RS Picks

In the 1960s, the Jetsons captured the imagination of a populace with their eyes on the prize: putting a man on the moon. And lucky for us, that meant an explosion of design creativity when it came to envisioning the Space Age here on Earth. Futuristic clean lines, atomic lighting, and lots of metallic flair carried the day. Chair and table legs weren't the artfully carved, often clunky, excessively decorative pieces we'd seen before. They were simple and geometric.

Though we did manage to put a man on the moon in 1969, we haven't lost our zeal for the Space Age. It's all still there, in the modern design of today.

Meet George Jetson. (And his boy, Elroy.)

Here's an example of a vintage reproduction of a 1950s/60s Space Age living room:

Notice how ideas about shapes, lines, and curves have changed - and in some cases, remained the same - in today's modern design:

Zara Home's Spring-Summer 2012 collection reminds us of home. It's cozy, yet dainty in a durable sort of way. It's a touch whimsical, but undeniably grownup. It's homey and rustic, but enchanted - even charmed. They're showcasing bold, old school florals and bright, fun plaids - patterns and textures that recall crocheted throws and needlepoint-decorated pillowcases, and the kinds of prints that somehow evoke sitting down to unwrap a box of grandma's homemade fudge. (We can't explain it. Trust.)

They've also done an amazing job of softening the harshness of an industrial feel, pairing dainty florals with rusty metals:

Everything old is new again - or so it seems for mantel purveyors Hull Historical, specialists in custom architectural interiors, moldings, hand-carved doors, windows, paneled walls, and millwork. Today we'd like to spotlight another of their specialties: the ever-intriguing mantel. In the age of gas stove ranges and central heating systems, the hearth is something of an anachronism. But Hull Historical is making sure the mantel doesn't fall by the wayside - quite literally, in fact; they believe the mantel is the focal point of a room.

"Historically the mantel defines the architectural style of the interior decor, whether English, French, or American Federal, and is often the focus of a room's interior decoration," says Hull Hist., adding that "Since medieval times, mantels have served to transform living spaces." Spearheading the whole Hull operation is the man himself, Brent Hull, a master craftsman with an expertise in historical accuracy and architectural integrity. "A mantel, while considered a focal point, must never appear overbearing," he says. Or as we put it: With great power comes great responsibility - and that goes double for mantels.

Check out their Molding Guide, which will lead you fearlessly into the world of mantels and moldings (and, we'd wager, give you a bit of an idea what we're talking about when we say "Georgian," "Federal," or "Greek Revival"; we do tend to speak in tongues).

A very happy Mother's Day to all! Back in 1999, the Backstreet Boys knew how to tell their moms they loved them. Here you go (no need to thank us):

The Backstreet Boys - THE PERFECT FAN

To brunches and bouquets!

We have not one, but TWO exciting pieces of press for you lovely people!

The first, the RS newsletter to keep you apprised of developments, news, and updates over at the RS offices. Fun, crazy things have been in bloom this spring. Check it out: THE NEWSLETTER

And the second -- we are proud to announce that we were featured in Saturday's Globe and Mail! We feel kind of like superstars. (No photographs, please.) Feast your eyes:  THE GLOBE AND MAIL

We've clipped the story and sent it to all our moms - for Mother's Day, of course! Enjoy your brunches and moms!

Extra, extra! Read all about it!

Porta Romana knows their stuff when it comes to lamps and lighting. "If we were to embark on a mission to captivate, beguile and bewitch the world with beautiful things," they write, "we would need a constant stream of ideas for all the shapes and forms, and these would be described as beyond fashion; because they should last." Not only are they eloquent, they've got sharp eyes and sharper style - and even a sense of humour (a duck-footed lamp!). AND they're English. (Of course. Only the English could make a lamp with webbed feet look elegant.)

Tradition doesn't mean boring. It means sturdy, worn, and loved. It's tried and true. It's vanilla ice cream. It's Coca-Cola in a glass bottle. It's classic, and it's timeless.

 Dark wood stain and a beadboarded ceiling give this bedroom a traditional feel. Just like Grandma used to make. (Mind the antlers.)

Nothing says "tradition" like a good ol' four-poster and some hanging drapery.

If the colours weren't so subdued and delicate, these rustic chairs surrounding a wooden table adorned with candelabras would practically SCREAM "tradition."

All over the place, things are coming up digital. You've heard of the Louvre's move to replace their audio guides with the Nintendo 3DS. You know about the free Wi-Fi at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

And now, you can draw up a floor plan on an iPhone. MagicPlan is an app that allows you to measure your rooms and draw floor plans just by taking pictures. Align the corners of the room with the onscreen markers, snap some photos, and create a PDF, JPG, or DXF file. Or, upload the whole thing to the web to create an online interactive floor plan.

We've just tried it, and are mega-impressed. Now, if only we could get this song out of our heads...

watch?v=UoPplpBPQxQ

In 1869, the New York Herald sent Henry Morton Stanley to Africa in search of the renowned English explorer David Livingstone, who had disappeared two years earlier. In the Victorian era the globe had still not been entirely mapped, and members of the Royal Geographical Society, men like Livingstone and Charles Darwin, hurtled themselves into jungles and deserts, often on years-long expeditions, to chart continents and discover sources of rivers. (The famous words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" were uttered when Stanley did finally find the explorer, in 1871.)

The world was gripped by a feverish fascination with the exotic, a fascination that still exists today (albeit against an arguably more politically correct backdrop). There's something about enormous leafy plants and zebra-striped accents that awakens the David Livingstone in all of us, and something about the decadence of the Victorian era that makes us want to kick back in an armchair with a cigar and a brandy. Blue Ocean Traders are awesome at evoking this bygone Imperial Age with things like giant leather armchairs and Union Jack-plastered trunks ideal for the storage of exotic artifacts and exploration gear.

Here's a thoroughly modern take that still brings the exotic to mind with just a trunk and a giant plant. (The only thing missing is the lingering scent of pipe tobacco. And maybe a machete.)

Our friends at Shumacher have just rolled into town with a new collection of prints for their Spring 2012 collection. In their own words, it an "exotic mix of paisleys, ikats, and ornamental designs derived from tapestries," but we know what they're really trying to say: wallpapers and linens just got a whole lot more fun.

Here's the thing about wallpaper: Since about the Victorian era, it's gotten a pretty bad rap. Naysayers complain that it's heavy, that it darkens a room, that it's too busy. Sometimes they're right. But sometimes a little bit of texture is all a room needs to go from nice to ridiculously sleek.

The great thing about wallpaper is its humility. It doesn't demand all-or-nothing. Just one accented wall is often all it needs - or sometimes even a ceiling will do. Check out this nursery, with its overhead stripes:

Love the wallpaper, don't fear it.