One has to dream. And one has to stand out.

- Armi Ratia, Marimekko  

Steel Blue and Cobalt Yellow Basket Woven Scarf @ Etsy

I'm excited to share this new design by your truly, me (Ozana Gherman @CloseDesign. This here is an original design woven by hand in my studio. The strong contrast of colors really make it pop on the street and the finish gives it a really unique appearance - almost silk like. I'm definitely one for mixing bold colors and textures to create a nice balance of design.

[Mood] Shades of Gray + Yellow

Sitting by Wychwood Barns, St Clair West, Toronto

Abandoned Windows at St Clair West, Toronto

Floating through the winter was not easy so as soon as there was a glimpse of sunlight that graced the city pavement I was eager to take a journey and experience the hopeful light of what will be spring.

It's just amazing how the light picks up on the most subtle textures and colours to reveal an amazing palette for me that is aligning itself for spring.

[Inspiration] Serpentine Gallery hortus conclusus Peter Zumthor // Piet Oudolf

"A garden is the most intimate landscape ensemble I know of. It is close to us. There we cultivate the plants we need. A garden requires care and protection. And so we encircle it, we defend it and fend for it. We give it shelter. The garden turns into a place.

…The hortus conclusus that I dream of is enclosed all around and open to the sky.”

I was so lucky to catch Peter Zumthor’s pavilion [hortus conclusus] at the Serpentine Gallery (London, UK) – the 11th year for the commission in the gallery’s annual series. The beautiful hard edges of the exterior is sculpted by light-wells that lead you to the organic interior garden filled with softness and life designed by Piet Oudolf.  I spent close to 2 hours just taking in the sweet smells and colors of all the existing plant culture.

Into Spring

Suprasensorial: Experiments in Light, Color, and Space // Carlos Cruz-Diez Hirshhorn, Washington D.C.

Welcome to Close Design! With spring just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to begin my first blog, centered around things that I love – textiles + all the pleasures of life, and sharing them with other people.