10centdesigner

I've moved!

2011-02-17T22:48:00.001-07:00

Alyssa

2011-01-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

My new genius Graphic designer, blogger and blog rehabilitator Alyssa went to ALT Summit in Salt Lake city Utah. She is such a star . Of course she got blogged about at the Sundance festival .

I have engaged her services to bring my blogging and the look of my blogs into this century. You will be the first to know when we launch. :)

Alyssa

handmade is beautiful

2011-01-21T16:49:00.004-07:00

I posted photos from this master bathroom renovation project on my flickr stream a few months back, but the real beauty of the custom oak pieces I commissioned for the client was perhaps not evident in the images. So I went back in there the other day to shoot some details of the stunning tallboy cabinet I designed. It looks great now that the clients have fully "moved in" and started using the space. My client bought herself colorful towels which I really like.
My cabinet maker Stuart really outdid himself. I asked for a single locking interior drawer to hold any prescription drugs etc. as the clients have small children. The large drawers below hold a great deal of linens and beddings. The vanity was also made by my cabinet maker to match. I traveled to the wood supplier with the cabinet maker to choose the wood pieces. We loved the grain in these sections. The vanity has the same beautiful details. I wanted to design a piece the clients will treasure for a lifetime. I have included a photograph of myself in the room to help with scale. It's tall. The room has such great light and I wish it were my bathroom.

just completed

just completed

see more of this project on flickr

the bob

2011-01-15T10:15:00.006-07:00

I have been having my hair cut into a bob every few years since I was a wee child. I have been considering cutting it again for ages now. I love my long hair though, so my hair stylist gave me a quick loose up-do for the evening. Like a bob without the commitment. In the meantime, I'll keep mulling it over.

I'll take opinions, my husband is sitting on a fence.


me (on left) mom and my twin sister

Update- I have decided to keep my hair long. I really appreciate all your input!

Brand New Guest bath

2011-01-13T15:47:00.005-07:00

on flickr

After many months, the downstairs guest bath is complete! We completely tore the room apart in order to remove the tub and move some plumbing around. The Shower is brand spanking new and glossy white. The newly tiled floor is now comfortably heated, new vanity, new light fixtures, and a new wardrobe to store linens and dry laundry (that door in the right corner of the back of the room houses the washer and dryer). I decided the room needed seating so I picked up a lovely new wishbone chair from my favorite shop- Kit Interior Objects. The room is all ready for guests. I think they are going to like it. The Before photographs were taken before we actually moved in to the house. It was pretty grim. Next up, the Rumpus Room!

Tile- Kensington Carpet One
Mirror, shower glass and shower door handle- Crystal Glass
Light Fixture- Flos
Vanity- Roca - Long Island Vanity and shower hardware from Art of Hardware
Wardrobe- Ikea
Wishbone chair- Kit Interior Objects

three things I plan to do this year

2011-01-08T21:07:00.001-07:00

Things I plan to do this year.
Ok, I'll call it what it is.

Three New Years Resolutions that I made-

1. Learn some conversational Spanish. To that end I have signed up for a course already with Calgary Continuing Education
If you were wondering why Spanish? Well, I'm headed to Cozumel, Mexico in a few months for a little vacation with my dear girlfriend and her lovely authentically Mexican husband! It is only polite that I should have a few words to converse with them as they are putting me up in their home!

doesn't it look nice in Cozumel!

2. Um, and since I'm going to the beautiful beaches of Cozumel in a couple of months. One of the other things I am working on is getting my Canadian winter figure whipped into bikini shape. I am on a very enjoyable gluten free eating plan that SHOULD get me there. My genius nutritionist friend came up with the plan for me. I hope to convince her to make this her full time career once her little one reaches school age. Also, exercise, and lot's of it. Wish me luck!

3. My final plan for the year is to record at least two songs. I have been writing lyrics for years but now seems like the right time to put it all together and make some actual music. I intend to involve my most talented and beautiful musical genius friend of course. She kinda knows about it. Maybe not the part where she is involved of course. It may require a trip to California by me to convince her. That will be fun even if she refuses!

and those are my goals for the year.

you?

p.s. there is one more but it involves needles and ink and probably another fainting episode so I'm not totally convinced I will do that one.

polaroid ♥

2011-01-06T17:40:00.002-07:00

stolen moments

2010-12-29T11:31:00.006-07:00

My favorite moments behind the lens in 2010

from left-

1. Snowshoeing Black Prince on a magical day. January is still full of hope.

2. An evening photo shoot in the skankiest bear costume you could ever possibly rent. hilarious.

3. Playing in the horse shelter with my mom. We took turns posing with that pitchfork. Mom is always such a great sport.

4. The first warm day of the year, feeling the sun on my skin was restorative. I spent hours out in my lone tree field this day.

5. The first long bike ride of the year. We rode for hours to the furthest parts of the city. This was taken overlooking the Glenmore reservoir, our drinking water supply.

6. My birthday. A day trip to Drumheller ensued. It was a beautiful and fun day with buckarooken.

7. 16 days on a private rafting trip down the grand canyon. Life altering and life affirming experience. You have no idea. It was exhausting, so hot, so challenging and yet so much fun. We slept out under the stars. We bathed under magical waterfalls. We each conquered our own fears.

8. A trip to Moraine Lake in Banff National Park with a visiting flickr friend. That day was perfect.

9. A solo trip to grasslands national park. Quite possibly my favorite place on earth. My first solo camping experience. It was a very beautiful and positive trip.

10. Finding beauty where I could not see it before. The barn has fallen and is no longer my wistful
muse but on this day with a flickr friend I found a way to accept it.

11. Rainbows. This year I witnessed many rainbows. Each one I saw was more spectacular than the last.

12. Winter again. Snowshoeing with buckarooken and his brother. My bil and I ended up spending a good deal of time together this December and it was good. we connected.

view on flickr

Completed Living Room Project- family home

2010-12-22T17:12:00.007-07:00

I loved this project. The home belongs to clients who have young children and a lovely little dog so it had to be tough enough to handle the demands.

I redesigned the fireplace, changing it in the process from wood burning to a fuel efficient gas insert. I used a little asymmetry in my design which is unusual for me. The new smaller hearth is honed slate, the tiles are 1x1 faceted mirror tiles (from Icon Stone and Tile) . I designed the new built-ins for the existing alcoves. We did them in glossy white and they were economical that way. Both sides of the built ins have hidden under cabinet task lighting. The carpet was torn out and replaced with Bamboo hardwood. The ceiling was taken down and replaced so that we could use halogen pots and get rid of the old textured ceiling.

The leather Wingback sofa and matching 5 foot ottoman is from Montauk, the cute little slipper chair was the clients own and I had it refinished in black and reupholstered in chartreuse bouclé. The gorgeous yellow Knoll Bertoia diamond chair was ordered through Kit Interior Objects as was the authentic ghost chair and the Marimekko fabric for the toss cushions & the Fat Boy bean bag chair. The clients artwork is by artist Bratsa Bonifacho. Everything was painted in my fav Benjamin Moore color- Oxford white.
You can see all the after photos on my flickr site
Here are the before photos-

10 cent Holiday Gift Guide

2010-11-21T11:00:00.002-07:00

Inspired Tea Towels from todryfor

MacAusland's Woolen Mills Canadian made wool blankets

Gorgeous Leather Gloves from Coach

Norwegian wool felt slippers from Topaz Norway

Bertoia Diamond Lounge chair in sunny yellow wool felt!

Florence Knoll Credenza in white lacquer with a marble top

Live Bike from Globe

Modo Chandelier from Design Within Reach

Set of 8 Socks Rolled Down Tumblers from Marimekko

Jets by Jessika Allen bikini

Chan Luu's intricately embellished red leather, 14-karat rose gold-vermeil and dyed red quartz wrap-around bracelet

A Rocky Mountain Rail trip through the beautiful Rockies and all the way to the coast

Icebreaker Ladies Olympia Crewe

Lululemon athletica running top

Buff Tubular headwear in Black

Details that mean something

2010-11-09T11:45:00.003-07:00

I don't really believe in accessory shopping for my clients. Occasionally, this frustrates the client a bit, but I believe quite sincerely, that any objects in a house should be there because they have personal importance. The client is encouraged seek out items on their travels and to purchase items that they have a strong attraction to. For clients on a budget I often suggest that childrens artwork can be framed, a travel snapshot can be blown up, family memorabilia can be displayed, and student art can be purchased. With some of my clients who might have larger budgets I will encourage them to start collections of art and objects. I have introduced more than a few clients to my favorite local gallery SKEW and any of the iconoclastic items available at Kit Interior Objects will be treasured for years.

Personally I love handmade objects. This summer I purchased a set of these hand hammered copper bowls from a craftsman during a street fair in Invermere BC. I love the way they refract the light and I can't wait to show them off next time I serve a nice Indian dinner with friends.

The hand thrown white ceramic bowl was purchased in Val Marie Saskatchewan, a tiny hamlet just north of Grasslands National park. I love the weight of it and the smoothness of the glaze. Come to think of it, I also purchased a fabulous small painting at a gas station in rural Alberta (the owner is a painting hobbyist).

Throwaway trends and accessories simply don't make sense to me. It's not environmental and it doesn't add any real sense of place or personal history. I understand the sense of urgency many clients have to "complete" their decorating but I encourage them to allow the decor to complete itself in a more organic way. I suggest my clients save up and buy the items they will want to keep for a lifetime. :)

Colorful Doors

2010-09-28T17:00:00.000-06:00

My current fav project included painting out all the bedroom wing doors in cheery, glossy colors. The new black marmoleum floors really help to set off the bright colors I selected. Yellow, orangey red, bright apple green, turquoise and finally one soft gray door. The client loves it. I think I love it even more. Makes me long for a hallway of doors to paint actually.
The reason for the colors? While it would have been in the budget to replace all the existing doors (which are likely reaching the 50 year mark) , I declared it non environmental to do so! Originally, I had ordered up new modern knobs for the doors but it turns out that 50 year old doors do not have the same set backs as new doorknobs require so we ended up using some inexpensive knobs from the hardware store. no matter! with those spectacular colors the knobs just add a tiny bit of sparkle. If you would like to try this yourself, make sure you sand and prep your doors first. You can use a roller with the glossy paint. of course, you will need to take the door off the hinges to paint it. and wait, patiently between coats. It will take you at least 3-4 coats to get this saturation.

Tanya Aguiniga Furniture

2010-08-08T10:52:00.000-06:00

a felted eames chair.
I adore this

Meet Millicent

2010-08-05T20:15:00.000-06:00

Meet Millicent. My new intern/ model and co-conspirator. We have plans. Awesome plans.

Six Things I really kinda want to buy right now and maybe I will or maybe I already have.

2010-08-03T15:18:00.000-06:00

I want a Zeppelin to hang from the rafters

and I want two or three or maybe four of these poufs to throw around the house

and how about the new Arcade Fire album (oh wait I already BOUGHT that!)

I wish I had bought THIS painting by Beth Pederson

and I want to buy one of these for everyone I know!

And I want this clothing rack because I'm lazy and I don't like hanging up my clothes before bed

Back Country Camping

2010-08-01T23:43:00.001-06:00

After returning from our very intense 18 day trip to the Grand Canyon, we came home and immediately hit Calgary's folk festival for the next 4 days. Afterwards my clients and friends and family started writing, emailing, calling and generally reminding me of all my stressful responsibilities! I was feeling somewhat overwhelmed and needed some quite time with my sweet husband so we booked a camp spot at Tombstone Lake Campground in Kananaskis for the weekend, bought some new packs to try out and went camping for a couple of days. It was fabulous.

My new Gregory pack fit great and performed very well. Still 35-40 pounds on your back is always a bit of a challenge.

The trail to the campground takes you past Elbow Lake (the source of Calgary's drinking water!) and through a very beautiful valley. The campground (which is not right on the lakes) had 11 spots total and wasn't full so it was quiet and pretty. The weather was tossing about a bit and we had rain in the evening and again the next morning, but nothing so bad to make us unhappy. Met the CO who was lucky enough to be staying in the wardens cabin there (fantastic location!). We hiked up to Tombstone lakes in the eve and again in the morning just for fun. Just to add an extra 12 k to the weekend ha!

Not too much in the way of elevation on these hikes, but enough to make you remember that pack on your back at all times! There is also nearby Rae lake to explore should you try this hike.

photos-

1. Lori hiking in
2. Ken hiking in
3. Elbow Lake
4. rain on lower Tombstone Lake in eve.
5. morning at the campsite
6. lower Tombstone in the morning
7. ken at upper tombstone
8. me at upper tombstone

Buy my book

2010-07-02T13:08:00.000-06:00

It makes a really nice coffee table book. It's quite large and hardcover and the photo quality is awesome.
GO ahead, buy my Book :)

Lori Andrews Interiors- the book!

2010-07-01T10:47:00.000-06:00

My newest Interior Stories Edition Book is now out!
get it here- on Blurb

my style in one image

2010-06-30T16:20:00.000-06:00

There is a blogging challenge going around, issued by From the Right Bank . You are instructed to define your style with just one image. I think I will break with what seems to be the norm and I will post this photo from my own home. After all, my home doesn't look this way by accident!
This really is my style.

Before Photos. The amazing master bedroom and bathroom project

2010-06-19T13:42:00.012-06:00

See the bottom of this post for more "before" photos from my latest project.

View the AFTER photos on Flickr
What we did-

Basically we took both rooms back to the studs. There ended up being some fairly serious insulation issues, some major plumbing issues and electrical issues that needed to be addressed before we could even begin the project.

Once those were corrected, we enlarged the bedroom by taking out those ill-thought open shelves that flanked the entrance to the master bath. In the bathroom I had the contractor create a new smaller "toilet" room, remove the closet, and get rid of the awkward bulkheads. A gorgeous new soaker tub was installed instead of the ridiculous corner Jacuzzi, the window was actually made smaller to make room for the spacious new walk in shower with glass tile. I also designed a new white oak vanity for the space which my cabinet maker executed beautifully .

Heated tile floors were installed by my favorite company, Kensington Floors.

My favorite glass supplier (Crystal glass 9th ave. ask for Cory) installed the shower surround and the mirror over the vanity.

The countertop is ceasarstone, the wall sconces are from Jonathan Adler.

I had a frosted glass door put on the littlest room "the toilet room" so that natural light can get in.

My amazing cabinet maker Stuart (no I won't give out his number ) totally exceeded my expectations in building the vanity and tallboy cabinet that I designed. All in white oak. The tallboy cabinet replaces the old closet and actually functions much better. At almost 7 feet tall, it actually succeeds in making the room feel larger than it is. I even had a locking drawer built inside the upper cupboards for the clients prescriptions. The pieces are crafted in heirloom quality solid wood. The tallboy could easily be re-purposed in a dining room or entry. I designed the bottom to be open, light and airy so that it would appear to float effortlessly. The handles are from Art Of Hardware.

In the bedroom, I ordered a beautiful white oak king size bed from De La Espada and matching nightstands. The gorgeous Lotte Lamps are from Kit Interior Objects in Calgary. The suspended glossy white dresser is also my custom design. The cushion fabrics and Drapery fabric are from DWA my favorite to the trade fabric resource in Calgary. . The drapes run wall to wall, floor to ceiling and the bonus is that they are on a remote control. the clients can simple press a single button from the comfort of bed and voila- instant black out. My favorite Drapery consultant Sue, worked out the window coverings for me. We also did all new Hunter Douglas top down bottom up duettes.

My awesome painter Ted (he has done my painting for the last 6 years) did an amazing job painting the space. All in Benjamin Moore's Oxford white (my go-to color).

After I had the contractor remove the door and enlarge the doorway, Calgary closets came and outfitted the closet (not shown) in the most organized fashion!

The bamboo floors in the bedroom are from Kensington floors again. Just beautiful. If you call, ask for Nicole and tell her I sent you.

The gorgeous ceiling lights are a real favorite of mine and I use them over and over. They are from Forecast lighting. You can buy them from Barry Ward at Robinsons

There is one item still to come- a gorgeous Kate chair from Montauk in paprika colored velvet. It is due to show up just as I am leaving on a little vacation down the grand canyon. I have styled the room with this awesome hand crafted bench in the meantime.

All bedding is new and supplied by me through cuddledown. The silk duvet is from Luxeport (tell them I sent you!). The gray wool points blanket is from The Hudsons Bay Company. The red stripe blanket is available at Kit Interior Objects as is the clock and the gray vase.

Everything in the room has been carefully thought out to last for many years. The artwork is already in the clients collection. More art may find it's way into the room as the clients decide on placement. As always, I prefer to create a very minimal backdrop for the beautiful pieces to shine. For a decorator, I don't do a whole lot of decorating. The idea behind my work is create functional, honest and real interiors. I'm all for studied clutter, but it needs to come from the clients own collection. I do not fill rooms with "accent pieces" or assorted pseudo artworks. ( I think that may have something to do with my Art degree, I was a drawing major) Every item has to have personal & aesthetic importance.

The rooms feel luxurious and comfortable. I think it feels right for the house, right for the clients and just right for a lifetime.

BEFORE PICTURES-

What My Customers Are Saying About Me

2010-06-18T11:04:00.000-06:00

teehee.
I received this email from my client (the client from the amazing master bedroom and bath reno that I hope to photograph tomorrow). I have some really great clients by the way.

ahem:

1. I frakking love this room

2. I frakking love the shower

3. I frakking love those cushions

4. I frakking love my bed. Everyday when I wake up I feel like I am on vacation.

You rock!

and that is why I do what I do.
jumps up and down and claps hands in joy!

T-shirt givaway!

2010-05-11T11:43:00.000-06:00

I'm giving away a 10 cent t-shirt at the end of the week to one person on flickr. details here

Calgary Interior Designers Websites

2010-05-07T10:54:00.002-06:00

Through the Magic of the internets I have recently gotten to know quite a few local Interior Designers. In the spirit of follow friday, I would like to present these links to their amazing Design Portfolio's and websites. Enjoy!

Calgary Interior Designers
I put myself first but that just because I can. ha!

1. Lori Andrews Interiors
2. Nyla Free
3. LeAnne Bunnell
4. Corea Sotropa
5. Freckles & Ash

I will keep adding to this list as I collect the sites of the people I meet

The 10 cent designer dot com!

2010-04-25T17:42:00.001-06:00

The 10 cent designer dot com!, originally uploaded by The 10 cent designer.

My new website is up and running!
http://www.the10centdesigner.com/

Before & After

2010-03-22T22:24:00.003-06:00

It's about time to start some more renovations. We have plans for the basement this year. Also, I have some upgraded pieces coming for my living room soon! Very exciting. I put together this Before & After collage to show, how the house looked when we bought it and how it has been transformed. We love our house. It just gets better and better.

The bathroom bench

2010-03-19T08:14:00.002-06:00

I am in the middle of a renovation project for a client. My contractor has completely gutted the master bedroom and bath down to the studs. Part of the plan includes a beautiful custom glass tiled shower. The clients decided they absolutely needed a bench to place product etc. I was really reluctant to build one in as I feel it will destroy the open look and possibly shrink the shower space too much. (not to mention the water issues that come up with a bench). So I suggested a teak bench and found a supplier. I love these!

Favorite moments

2009-12-31T13:20:00.002-07:00

It wasn't easy to decide what my favorite moment last year was. We had a wonderful year and everyday brought awesome surprises.
I decided to choose this moment in Grasslands National park. My husband and I drove there for a nice weekend getaway camping and hiking at the beginning of summer. The weather was warm and the grasslands were especially pretty. It is one of my favorite places on earth. This photo was taken from the top of one of the highest buttes in the park. It was a nice little hike and the views were spectacular. We saw one other couple on this day. A very nice couple (a decade or two older than us) from Regina Sask. They told us that they return to grasslands every single year. It is that sort of place. Once you leave, you start dreaming of when you can return. Some people are Ocean people. Some People are city people. Me, I'm Grass people. I love the wind and the scent and the endless views. Ken has really discovered his love for the grasslands as well. We travel well together (Ken and I). These little getaways together bring me much joy. Happy New Year!

Tomboyfriend is a cool band

2009-12-10T09:04:00.002-07:00

The artist who created Deerfly is fund raising for this awesome band so that they can produce their first album. Watch a video that Margaux made (it's currently on a loop in a Toronto gallery) . I made a $20.00 donation and got my free Mp3 immediately. It's a different song than the one in the video and honestly it's crazy good. If I had $500.00 I totally would have bought the band for a private concert.

I need this

2009-11-28T11:44:00.002-07:00

This Stainless steel bean bag sculpture would be awesome in my yard. Oh wait. I can't afford it. Still I love it!

Camera as Art

2009-11-16T08:38:00.003-07:00

Run, don't walk to buy one of these prints from my flickr friend Jördis !
(photo by Jördis)

I bought the holga one right away. I won honorable mention in a photo contest recently so the holga is my favorite

36 reasons why Flickr is inspiring

2009-10-29T12:02:00.005-06:00

Some of my contacts have been complaining lately that they don't feel the vibe in flickr. I would dare to suggest that perhaps they just need to get out more. Meet some new flickr stars, get away from their comfortable circles. :) Flickr is amazing. Flickr is Fun. Here are 36 reasons why I looked at Explore this week.

award winning

2009-10-26T16:29:00.008-06:00

Hey ! Another project I worked on has won awards. This time the house is a "cabin" in BC. I had worked with the clients before and they called me to help with their vacation home. I never went on site and instead made all my designs from the house plans. I gave the client interior and exterior paint colors (based on local bylaws) I chose the stains, the stone for the exterior of the house, the lighting (K-scope), the cabinetry, the granite countertops, the furniture etc. It was fun. we simply emailed back and forth and I arranged to ship much of the furniture (and now that I think of it the lighting and the rug) from here to BC. There were a few small problems but in the end the clients were quite happy. and now it has won awards! yay!
here are some pictures from the website. I did not take them. You can follow the link to the award website. I chose a great creamy white dining table and then all of the chairs around the table and the bar are red. The sectional came from Calgary as did the custom area rug I had made. some of the items came from Pottery barn so the client could have those shipped direct.

2009-10-08T17:27:00.003-06:00

everytime someone links to one of these I can't help myself. paper dolls gone wild

My Rosendahl

2009-10-03T11:53:00.001-06:00

Abe Monkey design by Kay Bojesen
Danish design
now in my home :)

2009 Edition, Interior Stories

2009-10-02T08:41:00.001-06:00

2009 Edition, Interior Stories, originally uploaded by The 10 cent designer.

The up to date version of my portfolio is available now

Ottawa Landing

2009-09-18T09:50:00.003-06:00

Well we are flying to Ottawa to visit Kens brother "Chris" and his lovely girlfriend this weekend. He has just bought his first house. There will be a house warming party. And yes, I suspect there will be a little decorating going on as well.

As you can see from this photo, "Chris" has been schooled by me in the art of mountain flying. At well over 6 feet tall, he is amazingly light in the air.

Camping!

2009-09-11T17:37:00.003-06:00

The weather is gorgeous here in Alberta so Ken and I are doing a little back country camping trip. We will hike in from Buller Pass and camp the night at Ribbon lake. If we can get ourselves out of bed, we will hike up the mountain for some dawn photos. We have our camping permit, and our gear (I'm going to go buy some bear spray tonight) and I can't wait! Hope you are doing something equally as excellent this weekend!

Norway in a 10 cent nutshell

2009-08-16T08:52:00.002-06:00

Well I am nearly over the jet lag from our trip back from Norway and finally I can tell you all about it!
About a year ago we decided to go and visit Astrid and Solve in Norway. We booked our business class tickets on points and counted the days until the trip would finally happen. It actually came faster than expected! Astrid and Solve took their belated honeymoon just before we arrived in Norway so ken and I planned a few days in another area before joining the Norwegians in Bergen.

Ken and I arrived at Stavanger airport and went straight to the Sola Strand Hotel . We loved the hotel. The room we were in was kinda small (that's what happens when you wait until the last minute to book a room) but the view was incredible! One of the staff members (I forget his name darn it) immediately took us on a mini tour of the hotel. He proved to be most helpful and pleasant for our entire stay! The rest of the staff also went out of their way for us constantly.
We had the use of the hotels free bikes (be prepared to do a little light maintanence yourself on the bikes, the staff can give you an air pump and some bike oil) which was super fun. There is a great pathway system that will take you all the way to Stavanger. We got lost several times haha but can probably make the 1/2 hour trip in one go now. (I think it took us a couple of hours the first time).
Like most Norwegian hotels, breakfast buffet is included. Sola Strand had an excellent breakfast! So many healthy choices and plenty of bacon etc. for the decadent indivduals. (Ken)
The beach that Sola Strand Hotel overlooks is beautiful, huge and wonderful.

After a few days in the Stavanger area , Ken and I took a ferry to the mountain lodge Preikestolen Fjellstue . The Lodge is architect designed awesomeness. Made entirely of Norwegian wood. We hiked to pulpit rock , and enjoyed a great dinner at the lodge. In the morning I got up early and had one of those "magic" photographer moments. Then it was back to the Sola Strand Hotel for a night and a walk on the beach and off to Bergen by air in the morning.

Astrid picked us up at the airport, we settled in to her gorgeous home and started touring us around Bergen right away. We ate like kings every night with the Norwegians cooking some nights and Ken and I cooking on others. It was awesome. Then they took us to their amazing second home at Voss . We hiked (sort of) haha. Biked! We feasted every night and day again, toured the area and had an amazing time. Once we got back to Bergen we walked the sites more, went to the natural history museum, and had some more great flickr moments . Astrid and Solve were so good to us. We were spoiled rotten and I'm certain we are some of the most demanding guests ever to visit. It was great. thank you Astrid! Thank you Solve! so many flickr moments and so many friendship memories.

Next Ken and I flew back to the Stavanger area as we wanted to take a Fjord cruise and do some more beach hopping. We don't recommend the second hotel we stayed at (Viste Strandhotell). It felt a little like the Hotel California. I swear we were the only guests yet our room did not get cleaned and well the room wasn't great. the carpet was stained and the breakfast didn't even begin to compare to Sola Strand hotel. Actually I couldn't even find anything to eat at the breakfast buffet with my gluten and dairy intolerances. Don't stay there. go to Sola. :)

Obviously we did much more than I can possibly write about. If we come back to Norway we will take a trip to the North. We wish we had pre-planned that now in hindsight. Don't plan on doing a whole lot of shopping in Norway. It is a very expensive place to visit. We think it was worth it though. Norwegians are super nice. We met and made new friends every where we went. The weather can be wet but we were quite lucky and only a couple of days were drizzlely and really only our travel days were full on rainy. so lucky!

Now we are home and planning our grand canyon rafting trip next summer will be on the agenda.

Norway

2009-08-12T13:40:00.002-06:00

well we are having a grand time in Norway. I have not done the epic hiking I planned but hey, whatareyougonnado. We can hike when we get home. :) Tomorrow we take a Fjord cruise. quite the opposite of hiking but hopefully just as thrilling. Oh and this photo totally got blogged by Utata. which rocks.

Chanel

2009-07-29T00:03:00.003-06:00

I am in love with Karl Lagerfield & Chanel.
This has been a 20 year love affair. Today I came to the conclusion that owning a Chanel Ready-To-Wear dress is officially on my list. Gonna do it. somehow. Ken understands. He has listened to me go on about Chanel since we first started dating. I remember showing him Vogue issues that nearly brought me to tears with the beautiful clothing and photographs. Usually of Chanel.

Blurb Book

2009-07-16T13:40:00.002-06:00

I decided at the last minute to enter the juried book competition over at Blurb. So I put together this book called Two of a Kind. It's my simplest book to date. Not even a title on the front cover. :)

Two of a Kind

By Lori Andrews

Book Preview

Black Prince Trail and the rise to the top

2009-07-14T09:05:00.012-06:00

As usual we got up and took our sweet time getting ready.
Once we decided on our hike, we packed our things and headed out to Kananskis country, arriving around 1:30 pm
This trail started out sweet and easy with a pretty trail walk to this lake. We walked around the lake to find that the trail head snakes it's way through an avalanche rock bed full of cairns. And then the trail heads up. It's a bit of a grind making your way up out of a lovely valley. There is a waterfall to convince you to keep going up. The part of the trail over by the waterfall would likely be quite treacherous in wet conditions so we kept that in mind in case of rain. The forecast for the day was 60% chance of rain. The light was quite flat at the waterfall and I opted to keep going rather than take photos. Keep going up that is. This trail was pretty steep we were thinking. but thankfully we knew it was not very long (only about 8 or 9 km to the cirque round trip ).

When we reached the top of this part of the climb we were in a nice big bowl (cirque) with views of the soaring Black Prince Mountain and Mount Warspite. Also the view from whence we came was lovely. So we found a nice big rock and took our lunch there. I had curried quinoa with spinach and chutney, rhubarb crisp and a couple of my hiking bars. When we arrived, there was another couple that had been just in front of us on the trail, taking their lunch as well. Also a young woman resting in the sun with her dog. I started taking photos and eventually got out my gitzo tripod that I carry and took some headless self portraits. Ken took a nap in the sun. By the time I was done shooting all of the other people had left the area to head back down.

This is when I decided we would push on to the top of the ridge. This would add quite a bit of distance and time to the hike. We chose a route on Mount Warspite that was grassy and was a low point in the ridge (col). From the ground the pitch looked do-able enough though experience had taught us to multiply by ten our expectations. haha. None of my photos show how steep it really was. It took us about an hour to make it up that final climb. I expect it was at least 400-500 m. It was the sort of steep, that you would need to scramble a bit with your hands as well if you didn't have poles with you. Thankfully we carry poles now. Our cardio wasn't tested so much as our leg muscles were.

And then we made it! It was really beautiful. It didn't rain. The kananaskis range to the east was amazingly impressive and imposing as we were viewing the highest part of the pass. The light was beautiful for taking photos. This is partially because Ken and I always start our hikes so late in the day. I expect it was around 6:30 pm by the time we made it to the ridge. It wasn't freezing either! Half the time the ridge walks have such a howling wind I curse myself for forgeting my gloves! Ken and I ran all over the ridge, snapping photos and having fun. We enjoyed the MOST delicious apple ever up there. It was quiet and there was not another person around for miles. Such a reward for our hard work!

Going down. Heading straight down a mountain is often as challenging as heading up. Ken found a nice scree area and we scree skiied down much of the mountain. Once the rocks got to big for my comfort level I picked my way down the grassy slopes while ken kept finding the rock to slide. The rest of the hike was a total picnic to descend compared to this section. By the time we got down to the cirque again, the mosquito's were out and after us. We moved as quickly as we could to hike out the rest of the way. When we reached the lake finally we overtook a family that had done the hike to the waterfall area only. We stopped to chat with them and their nice girls for about a 1/2 hour once we all reached the parking lot. You meet the nicest people in the great outdoors. Their daughters were around 12 and 8. My favorite age of children! I had a great time chatting about photography with the girls while Ken pointed out more great hikes for the saskatchewan vacationers on his topo map.

And at 8:30 pm we left the parking lot. Home by 10:30. A quick spinach omellete for dinner, a warm bath and bed. It's now 2 days later and the sore muscles are recovering nicely and we are starting to plan our next hike.

360 degrees of Saturday

2009-06-28T00:04:00.001-06:00

360 degrees of Saturday, originally uploaded by The 10 cent designer.

Mist Ridge.
18.4 km return
655m Height gain to South Summit
High Point- 2423
moderately strenuous.
and way delicious!
6 1/2 hours with lunch and photos galore

awesome rewards on this hike. highly recommended

Hiking season begins!

2009-06-12T20:44:00.002-06:00

I was a little worried this year. Spring has come so late and I was starting to think we would never get out hiking. And then I broke my toe. (I dropped a 60 pound glass tabletop on it). Well spring has finally arrived and I tested out my toe's fitness with a little hike with an American visitor the other day. Yay! No problems! My hiking boots (new full leather boots) that I bought last year did a good job keeping my toe on the straight and narrow. Tomorrow Kencent and I will go for a nice long hike. There is still plenty of snow in the mountains so we have chosen a hike that isn't so deep in the kan. I can't wait. I have already made my lunch.

it's official, Grasslands is my favorite place on earth

2009-06-04T15:24:00.003-06:00

we will be going back next year. absolutely. this time we will camp in the more rugged badlands of the east block.

One Million Views!

2009-05-23T15:17:00.003-06:00

I'm getting ready to celebrate! My flickr account is nearly at the 1 Million Views!
A New book seemed to be appropriate! I intend to give one book away to a flickr viewer. Watch my flickr stream for contest details next week! And in case you can't wait, feel free to pick one up now :)
The book is a whopping 160 pages with 365 photos representing my favorite moments from the last 4 years. Thanks for making me a contact and thanks for making flickr so much fun!

The Rainbow Co...

365 photographs

By The 10 cent Designer

Book Preview

Front Page Utata!

2009-05-14T13:36:00.002-06:00

Oh I was thrilled to see that this photo was chosen for the front page of Utata!
Thrilled I tell you. You see, I maybe had a couple other items chosen back in the day, and well, there is this little rule about fairness and spreading the wealth etc. But today! My photo broke the rules! I am a fan of Utata. Utata and flickr go together like 10 cent and ken cent.
:)

Sweet potato t-shirts for sale

2009-05-09T00:16:00.005-06:00

My friend Wayne is in a band and asked for my help with some photos to help him sell t-shirts. I said, I know just the location. So back I went to the little red barns. I asked permission the first time, second time round, nobody was home. Until we were about to leave. Hope they didn't mind.

Sun600 Polaroid

2009-05-06T23:47:00.004-06:00

well it's official. I love my new/old Sun600 polaroid camera. alas, I am already out of film. I don't even know where to begin finding more. sigh. I should never have picked it up in that antique store in Cremona.
This is the very first shot I took with it. My Papa Larry, flattening the vole hills with his tractor to prepare the hay fields. He actually stopped and posed for me. Papa Larry does not pose. He despises having his photo taken. But a man's tractor is another story. This tractor represents everything he wants the world to see. Practical, not too flashy, strong and most important, not to difficult to fix up in a pinch. :)

Polaroid Love

Oh and here's an update- more polaroid film is on it's way, courtesy of the wonderful girlreaction :)

Spring

2009-04-14T08:56:00.002-06:00

We went to the ranch for Easter dinner and brought our bicycles. haha it's kinda fun riding through fields of gopher holes and tall grass.

Dr. Nevermind's

2009-03-12T09:37:00.006-06:00

I have always been unnaturally fond of tiny rubber baby dolls.
It wasn't until my mom presented me with a box of my childhood toys (for my 40th birthday) that I realized I actually had a bunch as a child.
I seriously considered opening a toy store when I was in my thirties. Buckarooken and I even started touring potential rental locations. I wanted to carry those little cans that moo like a cow when you tip them over, tin toys, retro toys, puppets, and everything else that the adult buyer would be nostalgic about.
I planned to call my store
Dr. Nevermind's Emporium of Curiosities, Potions and tinkatures.

Mom and I already had plenty of retail experience form running our store - The Heavenly Outhouse.
and that experience is alas, what kept me from opening the store. There isn't much money in retail and the only clerk who cares is the owner.
still, I do love toys.

Desire to Inspire

2009-02-11T14:37:00.003-07:00

My new favorite blog
Kim at Desire To Inspire totally changed my day for the better. go check out the blog! click on the title for the link

We are going here

2009-02-06T16:00:00.004-07:00

Somehow in the next few years we are going to this most awesome place (see title for link)
First Ken and I go to Norway next summer and the summer after that we are going on a private rafting trip down the Colorado river for 18 days. We waited 13 years on a wait list for the colorado river trip! But then, as soon as we can find the time, we are going to China. One look at this website and you will see why! come with us!

Cabin Fever

2009-02-02T19:59:00.003-07:00

Mom and Larry are building a one room cabin on their ranch for guests. To quote my mom "it's not like we need it, we just want it". Oh indeed! I can't wait to wake up at dawn to the view of the pond on a gorgeous summer morning! Papa Larry has installed wind and solar power on the ranch this year. The cabin will have electricity supplied by the wind and the solar panels. as well, it will have a composting toilet (shhhh, pretend I didn't say toilet). I can't wait for it to be finished. so awesome.
I feel responsible for the best design feature on the cabin - windows that face the lake! seriously, I had to really explain the benefits. Just wait until I post photos of it next summer. I might just quit the city and move in permanently. :)

They all fall down

2009-01-28T08:29:00.003-07:00

Watching the old barn.
Lately I feel a sense of urgency about photographing this old barn. It sits on a neighboring property to my parents ranch. The property it sits on is for sale. The owner does not live on the property, but rather rents out the pasture in the summertime.
Every time I get close I am certain that "this" will be the very last week the barn remains standing. I hope that it in fact remains standing for another 20. these 2 photos were taken just under a year apart. I could swear the north wall was on the verge of collapse now but it really doesn't look much different. I'm gonna cry when it falls though. That is "so" the sort of thing that could make me cry.

1stdibs Saturday sale!

2009-01-17T08:40:00.003-07:00

1stdibs is having a sale every Saturday! now I will need to get up early Saturdays!

The Coffee Table Book

2008-12-30T11:37:00.002-07:00

Lori Andrews I...

By Lori Andrews

Book Preview

Like most of my flickr friends, I am addicted to making blurb books.
My latest is a 54 page (landscape orientation) hardcover book filled with my favorite Interior design projects. I have ordered two, but I know I will probably order 10 more. :)
It took me this long in my career to have enough photos of my clients beautiful homes. There are plenty of gorgeous projects that I have not even had a chance to photograph!
I am working on new projects of course so who knows, maybe next year I will come out with a new volume.

Moccasin love

2008-12-15T15:37:00.002-07:00

I have preferred moccasins over slippers for years. My first and favorite pair came as gift from my brother. He was working in Northern BC at the time doing wildlife biology work on government lands and native reserves. Somehow he managed to find an elder woman who was still making the moccasins completely by hand the old fashioned way. Of course when they arrived in the mail the moccasins were overwhelmingly permeated with a deep smoky smell as that is part of the tanning process. They were so beautiful with just a small amount of beadwork. they fit like a glove to. I wore them constantly indoors and out on quick errands. Needless to say I wore right through them in just 6 months.
I loved those moccasins. I have tried through various government agencies to contact that woman or someone like her, but it is becoming harder and harder to find someone making them in the old way. I like the ones I'm wearing in this photo. My mom bought them for me in Saskatchewan. They are "authentic native moccasins" and very warm with this fur lining. Still I hope one day to get another pair as good as those first ones. Just thinking of them conjures up the strong smokey smell and buttery feel. Anyhow, fur lined moccasins are just the thing when the temperatures dip. :)

JPG chair challenge

2008-12-11T13:39:00.004-07:00

yay! One of my photos was chosen as a winner in JPG magazines most recent photo challenge. (the orange chair photo)
It's fun to win.

Flickr Moments

2008-12-07T11:36:00.004-07:00

The best thing about flickr? The friends you make. Flickr helped me reconnect with awesome friends in my own city and even better helped me make new friends from all over the world.
Without flickr, Ken and I would likely never have traveled to Berlin and even if we had there is no way we could have experienced the city so easily without our flickr friends Matt and Jördis.
Without flickr, I highly doubt Ken and I would have travelled to San Francisco twice in only 2 years. Pilar, Emdot, Jody and so many other awsome Californians keep bringing us back.
And let me tell you about Victoria! We travelled to California and stayed in Victoria's amazing "by the bay" apartment without ever meeting our friend "in the flesh". Seriously, that is the true flickr moment. I just love her and I know she will come to visit soon.
The friends you meet on flickr are of the highest quality. Trustworthy, creative and amazingly open.

Like Kathya who came to stay a few days with us this fall. Oh my gosh we had fun. so much fun. teehee. When you meet your flickr friends for the first time, you quickly realize that you have known them for like evah!

This March I will go and visit Anna Beth Chao in Lousiana! I can't wait. Oh and Next summer Ken and I will travel to Norway and spend some quality nature time with our good friend Astrid and we will finally get to meet Solve!

I love flickr and flickr moments. oh and film. I love that too.

Bath Time

2008-12-04T18:13:00.003-07:00

Ken and I love to take baths. I like to joke that the reason we bought the house was because of the tub. Well that and the shower with 7 different shower heads.
Ken and I have a saying. "The couple that bathes together, stays together."
Ok we don't really say that. But we do love our baths.

Film Lovers

2008-11-24T09:46:00.002-07:00

Frans Peter Verheyen has a most excellent website dedicated to film photography. I was lucky enough to have a photo blogged on the site today! Have a look at The International Analogue Photographic Society website. (just click on the title Film Lovers)

Dear Boots

2008-11-20T16:15:00.004-07:00

I have been wearing this pair of boots for years. I don't deserve them. I drag them through muddy fields and scuff them on concrete. They just had a revamp at Jim's Shoe Repair. I really ought to go and shoot Jim in his shop with my hasselblad. He has operated his shop for as long as I can remember. Jim is an adorable old Italian man. He told me "see. I fix good and cheap too!". I promise to go and shoot Jim this week. He fixed my boots. My beautiful dear Brazilian leather boots. I love my boots. I love Jim too.

That's my mom

2008-11-18T18:15:00.002-07:00

This photo of my mom was taken in May 1970. My sister and I would have been nearly two years old at the time. My brothers, four and six.
As was the style of the day, she did nearly all of the physical work of raising us. I don’t know how she did it when I hear my friends talk of their difficult times with just one or two children.
The lovely smile you see in the picture has remained on her face for all the subsequent years. Despite nagging health concerns like arthritis and others, I rarely hear her complain.

Mom is a fabulous cook (a real Julia Child), an amazing decorator, a former entrepreneur, she is instantly adored by everyone who meets her.
Every year she manages to reinvent and creatively challenge her self. She got her first computer laptop just over a year ago or so and yet, somehow, she has managed to get hooked on facebook, and make friends all over the world already. She surprised us all recently when she flew to Estonia and Crimea to do further research on our family tree. World traveler- Check!

No, today isn’t her birthday, or any special occasion. I just wanted to boast about my mom a bit. She is fiercely loved.

Making a house a home

2008-11-16T23:45:00.004-07:00

We are just starting our fifth year in our little house. Ken and I have no plans to move on to something bigger or to a fancier neighborhood. Every year we are able to complete another renovation project and add a few more "permanent" furniture items. We like living close to downtown. Ken is able to walk to work and I am mere moments away from the shops that I prefer for my Interior Design business. Our house was built nearly 100 years ago but it is very solid and should last many more. A small home at 1100 sq feet, it feels good to buck the environmentally disastrous trend of over scaled houses and suburban acreages. Our neighborhood is vibrant with hundreds of young families and a wonderful mix of people and cultures. We love our house. Together Ken and I are making it a home.

haircut

2008-11-13T18:04:00.004-07:00

haircut, originally uploaded by The 10 cent designer.

Why do I always get my haircut on a nuthing, go to the gym night?
such a smooth blow out deserves a date. next time. I like my hairdresser. Her sweetly teenage opinions on world affairs and hair salon chatter never fails to amuse me. she is cute and 25 and she gives a nice cut for only $60.00 including tip.

OH hippo

2008-11-08T20:09:00.003-07:00

Oh Hippo, why can't I have you. I love you so.

click on OH Hippo to learn why.

Closet Love

2008-11-08T17:56:00.002-07:00

My master bath and bedroom renovation is coming along. I spent the day cleaning the dust out of the closet, organizing, and chucking out the tired and the ill fitting. I remember the first time we purchased a proper closet system. It honestly changed our lives. I bully all of my clients into getting a closet company in to install the proper drawers and shelves. Once it's in though, I swear, - no one has ever complained. Everything has a place. I used to use California closets. Now I prefer Calgary Closets. whatever. Just do it! Seriously, life altering.

My favorite place on Earth

2008-11-07T18:15:00.003-07:00

This place is best experienced alone. No other footsteps, no human movement or voices. Generally it is windy. Luckily I happily accept this. Occasionally it is a calm and warm oasis within the winds of southern Alberta. Sometimes I share my field with a fleeing coyote. I see him, always, long after he has seen me. He is running up the far northern edge to avoid me.
This is Papa Larry's field. This is my favorite place on earth.

my new thing

2008-11-07T18:01:00.000-07:00

I have decided to actually start blogging. opinions and such. blame Matt

Hiking

2008-09-03T19:36:00.002-06:00

I really really like hiking. a lot.

alberta rose

2008-08-31T10:05:00.001-06:00

alberta rose, originally uploaded by Matt?!.

I love Alberta Rose. it's a serious life long adoration