Thursday, January 27, 2011

Best New Designer

Many many (many) years ago my horrid stepsister introduced me to one of the most delightful girls I have had the pleasure of knowing. She and I instantly hit it off regardless of the fact that she is nearly ten years younger than I am (we both hated pink). I was in my twenties and it probably seemed to my sister's friends that I was all fabulous and exciting (and I had a car that drove them around, a lot...) but Jenn was one of the few that I actually found... well, not annoying. So not annoying in fact, that I tried really hard to take her to what I think was her first real concert (Coolio I believe, LOL) and I immediately became the hot topic at the next parents meeting with many of them insisting that I had to be a bad influence simply because I was not fifteen. If only they knew...


Anyhow, now that Jenn is all grown up she is showing me a thing or two about how to live life, and I am duly impressed. After finishing up at Ryerson and doing grand things in Toronto, she moved back to Vancouver, married one of the only men I would have approved of for her (possibly my brother being the only other) and had the most gorgeous wee baby girl you could imagine. She also has mastered the fine art of launching herself full force into the interior design industry. I understand that she has a great deal of experience with PR as that was her last gig on the other side of the country, but to be able to back it with the talent she is showing is pretty phenomenal. I imagine she gets tired of hearing how proud I am of her, she is the type that would roll her eyes, (also, it makes me sound old somehow... go figure) but she is like the little sister that I liked, and I am so happy that she turned out so wonderfully. I am going to take some credit for that.


I should also note (no, I don't forget) that she is not the only talent in this design duo. She has teamed up with her adorable friend Rachel to become A Good Chick To Know Design Consulting, and you can consult with them on everything from what dress to wear to a party to how to sell your house faster and for way above the asking price. Not too shabby, and I guarantee a lot of fun as well!


Jenn recently entered the BC's Best Young Designer Competition and while I had a post in the works on one of her recent home transformations, I had to scrap it for this suite, I am so blown away! I know from her other work that she has an intensely good eye for sourcing on Craigslist and thrift shops, as well as access to the amazing world of design that Vancouver has to offer. If you ever visit the city, be sure to budget for some of the best shopping you have seen for interiors! Apparently this entire space started with the orange lamp (can you spot it?) and it makes me think of how much fun we will have if I ever get my butt back to Vancouver and spend some time treasure hunting with this fine lass! I may have a few disgruntled people in my life who will tell you that I don't simply go on and on about somebody's talents just because they are a friend, but I will let you decide for yourself. Here is the entry for the Best Young Designer Challenge...





Unfortunately you cannot vote for this suite online (although you can visit the site for more pics and info,) you have to actually visit it at Morgan Crossing in South Surrey. There are six talented finalists who have contributed a suite. Each had a $10,000 budget to work the space so they had to be inspired, resourceful and creative. I imagine it is worth the trip if you can get out that way! Why not do something different this weekend?

5 comments:

Three Owls said...

If my weekend wasn't fully booked I would zoom on over their to drool and vote... she is a fine talent indeed. And how cute are those two... lovely. Hey, maybe we can move the photo shoot to THAT location... hmm.

I love the lamps, and that orange wallpaper I WANT IT!!

Unknown said...

It's true we did think you were fabulous and exciting (still do)! And I fully accept that I was annoying in high school but I like to believe I've overcome that now. This post brought back some memories!

Jenn is amazing! I love looking at her designs...I wish I could vote.

andrea of ffft said...

Aaaah, no... you didn't read the part where I said ALMOST the only one... you of course my dear were the other one :) I thought there was another too, but can't remember her name now. It is so funny how much time is gone and yet it really does seem like yesterday... almost.

Unknown said...

Very cool and fresh aesthetic...I love that mounted deer head decal...so witty!

You made me laugh so hard with your comment you left on my What Katie Ate post... I have also often wondered how these food stylists manage to photograph such a hands on messy project and what safe zone they keep the camera in while mixing various things! lol That vintage pan from that shoot is utterly fabulous and I spend much too much time trawling etsy for just such treasures...

Cheers!
Hope Ava

Unknown said...

I think you are thinking of Nichole. We hung out a lot during that time.

High school does feel like a really long time ago to me...but I had crazy stuff going on at home then that I generally prefer not to think about.

But I do remember a lot of the things we did like the trip to Victoria. I remember feeling so grown up. You always treated us like equals, especially when everyone else still thought of us as kids and all we craved was independence.