Let There Be Light!

As spring finally breaks here in the heart of Canada, the longer hours of daylight are more than just a little bit welcome.

Now, when dusk settles, we can be more welcoming of the night and the opportunity to warm our spaces with ambient light.

Be it on the patio, in the gazebo, over dinner or by the bedside, we have a number of unique and inspiring options to set a mood.

Bright Times

The mastery of laser cut patterns and shadow play are more than evident in Tord Boontje's latest creation. Bright Times is a set of four tea light holders. Flat packed so you can participate in that final design step, they pop out to present elaborately delicate and beautiful shapes which create a dazzling spectacle of shadows.

Available Here in three color variants - brushed silver, gold and the Spring collection of four hues.

Chalkboard Candle

Mine Design has introduced a playful element to ambient lighting with their Chalkboard Candle. Say "I love you" or "I'm in the mood". Draw a simple happy face or recreate a masterpiece and then light the long burning and beautifully scented soy candle. Clever, cute and captivating. Find them Here.

Cambiere Candles

Also by Mine Design, elegant Cambiere candles are housed in a nondescript glossy black vessel. When lit the warmed soy wax and flame transforms the vessel revealing a gorgeous detailed pattern. Available in our House or Here.

New Romantics Candelabra

This five armed aluminum and acrylic candelabra juxtaposes old world rococo charm with modern materials and a mirrored finish.

See it in the House or order it Here.

Liz Emtage - Summer Grasses

UK Ceramic artist Liz Emtage creates delicate vessels for use as a tea light holder or a vase. Each delicate bone china vessel is translucent with varying degrees of brightness showing through the impressions made with natural flora and fauna.

See them Here.

Ghost Candelabra

We've said it before and we'll say it again... the Ghost Candelabra is no mere specter. Imaginatively designed etched acrylic modernizes the elaborate detail of candelabras of yore.

Find it Here.

Just a Little Bit

Tin travel soy candles are designed to appear as large olde school typewriter keys and are available in two scents and two color ways - black with white lettering and white with black lettering. Currently only available in the House.

You're So ChiChi!

Kristen is obviously one ChiChi chick!

Here we get a peek at her Boontje Midsummer Light in all of its glory. I'm loving how it positively pops with the lickable pink walls!  

As an oddball aside ~ 

Is that...  Could it be....

A girly Domo???

I...  must...  have...  one.

If there is anything I love as much as a Midsummer Light (in any color), it is bold use of color in home decor.

In this snap we see some ChiChi in the awesome yellow vintage candy dish.  

And we get treated to the stylings of someone who is emboldened in their choice of color.  The contrast combined with a subtle explosion of the unexpected hue and the melding of modern with vintage makes for one impressive entry hall.

And as if that isn't enough to delight your senses today ~ the painting shown here, if I'm not mistaken, is an original work by Kristen herself. Talented girl!

Thanks, Kristen, for sharing your ChiChi with us!

Holiday Gift Guide: Moms

21 shopping days left!

She's the person (yes, moms are people, too!) who nurtured and taught and fed and cleaned and loved you better than anyone.  She endured nine months suffering from a variety of pregnancy side effects from swollen ankles the size of tractor tires to vomiting in her handbag at the mere whiff of someone's cologne.  She spent how many hours in labor with you?  Don't you DARE even think about getting her something which plugs in or some same-old, same-old schmaltzy gift from the mall.  That woman deserves something SPECIAL.

We have special.  And unique.  

We're here to help you find something she'll truly appreciate.  Something that says "Thank you for all you did and continue to do."  And... "You know, you were right about that jerk not being good enough for me."  And... "I'm sorry I was such a pain as a teenager." 

Thinking of You.

Tord Boontje's vessel wraps say "I Love You" in beautiful style.  Thinking of You Here, Now and Always are flat wrapped to involve the recipient in the final stage of the design process.  Each wrap is assembled (very easily) into a stunning piece which mom can then place over an old jelly jar to create a beautiful vase.  The high polish and matte finishes are designed to take on a patina over time which makes them even more beautiful than their shiny new selves.  Tuck one in a bouquet of mom's favorite flowers.  This is something she'll use and display all year long, as it is simply stunning on its own, and every time she sees it she'll think of you thinking of her.

We're not trying to run a floral theme, but moms DO love flowers.  I think it stirs something from the time when their children were small and awed by the wild abundance of Dandelions which they picked with gusto.  What moms love best about flowers, I think, is that eventually their kids get older and realize that a bouquet of wildflowers are much preferable to a handful of wilted Dandelions.  Wait a minute.  Maybe not.

Whatever flora you fresh pick for your mom, Innermost's Ghost Vase is an exceptional vessel for her to display them in.  Too bad Dandelions are out of season.  I think they'd make a nice, sentimental touch.

 Bejewel her with special adornments.

From one of a kind pieces by local artisans to Melissa Borrel's Pop Out jewelry, we have a wonderful selection to show mom how special she is.

Donna Guiboche is a talented lady who works magic with copper and sterling silver wire.  Donna's unique designs run from the bold to the sublime, delicate to heavy and funky.  She also creates a custom line for us.  Early in our relationship with Donna we were so impressed with her craft that we bestowed upon her a box of vintage jewelry comprised of lampwork, glass, crystal and bone beads.  She has deconstructed these pieces and reworked them into remarkable pieces we call Vintage Made Modern.

Cindy and Carey are sisters who utilize vintage buttons and other findings to make lovely personal accoutrements such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets, cell phone charms and keyrings.  We love that their designs range from sophisticated to funky.

Melissa Borrell's Pop Out pieces are truly stunning modern pieces with a retro feel.  Again, and as we are seeing more of in the design world, the recipient is involved in that final stage of design.  The high gloss powder coated steel or gold plated pieces are popped out of their 'frame' and then strung on the Sterling chain or ear wires.  Beautiful!

A bag to last forever!

Neumatica creates the most amazing purses from car and truck tire inner tubes.  Sound strange?  The only odd thing about these one of a kind purses is that someone didn't think of it before now.  Rubber inner tubes take hundreds of years to decompose.  Reworking this material into a beautiful, everyday useful object is earth friendly and smart - who hasn't yearned for an indestructible purse?  Each bag is entirely unique as the relationship between tire and tube, when in service on a vehicle, imprints a one of a kind pattern on the tube.  The visible branding lends an industrial edge to a sophisticated bag and you may even find one with a patch or the inflation tube attached!  Available in a variety of styles, we have imported these bags direct from Argentina and the only place in Canada where you'll be able to find one for your mom is.... our house.

We also carry a large variety of home decor items, personal accessories and pristine vintage kitchen ware.  You are certain to find something as uncommonly special as your mom in our House.  So - ditch the mall.  Stop by our house.  Take your time thinking about the things your mom deserves in her stocking while enjoying a delicious latte - on us, of course!

Beautifully Recycled

Design With Conscience, Artecnica's campaign promoting social and environmental responsibility in design, is a collaboration between foremost designers and artisan communities in underdeveloped nations.

It is design promoting self-sustaining communities, generating global awareness and utilizing humane and earth friendly production.

tranSglass, included in the permanent collection of MoMA, New York, has become one of Artecnica's most desirable products.

Designed by Emma Woffenden and Tord Boontje, and created by Guatemalan artisans, the tranSglass collection features one of a kind vessels - from the lidded carafe to a two holed vase. Each piece is unique in size, appearance and color.





















Adorning a shelf or a table with an original and unique piece of tranSglass does more than enhance your environment. Your astute design choice aids our environment and has a positive impact in the lives of the artisans who create these stunning and cleverly designed pieces.



We are proud to carry a number of styles from this collection so that we may all play a small part in making this world a better place for everyone.

Table Stories

We all have tales to share every day. Simple little anecdotes concerning events of the day. Complicated chronicles. Juicy gossip. Lighthearted lexicons.






I've always found the best discourse develops around the table. There is something about the comfort of good food and in being surrounded by familiar people which make fertile ground for the development of interesting conversation. Some of the best times I've had in recent years have been at large dinner gatherings at the Lake Winnipeg cottage of my aunt and uncle.

They are collectors of people, Joan and Lionel. These events are always 'family' events but are never comprised entirely of relatives proper. Rather, there is about an equal measure of acquired 'family' - people who have come into our lives through Joan and Lionel and who have remained constant, some for so long that I can't be entirely sure they are not 'real' relatives. And that's nice, as motley and unlikely a crew we might all be at first glance.


At each gathering, especially during the big holidays, tables are added to tables until they take up the entire length of the cottage. Chairs are squeezed as tightly together as possible which makes for some interesting and creative movement coming and going from the table. When I was young all children were required to sit at the "kids" table, away from the adults, at the insistence of our parents. Today, all children are welcome at the main table - at the insistence of our parents. Something about becoming a grandparent mellows a person, I suppose.

Somebody always brings something, though Joan does most of the cooking (and is as terrific a culinarian as she is a hostess). The food is always good. The desserts, well... red velvet cake worthy of fighting with your favourite cousin for, pumpkin cheesecake like you've never imagined. But it is the company, above all, which make these events memorable.

And it is in these settings where the best stories unfold.

In honor of Joan and Lionel's 50th anniversary this summer, I can't think of a better gift than our newest edition to the store; glassware and a decorative plate from Tord Boontje's Table Stories collection.




















Stunning, whimsically etched glassware, short and tall.                   Deco plate in subtle grey on white.





Don't you deserve something this special on your table?

Moms! Like Dads Only... er... they're moms...

Jiggers! Is it that time of year again? Mother’s Day is just around the corner and I’m excited! Although many perceive Mother’s Day as just another Hallmark Holiday, it's actually been around in some form or another for hundreds, dare I say thousands of years. Kat and I both have two of the coolest moms around who deserve to be honoured so we are not of the Hallmark mentality. And pleased as punch we ChiChi Chicks were to join the ranks of the dedicated moms who spit-wash their kids on the go! We have both been blessed with crazy lovely wonderful girls of our own, our little ChiChi Chicklets. For them Mother’s Day is fun! They busily craft and dream up their own little ways to celebrate. They also go on little shopping trips with their dads to choose their own special gifts for us but that’s the subject matter of a whole ‘nother blog!

Although Anna Jarvis, one of the original founders of Mother’s Day in the U.S.A., never intended for Mother’s Day to be commercial that is what it has become, but we can work with that. So what do you give Mom that will reflect the depth of your feelings for her? Depends, do you want to break the bank? If your mom is anything like my mom she would be upset with you if you did that. Now, if you took hours and hours and hours to burst forth into the world, and you’ve challenged your mother every minute of every day since, maybe you DO want to break the bank, a bit.

So what do you get her? ChiChi can be achieved at any price and although you can’t go wrong with anything at our house, we have some ideas:

From Piggy Bank ChiChi to Platinum

Vintage Aprons priced from $5 to $50, many to choose from but, she may think you’re implying that you want her to cook for you …

Occupied Japan Figurines priced from $8 to $25. These figurines were made over a 5 year period using the same techniques employed by Italian craft masters. Highly collectible, values are based on object size and type of “Occupied Japan” stamp.

Tord Boontje’s Fairytails Greeting Card priced @ $8.50. Zazz for only $8.50!

Upcycled ChiChic Jewelry priced from $25 to $180 – many options in this price range from Donna Guiboche’s reworked vintage pieces, to Cyndi & Carey’s vintage button jewelry to our latest artisan’s spoon jewelry by Echo.

Bottle stoppers priced at $16 – add a bottle of champagne and a bottle of fresh squeezed orange juice, pop it all in a pretty planter et voila!

How about presenting her with an empty mayo or jam jar (preferably clean), a blossom, and Tord Boontje's Thinking of You Vessel Wrapper? Lots of impact for $28 and up!

New, yet Vintage, “Mother” be-fringed satin pillowcases with velvet flocked wording. Available in either the one-sided version with a poem entitled “Mother” for $35, or the two-sided version with “Mother” on one side and the poem on the other for $45.

Espe Handbags priced to $60. Sure, you could buy her flowers but Espe already adorns many of their bags and wallets with flowers and you don’t have to water them!

Tord Boontje anything priced to $180 – unique and new to Winnipeg, guaranteed that this line from Artecnica will wow her.

Failing all that, (although really, is that possible?) give us a budget and we can assemble a one-of-a-kind gift basket at almost any price, or better yet, maybe Mom would like to pick out her own gift using the very ChiChi gift certificate you presented to her.

Did you know it was once custom to wear a carnation on Mother's Day? A coloured carnation means that the person's Mother is living. A white carnation indicates that a person's mom has passed away. In celebration of our Moms, our children’s moms, and all moms be they out picnicking, sleeping in on their special day, or what have you,
ChiChi will be closed on Sunday, May 11th.
Happy Mother's Day!

A Bounty of Boontje

Midsummer Light in white and red.

Fairytails gift cards in pink and red. Also featured "Bloom" greeting cards.

We are more than just a little bit pleased to announce that a substantial order of Tord Boontje lighting and home accessories has arrived on our doorstep. Tord Boontje's work has been called stylized design employing advanced technology with artisnal technique. We call it whimsical and poetic. Magical and romantic. We think you are going to love it as much as we do. Now in Winnipeg, and only at our House.

Until Dawn curtain. Available in store in a variety of colors.

Thinking of You vessel wraps make an ordinary vessel spectacular.

We have also learned that our backordered products were shipped out on Friday. Expected in that shipment are another two spectacular lighting pieces...

Icarus (left) is a shade which can be used with a table lamp base or hanging light kit. Daedalus (right) is sold as a set with a table lamp base.

The arrival of this shipment is most timely as just this weekend past the Globe and Mail featured an interview with Tord Boontje. The feature covers the existing line of products as well Tord's new Witches' Kitchen line (just unveiled in Milan this month). Take me there! The conscience choice of materials and the trade practices employed are two of the reasons we love it. We also cannot help but adore the playfulness. You can be certain that you will see this line in our House just as soon as it becomes available to us.

Witches' Kitchen Cooking and Serving Utensils

Witches' Kitchen Cooking Pots

Witches' Kitchen Apron

Puddles, Puddles Everywhere

Not everywhere, actually. Just on our wall.

We are delighted to announce that the first of many products created by designer Tord Boontje have arrived at our House.

"Who?"

Tord Boontje.

Tord Boontje was born in Enschede, Netherlands in 1968. He studied industrial design at the Design Academy in Eindhoven and finished with a Masters from the Royal College of Art in London. He currently works and lives in Bourg-Argental, France. His own mini-biography, as published by Design Museum (Take me there!) is much sweeter and funnier. In order to fully appreciate Tord Boontje one only has to look at his interior design elements. Seeing a picture of one of his wonderous pieces is almost enough to hook you. Being able to physically view and touch a piece, well, its something you have to experience for yourself.

And now you can.

In his own words: “Just like clouds, puddles are very imaginative in making their own shapes, sometimes they like to look like flowers, sometimes like butterflies or birds, or sometimes just like blobs.”

Puddles are decorative surface tiles inspired by nature. Cut from mirror polished stainless steel, they are self adhesive. Each is a unique piece of art. Light in weight and easy to apply, a singular piece subtley enhances any decor. A grouping transforms a space into a dreamscape.

Bird H 10" W 7"
Hibiscus H 17" W 20"
Hummingbird H 10" W 7"
Butterfly H 8" W 10"

In Winnipeg, Puddles is currently only available at ChiChi. From our House to yours.... with pleasure.