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Tag Archive | "Dining"

Dear styleNorth . . . A Custom Opportunity

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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StyleNorth reader Rob wrote to me for advice on how best to sell his enormous custom dining table, which was made by Toronto's Cabinet and is still in mint condition. Rob and his partner will soon be moving into smaller digs which can't accommodate a 15-foot table that comfortably seats 18 when the two leaves (18" each) are in place. He was considering consigning the piece although I think he'll take too big a bath on it that way; consignment shops typically take about 50 per cent on a piece that will already be significantly marked down. And the trouble with Craiglist/Kijiji is that the people who shop on those sites don't usually live in homes that can handle a piece of furniture this big.

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Cool Kitchen Set

Thursday, June 23, 2011

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Bungalow in Toronto's Kensington Market often has terrific pieces in its window and this week is no exception; on Tuesday I caught the display team installing this awesome kitchen set, which the store buyer could only tell me was originally purchased from Scandia in the 1970s. The six-seater set is in mint condition and is priced at $795, which seems eminently fair to me. Just look at that curvaceous corner, you could pull the pie-shaped seat out and use it as an occasional chair in another room.

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Dynamite Dinette Sets

Sunday, January 9, 2011

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I've come across a trio of well-priced, retro dinette sets recently that I thought I'd share with you. As much as the idea of a dinette set seems old hat, I think good sets like these are poised for a comeback since they're perfect for today's small condos. Okay, they're not elegant dining suites, but how many people with one-bedroom apartments ever serve dinner for more than four? Tea for two is probably more like it. Hence the practicality of a table in the 36" - 42" size range. My favorite of the bunch is this set at Toronto consignment shop Anything Goes in Cumberland Terrace. OMG, how I love those adorable, yellow flower seats (or are they four-leaf clovers?)! The set is Italian and the seats are beautifully stitched leather, not vinyl or naughahyde; the legs have charming little ball feet and the ultra-simplified backs with their single post and curving rests are the essence of modernism.

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Refinishing 101: Trial By Fire

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

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In October 2009, I blogged about cleaning up this mahogany Duncan Phyfe table, which turned out to be so badly damaged it required refinishing, at least the top needed refinishing. Having never tackled such a major project before, I was reluctant. But since I got the table on Craigslist for the give-away price of $40 I thought, what the heck, if I ruin it I'm out 40 bucks but I will have gained invaluable experience. Prior to taking on the project I had the pleasure of meeting Angie Martzoukos, co-proprietor of Montreal antique shop Ambiance Eclektic (762 Rue Atwater), who showed me a few of the pieces she rehabilitated and offered to provide advice should I ever require it. Well, I took her up on her offer before tackling my Duncan Phyfe . . .

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Calligaris Comes to King

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

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I was like a kid in a candy shop this week as I toured the brand new Calligaris Toronto store (170 King Street East), and not just because so much of the furniture is candy coloured. Lots of home decor retailers claim to be in the sweet spot between high- and low-end but Calligaris is the real deal, beautifully designed Italian furnishings that aren't disposable but won't break the bank either. Yes, you might need to save up a little to buy some of the pricier items but most of this stuff is actually within reach price-wise.

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