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Beware Hidden Shipping Charges

Monday, August 29, 2011 by Chris

12 Comments

In the future, when placing an order like this from a foreign vendor, I would ask the dealer to get explicit details from the shipping company about any further brokerage fees, duties or taxes required; this is their business and they should know the answers to the questions. If I had had that conversation with the dealer and then found myself on the hook for extra fees I likely would have sent the piece back. I admit my enjoyment of the lamp has been tainted a bit by the experience; had I known it would cost me $250 I would have taken a pass. Caveat emptor.

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Elte Outlet — Worth the Drive?

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 by Chris

9 Comments

Toronto's Elte used to consign it's clearance merchandise to a large back corner of its enormous flagship store in the Castlefield Design District. Now, that merch has moved to the new outlet store off Weston Road, north of Highway 7. Is it worth the drive? I'd have to say yes. Discounts range from 30 - 60 per cent off list prices, which puts some of the otherwise aspirational offerings within reach of the common man and woman. This being a clearance outlet, however, selection is spotty. Many tickets proclaim, "Last one," which means not only are you unlikely to find a mate for that perfect slipper or side chair, you also have to make up your mind on the spot because if you take a day or two to think it over the piece will be gone.

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Does Howard Really Restore A Finish?

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 by Chris

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I've heard about Howard Restor-A-Finish but never actually used it until this past weekend when I helped my friend Ingrid breathe some new life into a couple of tired antiques. The product isn't widely available in Canada but Toronto's Queen West Antique Centre (1605 Queen Street West, 416.588.2212) stocks the full range of shades from light pine-maple to dark oak and ebony. Howard's slogan is "Restore it, Don't Strip it!" and I have to say I was very impressed with the product up to a point. The rub-on, wipe-off liquid was fantastically good at hiding minor dings and scratches and even removed old paint smudges with the help of some super-fine steel wool.

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As the Table Turns

Thursday, February 17, 2011 by Chris

7 Comments

I deliberately delayed my post about my brass-slash-chrome coffee table until it was sold lest the buyer see my piece and balk at having paid a mark-up. Well, wouldn't you know it, the buyer turned out to be another Toronto-based decor blogger, Laura from Gracefully Searching. Laura has done a post about her fab new table (pictured above) and doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the fact that I made some money on my Craigslist flip. Or did I? The table took me about 6 hours to transform, which translates into a little over $18 per hour for my labour, considerably less than I make at my day job. Maybe I'm the one who should be upset.

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Slumming: Marty Millionaire

Saturday, January 15, 2011 by Chris

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I have a confession to make: In two and a half years of blogging about Toronto's decor scene, until last week I had never set foot in local landmark, Marty Millionaire (345 Queen Street East). With a window stacked full of obviously cheap knock-offs, I could never be bothered even though shopping guru Rita Zekas told me she had some fun with the "irascible" owner. Inside Marty's is pretty much what you'd expect -- row upon row upon row of mostly repro junk. But wouldn't you know it, hiding amidst the crap were a few gems that I'd actually consider taking home.

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