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Tag Archive | "Traditional"

Upmarket in a Small Town

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

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When I was in Northumberland County to tour Sheree and Clive's colourful country place, I stopped into nearby Warkworth where I was surprised to find the recently opened Toyls of Labur, a very downtown sort of emporium specializing in "goods manufactured by longstanding firms." The store's merchandise is united by quality and tradition rather than by utility; at Toyls of Labur you'll find everything from vases and cushions to housewares, grooming tools and fashion accessories. All the goods come from firms that have been in business for at least three generations.

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Discovery Sales Make A Comeback

Monday, April 18, 2011

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The Ritchies Discovery Sales were a Toronto tradition for years before the auctioneer's sad demise in 2009. Always held on a Tuesday, the monthly sales played mostly to dealers since the rest of us were busy toiling at our day jobs. Well, auction newcomer A.H. Wilkens (299 Queen Street East, 416.360.7600) is reviving the Discovery tradition although they're not using that name. The sales have been running Tuesdays with previews the afternoon and evening before, which means that if something on the website interests you, you can drop by on your lunch hour or on your way home from the office to scope out the goods. This week's sale features some particularly fine furnishings and decorative pieces, albeit mostly of the traditional ilk.

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Decorating Detectives

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

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You and I would tour Spadina Museum and not have a clue (or a care) that this wallpaper or that drapery wasn’t absolutely accurate but the project’s chief curators, Karen Edwards and Neil Brochu, take authenticity very, very seriously. Spadina reopened to the public last month after a nearly year-long restoration that took the grand old mansion back to its glory days in the 1920s and '30s. From now until the end of November special tours of the house are being offered that examine the enormous challenge of recreating rooms like the library, below, featuring this digitally reproduced wallpaper.

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Spadina: Historic House Reborn

Saturday, October 23, 2010

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Toronto's Spadina Museum re-opens to the public tomorrow (Sunday) after a year-long restoration that has taken the house back to its 1920s glory. Costumed docents will be on hand to lead free tours from 1 - 4 pm as part of the grand unveiling. I had the privilege of touring the house earlier this week and was amazed at how refreshed it all felt with new wallpapers, draperies, flooring, fabrics, etc. Much earlier in the year, museum conservator Neil Brochu took me behind the scenes to talk about the complex restoration process, a story I'll have for you tomorrow, but in the meantime I wanted to give you a heads up about Sunday's reopening. You can see the house as it was in my house tour from 2009.

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Library: The Saint Laurent & Bergé Legacy

Sunday, July 25, 2010

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I would NEVER pay $123.50 for a shelter book, which is why I'm only now getting to The Private World of Yves Saint Laurent & Pierre Bergé (Vendome Press). I have coveted this title since first seeing it late last year, but only recently did it find its way to my favorite book reseller, Toronto's BMV, where I scooped up a copy for $49. I have yet to find a discounted edition of the Christie's hardcover catalogue from "the sale of the century," The Yves Saint Laurent Pierre Bergé Collection, but a friend has kindly loaned me his copy so I could blog about it here.

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