To read Part 1 of our Design Q & A with Janette Ewen, click here.
Shopping, decorating, travel and more – our
SweetHome Design Insider gives us the sweet scoop on what fuels her creativity.
SH: If you could plan your perfect Saturday, what would you do?
JE: Sleep in! For real, it’s so sad. I now work in Toronto, Vancouver and Los Angeles so it’s go, go, go! Once I was up I would do the following, depending on what city I was in:
Toronto: Head out on Queen Street to check out what’s new at Type Books and grab some international magazines. Then I would go to Love of Mine, drool over the giant ceramic unicorn head and buy some cool home accessories. After shopping on Queen I would go for an early bite at Swan (a.k.a. my dining room) before going home to change and go out (or maybe I’d have my friends over for monopoly or gin rummy).
Vancouver: I'd enjoy breakfast in my room. I always stay at The Opus (so comfortable and amazing staff) or the Shangri-La Hotel (huge rooms, so decadent). Once I was up I would head to Gastown and go shopping. My new favourite store there is Parliament, I just bought some beautiful faux white apples. Then over to Yaletown to hit Cross Interiors, my favourite Vancouver store ever. I want to live in the store, I kid you not! Then I might go for a facial or massage at Spruce Body Lab. I'd go home, change, head out for dinner (I love Market at the Shangri-la or Habit on Main), then I would go to my ultimate happy place The Cascade Room (the best and coolest bar ever!) with my Vancouver gang (they all work in design or photography and are just, well, the best).
Los Angeles: When I am working in LA I stay in Santa Monica at the Viceroy (designed by Kelly Wearstler). I love Santa Monica, the air is amazing! I love the beach and everyone is so fit and friendly. It has such a small (yet stylish) town feel. So again I would sleep in, go for a swim, then a walk on the beach. There are also a ton of pedestrian only shopping areas, like 3rd Street and Pico Boulevard, that I love strolling along. Although usually in the afternoons I head to Robertson Boulevard for shopping. I go to Alice and Olivia (I buy too much here but can't stop) and Lisa Kline. Then at night I’d go out with friends (usually a dinner then a lounge).
SH: What are your top three design stores?
JE: That's easy - Teatro Verde, Cross Interiors and Avenue Road.
SH: What’s the next item you plan (or hope) to buy for your space?
JE: I have almost run out of room....but I saw an amazing vintage Ferris wheel (about 3 ft. high) made of wood. It has to fit somewhere. I also need a new TV. I got rid of my big one and the small one I bought (I was trying to be discreet as I'm not overly keen on technology) is too small to watch. I have a plan and a friend to help, so more to come on this in my blog in a few weeks.
SH: If time and money were no objects, what room would you most like to redecorate in your home and why?
JE: My kitchen. I would rip it right out. It takes up a third of my main room with its full-size fridge, stove, and dishwasher. This makes no sense to me! Most lofts my size (475 sq. ft.) are for singles, right? Why would one person need full size appliances? I have an idea for a sleek, modern kitchen that runs along the far wall. It would take up minimal space and look so much better. I hate giant islands in small spaces. It's strange they get the compact kitchen in Europe, we Canadians can't be eating that much more!
SH: Where do you think the most inspiring design destination in the world is?
JE: I’m cheating, I have two, Paris for sure (the creativity, open stream of ideas, stores, architecture, people...boys…er...) and Mayakoba, Mexico (I can't stop going here - I love the landscape and sunsets).
Still want more Janette? We understand! Follow her weekly SweetHome Design Insider blog every Wednesday to find out what’s inspiring her, who she’s met, where she’s been and what she’s working on.
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