Issue 33 Is Now Live!

[cover illustration by Alanna Cavanagh]

We've been asking readers to recommend cool spaces for Covet Garden to feature and Michelle and Glen's Leslieville home kept coming up in the conversation. It's easy to see why, what with the clean white palette, the wide open spaces and the sense of playfulness and colour that abounds throughout the rooms. Our only regret is that we didn't get a good picture of their bathroom. It was dreamy. The sink was literally the porcelain equivalent of a smile. Unfortunately, we ran out of light. But every cloud has a silver lining and capturing this wonder bathroom gives us an excuse to go back one day.

Of course, if we hadn't mentioned it, you wouldn't have noticed. That's just how jam-packed with wonder this issue is. Not only do we feature the couple's to-die-for space, Michelle has also provided a cool 3-D card making project and we've used duo's unique look (and outlook) to provide the point of view for our Style and Inspiration pages.

So come on in and enjoy the April issue of Covet Garden. And remember, if you like it, share it with your friends and sign up to subscribe to our free newsletter so you'll never miss an issue!

Frank Lloyd Wright in San Francisco

On a recent visit to San Francisco, we made it a point to make a pilgrammage to see famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's V.C. Morris Gift Shop Building. Why? Because is an amazing example of Lloyd's later work (and a rare retail environment).

[images from top: Rhonda Riche, Architectural Forum cover from here, via the Xanadu gallery, Rhonda Riche, interior view from here]

Commissioned by the V.C. Morris Gift Shop, the structure was designed in 1948. For Wrightophiles, it is famous for being a precursor of the iconic spiral ramp in New York's Guggenheim Museum (though that project was designed before, but was completed after).

The building is definitely a hidden treasure. Housed behind a Romanesque brick facade in San Francisco's Union Square, the space is wide open but suprisingly intimate. As you climb the ramp, the perspective and scale of the room shifts. The space is lit by a ceiling of opaque cast white plastic bubbles, so that you almost feel as if you are ascending into the clouds!

The circular theme is repeated throughout the shop, with rounded, original built-in wood and glass furnishings and circular openings for display of illuminated objects cut through the curved concrete wall of the ramp. Basically, if we are in the Bay Area when the revolution comes, we are moving into this building!

V.C. Morris has long since gone out of business. But the building is still home to a shop — the Xanadu Gallery, which trades in museum quality examples of artifacts, textiles, and jewelry from Asia, Oceania, and Latin America. It is a rare oportunity to see some amazing pieces up close, and the antique art fits perfectly with Wright's modern sensibility.

Why We Are Excited About One Of A Kind

The One Of A Kind Show is a Toronto institution, and like all long-running endeavours, some years we are more into it than others. This spring, we are happy to report that we are super buzzed about the event. First of all, this season, the organizers are really focussing on making an emotional connection between buyers and makers. Visitors can take part in hands-on DIY Workshops (we're particularly intrigued by Custom Vinyl Toy with Rose Chang & Stephanie Drabik of Crywolf on March 30th from 9:00am to 11:00am) or vote for their favourite designers in the Bunny Rabbit competition.

We visited the OOAK Show this week and made a connection with several makers, including local screen printer Nicole Tarasick (pictured above). We also met Canadian creators from both coasts, including ...

....Claire Madill of Heyday Design from Vancouver who makes gorgeous porcelain containers.

And Graham Blair of St. John's, Newfoundland, pictured here with his hand-carved wood block prints.

We also enjoyed exploring the Rising Stars section and discovering new talents, such as...

...Heather Scott's Rock & Roll Romantic collection of printed purses....

... and these whimisical plates and mugs from Greg Voisin Pottery.

This season's show also features an Etsy marketplace with lots of extremely affordable handmade creations. We were particulaly taken by the handmade toys, paper goods, illustrations, accessories and lifestyle items from Morico by Chu Zhang (pictured here with her cute crocheted animals).

[images, Jessica Reid]

The show runs until March 31st. Admission for adults is $14 ($12 online); seniors and youth (aged 13-17) is $7; and children aged 12 & under are free.

For Your Easter Basket

Why should the Easter Bunny just bring treats for kids? Here are a few of our favourite symbols of spring and renewal (and one chocolate Badger for good measure):

1.Illustrator Masako Kubo's rabbit tea towel for Terrain, $28

2. Betty's Chocolate Badger, £20

3. French glass chick egg cup from Rouliier White, £10 for a set of four

4. "Warren" tile by Xenia Taler, $32

5. Bunny cupboard knob from Monty's Vintage Shop, £15

6. Magpie British Wildlife Plate from Hurn & Hurn, £20 for a set of four

Supporting aWEARness

We here at Covet Garden love creative and collaborative explorations. Which is why we are as pleased as puch to be one of the sponsors of aWEARness — an annual multimedia performance and fundraiser put on by the Visual Merchandising Arts students at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ont.

This year, aWEARness is inspired by the 10 earthly elements of the earth (our former intern Sarah is one of the participants and will be representing wood with a dress inspired by the birch tree) and will be represented through costume, theatre, music and film. These costume providde a sneak peek at some of the costumes that will come to life at the aWEARness show.

There are two performances — Wednesday April 3rd and Thursday April 4th. Tickets are $20 and proceeds will be donated to the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital.