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Tag Archive | "Toronto"

Hardware: Inside and Out

Friday, January 20, 2012

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It's been awhile since a shop window screamed out at me to be featured in Window Dressing but the current display at Toronto's Hardware Interiors (760 Queen Street East, 416.462.3099) has editorial written all over it. Symmetry, scale, surprise, this window by shop owners Murray Duncan and Jordan Tabachnik has it all. The fierce, head-turning mask at the centre of the vignette is from a private collection being sold on consignment. It's not the sort of thing Hardware usually deals in but the shop's clientele is apparently eating it up. The Congolese Kuba Royal Mask in the window is priced at $950, the figure eight lamps are $385 each and the salvaged-wood display console is $2,100.

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CB2 Unwraps Toronto

Sunday, January 15, 2012

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It's been under wraps for months but the two year-long renovation of the former Big Bop building at the corner of Toronto's Queen and Bathurst streets is nearly complete; this week the hustings started coming down on what will soon be furniture retailer CB2's first international location. Owned by U.S. chain Crate & Barrel, CB2's focus is on "affordable modern" home furnishings and accessories. The store opens next Saturday (January 21) following a much-anticipated press preview on Friday evening. The renovation has turned an architectural eyesore back into the graceful swan it once was. Built in the 1800s as an army barracks, the structure had many incarnations including time as a masonic temple and a United Cigar store, below in 1928. A fire destroyed the top floor and mansard roof, which were never rebuilt. At least the current reno returns the handsome red and cream brick exterior to its original grandeur.

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Awesome Lighting at Philz

Friday, January 6, 2012

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I didn't ask Philz proprietor Cynthia Markowitz whether this fab pendant light fell off a truck but it's the only explanation for the jaw-droppingly low price. Featuring 10 sleek black ball lights the pendant is priced at just $350. That's right, $350! I would buy it myself for a future client but if I did that every time I came across a great deal I'd be drowning in stuff. And so I pass it on to you, dear readers. If you've got the ceiling height you will never, EVER find a better deal on a fixture so sexy.

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Welcome 2012!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

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How sweet it is to be greeting the new year in my new home. Never mind the chaos of clutter and boxes lurking at the edges of the frame below, I'll get to that soon enough. The important thing is that my move went off with nary a hitch on Friday thanks to the amazing Tome brothers, John and Joe who I've used for my past five moves. Lightning fast, the Tomes and their two young assistants showed up at 7:30 am and were on their way to their next job at 11:15 am. If you're in the Toronto area and you need a mover I cannot recommend these guys more highly -- totally reliable, totally professional (416.802.8266).

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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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