// NAKED LADIES

// Powder Room, Toronto 

The coolest thing about custom projects is working on prints that I would never have come up with on my own. For Claire and Scott's downtown Toronto powder room, bare-naked ladies, vintage, and tropical was the concept I had to work with. This is going to look amazing when installed. We are even doing the ceiling [does the moon walk]. I didn't really do the moon walk, but I did in my head. So technically it's the same thing. Anyway, I'll keep you updated on final photos! x -C

// LIGHTS ARE UP

//  

Can you spot the two year old? This weekend was spent doing some of my most favourite things, Christmas market-ing, and snuggled up on my couch watching Gilmore Girls and Christmas movies which ended with layers of books and sketch books dreaming up Collection N 23. American Thanksgiving marks the beginning of Christmas which makes weekends like this necessary and perfectly acceptable. I can't believe it's already end of November. How is time moving so quickly. However, a large part of me is secretly excited. 2016 needs to come to an end. 

// MY POWER

// 

Helloooo from country roads. The past two days have felt like something out of a fairytale. Mostly because the country makes me the happiest, and secondly because I'm walking into a dream that has been six years in the making. This dream I won't be able talk about until the time is right. But it's going to be so magical when it happens. Stay and trust in your magic, I promise unexplainable things will present themselves as stepping stones closer to your dreams. The obstacles have been relentless, but now is not the time to look back. Forward is the only way. x -C

// COLLECTION N 23

// From the studio 

I believe in surrounding myself around people who are smarter than me, more creative than me, think differently, dream bigger then do bigger. Collectively ideas are better.  This is what sparked Collection N 23, CKD's newest wallpaper collection that plans to launch in the new year. It's going to be different. I've been living far outside my comfort zone, in my work and in life. I've gotten past the sleepless nights, and have settled somewhere between constantly feeling uncomfortable and trusting this is exactly where I need to be. Life rolls through phases, and I have a feeling I'm about to enter a whole new one. 

// CALL ME WHEN IT'S OVER

// 

It's been a weird couple days to say the least. I had a feeling Trump had a good chance, but never did I think he was actually going to become President. Just doesn't sit well. A large part of me wants to believe this might shake things up and turn out better than anyone could have expected. Perhaps this is exactly what America needed. But then I remember his disdain for women and minorities, civil liberties. I wonder how tall the wall is going to be that divides USA from Mexico. Ah, please just call me when it's all over. 

// 7:00 AM

// From the studio 

It still takes me a couple sips of coffee in order to speak or make any other facial expression other than a blank stare of tiredness in the morning. So I don't know how this happened, or why - but over the past five months my best ideas have come between 7:00 am - 10:00 am. Perhaps my brain is too tired to overthink it just focuses calmly until the coffee kicks in. Anyway, this is the studio at 7:00 am this morning. Yes, those are new jewelry designs, and yes that is an oversized vaseline jar. Many new things are coming, unexpectedly. When it rains it pours. Stay tuned!

// ALWAYS ADD ON

// From the studio

This week in the studio has been like blah. The creative side of my brain was like "sorry CK, I'm not giving you nothing". Said in that perfect grammar too. When this happens you can find me starfish on the floor of my studio, staring at the ceiling. I woke up this morning, made myself a coffee and put Alicia Keys's new album in my ears. There's an interlude mid album called Elevate, sounds like Pharrell's voice. It's about touching something that has already been done and elevating that same thing to another level - looking at it in different way rather. Always adding on. CKD's underlining purpose towards the wallpaper industry. It's hard to continuously push yourself to do better, think bigger, and sometimes pray the creative ideas will flow in. Then Alicia Keys puts out a new album just in time, and it just makes you say thank-you. It's my dream to be a room with all the greats talking about ideas, life, and then producing. For today I'll live through this album and keep working harder. Happy Friday guys. x -C 

// 1:29 pm

// 

Anyone else have moments of deep need for adventure. The last time I had this feeling I packed my bags for new york city. I left for education, but ended up learning way more than how to paint a rose. Meeting different people surrounded by different buildings is necessary for growth. This photo was taken post bed bugs in my most favourite apartment on 50th street. I was moving, it was a Wednesday, and the day was spent with Rachel and photographer Jose. We drank mimosas and laughed more than Jose took photos. I'm not sure where CKD will end up, people keep telling me Cali is the place I need to be. Living by an ocean does sound fantastic. The dream has evolved to have multiple homes. My home home surrounded by family, trees and open land, with a separate barn as my studio. A home in Cali, possibility a place in New York. Wouldn't mind a villa in Tuscany. So my cute children can learn Italian and grow up to be cooler than their mother. If you're thinking about adventuring outside of your comfort zone - I urge you to go. Change brings growth, and there is no better feeling than stretching your mind far beyond what you thought was possible. x -C