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Finding Inspiration at the Canadian Aviation Museum

When other people are taking family photos and selfies in front of sculptures and museum displays, I’m always on the look out for design inspiration instead.  My vacation photos are predominantly pictures of weirdly detailed angles (usually ideas for paintings I’d like to create), inspiration for ways I’d like to shape our decor, or just things I find visually intriguing so I can file them away to be inspired by later.  I spend more time seeking out inspiration than I do learning about the subject at hand.  And I often forget to take pictures of people!  Case in point: our trip to the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa.

I’m not sure I can tell you much about the (amazing) aviation museum, but I am feeling awfully inspired to add more touches of weathered, but polished, wood and welded accents to the townhouse.  And also maybe some antique crates.  Some objets d’art (propellers anyone?).  Some of the ideas churning in my head are abstractly inspired by early aviation, but this idea of hanging propellers on a (turquoise!) wall is 100% steal-able:

It works – see a cool kitchen with a large wooden propeller mounted as art right here.   The props in the museum – crates, old machinery, vintage labeling – in addition to early Canadian logos, were also inspiring.

So yes, I’m basically feeling inspired to add more industrial touches to the townhouse.  You know how much we loved welded furniture (like Hubby’s desk, our bedroom furniture and the coveted little table), now to pair it with some warm wood, weathered crates, hints of vintage travel and retro graphics.  Something subtle, because I’m not sure I can fit a propeller anywhere.

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11 Comments

  1. Inspire Me Heather
    February 11, 2013 / 4:25 pm

    Woah!! Love your post – I work in aviation and have incorporated touches here and there in my home décor too. I'm working on extracting some big vintage airline signs from my boss (so far, it's not going so good….) I've been to that museum too and you've captured it just beautifully! Thanks Tanya!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      February 11, 2013 / 4:38 pm

      Good luck on extracting some airline signs! Sounds tricky, but you're so resourceful. Isn't the museum wonderful? It's so big and airy (and houses SO many planes), it was such a soothing experience to walk around and be inspired.

  2. Vintage Market Place
    February 11, 2013 / 4:40 pm

    Great post TanyaI am not so into the aviation part but I do love the more industrial feel of things. Weathered and more manly is a huge part of my design in my home.Our most comfortable room in our home is our living room and it is a great blend of metals, woods,pop of colors and textures. New mixed with old.And my husband is thrilled with how I decorate with more mix of manly and then he doesn't mind the 4 pillows on the couch ;)Good luck with your inspiration can't wait to see what you do with it.Amy

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      February 11, 2013 / 7:45 pm

      Haha! Yes, Hubby also likes a touch of industrial here and there, to compensate for pillows.

  3. Amy
    February 11, 2013 / 6:12 pm

    Ooh I love that table with the 7UP crates… it is a yummy mix of metal and wood. Great inspiration! And sounds like you had a busy week!!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      February 11, 2013 / 7:45 pm

      Isn't that table genius? Their whole shop is filled with beautiful furniture – simple, but creative.

  4. Dana@Mid2Mod
    February 11, 2013 / 8:59 pm

    The suitcase shelves are really cute! We sell Gus*Modern furniture, and we were really excited to see that new Hull coffee table.

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      February 11, 2013 / 10:07 pm

      The shelves are so inventive, aren't they? I have seen so many stacked suitcases used as tables, but only once as shelves. Gus Modern furniture is gorgeous, so excited you carry it!

  5. erica | wicked bride
    February 11, 2013 / 10:39 pm

    My grandfather is in aviation (he sells planes, engines and parts) and my uncle works for NASA, so you'd think I'd be much more into the aviation thing. I'm not, surprisingly – but I think I should be after this post! I'd never even really thought of it, LOL!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      February 12, 2013 / 1:12 am

      Haha, a convert! This museum really did it for me – now I'm finally on board with the whole industrial look. So far only little pieces here and there have made their way into the townhouse. We'll see if I get bored and find something new, though, LOL.

  6. Amy
    February 12, 2013 / 2:13 pm

    Hi there! My friend actually makes things like that table with the jet engine part- he owns a company in Florida called Air Illusion…they don't have a website yet, but once they do, I'll have to send you the link…he makes some gorgeous things!

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