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Art and Lighting Shine At Rouge Concept
You the know the gentrification of a neighbourhood is complete when it can support a gallery/decor store like the two-year old Rouge Concept in the Riverside section of Queen Street East. Tomorrow, shop owner Nancy Grenier, above, celebrates her second anniversary in the former dollar store that she gutted, opened up and transformed into a light, bright gallery selling art and objects priced from $65 to $6,500. "It sounds like a cliche," says Nancy, "but there really is something for everyone. I make sure to cover a range of price points; I don't anyone to feel intimidated. That's why I style the shop with a few furnishings to make it feel more like a home environment."
Full post and comments...Less is More at Avenue Road
Thursday, August 5, 2010 by Chris
There are all kinds of gorgeous, high-end stores in Toronto that I've never blogged about because frankly, if I can't afford to shop there, what's the point? But I'm making an exception with Avenue Road, partly because there's such a buzz about the place, partly because it's so darn beautiful and partly because it was designed by hometown boys George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg whose stellar work is also the subject of a gorgeous new coffee table book.
Full post and comments...Bev Hisey Christmas Sample Sale
Monday, November 30, 2009 by Chris
I have no idea which cushions, carpets, runners and blankets Toronto textile artist Bev Hisey will be discounting at her annual Christmas sample sale December 3 - 5 but Bev, if you've got one of those orange, felted wool numbers, above left, put my name on it! Hisey has been really branching out lately with some exquisite new lines; I especially love her wildly vibrant carpets, above, although I'd be surprised to see any of those being sold at a discount.
Full post and comments...Let There Be Lotte
Friday, November 20, 2009 by Chris
INabstracto's Kate Eisen and sometime partner Duncan Farnan hit the motherlode recently when they stumbled upon an old warehouse with an impressive stock of vintage Lotte Lamps, circa 1964. The lamps ($195 each) have their original shades and original tags but Eisen and Farnan have rewired them to today's safety standards. Colors include coral, dark blue, robin's egg, golden yellow, celadon, brown and white.
Full post and comments...Canadian Cool: Russell Spanner
Friday, October 23, 2009 by Chris
In my Home Show talk about buying vintage furnishings I noted that the best quality vintage furniture inevitably comes with the highest price tags but is also the most likely to escalate in value. As long as the item's provenance can be confirmed, a costly purchase is likely to hold and gain value as the years tick along, provided that you take good care of it. I'm not sure who said it but if you buy the best, you cry only once.
Full post and comments...
Friday, October 22, 2010 by Chris
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