Armadale still burning.

I am so excited about this book right here  - wish you could feel the cover. If you ever want to read a book based off the design of the cover, check this out. Let’s read! Roland Watson-Grant is a Jamaican author. Rep JA!

Click here for more info. Buy the book.

FEEDBACK on Paint Shop:

The customer service experience was good overall. It took a few minutes to be recognized by the reps but the gentleman I spoke with seemed knowledgeable about the products and that was refreshing.

So…

…these are the colors I have selected for the new abode. I have always wanted grey for the living room. I selected Benjamin Moore bunny gray. When I see gray in a space I think sophistication and opulence. It seems to be a grown up color too. Right?

Bunny Gray

There is a small passage way that leads to the kitchen and that will be in Benjamin Moor ‘down pour blue’. Another beautiful color and two coats of this paint will do the trick.

When I saw wallpaper in the kitchen, I thought ‘oh hell’. BUT, wallpapers are trending now. In the 2013 decor magazines I have, wallpapers are the new trending wall accessory. Good news, my kitchen has wallpaper which I won’t be removing. I selected Benjamin Moore ‘sapphireberry’ – to complement the wallpaper, which was a wise move.

The bedroom

This is the only space in the apartment I had not considered color for. I thought about going boring, gray but that changed. I need some color. The furniture in the bedroom are white so I opted for Benjamin Moore ‘down pour blue’ as the accent color and Benjamin Moore ‘sapphireberry’ for the other color.

I have read where some interior decorator believe in a different color for every room. I like colors but I wanted the apartment (albeit small) to look cohesive. So I brought the color from the passage and the kitchen (shades of blue) in the bedroom.

Bathroom – More wallpaper

The bathroom has more wallpaper (two to be precise). I selected Benjamin Moore ‘light mint’ which will be perfect in the space. I want to create a spa effect in the space. I think this light color with the fixtures in white can create the magic I am aiming for.

Look out next week for photos from the now ‘boring’ apartment. It looks commercial now, I won’t bother to describe it….grrrrr. Stay posted!

Visit the Paint Shop on Hope Road.

If I needed a full circle moment, I received it last night.

*Steven’s run was nothing short of fab + the senior girls dance.

Must-see video

She is by far the leading dancehall and soca dancer and choreographer on the internet, teaching and performing across the world with her crew. Aya, with beginnings in ballet has transitioned into dancehall, splitting and leaping to new heights. Read her insightful interview as she dishes on dancehall in Europe and how she has become, the hottest dancehall dancer on the internet, YouTube proves it.

Corve: Let’s start from the beginning. Where did you grow up? How was your childhood?

Aya: I am born in Ivory Coast , in Africa, from a French father and an Ivorian and Lebanese mother. I moved to France with my family when I was still a baby,and I grow up in Parisian suburb . I’ve always been in love with dance that’s why my mother enrolled me to ballet classes. I danced 10 years of ballet , doing contests and then I had to stop for a knee problem (that is resolved now, thanks to God). Always been close to Afro-Caribbean dances due to my cultural background and my social environment. That’s why dancehall and soca music comes naturally to me and I felt in love with this music, culture and dances.

Corve: Who introduced you to dancehall? What connected you to dancehall?

Aya: A friend at school was always listening to dancehall , I discovered Red Rat, Mr Vegas, and other great artists when I was 11. Then never stopped  listening to this music and dancing on it for fun. Then I grew up and I started to take Camron One-Shot classes in Paris. I loved the way he taught dancehall and I started learning about the culture , movements, dancers, who was acting in the culture in Jamaica and in the world. I felt definitely in love with dancehall.

Corve: Your YouTube videos feature other talented dancers (Marion et al), how did you find this other community of dancers in Paris?

Aya: There are so many dancers with talent here in France. I’ve been connected to other dancers through video clips, dance events, through other dancers, then I had affinities with some of them and started to work and share with them! Dance is finally a small world so at the end everybody knows each other. lol! Right now my crew Queen’ Stonn is composed of four dancers: Marion, Dhq Layaa, Yasmine and me

Big up to my girls!

Corve: You travel all over Europe teaching dancehall and dancing, when did this journey begin? Where have you traveled to dancing dancehall?

Aya: It’s started by giving dancehall classes in Paris, so Camron advised me to do some videos to show what I teach during my classes. After that, I had a big success with my dancehall soca videos, and then promoters started booking me all over the world to give classes. To teach classes and dance on stage I’ve been in French West Indies (Guadeloupe, Martinique), Guyana, Jamaica, Russia, Poland, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Senegal and others.

Corve: What was your most memorable performance on stage?

Aya: For me it’s my first big stage with the biggest dancehall French artist KRYS, in 2010 . My career really started at this moment. This day Krys gave me my Nickname AYA LEVEL.

Corve: Obviously, you are fascinated by the Jamaican culture, which dancehall artiste would you like to work with, in the future?

Aya: Yes Indeed. I would like to work with Aidonia in the future.

Corve: How do you follow the latest trends in dancehall to keep your choreography fresh and hip?

Aya: Internet is the best ( easiest and cheapest way) to keep in touch with Jamaican dancers and singers. Also with all the dancehall community all over the world, because dancehall is growing everywhere in particular in Europe and Russia.

Corve: What inspires your choreography?

Aya: The first thing is the music, then I like to endorse steps from other dancers (from Jamaica, Europe, USA, Japan) and mine. Plus, I add my dancehall soca choreographyI like to include some African moves because Africa is the basis but also is a part of me.

Corve: How far do you want to take Aya in the arts?

Aya: I will accept what God will give me.

Corve: You were featured in the show In the Dance, what did that feature do for your career?

Aya: People started to see me dancing alone. It was my first video to show a part of my dance. People was receptive to this video so it give me strength to continue doing my things.

Corve: You have over 12 million YouTube views, did you expect this support?

Aya: Not at all! (lol) I was just sharing my videos to promote my dancehall classes in Paris but also to share my passion as I’ve been doing before with Camron and my crew Queen’Stonn. I never expected all this support. It was like a dream. Thank you to every people who watch my videos.

Corve: How big is dancehall in Paris? In your opinion, which dancehall artistes currently have a large fan base in Europe?

Aya: Dancehall is big in Paris and France. Actually dancehall has always been very popular in Paris and France. The dancehall scene has really great and talented dancers. Respect to all of them! Currently I think that Tommy Lee & Aidonia have a large fan base in Europe.

Corve: If you could change one thing about dancehall music for the European market what would that be?

Aya: Nothing. Europe has to accept the whole culture . You can’t change that . We want the real things even if it takes much time .

Corve: Are men intimidated by your dancing skills?

Aya: LOL! I don’t know… !

Corve: In your YouTube videos, we get to see huge audiences of people dancing, are these events your dancehall classes? What’s the feedback to them?

Aya: Yes, it was during my travels to teach dancehall . For some of them it was their first time taking a dancehall class. It’s always a great experience to share with people and see that they can love dancehall as much as I love it! So much love from my students, thank you to all of them and big up to the promoters who help dancehall to grow!

Corve: Are you making money from promoting this art form?

Aya: Thanks to God ,I live decently from my art .

Corve: For some dancers in the dancehall in Jamaica, will admit you are living the dream, teaching dancehall, travelling and doing what you love. What inspiring message do you have for them?

Aya: Thank you so much for your words.

I would like to say: Always be true with yourself and what you do. Do it with passion and love. And don’t forget that God is the first. He can realise all your dreams. Also, thank you to all the dancehall community, respect to all dancers all over the world and Thanks God . I’m Blessed.

+++

Thanks Aya.

Follow her on Twitter |YouTube

If you don’t know, Melanie is Jamaican. If you need her contact info, email me.

Elegance defined.

Love the colours in this space.

One of my fav colour – green used beautifully in the living room.

“I had this oversized, ultra-long sofa custom made specifically for this living room. The high ceilings and large size of the room tended to ‘swallow’ the furniture, so I wanted a piece that would make a statement and hold its own in the huge space and beneath the large windows. ” Melanie

“This client was a little apprehensive about the bright wall colour of this family room, but when she saw the complete picture with the neutral fabrics on the furnishings, she immediately loved it.  Which leads me to one of my most valuable rules in decorating – Never judge a paint colour, a piece of furniture, or a piece of fabric by itself. “ Melanie Schwapp

“The client requested that the gazebo overlooking the river and pool reflect the flora of Jamaica, so I opted for tones that reflected the vibrant colours of beautiful hibiscus and ginger lilies. The beauty of such colour is that it remains vibrant despite its exposure to the outdoor elements. I love that the burlap of the drapes provide great texture and balance to the bright colours. “ Melanie Schwapp

“I believe that the entrance to a home is as important as the interior. Therefore, I always address the entrance gardens of my projects, attempting to make them as warm and welcoming as the interiors.” Melanie Schwapp

One of my fav designs by Melanie.

Can we start a conversation around this coffee table?

“Kahki and Bone wall colours make this TV room calming and relaxing. Again, the artwork is so dynamic that the rest of the room acquiesces to them.” Melanie Schwapp

“My aim as a decorator is to make each room warm and welcoming, but never overpowering and overstimulating. I often choose a very unusual piece or furniture or a dynamic piece of art as a focal point, and then I allow the rest of the room to quietly compliment that item. In this case, the Laura Facey artwork on the wall “Reggae Fish” was the focal point of the room. I chose neutral fabrics for the oversized sofas, but allowed the bold stripes of the rug to pull back the tones from all the dynamic artwork.” Melanie Schwapp

“14 SEATER DINING TABLE made by Nicky Clarke in Worthy park – I designed this table for durability and size. The more nicks and scratches made through time on this table make it more meaningful and beautiful to the large family it was made for.

“ I love the ease of use of this table with the benches on one side and the chunky chairs on the other.” Melanie Schwapp

What are your thoughts on the designs?

There is some space between the roof and the top of my kitchen cabinets. I was considering using that space in the decor. On the weekend, I was chilling at Stephen’s apartment and saw a stash of wine bottles. Immediately I thought of ways I could use that in designing my kitchen. Well, there is a chic way to do it. I can spray paint them silver (different colours for that matter) and add the words “eat, pray, love” on top of the cabinets.

What you think? It’s cost effective too.