{ Posts Tagged ‘canadian company’ }

how it’s made: barrymore furniture

Sometimes seeing how something’s made can alter your enjoyment of the finished product. As much as I love hot dogs grilled on the barbeque every summer, for instance, I never, ever want to see how wieners are made. Ever.

On the other hand, when it comes to fine furniture craftsmanship, seeing the artful process of how it’s manufactured can enhance your appreciation of it, elevating something as taken-for-franted as a simple slipper chair to a true work of art.

Last week, I had the chance to go behind-the-scenes at Toronto’s Barrymore Furniture to see how their soft furnishings are made, and it just reinforced the beauty of their custom collection of sofas and armchairs.

It all starts, of course, with fabric. Barrymore offers a huge selection of upholstery options in their own fabric line, as well as high-end threads from the likes of Robert Allen and Kravet. Just take a look at their sample room… So pretty!

b upholsteryoptions how its made: barrymore furniture

 

…And behind-the-scenes lies Barrymore’s fabric storeroom. Bolt after bolt of trendy textiles. Before it’s cut, each length of fabric is completely unrolled and inspected for quality control on a giant roller.

b fabricwarehouse how its made: barrymore furniture

 

The selected fabric is then cut (by hand!) according to draft forms. These racks contain all the templates for each sofa and chair model Barrymore carries.

b cuttingforms how its made: barrymore furniture

 

Springs are hand-tied into position into the (heavy — but so durable!) hardwood frame in preparation for upholstery. Barrymore uses a special string that resists that annoying “squeak” after you’ve been plunking down in the same spot for a number of years.

b springs how its made: barrymore furniture

 

Exposed wood elements of the furniture frame are taken to the spraying room for stain treatment. Doesn’t this look like a Star Wars set?

b spray how its made: barrymore furniture

 

Now we’re ready for that upholstery…

b frames how its made: barrymore furniture

 

This is what tufting looks like — from the side of the chair we never see!

b upholstered how its made: barrymore furniture

 

…Et voila! A completed sofa, upholstered in a lovely Larry Laslo fabric.

b larrylaslo how its made: barrymore furniture

 

These particular sofas are on their way to various Canadian embassies all around the world! (Nice to see Canadian diplomats abroad still remember to buy Canadian!) Kind of cool, as well, to think that dignitaries across the globe are able to enjoy Canadian craftsmanship each time they visit the embassies!

b embassies how its made: barrymore furniture

If it looks like they’ve got the process down to a science, there’s a reason: Barrymore’s been at this for over 90 years now. What a great “Made in Canada” success story!

Barrymore Furniture, Toronto, 416-532-2891

pretty pairs: console tables and mirrors

Making a statement in a home’s entryway is so important. It’s the first glimpse a guest has of your interior, and as such, it’s got to make an immediate impression. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to get away with something daring, as it’s a space that you don’t spend a great deal of time in, and can afford to go beyond beige without getting sick of it too quickly.

The pairing of a console table and mirror in the front hallway is a tried-and-true formula that is both practical (your last chance to check your lippy before you dash out the door, and a surface to toss your keys) and an opportunity to inject some “pretty”.

I was struck by the pretty pairings of consoles and mirrors this morning while touring the showroom of Barrymore Furniture. Their visual merchandisers have really got a handle on how to pair these two front hall furnishings without falling into the “matchy-matchy” trap. Just look at these stunning vignettes…

blog chinois pretty pairs: console tables and mirrors

I love the exotic eastern flavour achieved by pairing the glamorous gold leaf bombe chest with an artisanal painted glass mirror. The radiant metallic chest would be a perfect solution to a dark and dreary foyer.

 

 

blog purple pretty pairs: console tables and mirrorsOoh, shiny! (I’m such a magpie!) Mirrored furniture is still so hot, and against a backdrop of luscious lilac, it brings the notion of a beautiful boudoir to the front hall. I like the subtle nod to trendy chain-link in the mirror frame.

 

 

blog white pretty pairs: console tables and mirrorsStunning Chinoiserie wallpaper from Cole & Son frames the white lacquer pairing of Christopher Guy console and mirror. Gotta love those curves! 

 

 

blog black pretty pairs: console tables and mirrors

A similar pairing, but in black. I like how the striped-paint treatment on the demi-lune chest redefines the traditional form of the piece.

 

 

blog art pretty pairs: console tables and mirrors

Alright, so this is a piece of art in lieu of a mirror, but the idea’s the same. The symmetry makes for a truly arresting arrangement.

All pieces, Barrymore Furniture, Toronto, 416-532-2891

 

 

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