Vicente Wolf and Inuit Art in Vancouver

I had the pleasure of spending time with Vicente Wolf on his trip to Vancouver where he spoke at the Buildex convention. Albarosa Simonetti had put together an itinerary of Native Art Galleries and we spent the afternoon looking for Inuit dolls made of Caribou antler for Vicente’s private collection. As well as showing Vicente the sights of Vancouver we had lots of time to talk about design, travel, photography and share stories.

Patricia Gray, Vicente Wolfe, Albarosa Simonetti at Buildex Vancouver

Patricia Gray, Vicente Wolf at Inuit Gallery Vancouver

Inuit Caribou Antler Dolls

These Inuit dolls carved from Caribou antler which is a renewable resource, shed by the animal annually, have the arms and legs attached with sinew. Their antecedence is in ancient Inuit history, and were often the only toy that a small girl would have. They are absolutely charming in their simplicity. I would not have known about them were it not for Vicente’s passion for collecting.

Vicente Wolfe Collection of Inuit Dolls in his Montauk home

Top 2 photos: Albarosa Simonetti
Photo 3 Photo Credit
Bottom Photo Credit

First Snowfall in Vancouver

View from my terrace

We had our first snow fall in the City last night. I woke up to extreme quiet and looked outside to a winter wonderland.  It is unusual for us to have snow this early in the season if at all downtown……so if this keeps up we will have fantastic ski conditions in Whistler!

Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are.

Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm  in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about Lifestyle and WHAT'S HOT  in the world of Interior Design.
2010 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

The Erickson Vancouver

These are some preview pictures of a current project I just completed the Interior Design for in the newest luxury development in Vancouver, The Erickson building, situated on the most treasured waterfront location in Vancouver overlooking False Creek. It was designed by the late Arthur Erickson(1924 – 2009), one of the masters architects of our time. 

“Beauty in a home conveys a sense of harmony and wholeness….created with the end experience of the owner in mind”
The Erickson Building Vancouver

 
The Erickson Building Vancouver

 
The Erickson Building Vancouver Dining Room silver leaf ceilings  

 
The Erickson Building Vancouver view from living room Patricia Gray Inc. 

 
The Erickson Building Vancouver looking south across False Creek  
 
  
The Erickson Building Vancouver looking east across David Lam Park 

The Erickson Building Vancouver onyx counter Powder Room

“Powerful design has a lasting and profound impact on the imagination. 
It sparks change, shapes our world and inspires our future.” 
Bottom Photo Credit: Albarosa Simonetti

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

This week I decorated a Christmas tree in the Lobby of the Sutton Place Hotel, for a very worthwhile fundraising initiative benefiting Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Canuck Place is a story of courage and vision and offers a continuum of care to over 350 children and teens with life-threatening illnesses and their families throughout British Columbia. I am very honored to be a small part of making a difference in the lives of these children and teens. The trees (9 in all) will be on show in the Lobby of the Sutton Place Hotel through January 2, 2009.

It all started in August of this year when I teamed up with my buddy and fellow Interior Designer, Linda Sale, to collaborate in the decorating of this tree. What happens when two creative minds, and two 'Type A' personalities come together? 

We decided to make the decorations, with the theme being 'Home for the Holidays', represented by Children of the World made of gingerbread, dressed in their native costumes and holding the flag of their Country. Our first batch of gingerbread in September crumbled and we then tried a Martha Stewart recipe and it was a success.  The holes to hang the gingerbread were formed with a straw and we put an egg white glaze on the cookies.  After they were baked they were cured in a 200 degree oven for hours. That Sunday we were well under way with 7 dozen cookies prepared. We then spent the next three months creating costumes and the flags for these little treasures, as well as Jerseys for the entire Canuck team. (Insider Scoop: 7 of the Canucks are currently living at the Sutton Place Hotel, so if you are a fan, you might by chance see one of them walking through the Lobby as we did the day we were decorating the tree.)

 

Before decorating - Linda & me                                   After decorating

  

 

  

The presents were wrapped with the greatest of care....

  

Canuck Jerseys were hand made to hang on the tree.....                           

 

   

   

Opening night and the unveiling of the tree.......

  
Alexa, Linda & I standing in front of the decorated tree

    
                                                                         My nephew Sean

  
Fellow Blogger Maria Killam, who I officially met for the first time that evening

                                                                                  Interior Designer Colleen Jamieson

Every vote for the best tree costs $5.00 and all proceeds go to Canuck Place so if you are downtown, be sure to drop in and place your vote!
Or go on-line to get your ballot.......we are tree #3.

 

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design. 
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