Category: Architecture & Design
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Winter Dreaming of a Summer Island
The air was warm with an exotic charm, Not Canada at all And a small northern lake; A land of soft desire. A depth of turquoise fire, A height of foreign stars Only the water glittered In a cool northern way Sparkling against the rocks. – Excerpt from The Island (Experiment in Magic), Katherine Hale Read more
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I Have Shingles
“You must be so excited to get it done?” most people ask, a reasonable question after two years of exposed insulation, peeling windows, and flapping Typar. But I scramble for an answer. “What I love most is the adventure,” I tell them, which isn’t enough. There is no possible pat answer for a project… Read more
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In the House With Sir John A.
Did some macro- to micro-Habicurious time travel this weekend in celebration of Canada Day. Spent July 1st (the launch of confederation) in Kingston (the first capital city of the united Canadas), touring the house of Sir John A. Macdonald, the country’s first Prime Minister and a Father of Confederation. Bellevue House was built in the… Read more
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Perfectly Beautiful
When I stepped into the dark coolness to escape the scorching heat I didn’t expect to find the most beautiful space I’d ever seen. Of course no flash photography or tripods were permitted and my children possess a built-in limitation for looking at things tiled or religious. I was, as always, left wanting more. Click… Read more
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Something Old, Something New
Seven years ago I snapped a photograph of a pair of doors that I fell in love with in New York City. I always carried it with me, hoping to find some of my very own. Four years ago I built a recessed, open-shelved cabinet in the dining room that never felt quite done. Two… Read more
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Painting Pictures
I took up my brushes knowing that if the mural turned out poorly I could paint right over it. Happy to say, I didn’t have to. Read more
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Framing Fine Carpentry
Yesterday’s changeable sun/cloud mix presented a perfect backdrop for some architectural photography in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighbourhood. Carpenter, and fellow Algonquin College Heritage Trades Institute alumnus, Christoph Altehoefer restored this gorgeous porch, integrating a mix of original and reproduction pieces. Carefully redeploying existing materials, he crafted each reproduction piece from unusable rafters and other surplus lumber… Read more
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The Most Magical Apartment in Paris
There was definitely some magic to how my brother-in-law Marco and his partner Rod came to live in Nicolas Flamel’s house in Paris. Read more
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Staring At Blank Walls
I spent the last two days hanging bits and bobs on my dining room walls. And taking most of them down. Seems the thrill of decorating – the implementation vs. the idea of it – is less a thrill and more a sucker-punch to the head. It appears to involve a disproportionate amount of mental… Read more
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A Rich Interior Life
Based on the storybook exterior, I anticipated a magical interior. And knowing the artists/potters Claire and Andy Squire, I expected it would be personal, handmade, intriguing and fun. Their living space, workshop and gallery are housed in La Maison des Sangliers, an iconic 15th-century, half-timbered building bordering the village square in Noyers-Sur-Serein, France. Like most… Read more