Food for Comfort

It's not everyday that you can say "Our Walls Create Comfort".

Yet, if you dine at Burgoo Bistro, that is what customers say. Of course, we are boasting a little, since the road to a successful restaurant is not only having a fantastic interior, ...it is only one of many key components in running growing a business that is repeatedly building upon it's success - 'food for comfort'.

This is exactly what Burgoo does daily at three of it's locations in Vancouver and soon a new location on West 4th, opening in a couple of weeks.(across from WholeFoods at 4th& Vine)

This is the fourth Burgoo, where Distinct has been commissioned to create and Old World theme to the walls, one of our specialties. All four of the restaurants have Plaster walls, the Main St location and this new location are created in using Tadelakt. One of the unique aspects of this Moroccan Plaster is it traditional origins and rustic appearance. For the 4th Ave. location we created a new finish(Old World in theme) called FarmHouse™ Tadelakt. We actually have coffee grinds in the plaster with other ingredients to help create the true rustic walls.

As I mentioned the owners the other day, I just love the way the restaurant feels, there is no pretentiousness to it, just come as you are, relax and enjoy the warmth.

TeamWork, there is plenty of that on-site, which is refreshing for a change. Not that doesn't occur on other job sites, but the 4 owners, actually all chip in later in their work day to help out where needed. The other trades and GC, love it!

It's a real hands on approach, for 4 gents that don't mind to get there hands dirty!

"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" - Steve Jobs

Are you going to be there?

Got Any?

If you don't, then I know where to get some this weekend - The East-side Cultural Crawl. 

Get out there and support your local artist community and buy something ORIGINAL, as in ART. Lord knows I spend far to much time in clients homes with 'production' art or maybe reproductions is a better description. None the less, the revenue from those pieces seldom reach the artist accounts. More importantly, you can always feel the difference of an original piece versus a reproduction, the dead give away for me... you haven't seen it before, thus you have something original, unique and worth remarking.

If your heading out to do the Crawl, here a couple of Artist's spaces worth a visit: Arleigh Wood and Lori Popadiuk

Arleigh recently posted this video on her site, she is passionate about birds in her works, this video I feel captures her wonder for inspiration very well - Mother's Natures, the theater of Murmuration.

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" - Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Thinking for outside the Box

Last month I started several projects with similarities, they all were specified to be completed in Tadelakt - a unique Lime Plaster from Morocco. One a bathroom & shower, the other two, Mantels.

Got and Old Mantel?

Here is a perfect example of converting an old wood burning fireplace and transforming it into a compelling contemporary piece. It is really rewarding working with Tadelakt Lime Plaster, I consider it to be the 'Cadillac' of Lime Plasters. Since it can provide an incredibly strong surface for interior or exterior applications. It cures to very hard state, properly applied it can be used for floors and is waterproof.

More to come this month on our creations with Tadelakt...

The clients in this project wanted a floor to ceiling mantel (called The Larch) with hearth to be all one complete piece. This would not be possible with any other product. The finished Tadelakt Mantel look just like one solid piece of slate.

- November 2011... "Thank you so much Randy for our stunning fireplace! It truly is a work of art and we so appreciate that you take such pride in your work, it really shows. I know it wasn't the easiest job, but the end result is what we were hoping for, so thank you."   - Heidi & Erik, Tsawwassen BC 

"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" - Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Beach Day on the Rocks

Today was a good day for a little excursion to the beach after a short hike with my wife and the kids. A perfect fall weather day, which made it more compelling to the kids to start turning over rocks on the beach, looking for just the right type?

As you might ask, as did my kids..."why are we looking for flat rocks?" Well, I need them for work this week. Since I am at the finishing stage of installing a Tadelakt shower and the final process in the traditional applications involves polishing the Moroccan plaster while still wet with a flat stone to help 'close the surface' in waterproofing. It's rather important... after all it's a shower!

These stones will do just fine, since they have a flat side on each of them, just enough to help in the compression of the Tadelakt.

"Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" - Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Do you like heavy Metal?

 

I don't, but working with Sheet Metal, we can definitely rock that. I thought it be would pretty cool to show case the versatility of Lime Plaster at IDSwest last weekend, on metal - sheet metal.

Since exhibiting at BUILDex back in 2010 I have had the opportunity to visit the Farimont Pacific Rim for quick lunches and have been taken by the White Carrara Marble in the lobby, it makes for very clean and contemporary feel.

I was inspired by it's simplicity and thought, why not show how Lime Plaster Carrara has the same qualities when addressed to a properly prepared surface, thus a little metal....more below.

 

By creating Mantels out of Sheet Metal, we have a relatively light and very strong material to build with and takes heat extremely well. The bonus for us at the trade-show is it helps showcase the versatility of Lime Plaster, in this case Carrara Marble - beautiful! ....Actually most people said "Wow or Cool" at the show.

 

Lime Plaster Overlays, can allow you to create the Look and Feel of stone - without the weight or cost.

 

 

Organic Lime Plaster, it is the most versatile 4000 year old product out there.

• 23' Wide Contemporary Mantel
  
• IDSwest & Tadelakt
  
• Mr. Jobs
  
• A Contemporary Fireplace

 

Distinct Interiors is a decorative arts company based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Chalkboard Paint, have you tried any?

If you have, then this may be what you experienced.

Boring colour? Not very good coverage? Doesn't stick very well? Needs several coats? Needs a primer?

Then I have an answer, Tilano Chalkboard Paints, plus it comes in 10 Modern Designer Colours.

Today is Wednesday Oct 19th, I have a giveaway! At some point today I will ask a Q? on my twitter, so take look at our Chalkboard Paint at Tilano.net.... be ready for a tricky Q?

We will be giving away a colour of your choice in Tilano ChalkBoard Paint, have a colour in mind? You may be the lucky winner!

All you need to do is follow me on  or to find the skill testing question?

Check it out, it's all the rage in Japan....

We will be featuring Tadelakt Moroccan Lime Plaster for the month of October.

What you will see us create is:

• 2 Custom Tadelakt Mantels and Fireplace Mantels with surrounds, one in Vancouver and the other in Tsawwassen
• a Tadelakt shower, where we create a complete bathroom in Tadelakt. Seamless walls, ceiling, floor and sink! Yes a sink and shower made of Plaster!? Can it be done?... watch & see....
• And a large install of Tadelakt in a restaurant in Vancouver, the largest ever! Once we get rolling or troweling I should say, we will share more...

"The only way to great work, ...is to Love what you Do." - Steve Jobs 1955-2011

,

Following the Orange road...

Orange what a colour, bright, distinct, warm, intense and full of life! 

Today was a perfect day in Vancouver and the Pacific North West to head with the family to the Pumpkin Patch, breaking from all weekend routine to enjoy the colours of Fall and the extended Indian summer weather. Of course, Orange is the timely colour of the month, may your days for the rest of October be full of seasonal warmth.

Westham Island Herb Farm, it's a great farming culture here, this is the peak of the season for visitors, yet they are open all year round. The kids always find something "cool".

Do you like the look of Concrete?

We do and it is a popular choice amongst our clients and designers. That's why we are receiving more interest in concrete Lime Plaster Mantels and Surrounds in Vancouver.

 The fun part, being asked to create unique designs that really test the ideas of what you thought you couldn't be done with concrete, because of the size or cost involved in larger pieces.

But you can with KCC, Kendall Charcoal Concrete, the prefect Lime Plaster Overlay for seamless concrete designs.

Would you like to see this Mantel? I have great clients and many are open on site visits, this Mantel is on the West-side of Vancouver. Yes I would like a site visit!

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We will be featuring Tadelakt for the month of October.

What you will see us create is:

• 2 Custom Tadelakt Mantels and Fireplace Mantels with surrounds, one in Vancouver and the other in Tsawwassen
• a Tadelakt shower, where we create a complete bathroom in Tadelakt. Seamless walls, ceiling, floor and sink! Yes a sink and shower made of Plaster!? Can it be done?... watch & see....
• And a large install of Tadelakt in a restaurant in Vancouver, the largest ever! Once we get rolling or troweling I should say, we will share more...

"The only way to great work, ...is to Love what you Do." - Steve Jobs 1955-2011

A Big Thanks to Apple

Here in Canada, this is the weekend to enjoy the harvest of so many efforts and share with families so many blessings. Obviously families can be spread out all over the place these days. Ours is no different, but with the use of technology, we do feel closer.

At our family dinner yesterday, we had the opportunity to FaceTime with my brother and his family in Ottawa, ...feels kind of like an Apple commercial, but heck, it was real and timely!

So thank you to all at this time of year for reflection and grace. And special shout out to Steve Jobs (RIP) and Apple for having the passion to make technology fun and give us the ability to share life's little moments - well done and keep it coming! 

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We will be featuring Tadelakt for the month of October.

What you will see us create is:

• 2 Custom Tadelakt Mantels and Fireplace Mantels with surrounds, one in Vancouver and the other in Tsawwassen
• a Tadelakt shower, where we create a complete bathroom in Tadelakt. Seamless walls, ceiling, floor and sink! Yes a sink and shower made of Plaster!? Can it be done?... watch & see....
• And a large install of Tadelakt in a restaurant in Vancouver, the largest ever! Once we get rolling or troweling I should say, we will share more...

"The only way to great work, ...is to Love what you Do." - Steve Jobs 1955-2011