A day at the beach

Last week Jake and I spent the day in Tofino with Grant Kernan, a photographer with a great eye for interiors and art from AK Photos. We spent the day at 'The Shore' www.theshoretofino.com taking pictures of some live edge pieces.

The sun was shining and the ocean was a beautiful blue...below is a picture of Clayoquot Sound with Morpheus island in the background.


And here is what we shot...




We stopped for lunch at 'The Shelter' www.shelterrestaurant.com and gobbled up some delicious hand made burgers and yam fries.

More photos...






Then home over the Port Alberni summit with a beautiful sunset over Mt. Arrowsmith.


Thanks for reading, will be back soon with more adventures.
~ Donna

Industrial fusion

Design focus: Industrial Fusion

This is the fourth and final newsletter/blog in our design focused series where we show how versatile live edge pieces can be.

We work with designers from all over North America and have seen some real defined styles that incorporate our products; West Coast Natural, Modern Country, Industrial Fusion and Contemporary Asian. Through these newsletters we will help define these styles and show our Live Edge pieces in each of these settings.

Interior designers create a look of ‘Industrial Fusion’ look with cool, steely color combinations, clean lines, glass and other elements of industrial world.

Large, solid wood slabs bring a warm and inviting feel, creating a perfect juxtaposition.

~ John Lore

We’ve picked through a few of our favourite Industrial fusion pictures to help explain and further define the design style. Keep reading to see pictures of our time at the Interior Design Show West and to find out more about our upcoming ‘Re: Purpose’ event.

Contemporary Asian design

Design focus: Modern Country

This is the third newsletter/blogs in our design focused series where we show how versatile live edge pieces can be.

We work with designers from all over North America and have seen some real defined styles that incorporate our products; West Coast Natural, Modern Country, Industrial Fusion and Contemporary Asian. Through these newsletters we will help define these styles and show our Live Edge pieces in each of these settings.

Interior designers create a ‘Contemporary Asian’ look with rich color combinations, clean lines and elements of the cultures of Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, and other prominent Eastern societies.

Large, solid wood slabs have been used in Asian inspired designs since the 1940’s.

~ John Lore

We’ve picked through a few of our favourite Contemporary Asian pictures to help explain and further define the design style. Grab a cup of green tea and settle in to browse through the pictures of these modern, elegant pieces that have a distinct touch of the orient.

Modern Country Design

Design focus: Modern Country

This is the second newsletter/blogs in our design focused series where we show how versatile live edge pieces can be.

We work with designers from all over North America and have seen some real defined styles that incorporate our products; West Coast Natural, Modern Country, Industrial Fusion and Contemporary Asian. Over the next four issues of our newsletter we will help define these styles and show our Live Edge pieces in each of these settings.

Interior designers create a Modern Country look with bright color combinations, clean lines and simple fabric, warm wood tones and elements of nature, soft earthy paints and tactile textures. The end result is a very comfortable, warm and cozy interior.

~ John Lore

We’ve picked through a few of our favourite Modern Country shots to help explain and further define the design style. Pop the kettle on and get cozy as you browse through the pictures of these modern, elegant homes that have a distinct homey atmosphere.

What is west coast natural design

Design focus: West Coast Natural

We’re kicking the summer off with a series design focused newsletters and blogs.

We work with designers from all over North America and have seen some real defined styles that incorporate our products; West Coast Natural, Modern Country, Industrial Fusion and Contemporary Asian. Over the next four issues of our newsletter we will help define these styles and show our Live Edge pieces in each of these settings.

West Coast Natural is a term I started using a few years ago to define the style of homes that embody the idea of bringing the idyllic surroundings of the natural world into the homes along the West Coast. Interior designers use a mix of color, texture and natural materials to create a beautiful balance from the inside out.

~ John Lore

A few of our pieces have been fortunate enough to find homes all along the West Coast. The view from some of these homes is just as jaw-dropping as the character in the big slab pieces. Look carefully to see how designers and clever homeowners have used the lines, colors and textures from the world outside the windows to create incredible, tranquil interiors with underlying West Coast style.

Vancouver Olympics

During the run up to the 2010 Winter Olympics we were approached by several Vancouver based companies wanting to showcase BC wood and BC manufacturers during the games. We answered with a resounding 'YES' and below you can see the results.

We found these two hanging out with the GE guys in Robson Square.





These tables are a part of the BC wood showcase in the VIP hosting space of the Vancouver Art gallery.





This ceiling feature is made up of live edge wood planks from all across BC. Community groups donated reclaimed wood from upturned trees in bogs, submerged logs in lakes and blown down trees from wind storms. This is truly a great showcase of a large group of people coming together to show the world how precious our forests are and how resourceful we are in reclaiming this resource.





A very apt quote in the second and third floor exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery; Visions of British Columbia.

West Coast home tour # 1

We’re starting 2010 off with the first of many house tours that will feature in some of our monthly newsletters and to get the proverbial ball rolling I thought I would open the doors to my home and invite you in for a look around.
Enjoy! John Lore, President.

The bathroom was my most recent project; transforming the space in to a grown up, sophisticated yet tranquil space. Countertops, cabinets and shelf all by Live Edge Design, toilet by Toto, shower and faucets by Fluid and sink by Decolav.


Headboard with attached nightstands.


Five drawer, highboy dresser.


We redesigned the bedroom a couple of years ago and you may recognize some of these images but I thought it was worth revisiting. The warmth and tones in the wood are soothing after a long day.


The dining room with view of the deck, garden and vegetable patch. Single, character grade maple slab reclaimed from Cowichan Bay...the live edge on this slab was so wild I used glass to add function and retain a natural, yet refined aesthetic.