Seaside-Inspired Lamp

Mariner Lamp Though it’s only late February, we’re already planning out our cabins issue (there are a couple of Gulf Islands gems that I think you’re going to love!), and these new lamps from former prairie girl Zoe Garred feel right in sync with island life. Garred already had me with her Poolsline of ceramics (which also got her on the shortlist of the 2011 Designers of the Year awards), and I’m an even bigger fan now. These pretty Mariner lamps are cast in porcelain from fishing floats, hung on a braided cord—inspired by the designer’s weekend getaways to fishing communities up the coast of B.C. It’s also inspiring me to book a weekend away to Tofino, stat.

Mariner lamps ($160), available at Fleet Objects, fleetobjects.com.

Chili Cruncher

I’ve only made the mistake once—rubbing my eyes after dicing a chili pepper for a wickedly spicy mussels recipe and I’ve still got the emotional scars. Leave it to Alessi—the company whose iconic tweety–bird–topped kettle by Michael Graves is in the MoMa—to figure out a stylish and smart way to deal with the painful pepper. The Piccantino chili scruncher chops, spreads and stores chilis in a pretty, transparent rubber case topped with stainless steel, keeping our more sensitive sides safe from harm—the perfect tool for a spicy Valentine’s Day feast.

Alessi Piccantino chili scruncher, $36. In Vancouver at Inform Interiors; in Calgary at Home Evolution, 403-253-8200.

 

Red Hot Decor

We’re a week from Valentine’s Day, a time when my single self might throw my hands up in despair and shout, “why must the world have a holiday that I cannot celebrate?” Instead I’m taking the high road and joining them—not with candlelit dinners and boxes of chocolate (though the latter might find its way into my life), but with a little (or big) hit of a red. This Stockholm sofa from Ikea fits the bill: it comes with a luxe red velvet cover that—bonus—pops on and off for dry-cleaning, and also for those times of year when I’m a little less red. (More black or white, say.)

Goodbye, Brown Bag

I’m a pretty regular brown-bagger at the office, but my Ziploc storage containers aren’t exactly elevating my lunchtime experience. Enter Vancouver designer Lorea Sinclaire’s elegant Tiffin Lunch Kit: part Japanese bento box, part Indian Tiffin, her smart design consists of two stacking ceramic bowls (plastic no more!) sealed with a cork lid (which doubles as a plate), fit together with a cloth elastic strap and stainless steel fittings. Simple and beautiful—I’ll never hear the siren call of takeout again. Tiffin Lunch Kit, $65 at sinclaire.ca

Retro Alarm Clock

When I moved to Vancouver 10 years ago for grad school, I had just two suitcases to my name—and my trusty Sony Dream Machine. After more than a decade of dragging me out of bed in the morning, it officially gave up the ghost this past weekend. So I’m going vintage to replace it—or rather, giving the appearance that I’m going vintage. This Areaware Alarm Dock is an homage to the faux-wood alarm clocks of my youth (in fact, I believe my parents still have one on the bedside table) with a modern update: I can now wake up to my own iPod-programmed tunes. Areaware Alarm Dock, $59, in Vancouver at Designhouse, 604-681-2800, designhouse.ca; in Calgary at Kit, 403-508-2533, kitinteriorobjects.com.

Can Can Light

Sure, the days are starting to get longer, but we’re still in the darkest part of the year. And now that my Christmas tree is boxed up, I’ve lost a major light source in my living room—hence, the hours spent dreaming about my next lighting purchase. Enter design god Marcel Wanders (he of the fabulous Dutch firm Moooi), who’s created this Can Can light for Italy’s Flos lighting. Mimicking the skirt of a—yes—can can dancer, its industrial shell hides a colourful diffuser underneath. Just right for a winter’s night. Can Can light by Flos lighting, price on request. In Vancouver at Livingspace, 604-683-1116, livingspace.com. In Calgary at Lightform, 403-508-9980, lightform.ca

Calorie-Blasting Blender

It’s the New Year, and like most of us, I’ve started to scratch out a few resolutions. Keep better in touch with friends, organize my hall closet, and yes, a few diet and exercise items are on there as well. (My trainer made me set a specific goal this morning: 15 pushups from my toes come March. I’ll keep you posted.)

After a few weeks of seasonal gluttony, I was ready to start the work week off right with a fruit smoothie—only to have my blender seize on me. Foiled! Now I’m on the search for the right tools to keep me on track, and this new model from Breville seems just the ticket. Surgical-grade, stainless steel blades draw the ingredients down into the bottom of the jug, eliminating dead zones. I’ll be saying goodbye to those Christmas calories in no time.

Breville The Hemisphere Control Blender ($249) available at Best Buy in Vancouver and Calgary, bestbuy.ca

Use Pantone’s Hottest Hue: Tangerine

Pantone chose “Tangerine Tango” as its colour of the year for 2012—but how to incorporate such a bold shade? Smart little hits, I say: a throw cushion (have I mentioned I’m a little obsessed?), an occasional chair, or even subtler, the pretty glass ball that tops this Fia decanter from Design House Stockholm. Created by Swedish designer Nina Jobs, the vessel—perfect for water or wine—has one more clever design trick: the spherical stopper rests in the base when you’re decanting your favourite holiday wine. $66 from Design House Stockholm. Available in Calgary at EQ3, 403-212-8080, eq3.com In Vancouver at Designhouse, 604-681-2800, designhouse.ca

On-Trend Owl Accessories

I have to admit, I’ve been won over by the ubiquitous owls this season. They’re on throw pillows, linens, even paperweights, like this sweet cast-iron number by Saikai. Perhaps even more suited to this season? A Wise Ol’ Cannister from Anthropologie, perfect for goodies I’ll reap from this weekend’s cookie exchange. Wise Ol’ Cannister, $128. Anthropologie, Vancouver, 604-734-2529; Calgary, 403- 252-7411, anthropologie.com; Mimizuku cast iron owl paperweight by Saikai. $73, Provide, 604-632-0095, providehome.com

Easy Gourmet Gingerbread House

Now that we’re down to less than two weeks to the Big Day, I’ve started to trim my to-do list. Tops on that? Making my own gingerbread house. But a big thank you to Whole Foods for saving me from going without—they’ve started stocking these cute Gingerbread House Kits from Kreation bakery, complete with precut gingerbread cookies, sanding sugar, decorative sugar snowflakes and a recipe for royal icing. (I have a feeling it’s going to look quite a bit more professional than years’ past.) Kreation Gingerbread House Kit, $13.99, Whole Foods Markets, various locations, wholefoods.com <