Emerson is a family run communications company with an extensive history in the graphics and printing industries. They continually strive for excellence in developing products, servicing their clients, and assembling a strong team of professionals. www.emersondesign.com

Upon arrival at the Head Office of Emerson Group, I am greeted with warmth and professionalism.  After a few introductions,  we travel down the hall to the meeting room before having a tour of the facilities.

Custom Backdrop (staircase)

The breadth of their digital printing business is impressive and fascinating.  As we discuss the scope of their work, look through many samples and talk about future endeavours I quickly realize how useful and unique this form of art can be and was amazed at its versatility.  There is such a wide variety of applications and range of industries it can service.

Walking through the plant I am greeted by a massive circular fabric hanging piece finished and waiting to be installed at a trade show. As we move through the sewing/finishing department and make our way to the digital presses, Michael and Kara carefully explain the entire project process; from the initial meeting with the client to the end product.

As our conversation unfolds, and as I observe the diversity of their products  throughout the facility, the detail of their work is evident.  I will now look at digital fabric/signage printing with a new appreciation, perspective  and sense of awe.

GETTING TO KNOW KARA AND MICHAEL    ………………..

Can I have a custom bolt of fabric printed at your facility?  Is there a limit to the amount of yardage?

Yes, we can print a custom design, pattern or images – simply provide us with your files.  We can run a small swatch, or even a bolt.  Digital is ideal for running a test or for starting a new product line, especially when you’re interested in a short run.  You don’t have to commit to minimums like traditional textile printing. You can have the luxury of running the same pattern in several different colour pallets, or on a variety of fabrics.

Custom Bedding

Printed Menu Table Cloth

How can the fabrics be applied for use in the home, fashion or events?

For the home & hotel interiors we produce pillows, drapery, bedding, lamp shades & upholstery on an ongoing basis. Our soft signage and ‘grand format’ offerings are well suited for making a ‘splash’ at events,  and for use in theatres, museums, tradeshows, and retail displays. Also, Photographers love to showcase their work on fabric! As for the fashion sector, there are endless possibilities for designers – we run on silks, cottons and nylons, to name a few. Seeing our printed textiles on the runways in Paris, New York and during Fashion Week here in Toronto was incredibly exciting and rewarding.

Lord & Taylor Window Drapes

Custom Fabric Designs for Anu Raina

Custom Backdrop for Beyonce

What inspires your work?

Fabric Wall Hanging (left hand side)

Fresh creative/new ideas come to us every day which inspires and motivates us to continually search for and test new fabrics, finishing techniques & hardware. We partner with our clients in the planning stages, then we strive to meet and surpass their project objectives.

What is your favourite fabric and why?

We have so many favourites! The eco-friendly line that we offer comes to mind first (organic cottons & hemp). Ethically they make sense and they print beautifully!

Can you share some information on a recent unique project?

Ralph Lauren challenged us to print on burlap and the reproduction was surprisingly good!  We also produced custom umbrella’s for 8 Holland America ships. When guests would glance down from a higher deck, they would see vibrant images of fireworks.

We recently discovered this innovative, creative and collaborative Swedish design/furniture company, Offecct.  The influence of sustainability and nature in many of their unique products is immediately apparent when viewing the piece(s).  Each designer has put energy, thought and meaning into their creations and there is a story that relates to its form and function.  You can feel this energy in their product line!  We hope you enjoy their undeniable talent.

Amazonas.  The design of these tables (above image) were inspired by aerial images of the Amazon rain forest.  Designed by Eero Koivisto. Some of the revenue gained by these tables goes to the Children’s Rain Forest.

Bond Chair.  The clean lines, simplicity and comfortable seat (note concave groove) of this clever design is meant to encourage time with friends….Bonding.  Designed by Jean-Marie Massaud.

Cloud Portable Room Divider

Cloud.  A portable room or a room divider.  It emulates being in a cloud (a childhood dream).  Designed by Monica Forester.

Moveable Stools

Carry On.   Mattias Stenberg designed these useful, colourful gems.  He has a passion to create flexible spaces and as you can see the handle enables this stool to move from room to room.

Planter

Window Planter.   This table is part of the companies O2ASIS series which encourages greenery to enhance interior spaces.  Greenery improves air quality, relaxes people and brings nature indoors.

www.offecct.se

Bamboo has so much to offer and so many great qualities – did you know it is part of the grass family?

Bamboo is ecologically friendly, sustainable, grows rapidly with no fertilizers or pesticides and requires little water.  It regenerates itself eight times faster than hardwood and can be harvested with very little impact to the environment.

There are over 1,000 species of bamboo growing in many countries with varying climates.  One type of bamboo called Moso can grow 2 feet in a day and up to 60 feet in a 2-3 month period.

Bamboo is a versatile material that can be used in many formats – here are just a few to consider.

www.styleplantation.com

FLOORING

Bamboo may have  a fine and gentle grain but it is a strong and sturdy floor option that is able to stand up to high traffic areas.  Bamboo is in fact hardier than most hardwood flooring.

 FURNITURE

www.michaelmcdonough.com

Bamboo with it’s fine texture makes for elegant furniture pieces.  Don’t be fooled! It is robust and resistant to shrinking and swelling.

www.michaelmcdonough.com

www.busyboo.com Becca Stools by Anthony Marschak

www.designboom.com

BAMBOO SINK

www.greenwisecabinet.com

Unique!

AREA RUGS

Easy to maintain and hard wearing.

www.diabloflooring.com

www.australianhomeware.com

TOWELS

More absorbent than cotton, germ and odor resistant …… and gentle on the skin.

www.silktextile.en

BEDDING 

Anti-bacterial, breathable, hypoallergenic and thermo-regulating ….. and so soft.

AND ENDING ON AN IMPORTANT FACT ………  BAMBOO  REDUCES CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS IN OUR ATMOSPHERE.

Feature Image (top) www.psextreme.com

We are passionate…ok, secretly coo-coo about books…and blogs, of course  ….  so, we thought it appropriate to share some of our suggestions.  The topic….GARDENING

You won’t be disappointed with any of these books as they are full of useful information.  They are guaranteed to energize and prompt you to put on your wellies, think about composte, and dream of sunny days outside.  Peruse our list.

www.hamline.edu

B O O K S

1)     Bulb by Anna Pavord

2)     The New Small Garden Book by John Brookes

3)     You Grow Girl by Gayla Trail

4)     Secrets of Successful Herb Gardening by Joanna Banks

5)     The New Organic Grower by Eiliot Coleman

6)     Four Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman

7)     The Virgin Gardener by Laetitia Maklouf

All Books available through www.amazon.ca

www.gpntb.blogspot.com

B l o g s

1)     www.mytinyplot.com

2)     www.kitchengrowersinternationl.com

3)     www.yougrowgirl.com

4)     www.thecompostbin.com

www.gastrogirls.com

F i l m

Rachael Carson- A woman ‘before her time’.  She fronted the movement of taking notice and action toward environmental issues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0odbzri_Ak

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_Njv5Ygg0g

Book Image (top image)  http://www.maisonneuve.org

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain (Vivian Green) – EILEEN

When someone does a small task beautifully, their whole environment is affected by it (Jerry Seinfeld) - FINN

Featured Image (top) www.illdefineartistry.com

 Yoga Instructor Natalie Suhanic (Certified Kripalu Yoga-Specializing in Hatha and Restorative Yoga).

Natalie trained and continues to study with Aida Neves of Sunlilyoga and at the Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts.

Photograph by Finn Hart - Natalie

Every now and then I see several women walking down my street, yoga mat tucked under their arm; friends on a mission toward relaxation, rejuvenation and time together.

They are heading to their weekly class at Yoga Garden Studio nestled here in our neighbourhood.

Upon walking into Natalie’s home and studio you can feel the calm influence of this spiritual discipline surrounding you.  Natalie hopes yoga will allow her students to gain a clear sense of self and that through practising they recognize the importance of our connection to one another, nature and community.

How many times a week should we practice?

If there was one pose that you would recommend to do everyday which one would it be and why?

It’s different for everyone and it changes depending on what we are moving through in our lives.  For me, right now I try to get on my mat every day and do some seated sun breaths, a twist and then eagle arms.  This pose helps me to focus on listening to myself.

Photograph by Sophie Trecroce - Seated Sun Breaths

Photograph by Sophie Trecroce - A Twist

Photograph by Sophie Trecroce - Eagle Arms

How is yoga different from other types of fitness?

Ultimately it’s a spiritual practice that helps remind us we are all connected with each other.

HENRY - looking for a sunny place to meditate

Can you recommend your favourite yoga book(s) and your favourite yoga music?

Two of my favourite books on yoga are written by a husband and wife team.

Kripalu Yoga: A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat is written by Richard Faulds and other Senior teachers of the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.

This book is an excellent resource on many aspects of Yoga; body and breath awareness, the benefits and precautions of certain poses, relaxation techniques etc. I also like it because there are excerpts written by students about their own yoga practice. I’ve often recommended this book to students who are just starting a yoga practice but I still go to it again and again.

In class, I often read from Danna Faulds collection of poems and writings on yoga, nature and life! Danna has published several collections of her work. She is a former librarian, a longtime student and teacher of Kripalu Yoga.

From her first collection, “Poems from the Heart of Yoga: Go In and In”

Walk Slowly by Danna Faulds

It only takes a reminder to breathe,

a moment to be still, and just like that,

something in me settles, softens, makes

space for imperfection.  The harsh voice

of judgement drops to a whisper and I

remember again that life isn’t a relay

race;  that we will all cross the finish

line; that waking up to life is what we

were born for.  As many times as I

forget, catch myself charging forward

without even knowing where I’m going,

that many times I can make the choice

to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk

slowly into the mystery. 

Music

 If I want to play some beautiful music as a background to my yoga practice or cooking a beautiful dinner I put on something by Jai Uttal, for example, Music for Yoga and Other Joys by Ben Leinback and Jai Uttal. Specifically Gopala (4^th song).

Have a listen  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4wzBfiAnLs

www.jaiuttal.com

Feature Image (top):  Finn Hart

I was recently talking to my dear friend about everyday mindfulness and how the impact of this can change our lives.  When I was thinking about our conversation I realized how true this concept applies when reshaping our intentions for a greener day-to-day life.  Making ‘Green’ changes does require thoughtful awareness, in the early stages, but once you start adapting small shifts you will see that in time it becomes part of your thinking and your purchasing.  Allow yourself to start small……….

Have a look below at some of these practical and wonderful ideas we can use in our home.

Bag of BaaLLs

1.    Some laundry dryer sheets contain unnatural chemicals such as PVC’s.  Consider buying BaaLLs at www.baalls.com

www.coolearthproducts.com

2.  Purchase reusable produce bags.  We are all doing really good with our reusable grocery bags but we still bring home many of those plastic bags for produce.  We found reusable ones at Loblaws Super Stores.  They are in the section where there are glass containers with lids and other household storage.

3. When buying gifts think GREEN…bamboo products, natural soaps, fair trade chocolate, a plant to name a few. 

Check out www.plantamemory.com  This company is wonderful and such a brilliant idea for gift giving!

Flower bulb in gift boxes

Green Cards

4.     Go to this site and maybe consider buying some boomboom cards (absolutely LOVE this company)!  www.boomboomcards.com  They carry many categories and have now have added a Green Deck.  “Each card has a small and effective way to help create a healthier life and planet.” You can pass the deck onto interested friends and share the messages and suggestions. It would even be fun discussion at a dinner party.

The start of a new season always seems to bring renewed energy and often motivates us to tackle some  organizing  around the house.  Our spaces constantly evolve;  children grow, rooms take on new purposes, we collect, we purge, and we continually strive to keep some degree of order in our homes. To arrange, sort, and group together our belongings is often a daunting task.  Take a peak at The Container Store’s website www.thecontainerstore.com.  It is an amazing reference that will help make your organizing easier and fun, fun, fun!

Below are  a few of our favourite finds:

F O R   T H E   O F F I C E

Magazine Files

Flat File Storage

Elegant Storage Boxes

Pencil Boxes

Handy Cork Board

Burst Bulletin Board

Brocade Magnetic Bulletin Board

Bamboo Drawer Organizer

Stylish Waste Paper Baskets

A B O U T   T H E   H O U S E

Clever Overdoor Hooks

Funky Hanger

Kitchen Storage Jars

Medicine Organizer

Stackable Rectangular Boxes

Pet Travel Water Container and Bowl

      F U R R Y   F R I E N D S

Pet Lids

Owl Bin

 O R G A N I Z I N G   O U R   C H I L D R E N 

Cheery Carry Containers

Toy Barrel

To be further inspired, visit the website for more organizing ideas.

www.bs2h.com

I think it is safe to say, the majority of kitchens in our homes today are seemingly some shade of white.  And why may that be?  Is it a safe colour? Good for resale?  Preferable as it goes with anything?  Pleasing to the eye?

Finn and I are firm believers of colour so we thought it would be inspirational (and fun) to share with you some of our favourite coloured kitchens.  This does not mean to say we do not like white kitchens – they can be equally stylish.

Alternative ways of injecting sparks of colour into a kitchen, besides the cabinetry, is to introduce it on your backsplash, counters, flooring and your walls.

www.shopitoff.co.uk

www.contempoo.com

www.kitchenclarity.com

www.worlddesign.org

www.home-designing.com

www.decoratingroom.net

www.vithouse.com

www.housetohome.co.uk

And back to white!

Featured Image (top) www.ghoofie.com

I find the work of FRANK GEHRY very inspirational and I have to admit when I visited the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain a couple of years ago, it was an experience I will always remember!

This titanium organic and innovative structure is breathtaking. Photographs will never do it full justice.  It really is something you have to see in person.  The Guggenheim not only features exhibits it is a wonderful place to wonder around and capture the atmosphere and the overwhelming sensation it gives you.

Photo - Eileen Marshall, Bilbao 2011

If you ever have the opportunity to vist Bilbao, this is a definite MUST-DO, I promise you, you will not be disappointed - EILEEN.

Mikhail Baryshnikov ….his life journey, his ease of gliding across the stage, his passion, his dancing versatility and his ability to move me to tears.   The night I saw him dance was exhilarating and a memorable memory I cherish dearly – FINN. 

Feature image (top)  www.madeformore.org