Evalina Schmidtke

A traditional gratin, reconsidered according to what was already in the refrigerator. There are recipes one plans carefully, and others that begin by opening the refrigerator. This gratin belongs to the latter category. The foundation is traditional: thinly sliced potatoes, cream, butter, garlic and cheese, baked slowly until the potatoes become tender and the surface develops a deep golden crust. The variation came from what I had on hand—white button mushrooms, Emmentaler and Provolone...

August brings back a particular memory of the store at Mount Royal Village East. Although our address was technically on 16th, the store felt connected to 17th Avenue, separated from its busy traffic by the small park in front of us. In summer, that patch of green changed the character of the place. The boundary between the store and the neighbourhood seemed to soften. In August, we took the store outside. We arrived early and began carrying everything onto the sidewalk. Outdoor furniture....

The Architecture of Morning. Curated image by Evalina Schmidtke for Robert Sweep Interiors There is a quiet hour before the day gathers its momentum. Before conversations begin. Before messages arrive. Before the rhythm of daily life asks for our attention. It is an hour that belongs to no one else. For some, it is found beside a window. For others, beneath the shelter of a garden tree, on a favourite chair, or upon a stone terrace where the world slowly begins to reveal itself. It need not...