kids like it too!

li'l Melanie means business and puts her rarified view on life through the paces.

Melanie has had her Klippan Bruno Blanket since she was a baby. Her Bruno Puppet is a little shy in this shot.

charming Melanie has convinced her Bruno to warm up to the camera - he really loves to hang out with the 1-D bears.

Melanie going to town with her Klippan felted wool bag and coin purse.
a connoisseur of good taste!

photos courtesy of Melanie's mom & dad

let there be wine!

there are some simple pleasures in life - being with friends or family certainly top the list.

for me, a peaceful evening entails beauty, ambiance ... and wine! and when it is a scrumptious wine, you may want to 'ixnay' the friends and family and opt for solo!

my wine is sourced by the friendly and fabulous folks of Calgary's Wine Cellar South - a shout out to Frank, Ingo and crew for another great bottle!
gracious and elegant, Holmegaard stemware gloriously elevates the luscious red.
Stelton plays host with the ever-efficient Classic Serving Tray and illuminates my evening with the glass-lit Classic Candle Lamp.
and i love my copper-plate prints brought home from an artist in Venezia.

under construction

Patrick is part of the curb appeal - our frontage has been getting a facelift with some extra space allocated to showcase some of the great products we carry.

Whit McLeod reclaimed wine barrel chairs and table.
Design House Stockholm Carrie Baskets & Umbrella with stand.
Atlantico stool in oak.
Plan Toys wooden tractor and firetruck.
Klippan Yllefabrik blanket.
:: visit rarified online for product info or to place an order ::

wheels, frames & saddles

my friend Vik is a bike hound - knowledgeable and discerning in his requirements. he drops by the shop to check out and evaluate the bikes we offer - today we are on the Brompton and the (gorgeous) Pashley's. although we may not always agree on style .. or food ... we do share an appreciation for functionality and comfort.

...away we go!!

Vik on the regal Pashley Sovereign decked out with Basil panniers.
check out the 28" wheels!

me on the Pashley Princess ... so nice!
all i need now is a baguette and cheese ...
ok, and a bottle of wine.

the
lovable
foldable
ridable
stowable
Brompton.

when you have an opportunity to see the Pashley's 'live' be sure to ring the ding-dong bell.
both Brompton and Pashley offer quality, hand-made rigs from England.

a little kiss ....

Finisterre gets a little KISS.
Steve Stanley, me and my Matanuska.

KISS tribute band extraordinaire,
Destroyer
performed at the 2008 Calgary Stampede.
Steve, Mo, Chris & Tony rock the cowboys and cowgirls all night long - i was lucky to sing along backstage for a few gigs!

interlude #1

rarified is a bit of an anomaly in that we offer a wide variety of goods ranging from fine design objects to gourmet food, unique housewares to outdoor gear.

as a general mercantile goes ... we got it!

the website is growing (check it out!) and we continue to source more amazing companies that fit our model of improved lifestyle through quality goods, pride of workmanship, social responsibility & environmental sustainability. not only should we enjoy life, but we should be proud of the choices we make.

be conscious.

live, work, eat, play.

Finisterre to new heights!

Garrett contacted us from San Francisco. we shipped his Finisterre Etobicoke in time for his trek in Ladakh, India.
thanks for the great shot Garrett!

designed by Stelton - refined by Laura

Stelton's #486 Classic Napkin Holder.

Laura's #1 Avante-Garde Memo Holder.

Laura adapted the phenomenal Stelton napkin holder from it's standard function to a highly refined memo holder for her biz Fashionista Social Club.
there is good reason why a girl should never shop alone - particularly with Laura's inspired thinking! check her out girlfriends!

rocky mountain surfing?

i am absolutely pleased we offer Finisterre outerwear at rarified. brilliant philosophy, well executed, great product. here are some shots of Finisterre in action: from the snowy Canadian Rockies to apres ski at the Calgary Farmer's Market.

Patrick bustin' up the trails in his fit-for-the-task Humboldt!
Kananaskis Country, January 2008

chicken ?
Sean in his Matanuska & d sporting the Etobicoke
Calgary Farmer's Market - Blush Lane

... mmm coffee ...
finishing the day the Phil & Sebastian way

Calgary Farmer's Market
*pssst * note my Anne Black hand-made porcelain earrings!

test drivin' the goods

the rarified concept was borne of a desire to surround daily life with intelligently-designed, well-crafted goods. the integration of those goods into everyday use has spawned this blog - a reflection of the people who share the ideal of better living ... from the makers to the users.