As a born and raised prairie gal, I’ve grown accustomed to being somewhat forgotten. You know, missing out on the really sweet store launches and trade shows or being skipped over by the weatherman. That sort of thing. If you can relate to – or sympathize with – any of that, you’ll understand why my heart skipped more than just a beat when I spotted the new Prairie Tables [retails for $595.00 CDN at ModernKaribou.ca] from Canadian-based furniture design company, Gus* Modern.
I’m sharing the highlights from IDS12 in a series of four posts, organized by category, over the next couple of weeks. Don’t forget to check out the first two posts in this series, rounding up the best woodwork and textiles.
For today, let’s talk furniture!
1. Elte
An old favourite, Elte’s booth was massive and beautifully furnished. My fave part of their design was how they showcased their rugs on the walls, as artwork. This gave them more presence and attention than they would have received on the floor alone because their booth was packed with people all day long.
Ola! There’s something magical about dodging a week or two of Canadian winter to vacation in paradise. During a recent stay at a picturesque resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, I was instantly taken by the romantic appeal of the resort’s tropical decor.
If you didn’t make it to IDS12 in Toronto this past weekend, not to worry, I’ve got you covered. I’m rounding up my favourite booths from the show.
I’ll be sharing the highlights in a series of four posts, organized by category, over the next couple of weeks. So, stay tuned!
For today, let’s kick things off with some unforgettable woodwork…
Even though Holtz Furniture is known for combining live edge wood slabs with metallic and glass elements to create “organic furniture art”, it was the simple design of their Heart Pine Blocks that caught my eye.
I first discovered Sputnik through styleNorth. Today, I finally made my way over to their storefront, located at 12 Advance Road in Etobicoke, ON.
I fell in love… With the furnishings, decorative arts and especially the lighting!
Out here in the Peg, the sky is hazy and the ground is dusted with snow. It’s the perfect day for cozying up indoors (never mind that it’s Monday) and a sumptuously decorated space, such as this one from Restoration Hardware, would suit me just fine!
I’ve been seeing this trend popping up everywhere I turn. It’s a fun and fresh way to add a splash of colour and contrast to your furniture and accessories.
It has been a long time coming now, but it’s worth the wait!
Though CB2 was supposed to arrive this summer, it hasn’t officially landed in Toronto yet… BUT they did share a sneak peek with us last night! True to CB2 form they brought their signature modern designs, showcasing pieces that add function and comfort to your home, with that perfect pop of colour.
So, friends, want the inside scoop??
Here’s a preview of what’s to come and, of course, the all-important when and where!
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Love shopping for home accessories, but hate the price?
Desperate for more storage, but don’t have a lot of space?
Fresh Home Elements (FHE) has the answer: affordable and functional designer home accessories. Though it’s not a brand new concept, Adam Schachter and Jonathan Levy, owners for the FHE Group, are determined to up the ante with creativity while keeping price points low. What more can you ask for?
Their contemporary designs fit stylishly into your home decor while adding incredible function, whether that be extra storage, seating or cleaning. Check out five of the latest products from FHE and see why you (and your wallet) will love their home furnishings!
Read the rest of this entry »
Toronto just got a little more family friendly and a lot more design savvy! Last night marked the official landing of Domison in Toronto, bringing design tag team My and Thien Ta Trung with it. Their new flagship store, located at 35 Jarvis Street, in the furniture district of downtown Toronto, means these sibling designers are finally branching out from their Montréal hub. I was fortunate enough to get a first peek at the collection on my own home turf.
The name Domison evolved from a combination of the words “domicile” and “maison”, though it seems just as much a philosophy as it is a play on words. The goal for this furniture boutique is to offer strong, well-designed pieces at affordable prices that can make your house a home.
My and Thien are known for their modern aesthetic and their fabulous design and craftsmanship, all of which is evident the moment you walk into the showroom. The furniture and decor accessories are a balance of avant-garde pieces with clean lines and bold pops of colour and intricate details.
The neon yellow sofa sits at the front of the store, nearly spanning the entire length of the platform it’s presented on. Its size, geometric shape and intense colour make it an incredible showstopper piece to start off the space.
I can’t get enough of the bright colours! They are used thoughtfully, as accents and statement pieces, so the pops of yellow, blue and orange really grab your attention as you move through the showroom.
The decor accessories mesmerize me. While the furniture tends to stick to clean lines and geometric shapes, the accessories lovingly play with shape and texture. These table lamps, made out of plastic cable ties, are one of my favourites.
Speaking of playing with shapes and textures, this paper tree installation is unbelievable. It’s actually the handiwork of Paprika, a graphic design and strategic marketing firm, who also designed the posters and media kits for the store.
With a new location in a new city, the designers will be dividing their time between both Domison stores. For now, My will return to Montréal while Thien stays in Toronto to nurture their newest venture, so be sure to stop by to say hello and check out their latest collections. The designs will be coming from their Montréal studio and, according to Thien, we can expect new pieces each month.
Where these two will go next is not certain at the moment, but this is definitely not the end of the road. With their focus on the opening of this store, they also look forward to future expansions across Canada and beyond in hopes to bring Domison designs to all homes.
What do you think of the Domison aesthetic?
Médias Transcontinental
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