A Creative Laboratory
by Nyla Free
Journal 1 | Issue 2 Summer ‘24
Inside this Journal
WHAT ARE WE LOVING LATELY?
A collection of Summer inspired items we’re loving this season.
FROM FLAX TO FABRIC
All about a historical fabric, still relevant today!
INTRODUCING MARIE
Co-founder of French 50 Bakery in Okotoks, AB.
JOURNALS FROM PARIS
Welcome to the pages kept & moments savoured during a recent trip to Paris.
Understanding antiques and how to recognize them. LESSONS IN ANTIQUES
We’re sharing the evolution of a primary suite renovation. SUITE DREAMS Which type of reader are you? TO READ OR NOT TO READ
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Nyla Free
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Brianna Powell ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Ava Free
COPY EDITOR
Kerstin Daly CONTRIBUTORS
Julia Shantz & Marie Luce-Denis
Nyla’s tips for antique hunting! ON THE HUNT FOR ANTIQUES
Everything I wore, and would wear again to Paris. FAIRE LES VALISES POUR PARIS
HELLO, MY NAME IS LEVAIN
An essential building block for any good sourdough recipe.
Letter from the Editor
The
best laid plans.
This phrase has been a common one over the past ten months. Being a planner, and one who puts a lot of currency in the success of the outcome by how well the plan has gone, I’m learning to go with the flow and be ok with not being in control. I can only do what I can do. Some things, actually a lot of things, are beyond my control, and the decisions of others affect our experiences.
I’m writing this note on the I15 going north towards Las Vegas in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The temperature outside reads 116° Fahrenheit/ 46° Celsius. Our flight from LAX to YYC was cancelled and the best option was to drive home. 23 hours. No problem. We can navigate that. What you don’t always take into account are the curveballs. Like the bumper to bumper traffic we’re currently sitting in, adding two hours to our travel time for the day, an already long venture in a two day quest to return to Canada. Our travel was all mapped out, in the skies, not on land, yet here we are.
A little teaser…the fall issue of Freehand will share a family travel adventure that went array on day one, and we struggled to get our footing from there.
While different, design is a similar mapping out of the process and plan through a project. Our office renovation was streamlined. Everything came together with minimal hiccups and upsets. On the flip side, a project we’re just wrapping up has not been as smooth, with many curve balls and unexpected things to navigate, regardless of the hours and hours of planning and preparation.
Sometimes the best plans go against the grain. They unravel and unfold, then are put back together into something completely different, and if you let it, better and more beautiful than what was intended.
As they say, teamwork makes the dream work.
Getting through some of these rollercoasters is a team effort. Having people beside you to say, “it’s going to be ok”, “we will figure this out” makes all the difference.
Make lemonade out of lemons.
Wherever your summer takes you, may you enjoy the road less travelled, the unexpected turns and bumps along the way and embrace all that the season has to offer.
LoVing LATELY WHAT ARE WE ?
What is team NFDI loving for the 2024 summer season? From sandals to sangrias, watercolour and watermelons, we’re ready to embrace the dog days of summer and celebrate all the extra hours of daylight and sunny skies.
Simons
If I’m sitting outside in the sun, I try to wear a hat, especially when I’m poolside during summer vacation. I’m switching my style up this year from a wide brim floppy hat to a woven boat style, like this one!
NYLA
SUN HAT
Banana Republic
I’m a huge fan of cashmere all year long. This lightweight v-neck sweater is the perfect item to have for those cooler evenings.
CHAMPAGNE
SANGRIA
Sally’s Baking Addiction
We recently tried this sangria recipe at our office opening event and it was a definite crowd pleaser. I’ll be serving it at our next summer party!
PATIO LANTERNS
I’ve been known to frown upon Birkenstocks until now. You had me at black patent. Throw them on with a dress, jeans, shorts…they are my new summer staple.
Pottery Barn
I love layers of light and that extends to the outdoors as well. As we embrace the longer days of summer, a subtle candlelight glow by way of lovely lanterns is a great addition to the season.
ANA
DNEP A NT NECKLACE
Anthropologie
I love this necklace pendant. It’s a great accessory to finish off any outfit. I love how it’s personal yet classic!
SANDALS
Simon Miller
I love a summer sandal. Comfort is a non negotiable for me, and these slides are the perfect walking shoe for casual summer strolling!
OUTDOOR DINNERWARE
Anthropologie
PALACIO DE PEÑA Sintra, Portugal
I have been dreaming of Portugal in the summer for a few years now. I was attracted to the colours and then found out we share a name! A pleasant surprise!
POLO
Tory Burch
SKIRT Mo & Co.
Most weekends you can find me on the course! With this polo & skirt combo I’ll be looking fresh and confident! I’m excited!
I plan to update my outdoor dinnerware this summer with as many of these pieces as possible! Cheers to a colourful summer!
This recipe has been on my pinboard for years now and I’ve been meaning to give it a try. I love lemon poppy seed loaf, so why not try it in a roll?!
TRAVEL WATERCOLOUR SET
Amazon
BRI
Watercolour is my happy medium! I’ve got a few trips planned this Summer so I picked up this travel size kit from Windsor Newton. Impromptu painting sesh? Yes please!
FILM CAMERA Stonewaters
CROSSBODY
I’ve admired film photography for years and have been eager to give it a go. There’s something about the intentionality behind each shot that makes each photo special. I think this is the summer to finally give film a shot!
Free People
SUMMER DRESS
Every summer I tell myself I need to buy a few dresses. I’m crushing on this mini dress from Free people! The perfect option for in and out of the office.
I’m off to Europe at the end of the summer and this bag is perfect for keeping my essentials close by! And the pinstripe –how cute and fun to style! I love it!
I’ll be right here if you need me. Aesthetic yet comfortable, it’s the perfect spot for lounging in the sun with a margarita in hand.
COCONUT LIME MARGARITA
| W i maill amonoS
You had me at Marg! I’ll be making this recipe all Summer. Delicious with or without the tequila. Yum!
Ange
Call me a Jenny Bird fan! Whether styled individually or stacked in a combo, this is my new favourite accessory! Plus, she’s Canadian! Win, win!
I love a summer dress – they’re stylish and easy! I need more of them… like this number from Anthropologie! Add to cart! PRINT DRESS Anthropologie
STACKING BRACELETS
Jenny Bird
What a great way to always have a hat or sweater with you for all the summer adventures! This taco bag marries form and function perfectly.
San Diego Hat
PAO
Santa Barbara Designs is a goto when designing outdoor spaces and seeking stylish and playful umbrellas. Their new Regency Valance, available with brush or bullion fringe, is a delightful touch that would elevate your patio to a whole new level.
HANDBAG MLouye
Drawing inspiration from the Bauhaus movement, she crafts these exquisite handbags that seamlessly blend functionality with luxury, using only the finest materials. The wind spinner she designed would be the perfect addition to my summer accessories!
WATERMELON SALSA
DRINK DISPENSER
Crate & Barrel
I’m confident that my mom’s beloved “Tinto de Verano” or ¨Sangría¨ summer drinks would taste better served in this exquisite marble stand and glass dispenser. It’s a must-have for leisurely summer afternoons and parties in my backyard with friends!
The Pioneer Woman
I tried this watermelon salsa recipe about 1 month ago when my friend brought it to a BBQ, and I loved it! This salsa will surely make an appearance at my next dinner club!
LINEN DRESS Reitmans
I wish I could wear dresses and skirts every day, but it’s hard to find ones that fit and feel comfortable. I recently found this linen dress and once I tried it on, I was pleasantly surprised. Now I’m eagerly awaiting countless sunny days to flaunt it!
STRIPED SHIRT Simons
A mime, a robber, a Parisian… Or maybe just a girl who loves her stripes. This longsleeve is the perfect basic – I’ll be wearing it year round.
Urban Outfitters
GAH! Love at first sight, touch and sleep. I have the sheet set in this pattern and my room has never been so colour FULL.
CROSSWORD
Do I get it done in a timely manner? No. Do I turn on auto-check? You betcha. Is it more fun with a friend? Hands down. Do I love it? Too much.
STRAP HEEL
Call It Spring
A strappy opentoed shoe for a wedding, classic. But I traded your typical beige, black or white for polka dots. Quirky but wearable is right up my alley!
DUVET COVER AVA
Speaking from someone who struggled with acne for all of her teenage years, this overnight face mask has transformed my skin.
To Read
Or Not To Read
AND EVERY TYPE OF READER IN BETWEEN
Something about the summertime draws out our inner reader. Maybe it’s the warmer weather or the longer days that offer us more time. It’s as if the season is asking us to read. To curl up under a tree, in a hammock, on a patio or beside a pool. Some of us flip and fly through the pages while others are proud to say they made it cover to cover. Whether you’re one, the other, or somewhere in between, there is a book for every kind of reader.
The Re-reader
For the books that have seen better days. Some take good care while others aren’t afraid of a little water or wear. A friend to each word, the reader’s eyes gaze gently across the pages of familiarity. Like coming home after a long day, the cover is the door to a safe place. Nothing is unexpected, everything anticipated but just as appreciated as the first time. Some books aren’t meant to be read just once.
What to read & then read again ...
1
2
4
LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA by Arthur Golden 3 PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
LIFE OF PI by Yan Patel 5 ANNE OF GREEN GABLES by L.M. Montgomery
Did Not Finish-er
An eager start leads to books scattered, open and unfinished. Some lose interest, some lose time and others take a break and forget to come back. They will “get to it eventually,” or “set aside time this weekend,” but those final
pages still wait to be seen. Propped like a house, each book rests waiting for its reader to return. They won’t admit to incompleteness as the book becomes a part of daily life. Moved when cleaned, kept turned to the last read page.
If finished, it’s seldom re-read. If passed onto someone new, there’s no hiding where you left off. The crease speaks for itself. Bite-sized reads
1 THE GIVER by Lois Lowry 2 NO ONE BELONGS HERE MORE THAN YOU by Miranda July 3 ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman 4 THE BLUEST EYES by Toni Morrison 5 THE GREAT GATSBY by F.Scott Fitzgerald
The In One Sitting-er
Once it’s picked up it is not put down. Evenings are cleared, weekends awaited –there is a new priority. Found in a purse or carried in lieu of, there is no going out if not in your book’s company. Each word is absorbed with intent and determination. Enthralled with the characters, the reader is nourished by the plot. There is no reaching this reader, only the pages are calling.
Looking to fill some time ... read these
1 WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens 2 A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by Sarah J. Maas 3 TOMORROW AND TOMORROW AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin 4 THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid 5 TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE by Mitch Albom
The Annotator
There is no bookmark but surely a utensil for articulating all that is felt and thought. Any blank space is seen as a canvas for your thoughts. It is here that a conversation ensues – the writer and reader become one.
Ink is married, wet and dry. The reader does not fear the paper but embraces its landscape. Questions, epiphanies and remarks
cause new stories to emerge. In each column reflection is found. It is a collaboration between the unseen author and the audience.
For those who like to write alongside the author ...
1 BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott 2 AND STILL I RISE by Maya Angelou 3 THE CREATIVE ACT: A WAY OF BEING by Rick Rubin 4 TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD by Harper Lee 5 CALL ME BY YOUR NAME by André Aciman
The Coffee Table-er
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but you’ve thrown caution to the wind. These are the coffee table dwellers, spine-out-on-the-book-shelfers. As pages turn, words are few and far between – they might just catch the eye more than the art.
Camera rolls envy each page, Pinterest boards gawk, artists take pride and each reader absorbs. The plot is different for each who reads but the setting remains. Stories are told but not read. Some might even say a book full of pictures holds more words than a novel ever could.
For those who appreciate the pictures
1
2
3
AD AT 100: A CENTRY OF STYLE by Architectural Digest
LIVE BEAUTIFUL by Athena Calderone
LOS ANGELES: PORTRAIT OF A CITY by Jim Heimann 4 IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN by Grace Bonney 5 PRETTY CITY PARIS by Siobhan Ferguson
The Listener
There are no pages here. Like a child before bed, the listener is read to. The ears become the eyes. In the car, on a walk, at the gym or in the shower, there are few places your book can’t be brought.
Read at any time, paused with ease, the book is worked into the listener’s life. Picked up in the lulls and kept on in the mundanities, the book becomes blended into the day to day.
For those who like to be read to ...
2
A FUN AGE by Kiley Reid
1 YELLOWFACE by R.F.Kuang
ATOMIC HABITS by James Clear 3 THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett 4 LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus 5 SUCH
ANTIQUES LESSONS IN
a commentary on the history and character of pieces from the past
Authored by JULIA SHANTZ
II grew up in a very historic area. In Wales we had lots of Norman castles, lots of Roman viaducts and amphitheatres. It’s in my DNA. Growing up my parents always had older homes, so on the weekends I would kick around salvage yards. I loved it and never got tired of doing things like that.
When I first came to Canada I lived in Vancouver and then moved to Calgary. We bought a Heritage House that needed a lot of work, but I didn’t want prairie. Not that I don’t like prairie, but I wanted to do something different. Having the opportunities I had in Britain to wander around these fantastic salvage yards, I was shocked when I realised how little was here. I wanted some columns and wide plank flooring in the home so my husband and I decided we would go over to Europe and bring back a small container of stuff. When we came back to Alberta we heard the Edmonton Gift Show had booths for vendors to sell goods. We didn’t have a business at the time but with all the pieces we had brought back we thought we’d buy a booth to see how things would sell. Well, within the first morning, we sold everything. It wasn’t a great amount but it was enough for us to go ‘Wow, a market exists’.
This business is 90% education. People know when they love something, it comes from a soulful place. It’s different when you go and buy a sofa. That is a need. Antiques are wants. There’s something about historical pieces that triggers people’s emotions.
Julia’s Key terms
ARTEFACT
An artefact is generally something dug up such as a fossil or a plate. For something to be considered an artefact it has to be at least 300 years old.
ANTIQUE
An antique is 100 years and older. Right now, we classify an antique as 1924 and before.
VINTAGE
Vintage is a little bit more subjective – as an antique dealer, and a staunch one –vintage is 50 years or older, between 1974 and 1924.
REPLICA
A replica is a deliberate recreation, one you’re aware of whereas fake is when you’re fooled. Even Christies has been fooled with fakes.
300 + years
100 + years
50 + years
0 + years
CHAPTER 1
ANTIQUING & Knockoffs
CCompanies spring up all over the place that produce lots of knockoffs. Not everyone is concerned about authenticity but for the people who are, we want to teach them what to look for.
A good antique, say a Georgian antique – late 1700s, early 1800s – if you run your hands along the top of a table, you’ll feel the pegs slightly up. The wood is supposed to shrink. If it’s peg jointed you’ll feel them raised or you might feel the rose head nails slightly protruding.
On old cupboards or large sideboards the interior panel where the door is would never be glued, they should be able to move freely. When you’re looking at a piece, you’re likely to see a gap. Where the wood was once [flush], should be lighter than the rest. That would be a huge indicator that it’s old or original. If it’s glued there’s no way it’s an original piece.
Now you know, some people may have repaired it and glued it and in that case you have to look for other things like peg joints etc.
Look at the drawer linings. Pull out the drawer, it should be old wood, thin wood. Hardware – another big one. If you look at a cupboard, open the doors and check for screw marks. If there’s different marks the hardware has most likely been replaced.
However, lots of pieces evolve. A piece from the 1760s could have had its hardware changed in the Victorian period. It’s not unusual, it’s a part of history but those things should always be pointed out if someone isn’t 100% sure what they’re looking at.
France, 1820
Substantial rustic antique walnut dining table with chunky top and 3 drawers
Georgian, 1780-1800 Antique oak corner cupboard with four blind panel doors and scallop edged shelves
I’ll
Tell you a Story...
When I just started out in the industry, 30 some years ago I was in Caerphilly, which has one of the best Norman Castles in the world. I was offered these heads off a building. Thirteen cobalt heads from a Victorian church that was being torn down. I went to have a look and when I saw them I thought ‘Hmm those aren’t Victorian…’, I thought they were Gothic. One of the reasons I thought this was because Victorian heads were quite pretty – they came during a time of cherubs. . But earlier carvings looked like people from the village, the carving was the photograph. These pieces were so realistic, they looked like the stonemasons and the villagers who would have worked on the chapel itself. One of them looked like my uncle Mickey.
Anyways, of course I didn’t say anything to them because they would have been hundreds of years older than what the sellers had assumed. So I took all of them and when I came home I contacted the Medieval department at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. I said ‘I have a feeling these are Gothic’ and they came back to me and said ‘they’re Romanesque’ which meant they were even older – 11th century from the ten hundreds, Norman conquest times. What happened was, the 19th century church they were tearing down had been built with the remains of an earlier church that was Romanesque, and they reused the stones. Sotheby’s actually wanted them and we said ‘no’. We sold them all locally in Calgary. I knew the importance of them and I wanted them to stay here where their history could continue. Financially, it was probably the wrong decision to make but from my perspective – I know where every one went. Heck, some of them I could drive by and see if I really wanted, and most people would have no idea the age of the artefact if they were just passing by.
CHAPTER 2
APPRECIATING THE OLD
FURNITURE today is not made how it used to be. There’s plywood backings and MDF on cabinetry and tables. Those materials are not quality. Two pieces might look very similar to the untrained eye but with education you can tell construction wise and so on, they are not the same. Back then they had time, that’s something we don’t have now. Labour was cheap –that’s just not a reality now and it shows.
We went through a period of time where our motto was ‘buy, buy buy’. People who appreciate antiques, most of them save their money for years and come to buy something that is special and meaningful to them. You don’t want to feel rushed. I think each piece has such a personality.
One of our clients bought an older home in Calgary and they waited years to find the right flooring and they had the patience for that. If you want to incorporate architectural antiques like doors or flooring, you’ve got to wait. Those are not pieces that are found easily and available. We’ve purchased spiral staircases, fireplaces, windows, the list goes on. I have a 1912 home and everything inside is well, has age to it… besides my kitchen cabinets and my sofa.
People love to have a story to share. A sales associate at a retail store wouldn’t sell you a sofa based on its story because there isn’t one. They would say “this fabric is chenille…” and it would stop there. Pieces with age carry such character. Who touched it before? Who made it? How many times has it been passed down? Who last enjoyed it?
We live in such a fast world, everything is fast. I think the newer generations have an appreciation for things that aren’t mass produced. Putting your money into things doesn’t just have monetary value but so much more; aesthetic, historic… meaning. This is what keeps the antique wheel turning.
CHAPTER 3
THEN & NOW
EEverything is interrelated. Take the Great Exhibition for example. During the industrial revolution there were a lot of people who started to manufacture. So you’d see the same fabrics, the same patterns in table tops and tiles. It’s not much different from today. Consider the catwalk, in fashion. The fabric and patterns used for the dresses will begin to show up in furniture, in soft goods… it trickles down.
French 19th and early 20th century books
The Aesthetic Movement in the 19th century was fairly far out. It was very different from what had been the status quo within production. It was a movement against all manufacturing. There was a focus on arts and crafts as they pushed against mass produced goods. Then we saw a lot of Chinese influence because people started to travel. They pilfered a lot of things in the 1600s through to the early 1800s. Artefacts were brought back to Europe to specifically the UK and France – most of them stolen – it was then that people began to copy what they’d found. This is where urns came from. Urns were around since Roman times but they didn’t proliferate until these kids brought them back. Even statues…
CHAPTER 4
…these are all knock offs of original Roman artefacts. That’s how things, fashion, styles – that’s how it all comes about. This idea of something being “hot” isn’t new. We’re talking about hundreds of years ago. All of the fashionable people would have something and then it would trickle down to the middle class. Many of the buildings in Europe, Greece especially, were all built from reclaimed stone that was on the site before. They were salvagers. This 20th generation likes to think that we’ve come up with something new but we didn’t invent this.
You know you can have these things and they don’t have to be ostentatious. They’ve all got a monetary value but that doesn’t have to speak first. The aesthetics, the history, all of that speaks first before we talk money. I always say to people, none of this stuff will devalue, it’s always a good investment. There’s only a finite amount, when it’s gone it’s gone. Britain is the best salvaging country in the world and we only save 6%.
There’s a whole world that exists beyond this warehouse. I don’t salvage and save just because I like it but because it’s important. Each piece has the chance for its history to continue.
JULIA SHANTZ and her family own Uniquities Architectural Antiques in Calgary. They proudly source goods from Europe and the U.S., “passionately saving snippets of history.”
United Kingdom 20th Century Vintage Bust after the 3rd Century Roman Emperor Caracalla
HFOR ANTIQUES E
It’s our job to preserve the past and be caretakers of historical items, whether small objects, or large architectural pieces. Incorporating them into your home is a great way to do so, while also adding texture, interest and more than likely, a story to tell.
SEIZE THE MOMENT
Antique items are one of a kind, so hesitation is not your friend. If you find a treasure, there’s often no time to wait, as too much thinking could leave you in disappointment.
BE PATIENT
02 03 04 05 06
It may take time if you’re on the hunt for something specific. Items such as a door for a particular room in your home, a furniture item with certain dimensions, or a fireplace mantle, may demand a little more searching power.
GO OFTEN
Regularly visiting antique shops and markets trains your eye and puts you in a strong position to make prompt decisions, and know what you’re looking for.
TALK TO DEALERS
Conversing with antique dealers is a great way to learn and appreciate the history of their found and salvaged objects. You’ll be able to continue the story and bring these pieces into their next chapter of life.
BUY WHAT YOU LOVE
Ultimately, the most important part of purchasing antiques is to buy what you love. They’re historic treasures, and never go out of style, so buy what you love and you’ll find a home for it, even if you don’t have one at the moment.
Antiques work with pretty much everything. In my opinion, they’re not given enough credit as to what they bring to a home. I think people can be intimidated by antiques’ history, their value and how/where they should be used. The beauty is there really are no rules. Have fun, embrace their history and bring a piece of the past into your interior.
from flax to fabric
flax cloth and linen textiles are some of the oldest in the world. Cultures around the world have been weaving linen for several thousand years. In ancient Egypt, linen was used primarily for mummification as a sign of light and purity, but was also worn due to the extreme heat. The production of linen grew through the Middle Ages – produced across Europe in Germany, Ireland, Belgium and Southern England – becoming a significant factor in European economies.
Into the 17th and 18th centuries modern history saw the rise and fall of linen textiles. In 1789,
“French king Charlemagne decreed that all households must cultivate flax and weave their own linen fabric.”
This caused linen to become a traditional fabric for clothing, bedding and other household textiles.
Grown between France and Amsterdam, flax is the only natural fibre that is still being cultivated on such a large scale in Western Europe. Uprooted, never cut, flax fibres are not only in the stem but in the roots. Like other textiles such as silk, flax is spun into yarns and goes through several quality checks before weaving. From start to finish flax fibres are harvested, dried, hackled, spun, wound, weaved, mended and rolled.
Suite
Dreams
The primary suite is often the last room to be considered from a decor or renovation perspective, and yet, I find it’s one of the most important. We want our public spaces to look and feel good for guests, however our personal rooms take a backseat and are often never truly complete. The opposite is the case of this city home with lake proximity and a hope to create an updated solace and retreat for an active couple and young family.
We turned this space on its side and embraced every square inch, not only with respect to the floor plan, but also the ceiling height. The new design celebrates their aesthetic, the lake view, as well as maximised storage and functionality. Let’s take a tour!
DESIGN DIRECTIVE
The previous bedroom was an awkward space because it had three doors, two of which were on the same wall, as well as two corner windows, making furniture placement a challenge.
Interestingly enough, we made the bedroom smaller in order to maximise the size of the closet and ensuite. Closing off a doorway made all the difference and allowed us to relocate the bed to the west wall with a view of the lake, something our clients were hoping for.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Our clients wanted to explore the possibility of increasing the height of the ceiling and creating a slope based on the existing roofline. The amount of height available was unknown, as well as if it was possible from a structural standpoint. Before demolition began we brought in a structural engineer to provide insight into our options.
BEFORE
What was once the walk-in closet, is now the ensuite. We flipped the two spaces and also relocated the toilet, creating a water closet with a pocket door to once again
AFTER
WALK IN CLOSET
My dad had a funny thing with robins when I was growing up and would call my brother and I to the window to see the robins outside in our backyard. And after I moved away he would call me to tell me when he saw the first robin of the year. After he passed away I wanted to find something that would remind me of him and the robin seemed most fitting. “
A freestanding tub and shower were a must, and with space at a premium we combined the two into a wet room. This space is centrally located in the ensuite, which in turn creates a corridor for the new closet and makeup area.
The previous ensuite became the closet. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall millwork fills the space with tall doors and beautiful unlacquered brass hardware. Around the corner is more storage, as well as a small makeup vanity. It’s the perfect little hideaway spot, next to a window where beauty can be seen outdoors and in the mirror.
WALK-IN CLOSET
ENSUITE
I probably think about, and reminisce about this trip more than any other. Whether the time spent travelling with my daughter, visiting a city I had my reservations about or simply the fondness and freedom of not having a plan, Paris felt like a fleeting moment I still long for.
Journaling during my time there was one of the best things I did. I can often forget the little moments, the feelings, what we ate or why we did what we did. I love looking back and not only having photos, but context and a written account of our trip. While I have no plans (yet!) to return, I can’t wait to go back. We barely scratched the surface.
Pour Paris Valises Faire
Paris Valises Faire Les
A relatively inexpensive pair of sunglasses I customized with my prescription and wear them all the time.
Light, flow-y layers are ideal for summertime in Paris. Partner with a skirt or a high-waisted pant for a très chic look.
A slip skirt is a casual sophisticatedyet throw on with wardrobeanything essential!
Sunglasses
A necessity for sunny days regardless of your plans!
Effortlessly elegant, and easy to throw on with a t-shirt or blouse. You’ll fit right into the local fashion scene with a sleek slip!
ARITZIA Slip Skirt
WARBY PARKER
MASSIMO DUTTI
Cropped Blouse
Black Blouse
A
short sleeve silk blouse that’s both casual and elegant for a dress up dress down versatile piece. Simple yet essential!
Ballet Flats
Leather flats don’t take up much room and are a great option when you’re not walking too far or are taking the metro.
Loose, clothingflowy is great for the heat of the day, and as the days cool off.
I think it goes without saying, jeans are an everyday staple. A wide flared leg adds an extra detail to an otherwise basic.
Comfort
ARITZIA
ZARA Cropped Jeans
STEVE MADDEN
Maxi Dress
Whether a morning spent at a cafe, or an evening dinner, a maxi dress suits all occasions. Elevate the look with a belt or sunhat.
Crossbody Handbag
If I had a dollar every time someone asked me about these sneakers...
When you’re out for the better part of a day and need a larger bag, a crossbody tote is a great option to carry an extra layer, water and everyday travel essentials.
Sneakers are a ‘go with everything’ must pack. Paris is a walking city, so comfort is key when packing footwear.
Comfort level: 10/10
Sneakers
BANANA REPUBLIC
KATE SPADE
RUSSELL & BROMLEY
Black Blazer
An easy travel accessory that adds an extra detail to any outfit, whether around your neck, your bag or even your wrist. Très magnifique!
J.CREW Dark Denim
A must for travel to Paris. A classic layer to pair with a t-shirt or button up and jeans days.
ANTHROPOLOGIE Sling Bag
A travel necessity for me. With the convenience of having essentials on hand without the bulk or weight of a larger bag, a crossbody bag is a great travel accompaniment. Compact, lightweight, stylish, hands free. Need I say more?
Elevate your denim with a darker wash. A versatile addition, perfect for any time of day.
I picked up my crossbody bag during a trip to Laguna Beach and it’s barely left my side since.
H&M Scarf
MASSIMO DUTTI
ZARA
Marie-Luce Denis and her husband Brad started French 50 Bakery 5 years ago and have more recently taken on their endeavour full time. Located at 10 Elma St W, Okotoks, AB. French 50 specialises in handmade bread, pastries, brunch and more. At its core, French 50 is passion, community and artisan.
As of recently I was an account manager for a quartz manufacturer, but now I am full-time working alongside my husband and boys at the bakery. It’s been a big last leap of faith.
The evolution from the beginning of feeding a healthy levain on to the finished product of a beautiful crusty loaf.
2 stories - it was Brad’s birthday and I wanted to prepare a special drink ( a French 75) I made a few adjustments and renamed it a French 50 ..... and the French well.... c’est moi!
HELLO
I was born in Egypt into the Flour family and am an only child to my parents White and Wheat. Growing up, we travelled a lot but Europe is by far my favourite. I love it out there. It’s where I feel most accepted, most myself. My friends and I love to hang out at the patisseries in Paris. Oo la la, trè It’s just not the same in North America.
We moved when I was a teenager, a tough age I know. I always felt that I had to “proof” myself. The Yeasts are quite an affluent family in Canada and the U.S. Everyone seems to love them. They have a son my age, Baker – we don’t really get along. I don’t know him well enough to give an honest judgement, but from what I do know he can be real artificial. I’ve heard getting to know him can be quite the process. To each their own, but I think it’s better to be natural. It hasn’t always been easy, building relationships is hard, but in the words of Maya Angelou, “…still I rise”.
One thing about me is I can be quite demanding. I’m not always proud of it but at least I come by it honestly. Especially in the summer… man am I high maintenance. Wherever I’m living, everyone’s schedule tends to revolve around me — day and night. I can also be needy. I know some people like to feel needed, but in my case I quite literally need to be kneaded.
During the summer, I’m such a socialite. I am all party, no sleep. Go go go. I can get a bit carried away. But once Autumn rolls around I start to slow down. If you want to spend time with me I recommend the winter. I would actually love that. When it’s cold, I can be miserable and sometimes I need a friend to shake me, wake me, spin me around, heck slap me across the face, anything to get me up and active.
I hate to cut our conversation short, but seeing that we’re in the thick of Summer my schedule is packed and I’m starting to pack everyone else’s too. I hope you enjoy the heat! It’s a toasty one. I know I’ll be baking, getting crisp!
Making your own levain is a large undertaking. Is it doable? Yes of course! However, growing your own from scratch will take several weeks. For beginners, Marie recommends using an existing levain to kick start your sourdough journey. Believe it or not, levain is more accessible than you think. The most reliable source is from a bakery or patisserie. Oftentimes all you have to do is ask!
Once you have your levain, you’re so much closer to a fresh loaf of homemade bread.
1. Add levain to a bowl
2. Add water and incorporate by hand
3. Add whole wheat and white flour mixing well and by hand.
4. Hand mix - hand mixing is key to a successful levain as your hands hold natural bacteria and yeast that is beneficial to the levain - the texture should be fluid.
5. Cover loosely to allow oxygenation and rising
6. You’ll know if the levain is active as it will rise and contain bubbles within 8-12 hours.
7. Feed your levain within 6 hours of it rising or bubbling.
*An average loaf of bread calls for approximately 100g of levain
*Your levain will double in volume as it rises.
*The warmer it is in your kitchen the faster your levain will rise! It’s crucial you keep an eye out for bubbling despite the suggested time frame.
Levain is an active “live” ingredient and therefore needs to be nourished.
1. Discard enough “ripe” sourdough starter so you’re again left with 50 grams.
2. Repeat steps 2-4.
After each feeding, it’s important to discard some of the batch to keep it from becoming too acidic. The active levain you remove can be fed and become your primary source of starter or your “King” as Marie likes to hers. It can also be stored, frozen, re-activated and/or used in new different baking recipes. Your discard should rarely go in the garbage!
The Scrapbook
Capturing honest and authentic moments and behind the scenes of the creative process, from the beautiful to the messy.
PARIS ‘23
