75 Jarvis Street, Toronto
647.428.7265, Tues – Sat 11 am – 6 pm, Sun 12 – 5 pm
Filter‘s tagline is “Curated vintage design” and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this loft-like, Jarvis Street shop. Soaring ceilings, exposed brick and loads of natural light provide the perfect backdrop for Filter’s high-end array of mid-century furnishings: Risom, Prober, Eames, Bertoia–the gang’s all here.
The Steelcase sofa, above, is $2,295 and “is so well made you could reupholster it 25 times,” says shop manager Philip Hatherly. The Knoll chair was $1,295 but was sold the day after I snapped this photo.
Some of the best pieces at Filter have no pedigree at all beyond being fabulous vintage treasures. The silver-plated chandelier, above left, is probably Italian, probably circa 1960, but you don’t need a designer signature to see that this 12-armed beauty would be a showstopper in the right space ($1,700 as is, $3,000 repaired and rewired). The metal and glass tables, above right, are $995 (white) and $695 (red) and the Harvey Prober swivel chair with its very of-the-moment, original fabric is $495.
If Filter can be said to have a specialty it’s industrial steel cabinets (above left, $3,495 and $1,595) and massive reconditioned wood tables with heavy, steel struts ($3,995). But you really never know what you’ll find; on my last visit the shop had a terrific pair of Art Deco tub chairs ($995), a pair of silk-upholstered, vintage Louis XVI chairs ($1,395) and a pair of delicate little faux-bamboo, gilt side tables ($995).
And be advised that even with prices that teeter on the high side, Filter’s stock turns over–if you see something you love don’t think it over for too long because chances are it will be gone when you return.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Another great post Chris – so glad you wrote about this terrific place on lower Jarvis. Eclectic it is – and you didn’t even mention the medical study body parts that are scattered throughout the store! And such a charming owner – Philip.