Tag Archive | "Accessories"
Reclaimed Zen
Normally, one photo from a shop review jumps out as the one to feature. I'm usually looking for some colour and an image that gives a good sense of what the post is about. But the choice was especially hard with Toronto's Zenporium (998 Queen Street East, 416.778.1936), a relatively young retail operation specializing in home furnishings crafted from wood reclaimed along the Pacific Rim, particularly Indonesia. To make choosing even more difficult, Zenporium's offerings fall into two distinct camps, the rough and rustic and the sleek and contemporary. Teak root side tables have a foot in each camp (priced around $400), while this dresser is crafted from wood reclaimed from old fishing boats (about $1,000).
Full post and comments...Cocktail With a Twist
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
TV's Mad Men is a cultural phenomenon that has inspired a new generation of hipsters to jump on the cocktail bandwagon and Toronto retailer Kristen Voisey is capitalizing on the craze. Last spring, Voisey opened BYOB (972 Queen Street West, 1.877.989.8980), a shop specializing in retro glassware, bar accessories and a range of ultra-cool custom bar cabinets like the beauty that folds down from the wall when the clock strikes party time ($789). And it's not all retro fun at BYOB; Voisey stocks a wide range of contemporary accessories like Whiskey Stones, cocktail shakers and the animal head shot glasses and bottle stoppers, below. If bar culture is your thing, BYOB is your home away from home.
Full post and comments...A Red Letter Mooch
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
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.
Full post and comments...Two Small Rooms
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Dennis Battler, a sometime retail stylist and home stager who rents two small rooms on the top floor of a house in Toronto's Riverdale neighbourhood. Dennis has lived large and now he doesn't. He's okay with that. In his 50s, he is actively learning to live with less. Dennis talks about the energy intrinsic in all things and has purged his life of the unnecessary and the negative and embraced the essential and the positive. He and his lovely Whippet, Shanti, occupy the bedroom, above, and a small sitting room with two chairs and a loveseat. He shares the kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities with the homeowner but restricts his "living" to his own quarters in the attic.
Full post and comments...Africa on Queen
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Kiondo, a Toronto gallery specializing in African art and decor items isn't exactly new but with no storefront signage, the shop has been flying a little under the radar. Business owner Chris Johnson has been importing crafts and art from Africa — mostly from around the Guinea Coast — since 1988, selling privately to dealers and designers before opening Kiondo in 2009. A painter and illustrator, he's something of an accidental retailer having fallen into the business by happenstance. Johnson shares the shop at 323 Queen Street East (416.533.9959) with his wife, jewelry designer Laura Serrafero (Eles Designs).
Full post and comments...
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