Today's blog comes from David Ramsay, Central Library staff:

Are you renovating an old house? I mean older than 1980 – much older. This might include removing the tasteful broadloom to reveal authentic flooring, be it oak, fir or linoleum, or stripping the velour wallpaper. Would you like to see what interiors from bygone eras looked like?

You can find books of old European or American interiors, but if you are restoring an Alberta house, local examples would certainly be more helpful.

An Edmonton author, Johanne Yakula, has come to the rescue. She has had plenty of experience with her own restoration business and 1912 home, as well as lecturing and blogging on the topic.

In Historical Interiors of Alberta-A Guide to Restoring and Decorating Your Heritage Home, she covers a lot of design ground, going back to the era before Alberta even became a province. Chapters include Victorian, Edwardian, Arts and Crafts, and Modernist eras. Each chapter presents a sample house from a variety of locations both large and small and gives the history of owners and changes and details of different rooms. You can learn how various design components, such as paint colour, wood trim, window covering, lighting and flooring, were treated at the time. The author also shows how you can add to or modify areas and still stay true to the era’s identity. Illustrations from the era and the present are included.

Finally there is a section to help you plan your own renovation (no excuses now!) This book is a good resource for house restorers, or those curious about local design history.

- Dave

How many of us find shapes in the world around us? Faces in mountains and fantastical creatures in clouds are there, if you look with the eye of a child. Drawing and Painting Imaginary Animals by Carla Sonheim appeals to the inner child.  The author takes her inner child to the streets and finds inspiration for magical creatures from a variety of different sources such as a hand of ginger or a segment of cracked pavement. 

This book serves as inspiration to never leave home without your sketchbook or your camera.  Busy as we all are, there are moments of inspiration to be snatched from the everyday.

I find books published by Quarry Books to be slightly quirky, highly imaginative and real mind openers.  They’re great for those looking for a way to enjoy their creativity as well as the artist looking to expand their imagination.  They would appeal to everyone who keeps a journal.

This series of books are worth looking through. Like in the earlier blog post “The Art of Urban Sketching” this little tome offers an element of freedom for the inner child.

Well done!

–Candace

When I attended a recent craft show, I was enthralled by the jewelry one of the artisans had made.  She worked in silver and added pearls or other stones to her delicate designs.  I had to buy something and settled on a pair of earrings. 

But the thought of actually making jewelry had not really enticed me until l picked up the new library book “30-Minute Bracelets” by Marthe Le Van.   Although the designs certainly don’t rival the work of the artisan at the craft show, many are lovely and perhaps might not be too difficult for a novice to try.  

I decided to see what the other books are available in the library which might help get me started in this new endeavor.  Once again, Calgary Public Library comes through in spades. 

I found several books that are aimed at the beginner with detailed instructions and pictures.  “The Encyclopedia of Wire Jewelry Techniques” by Sara Withers seems like an excellent introduction for anyone interested in trying this out.

If you're thinking of creating your own original pieces, check out our selection of books on the topic — and have fun!

–Linda