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Treasure Hunting in Cobourg, Ontario

Friday, January 13, 2012 by Chris

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Here's a post that's been in the can for months. Back in September when I scouted Waddington's new Cobourg outpost, I went on a little treasure hunt along tiny Covert Street, which I discovered thanks to my friend Susan Forint and her SAF Affect blog. Then, before I got a chance to post my thrifty finds, I learned that I had overlooked Cobourg's biggest claim to vintage fame, the massive Legacy salvage yard. So back I went with my Ajax friends Denise and Larry who kindly provided the transport.

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For the Dog Lover on Your List

Monday, December 19, 2011 by Chris

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Poking around Toronto's W.R. Antiques (179 Queen Street East, 416.504.6900) awhile back I was struck by how much dog art shop owner Winnie Runnquist has accumulated. Bronzes, cast iron sculptures, bookends, ceramics, paintings -- if dogs are your thing or a passion of someone on your Christmas list, then W.R. is a great spot to find something special for under the tree. I wouldn't suggest that Runnquist has every breed covered but her range is impressive and her prices are reasonable; the beautiful cast iron Spaniel is $195 . . .

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A Red Letter Mooch

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 by Chris

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My friend Ingrid and I took advantage of the glorious summery weather on Saturday and headed to the Aberfoyle Antiques Market outside Guelph, Ontario (about 1 hour west of Toronto). For some reason we encountered a plethora of old sign letters, always a hot home accessory. My decorating partner Kevin recently spelled out the word "modern" on a client's wall, which they then edited back to simply "mod" — yes, you can have lots of fun with these things. I'm constantly seeing children's names spelled out in nurseries; I wonder if putting the word "serenity" in my bedroom would have a positive effect. If you entertain such notions, definitely head to Aberfoyle where you'll find plenty of fodder for your Scrabble-inspired flights of fancy. The letters range in price from about $10 - $12 for smaller letters to $30 - $40 for really big, free standing ones.

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Thoughts on Selecting an Upholsterer

Thursday, August 25, 2011 by Chris

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A quick post on my recent re-upholstery experience, which ended well, all things considered. I solicited five quotes and got back only two, one for $725, the other for $350. Two of the craftsmen — yes, they were all men — are old school and don't do email, the others I sent photos of the daybed with dimensions and specific requirements. I know some mid-century collectors who highly recommended Steve’s Custom Company (235 Carlaw Ave., 416-462-0218) but Steve, an older gent with probably 30 years experience, would only give me a quote when he saw the job. So I schlepped the daybed over to him and was satisfied with his price of $450.

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Now You See It, Now You Don’t

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 by Chris

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Passing by Toronto's Office & Shop Furniture yesterday I was stopped in my tracks by the window display of the new Pasha Chair from Italy's Pedrali. Where Philippe Stark borrowed an open-armed, medallion-back design for his ubiquitous Louis Ghost Chair, Pedrali goes for the full-on Bergere. What's so striking is how thin and impossibly sexy the molded polycarbonate is; priced at $560 each, the chair is brand new to North America and comes in black, white, clear or smoked with a fabric seat cushion for added comfort. But that wasn't the only thing I was jazzed about at the Office Shop . . .

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