Congratulations Sarah and CK!!!!!

We would like to welcome the new addition to our lovely Sarah and proud papa Ck!

Congratulations to Sarah and Ck on welcoming their new baby boy this morning at 2:31am!  He is a beautiful mix of the two and is the sweetest newborn baby we've ever seen!

We are so happy for the both of you!

Gabriel Ross Inc.

Being in Victoria, there are only a few places we can go to find great pieces of furniture.  If you are like many of us who need to see and feel things for yourself, ordering furniture online all the time for everything can be a challenge.

Gabriel Ross Inc. website

For over a decade, Gabriel Ross Inc. has gained a reputable name for itself, not just here in Victoria, but across the nation and abroad.  Carrying classic and modern brands such as Herman Miller, Knoll, and Moooi, Gabriel Ross Inc. distribute many products that one would expect only to find in our design magazines.

Photographer: Antonio La Fauci

Several weeks ago, we had the opportunity to work with a local photographer by the name of Antonio La Fauci.  Now that we have something to showcase, we are dying to share with you another local company that we can recommend!

Antonio La Fauci.  Born and raised on Vancouver Island, from the time he was 12 years old, he has been hooked on photography.  With his experience over the years, as well as working under Lionel Deluy, Antonio is what we would consider as one of the best "lifestyle portraiture" in town.

Windows

The cold season has arrived.  A little too early with the snow and window shield scraping.  We find ourselves hearing that good old clicking of the heaters and the crackling of our fireplaces.  The unfortunate part about this, is that a lot of that energy may in fact be escaping through the inefficient windows many of us have in our older homes.

If you are considering to replace these windows to something more efficient and long lasting, you may have more than a couple choices.  Windows are one of the most important parts of our home, not only for the purpose of allowing natural light into our homes, but also for ventilation and circulation, for exterior aesthetics, for interior aesthetics, for the ability to look outside to that amazing view, and even to prevent ourselves from becoming depressed.

We are back again!

It has been far too long since our last post and now that things are finally organized again, we can get back to our blogging!

First off, we have delightful news!  We have been nominated as a finalists for the 2011 Georgie Awards in the Best Residential Renovation category!  The project submitted is one you may recognize: Arioso. Click here for a quick reminder :)

Breathe Living Wall by DIRTT

Recently, we had the pleasure of speaking to Gail Tyshynski from DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. about some of the latest new products and added features.  A particular item which we were especially excited about was the concept of the Breathe Living Wall.

 Although the concept behind living walls have existed since the late 80's when Patrick Blanc created the first green wall at the Museum of Science and Industry of Paris, DIRTT presents a new concept that is by far the easiest and most straight forward we have come across.

Source: Wikipedia

Snap Victoria

We are excited to share with you a small article featuring a couple pictures of us in Snap Victoria from the CARE Awards .  The small article includes:

This year's "Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence" (CARE) Awards marked the 20th anniversary of celebrating excellence in home building on Vancouver Island. 300 builders trades and suppliers attended a black tie pre-dinner reception in the beautiful Palm Court of the Fairmont Empress Hotel. Windward Oaks won seven Gold CARE Awards including "Project of the Year-Single Family" in addition to the "Peoples Choice Award". For a complete list of winners, please check the CHBA-Victoria website:www.CHBAVictoria.com. SNAP congratulates the many winners in all categories.

Also check us out in our hot pink attire at the Home and Living Disco Party event featured in Snap Victoria.

Snap Victoria is a free news publication that features many local community based events.  Their goal is to showcase the "life, entertainment and overall spirit" of the community in which they report from with an emphasis on having a photographic perspective.  The reporters are always friendly and on top of all the ongoing and exciting events in Victoria.  Don't forget to pick up your free copy each month to check out the latest events.

Fireplaces

Although it seems like fall came sooner than we had hoped, now it has officially begun!  With the changing colour of leaves, wetter weather, and that need for an extra layer of clothing or scarf, we are now required to heat our homes once again.

Whether you heat your home with a boiler, furnace, heated floors, or with solar power, a fireplace will always have that feeling of warmth simply by looking at one.

JMD & 2011 Care Awards

Friday night was a day all of us at the JMD office were looking forward to for weeks!  As we counted down the days, the day finally arrived and we were all very excited to dress up and represent Jenny Martin Design once and for all again at the 2011 Care Awards ceremony.

This year, the Awards was held again at The Empress Hotel in the ever so spectacular Ball Room.  With a room filled with incredibly talented businesses, we were honoured to be amongst them all!

What a night!  Jenny Martin Design was honoured with 5 out of the 7 categories nominated!

Here they are!

#1) Best Kitchen 225 - 250 sq.ft. - Arioso

#2) Best Kitchen over 450 sq.ft. - Broadview

#3) Best Bathroom over 175 sq.ft. - Arioso

#4) Best Interior - Residential 1500 - 2500 sq.ft. - Arioso

#5) Best Interior - Residential over 6,000 sq.ft. - Broadview

What an incredible night we had!  Congratulations to many other wonderful projects that were awarded, including the Windward Oaks by M. Knight Construction Ltd, Garagemahal by B Cubed Construction Ltd and Ines Hanl at The Sky is the Limit.  We recommend that you check them out, they are amazing!


We are still awaiting pictures from the event so stay tuned!...

Barn Doors

Barn doors have come a long way.  What once were used more commonly for the exterior doors of a shed, stable, barn or warehouse, barn doors have become an architectural and functional trend within an interior space.

In today's design, the barn door concept has evolved to include a wide range of styles and materials plus a variety of different hardware. Whether you aim to achieve a traditional farmhouse look or a super modern sleek look, you can achieve any style to suit your space.

The barn door, or shall we now refer to it as the sliding door allows an efficient use of space because it requires no swing.  We see more sliding doors for small spaces particularly in new condominiums where functional space-saving is critical in the design.

The best thing about sliding doors is that they can be utilized in any space.  We particularly enjoy them for small bathrooms, tight closets, and messy offices.  They can also be used as a feature in a room or be cleverly disguised in the backdrop.

If you are planning on incorporating a sliding door in your space, make sure you have clearance above the door opening for your hardware.  Also be aware that adequate space beside the opening is required to allow the door to be open fully.  This doesn't mean that you can't put anything on that part of the wall!  You can still place furniture a few inches off from the wall as well as hang artwork.

Look For Us In Western Living Magazine

We are excited to announce that we have been featured in the September Design Of The Year issue of Western Living!  You'll find us under Ones To Watch.  For a quick link, you can click here! 

And to give you a refresher, you can check out the photos from Queenswood:  Exterior, Living Room & Dining & Kitchen.

While you pick up the September Issue of Western Living Magazine, don't forget to also pick up their sister publication Western Living CONDO.  With so many of us dealing with condo living, this magazine is your "guide to small space living".

From all of us here at the office, we would like to say a big "Thank You!" to Western Living!

Don't Forget To Vote For Your Favorite!

 With less than 2 weeks left to submit your favorite design for the 2011 CARE AWARDS we encourage you to go online to www.careawards.com and click on the left where it says People's Choice Award Contest and vote !!

Check out some of the categories JMD has been selected to be in here!

If you are out shopping...you can also vote at the following locations:

Mayfair Mall until September 4th

Hillside Mall until September 11th

Vote and you will be entered to win an overnight stay at Long Beach Lodge Resort!

Sneak Peak From Our Office

It isn't often that we have the opportunity to design a space using punches of bright colours that are funky and super chic!  We are excited to share with you one of our current projects: A car enthusiast's dream garage.  Injected with sleek finishes and flashy orange accents, a garage like this would make any neighbor jealous!

Here is a glimpse of our scheme...

1. Kohler Faucets "Refinia" in a polished chrome finish

2. Powell Street Pendant by 2Thousand Degrees

3. Concept image of Richelieu FormArt Panel RIC-30-UW

4. Solydz G-Roc countertop in 0040 Grey/Black

5. Richelieu FormArt Panel RIC-30-UW

6. Toto sink "Kiwami: Renesse"

7. Tierra Sol Tiles in Casalgrande Basaltina Series colour "Lipari"

8. Richelieu "Jazz" collection pulls

9. 2-tone Acrylic slab cabinet door by Northern Contours in white 

    with wired aluminum edging

10. Benjamin Moore Paint "Orange Juice"

Using an accent colour can be challenging, especially when you don't know how to apply it to a room.  As a rule of thumb, we recommend using punches of colour on items that can be easily replaced when the time comes for you to change the colour or neutralize the space.  Keep the flooring, cabinets, and large pieces of furniture as simple as possible.  Add your accent colour to selected walls with paint or wallpaper, funky hardware, lighting, artwork, books, and/or fabrics. 

  

Purple Is Making A Comeback

Purple has been slowly making its appearance again here and there in the Interior Design realm.  What better place to see what's new (including purple accents) than at Emporia Boutique here in Victoria.

EMPORIA BOUTIQUE

Emporia Boutique, at 1223 Government Street,  opened early this summer and we were excited about it even before its opening!  As the sister store of Violette Boutique, Emporia carries a wide range of tastefully selected products for the home.  Whether it be for yourself or as a gift, you can find accent decor, vases, books, cards, glassware, and many more delightful items for you and your home.

Here are some of our favorite items available now!

1. Simrin Table Linen - mix and match cotton and linen placemats and napkins $15 - $28  
2. Taschen's London: Hotels, Restaurants and Shops by Angelika Taschen - highlights the stylish must-see's for travellers $50 
3. Simrin Tray - pressed linen with botanical motif $88
4. Butter; London Lacquers - contains no formaldehyde, no toluene, no DBP $17
5. Wall Paper by Carl Robinson CB12209 - exclusively from Crown Wallcoverings (not available at Emporia Boutique)
6. Fabrics by Clarke & Clarke "Lindow" - suitable for curtains and upholstery (not available at Emporia Boutique)
7. Amethyst Vases by Roost $60 - $73 

According to the Colour Wheel Pro, the colour purple is commonly associated with royalty and wealth. Furthermore, it symbolizes power, nobility, dignity and ambition while also being associated with wisdom and independence.  Add purple to your interior, whether it be a few accents in the room, an entirely purple wall or a key furniture piece upholstered in your favorite purple fabric.

Visit: 

Emporia Boutique

"Provisions for Home and Living"

1223 Government Street, Victoria, BC

Mon - Fri 10:30am - 6:00pm

Sat 10:00am - 6:00pm

Sun 12:00pm - 5:00pm

250-590-4500

    Also available exclusively at Emporia Boutique 

MARTHA STURDY   

2011 CARE Awards

We are proud to announce Ariosa, Broadview, and Coastal Cottage have been selected to be amongst the FINALISTS in the 2011 CARE Awards.  What another amazing year this has been for us to work with many wonderful businesses in the design industry of Victoria.  We want to give many thanks to those who have enabled us to come to this point.

"The CARE Awards are selected by a panel of industry professionals using criteria such as architectural design, quality workmanship, creative use of space, and energy efficiency"

- Canadian Home Builders Association Media Release, July 18, 2011

The categories we are in the running for are:

BEST KITCHEN 225 - 250 sq. ft.

ARIOSO

BEST KITCHEN OVER 450 sq. ft.

BROADVIEW

BEST BATHROOM UNDER 125 sq. ft.

COASTAL COTTAGE

BEST BATHROOM OVER 175 sq. ft.

ARIOSO

BEST INTERIOR - RENOVATIONS 1500 - 2500 sq. ft.

ARIOSO

BEST INTERIOR - RENOVATIONS OVER 6000 sq. ft.

BROADVIEW

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

View all the 2011 CARE Award Finalists and vote for your favorite at the following locations:

August 3 - September 11     Online http://www.careawards.com/

August 15 - September 4     Mayfair Shopping Centre

September 5 - September 11     Hillside Shopping Centre

Vote and be entered to win an overnight stay at Long Beach Lodge Resort!!

**Winners of the CARE Awards will be announced September 16th**

TOP TOPS!

Giovanni La Fauci and his crew at Stone Age Marble are as impressive as ever with their beautiful slabs of granite, marble, limestone, onyx and extensive collection of engineered stone.  The moment you walk in to their show room on John Street you are greeted with smiles and Italian charm.  Not only is the customer service impeccable, but the knowledge of all staff is second to none.  You can be assured honest, quality service regardless if you are a designer, contractor, or weekend warrior.

A JENNY MARTIN CUSTOM DESIGN USING ELEGANT, ENGINEERED STONE
(PHOTO COURTESY OF STONGE AGE MARBLE & GRANITE)

BIANCO ANTICO ISLAND WITH QUARTZ REFLECTIONS PERIMETER COUNTER TOPS
(CREATIVE SPACIZ KITCHEN DESIGN; PHOTO COURTESY OF STONE AGE MARBLE & GRANITE)

CONTEMPORARY BATHROOM WITH FOSSIL LIMESTONE
(PHOTO COURTESY OF STONE AGE MARBLE AND GRANITE)

Stone Age Marble is armed with an array of edge profiles, hundreds of slabs on site, and gaurantees on material and workmanship. There is something for everyone ranging in traditional stone with ornate edging to chic square profiles on subtle patterned quartz.  This gem of a shop should definitely be on the top of your list when hunting for that perfect stone.

Stone Age Marble is located at 345 John Street, Victoria, BC.  Be sure to follow the link below!

 

http://www.stoneagemarble.com/

GLAMOUR FOR EVERY ROOM

Illuminations Lighting Solutions is stepping it up with these stunning Schonbek Geometrix chandeliers.  At our first visit, we all stared at the collection with dilated pupils, mouths agape, and our postures tall and alean toward the fixture of our choice as if to say "take me, I'm yours!"  

SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS ARE
METICULOUSLY PLACED TO FORM A
BEAUTIFUL FABRIC OF SPARKLE

THE EVER GLORIOUS DA VINCI PENDANT IS AVAILABLE IN VARIED SIZES;

 I'M SURE WE COULD FIT THIS INTO ANY ROOM!

THIS GORGEOUS CASSINI RING PENDANT WAS A CROWD PLEASER AT THIS
YEARS' CHBA HOMESHOW IN VICTORIA, BC

THE HELIX FIXTURE IS STUNNING IN COMPOSITION

AND WOULD MAKE A GREAT ADDITION TO ANY ENTRANCE

Be sure to view the websites below for more treasures, or visit the fantastic staff at Illuminations Lighting Solutions at 2885 Quesnel Street, Victoria, BC.

http://www.illuminationsbc.com/

http://www.schonbek.com/

Spring is in Bloom

Owner and designer Tara McHugh of flora is turning heads with her beautiful and unique flower arrangements.  This local floral guru is sure to have something for everyone and every budget.

 Services range from small chic arrangements for that special someone to stunning wedding pieces for any style. 

Tara's background in Interior Design is apparent with her marriage of textures, colours, and inspired compositions.

The next time you are looking for something out of the ordinary, whether it's subtle drama or an inspired architectural arrangement, be sure to check our flora; you will not be dissapointed!

http://www.taramchughflora.com/

With a Little Help from our Friends - CHBA Homeshow Wrap-up

JENNY MARTIN WITH  BRIAN BAEUMLER
OF HGTV'S DISASTER DIY 

Without the help of our local vendors and trades people, the CHBA home show booth would not have been such a success!  A big thank you to all that supported Jenny Martin, Ines Hanl and their teams  in completing the CHBA "INSPIRE" booth.

 
  

VICTORIA & ALBERT SLIPPER TUB WITH SCHONBEK
GEOMETRIX CHANDELIER ABOVE

   

 Stunning light fixtures supplied by Illuminations Lighting Solutions were suspended over beautiful tubs from Victoria Specialty Hardware; this combination really became the show stopper. Bling City! Thank you to your crews for all of your help.

 







 

BEAUTIFUL ZEN INSPIRED TUB WITH A CLUSTER OF
MAXILITE FIXTURES ABOVE



Victoria Specialty Hardware also provided sinks and faucets that perched atop rich custom cabinetry provided by Swiftsure Woodworkers and Island Custom Cabinety. A stunningglass piece from Rick Silas of Sidney added another element as a built in light fixture.



 

      

 

 

 

 

 

A big thank you to Metro Wallcoverings & Joanne Fabrics for supplying the wallpaper and fabrics, and also to Darcy Holte (Holte Interiors) and his crew for painting and installation genius. Amazing furniture and accessories from Gabriel Ross, Only Human, Monarch, Jordans, Alexandria, and Ruffell & Brown, and Tara McHugh: Flora were the icing on the cake. An eclectic mix of goodies!



CUSTOM VANITY FROM SWIFTSURE MILLWORKERS
WITH A GLASS ART PIECE FROM SILASTIAL GLASS INC.



Thank you also to Stone Age Marble for your contributions of the sleek custom Quartz table and to Colonial Countertops for the stunning Cambria countertop.  Thank you also to Atlas Audio/Visual for supplying televisions, Peninsula Signs, and to Rod of SignArt Studios for providing the dazzling signage to adorn our Crocodile fabric; I believe that was a match made in heaven!

 

ALICIA (VICTORIA SPECIALTY HARDWARE) & TERRI (ILLUMINATIONS
LIGHTING SOLUTIONS) SHARED THEIR EXPERTISE



A special nod to Wilf Gorter (Gorter Construction) and his crew for constructing all of the framework with ease and in short order;  we couldn't have begun without you! 

  

Last and certainly not least, thank you to all those came to the show to support our local CHBA chapter, Interior Designers, vendors, and trades.  We look forward to seeing you next year!