Table of contents for Summer 2017: The Annual Shopping Guide in DESIGNLINES

1 LIFE OF LEISURE Whether in an ocean-side villa or condo sunroom, Sika Design’s Fox armchair is a natural spot to soak up some rays. Danish architect Viggo Boesen’s classic 1936 design shapes rattan into sweeping organic curves. $1350, AT STYLEGARAGE, 78 OSSINGTON AVE STYLEGARAGE.COM 2 GOOD VIBRATIONS Italy’s Miniforms updates the gramophone with this whimsical lacquered-wood music cabinet. Set your surfer bobblehead collection on top and blast Beach Boys hits through the ceramic Bluetooth speaker. $4600, AT SUITE 22 INTERIORS, 429 RICHMOND ST E SUITE22.CA 3 GREEN WALL Banana leaves are layered atop one another in this lush watercolour wallcovering from Spain’s Coordonné. The pattern is digitally printed on non-woven, U/V-resistant paper. $130/ROLL, AT NEWWALL, 363 ADELAIDE ST E NEWWALL.COM 4 KEEP HYDRATED Umbra Shift’s Deuce watering can in…

Epoque by Antonio Lupi Those prone to sipping rosé in the bathtub are sure to develop a crush on this soft pink soaker. Its delicate, sunset-esque shade belies its extreme heft – the tapered 460-kilogram beauty is chiselled from a single block of chalky Pietra Amazzone stone. Its curves create an alluring silhouette, while the basin's wide rim provides a place to set that wine glass as you're working through steamy romance novels. CALL FOR PRICING, AT ERNESTOMEDA, 354 DAVENPORT RD, STE G1 ERNESTOMEDA.COM O Faucet by THG For bling lovers whose hands are always decked in an array of splendid jewels, here's a luxe made-in-France faucet operated by a rose gold ring. The subtle dip of its spout adds to its twee personality. $3525, AT GINGER'S, 95 RONALD AVE…

1. Casalife Head to Liberty Village for sustainably made condo-scale furniture with panache. The 1,395 square metres of living, dining and bedroom vignettes are artfully accented with bold lighting and lush area rugs. While the shop’s coup-de-coeur has long been sleeper sofas like American Leather’s Milo and Versa models, shoppers will be tempted by multipurpose pieces that cater to every space and style, including Skovby’s SM30 High Rise Table that changes height with the push of a button. 170-171 EAST LIBERTY ST 416 922 2785 MON & TUE 10-6, WED 10-8, THU-SAT 10-6, SUN 11-5 (ALSO: 2532 YONGE ST 416 922 2785; 350 EVANS AVE 416 922 2785) CASALIFE.COM 2. Fisker International Headed by owners with a growing design-build business (they outfitted the Globe and Mail’s new digs), this contemporary…

1. Advice from a Caterpillar Owner Susan Dyer and her daughters Elizabeth and Emily keep this enchanting Rosedale store well-stocked with decor treats for tots and parents by sourcing stylish finds from around the world. &K Amsterdam’s brilliant copper cooler keeps the champagne chilled when it comes time to welcome your new arrival; meanwhile, smarten up the little one’s bedroom with rattan chairs from Danish housewares brand Bloomingville, as well as Egmont’s whimsical animal-shaped lamps. Huzi’s understated building-block spaceship is one toy you’ll want to keep on display. 8 PRICE ST 416 960 2223 MON-SAT 10-6 ADVICEFROMACATERPILLAR.CA 2. Are & Be Merike Bauer’s Annex shop stocks wallpaper and floor coverings otherwise impossible to find in the city, including German manufacturer Object Carpet’s new Rugxstyle collection of incredibly thin, industrial-grade area…

Rebel, Jester, Mystic, Poet: Contemporary Persians To Jun 4 Art can offer a way to make sense of the senseless. United by “self-expression over silence,” 23 contemporary Persian artists contribute reflective, spirited and even cheeky paintings, sculptures and installations responding to the climate in Iran and how Iranians are perceived. An exhibition standout by Farhad Moshiri riffs on fabled magic rugs by stacking together 32 Persian carpets and, nearby, their airplane-shaped cut-outs. $20, AGA KHAN MUSEUM, 77 WYNFORD DR AGAKHANMUSEUM.ORG Where is the Critical Voice in Architecture Today? Apr 7 The media loves starchitects and splashy, daring designs. But is the tendency to reward buzz-y structures that photograph well negatively impacting thoughtful, engaged critique of the built form? Architecture professors Kenneth Frampton, Craig Buckley and Keller Easterling speak on the…

The Missing Piece Our pavement-pounding, store-listing pros share the designs of their dreams “An Eero Aarnio Bubble Chair” Who are you? Stephanie Galt What have you done for us lately? I visited Queen West to write about what’s new and exciting in stores along that strip. Lucky for me, I also got to play ball with the owner’s dog at Trends & Trades and, at Quasi Modo, discover first-hand just how comfortable a Saarinen Womb Chair really is. If you could live in any of the stores you visited, which one would you choose? VdeV on Ossington Avenue (p. 90). It offers the perfect mix of styles: vintage yet contemporary, glamorous yet laid-back. “One of Mellah’s Moroccan rugs” Who are you? Jeremy Freed What have you done for us lately?…

Inspired by spa-like hotel rooms, architect Darcie Watson converted the western end of her Edwardian's third floor into a seamless bed/bathroom. The resulting 68-square metre suite is open-concept without being overwhelming – thanks in large part to its central focal point: a dark and dramatic partition clad in marble (from Ciot). This visually divides the sleeping quarters from the wet rooms, and its three-sided Montigo fireplace cozies up both ends, from bed to the podium-propped soaker from Ginger's. At this end of the room, a floating vanity is sandwiched between two white oak-framed portals; one leads out to the hallway, the other to a walk-in closet and laundry room with 5-metres of white Komandor cabinetry. By concealing two structural columns in the partition, Watson raised the space's roof to accentuate…

1. Augustus Jones Drawing its name from a 19th century Upper Canadian land surveyor, Augustus Jones specializes in bringing stunning European furnishings for living, dining and office to the New World, including hard-to-find pieces from Prostoria. An incomparable selection from Enne includes Christophe Pillet’s colourful Ilia table, made from Turkish glass, and Icy-A, a geometric coffee table combining wood and brass. Other standouts are Casagrande Rattan’s modern riff on Parisian bistro chairs and the minimalist beauty of Ton’s Beech 002 chair. 33 DAVIES AVE 416 360 1788 MON-FRI 10-6, SAT 11-4 AUGUSTUSJONES.COM 2. Avenue Road Avenue Road’s renovated 1907 industrial building is the perfect backdrop for a selection of exclusive luxe furniture and accessory lines. Housed in AR’s soaring showroom are iconic Brazilian chairs from Oscar Niemeyer and Jorge Zalszupin,…

1. Atomic Design Owner Lawrence Blairs recently expanded his collection of refurbished 1950s and ‘60s originals – from the likes of the Eameses, Verner Panton and Pierre Paulin – to include post-modernist designs from the ‘70s and early ‘80s. There are also plenty of smaller items; among AD’s decor accents are hand-blown Murano glass table lamps, ‘60s neon art and a selection of Scandinavian and Italian glassware, while the unique jewellery options include geometric beauties from Alysha Alex. 965 QUEEN ST W 416 912 2358 MON & TUE BY APPT, WED-SAT 12-6, SUN 12-5 ATOMICDESIGN.CA 2. Average The brainchild of graphic designer Chris Hanz is a concept store that is an ode to functionalist sensibilities, specializing in high-quality desk supplies and housewares with a stripped-down aesthetic and clear purpose –…

1. 18 Watt Designers of high-end residential, commercial and hospitality spaces flock to 18 Watt to access exclusive continental furniture and lighting for their clients. The no-nonsense showroom packs in scores of examples of avant-garde Spanish seating from Beltá and CasaDesús. The Spanish influence continues with poufs, benches and poolside furniture designed by Ross Lovegrove, Javier Mariscal and Karim Rashid for Valencian manufacturer Vondom. Sweden’s Johanson morphs its sound-deadening pressed felt into acoustic wall panels and stackable chairs. Serpentine chandeliers and candelabras fashioned by master Murano glassmaker Andromeda are sublime eye-catchers. 834 CALEDONIA RD 416 787 1818 MON-FRI 9-5, SAT 10-5 BY APPT ONLY 18-WATT.COM 2. Allan Rug Company There are flooring options galore across this showroom, which houses a versatile selection of contemporary and traditional styles. Ninetyone- year-old founder…

1 TURNING HEADS WEST Mississauga’s curvaceous Absolute World towers were just the beginning of a sprawling city’s rise. The next phase of its makeover is a mega-project that will transform 15 acres into a mixed-use community of condos, retail and parkland. Owned by Rogers Real Estate Development, the 10-tower project will be anchored by a 60-storey skyscraper designed by CORE Architects. The striking landmark’s seven floor plates skew in various directions, adding a twisty landmark to a shape-shifting city. MCITYCONDOS.COM 2 MAKE AN EXIT They are not the destination, nor are they part of a typical transit journey. But TTC emergency exit buildings serve an important function, allowing subway riders to quickly reach ground level between stations. Six new ones built as part of the York-Spadina line extension ditch the…

1 LOCK STAR Secure your steed. Neil Barron’s Kickstarter success story wraps easily around bike rings, and weighs in at only 1.1 kilograms. Best of all, the bright band’s Boaflexicore material withstands cable cutters and hacksaws. $140, LITELOK.COM 2 CAROL OF THE BELL The Australian audio gurus at Knog engineered this ring-shaped acoustical wonder to produce a pleasant yet commanding “ding.” Choose from brass, copper, silver or black finishes, as well as two sizes. $25, AT FIX COFFEE + BIKES, 80 GLADSTONE AVE FIXCB.CA 3 CAMO CARGO Look fresh in the concrete jungle with Yknot’s locally made Neo knapsack. Its magnetic snap enclosure clips shut in a cinch, while a water-resistant front compartment keeps post-ride ice-cream cash dry during surprise showers. $230, AT YNOT, 831 QUEEN ST W YKNOTMADE.COM 4…

1. Akroyd Furniture Visitors will find a range of bespoke mod furnishings in walnut, cherry, white oak and maple – all sourced from regional woodlots and crafted on site. Highlights include media cabinets with slatted doors, as well as platform beds that boast cantilevered side tables and slide-out storage drawers. A set of wood-frame dining chairs in black walnut or solid cherry are the perfect complement to AF’s signature dining tables, while skillfully turned salad bowls make for great gifts. 15 CASE GOODS LN, STUDIOS #101 & #102 416 367 5757 WED-SUN 12-5 OR BY APPT AKROYDFURNITURE.CA 2. Alumilex This custom window and door studio can deliver everything from oversized patio doors to tilt-and-turn windows. Endless options allow for one-of-a-kind combinations; the aluminum fenestration systems are available in an infinite…

1. Appliance Love What owner Marco Tallarico loves the most are high-end built-in appliances from top brands, and he puts a special emphasis on environmentally friendly features. His latest finds include professional-grade gas ranges from California’s Caliber Appliances, whose sealed burners are good for an astounding 25,000 BTUs. Other standouts are outdoor grills from Germany’s Grillson that burn ultra-efficient wood pellets for fuel, and which double as smokers and pizza ovens. Also covetable is Miele’s Professional dishwasher, which can cut through a load in less than 30 minutes. 950 DUPONT ST 416 516 9500 MON-SAT 10-6 (ALSO: 1024 DUNDAS ST E, MISSISSAUGA 905 306 1020) APPLIANCELOVE.COM 2. Black Pug Dmk/Konoya Tokyo-born interior designer Daisuke Kono is behind some of this city’s coolest bars, and many of his clean-lined custom furnishings…

Off the Beaten Path Bedford Park Royal Lighting If you’re looking for lighting options for any kind of living space, you’ve found the right showroom. About 100 new items arrive each month, from necessities like Legrand’s modern switchplates to discreet, dimmable pot lights from Sirius – not to mention LED strips and bulbs of all sorts. There are larger, statementmaking fixtures here as well: 15-bulb chandeliers; large drum-style luminaires; pendants and outdoor lights from Elan Canada and Kichler; and ceiling fans from Casablanca, Kendal Lighting and Monte Carlo. 1549 AVENUE RD 416 782 1129 MON-THU 9:30-9, FRI & SAT 9:30-6, SUN 12-5 ROYALLIGHTING.COM College & Yonge Alleens Located at College Park, Alleens is packed with window treatments for every need and budget. Choose from hundreds of curtain textiles by Robert…