

It's too bad the pictures for the closet under the stairs didn't make it in the article. So I thought I'd share it here. Designed by David Money of David Money Architects and built by Mick Coates. Isn't it neat?


photos: Resource Furniture | Espace-Loggia | David Money Architects

Skull Design for Halloween

It's been so busy I haven't got time to update this blog as much as I would like to. Not to worry, I have tons of things to write about. I might have to shorten the posts though. (All in due time). In any case, one of the reasons I've been MIA is that I started to write for the Homes section of the Ottawa Citizen a couple months ago, which is really neat. Above is a scan of the latest article I wrote. Check out the Homes Section of the Saturday, October 30, 2010 edition. There's also a great article from Sheila Brady about a really neat modern home from local architect Andrew Reeves.

New M2JL STUDIO Website

After many drafts and revisions, I'm happy to report that the new and improved M2JL STUDIO website is finally online! Browse the site to discover various residential and commercial projects, read some comments from clients and learn about the new design and decoration services offered.

Happy New Year!

2009 was an interesting year. For M2JL STUDIO it was a year with a lot of changes that come with moving to a new city. This was accompanied by a new look for this blog and the birth of a new popular blog, Modern Ottawa (nominated by Ottawa Start as one of the "30 essential Ottawa blogs"), and being featured on three occasions in Je Décore Magazine amongst other things.

There's a lot of good things to look forward to for 2010, especially considering the fact that the recession is over. The new year has always been an opportunity to take on new challenges. So on top of establishing the business in a new city, I will be teaching at La Cité Collégiale and taking on the responsibilities of elected Program Director for the local chapter of CDECA. There are also a lot of new features planned for this blog. If there's something you'd like to see, let me know. I wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Thank you for stopping by and come back often.

Happy Holidays

Great Christmas Gift Idea : Design Gift Certificate

If you're looking for an original and thoughtful gift, you might like this new offer from M2JL STUDIO, a 2-hour in-house consultation package. This is the kind of gift that will help transform an environment to make them happier. For more information, check out the Gift Certificate link or contact me directly (designer@m2jlstudio.com)

Another publication

I'm happy to report that another one of my projects is featured in Je Décore magazine. In this case it was for the makeover of a teenager's bedroom also featured on a TV show.

M2JL :: STUDIO back in Je Décore Magazine

I'm happy to report that M2JL :: STUDIO is back in the latest issue of Je Décore magazine. Entitled "Salles de bain bien pensées" (which loosely translates to Well thought out bathrooms) the magazine focuses on bathrooms. For this project I was asked, along with two other designers, to create a new concept for an existing bathroom where we had to include three specific items in the room (a sink, a mirror and green tiles). We had a budget of only $750. Quite a challenge! Especially if you never get to see the actual place or make last minute changes to the final touches. But it turned out great as you can see here.

Generally there's a contest for people to vote for their favorite transformation. It should be online soon. This issue is filed with great tips and ideas on how to transform your bathroom. Once again, I'm looking forward to get my copy!

M2JL :: STUDIO in Je Décore Magazine

I'm happy to report that one of my projects has been selected to be published in the June 2009 edition of Je Décore magazine. This clever magazine from Quebec is filled with tons of valuable information for DIYers. What's great about those magazines is that they are really made for DIYers. There's a lot of detailed information on various topics related to decorating your home. There's also a lot of inspirational space, including mine (on the far left) to give readers some ideas on how they can transform their home. There isn't a lot of magazines out there with that much information for readers. This is a really good one.

The June edition of the magazine is all about Harmonious Colors and is filled with color trends, practical painting tips and tricks on how to integrate color in your home. I'm looking forward to get my copy!



Here's the cover...


And here's my page.

Style intern search... Time to vote!

Remember the paid internship opportunity of a lifetime? Three semi-finalists have now been selected and it's now time for you to vote for your favorite intern.



Will it be Ryan Louis from Scarborough, ON? Marti Bogue from Ottawa, ON? Or Reiko Caron from Montreal, QC?

Check out their profile online. You have until May 22 to cast your vote.

-----------------------
Calling all Canadians! Vote for your favourite Summer Style Intern candidate

WHAT: Samsung Electronics Canada and House & Home Media — two of Canada’s most innovative companies — have selected three semi-finalists in their search for a Summer Style Intern. After receiving hundreds of applications, a judging panel consisting of House & Home Media and Samsung employees narrowed down the applications to three semi-finalists who exhibit a flare for media, design and technology.

Members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite applicant; one of the three people listed below will be offered a summer internship position with both companies. The intern will learn all facets of magazine publishing, lifestyle branding, marketing and advertising.

The successful applicant will also be put up in a fully-furnished, all expenses paid suite in a trendy Toronto neighbourhood, including an incredible line-up of Samsung products. The intern will be featured in a Canadian House & Home Magazine advertorial, which will highlight their intern experience, and share weekly blog posts at Houseandhome.com.

WHO: The three semi-finalists are:
Marti Bogue, a student at Mount Royal College in Calgary in the Applied Communications program in Public Relations.
Reiko Caron, a student at Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto in the Industrial Design program.
Ryan Louis, a student at The University of Western Ontario in the Media, Information and Technoculture program.

WHEN: Voting is open to the public until May 22, 2009.

WHERE: View finalists’ submissions and vote online at www.houseandhome.com/innovate.

Making the most out of usable space in a restaurant

http://www.contemporist.com/2009/02/27/bangalore-express-restaurant-interior-by-outline/#more-3568

Maison NW

http://archinect.com/features/article.php?id=85987_0_23_0_C

Paid internship opportunity of a lifetime

Ever dreamed of working for House & Home magazine? If so, this might be your chance. House & Home Media and Samsung Canada are looking for a Summer Style Intern. Not only will the lucky winner be able to get a 3-month paid internship, he or she will also learn about the many faces of magazine publishing, lifestyle branding, marketing and advertising. Also they will be featured in an advertorial in Canadian House & Home and they will get to live in an all-expenses paid suite during that time!


Source: House and Home

Check out their press release below or their website for more information.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Calling all students!

Samsung Canada and House & Home Media seek Summer Style Intern

WHAT: Samsung Canada and House & Home Media — two of Canada’s most innovative companies — kick off their search for a Summer Style Intern. One talented individual will be selected for a three-month paid internship, from June through August, where they will learn all facets of magazine publishing, lifestyle branding, marketing and advertising.

The successful applicant will be put up in a fully-furnished, all expenses paid suite in a trendy Toronto neighbourhood, including an incredible line-up of Samsung technology. The intern will be featured in a Canadian House & Home Magazine advertorial, which will highlight their experience and time at both Samsung and House & Home Media, and will document his or her experience with weekly blog posts at Houseandhome.com.

WHO: College, university or trade-school students – or recent graduates who have completed their studies within the last three years – with a flare for media, design and technology.

WHEN: Applications accepted now through March 27, 2009.

HOW: Applicants need to submit at least one of the following to explain what makes them innovative:

- A written essay (250 words or less)
- A video (3 minutes maximum)
- An illustrated or photo essay

A judging panel will narrow applications down to three semi-finalists whose submissions will be posted on Houseandhome.com. Members of the public will then be asked to vote for their favourite semi-finalist and the individual with the most votes will be awarded the internship position.

WHERE: Apply online at www.houseandhome.com/innovate.

HRTC : A good reason to renovate your home

M2JL :: STUDIO - Kitchen renovation (Before)

If you're home is in desperate need of a little TLC, now's a good time to renovate it. As part of its stimulus package the Canadian government has created an incentive to encourage families to invest in their homes: The Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC). If you renovate your home or the land on which it sits between January 27,2009 and February 1,2010, you are eligible to receive up to $1,350 in tax relief on renovation expenses.

The credit can be claimed on eligible expenditures incurred on one or more of an individual’s eligible dwellings. Properties eligible for the HRTC include houses, cottages and condominium units that are owned for personal use. Renovation costs for projects such as finishing a basement or re-modelling a kitchen will be eligible for the credit, along with associated expenses such as building permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses.
For example, the following are eligible for a tax refund :

- Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
- New carpet or hardwood floors
- Building an addition, deck, fence or retaining wall
- A new furnace or water heater
- Painting the interior or exterior of a house
- Resurfacing a driveway
- Laying new sod

So why not hire a designer :) It will make a big difference. See :)


M2JL :: STUDIO - Kitchen renovation (in progress.Check back soon for the final result)

More information on the HRTC is available here site.

Congratulation to ... Félicitations à...

MARTINE LACHANCE
St-Jean-sur-Richelieu



Martine, is the winner of a $50 gift certificate from IKEA. I would like to thank my clients for taking the time to answer the customer satisfaction survey.

Martine est la gagnante d'un certificat cadeaux IKEA d'une valeur de 50$. J'aimerais remercier mes clients pour avoir pris le temps de répondre au questionnaire de la satisfaction de la clientèle.

New year, New look!

There are lots of good changes coming in 2009, including a new and improved look for the blog and (coming soon) for the website. As you already know, M2JL :: STUDIO is moving to the nation's capital! Stay tuned for more.

Happy new year and all the best for 2009!