RSS

Tag Archive | "Contemporary"

Karen J’s Big Ambition

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

3 Comments

I've been stopping by the Mosaicworks blog ever since I discovered Karen Johnston's wonderful work back in 2008 and when I saw her latest post I just knew I had to pick it up. Karen usually crafts her beautiful mosaic mirrors in her basement studio but her latest project, the biggest piece she has tackled to date, could only be done in her dining room. Karen's beautiful, time-consuming pieces aren't cheap so I shudder to think what this custom monster would have cost; at least we know the buyer has money and taste, a rare combination.

Full post and comments...

Bev Hisey Studio Sale This Weekend

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

2 Comments

With a storefront facing Trinity Bellwoods Park not far from Ossington Avenue, Toronto textile designer Bev Hisey doesn't need to do the One of a Kind Show (on now until December 4 at Direct Energy Centre), she just has to throw open her door. And that's exactly what she's doing this weekend with her annual Studio Sale (Saturday 11 am - 6 pm and Sunday 12 - 5 pm). Featuring cut rate prices on some of her most popular designs Bev all but promises you won't walk away empty handed. I'll be there for sure, hopefully ahead of you in line for the best stuff. Foundstyle is teaming up with Bev to do a mini pop-up store of vintage treasures just to keep things extra interesting.

Full post and comments...

Town and Country on Dupont

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

2 Comments

Last week on The Grid I covered the launch of Peaks & Rafters, a hot new spot on Toronto's burgeoning Dupont Street décor strip. The brainchild of interior designer Margot Bell, P&R has been catering to the upscale tastes of Port Carling in the heart of Muskoka for nearly 20 years and has now extended its reach into the city under the friendly, able oversight of Bell’s daughter Katelyn Jarrett.

Full post and comments...

Reclaimed Zen

Monday, November 7, 2011

2 Comments

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...

Begged, Borrowed and Staged

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

21 Comments

When home stager Dennis Battler showed me photos of his most recent project, a small semi in Toronto's Riverside neighbourhood, I was instantly struck by how much personality he had injected into the spaces. His blend of vintage furnishings from different eras mixed with industrial and rustic pieces revealed a very definite point of view that runs counter to everything you see on TV staging shows where the mantra is always, "neutralize, depersonalize and de-clutter." The house had been neglected and fallen into disrepair but Dennis and the real estate agent rallied friends and neighbours who pitched in to strip and clean the property. Furniture was then borrowed or purchased for as little as possible on Craigslist — the set of dining chairs were sourced for just $50 — and thrift stores. Dennis blended the wall colour himself from paint store mis-tints.

Full post and comments...
« Previous Entries
Next Entries »