Table of contents for Issue 3, 2021: Organizing it All, From the Ground Up in DESIGNLINES

At our house, we’ve been puttering almost nonstop – rearranging every little thing. Not renovation, but reinvention: painting lampshades, sewing tassels, turning old into new. Lines blending as our relationship to the world inside and out has shifted. Fall (that old bell toll) is the ideal time for renewal. In this issue, we explore homes that were beautifully overhauled to work better for their people: a gritty loft is reborn with elegance and reams of storage, a grand dame gets a modern facelift, and a cool little house is unified with graphic appeal. What we noticed in putting this one together was a movement toward the familiar – with ‘70s influences, an homage to humble and natural materials, and some not-so-subtle winks at tradition. It’s no coincidence we are all…

I want to live in Naama Blonder’s Toronto. The architect, urban designer and co-founder of Smart Density celebrates an intimate metropolis of neighbourhoods, punctuated by eclectic streets of small, independent shops. This is a vision of the future we need here. Unfortunately, these settings are typically at odds with new development. Consider, for example, the downtown stretch of Yonge Street between Bloor and College, where towers are replacing low-rise stretches of storefronts and second-storey apartments. While new housing — and lots of it — is essential to a growing city, these soaring edifices erase much of the city’s commercial and cultural character. Mid-rises aren’t much different, often replacing full blocks for a single project. Enter the Mini Mid-rise. A bold yet contextually sensitive addition to Toronto’s housing toolkit, the Mini…

Anazao Inc. Anazao designs, builds and installs fine custom wood furniture and decor, as well as architectural millwork and handcrafted steel. Homeowners and designers will find contemporary bespoke beds, dining tables, vanities and dressers made from single slabs of walnut alongside barn doors with forged steel handles and brackets. Enviable projects include a sleek hydraulic sit–stand desk, sliding doors in an oak herringbone pattern and benches of grouped hexagonal storage modules. 10 JUTLAND RD, ETOBICOKE 647 792 7855 BY APPT ONLY ANAZAOINC.CA Andreu World Wood is at the heart of this Spanish manufacturer’s 65-year-long reign producing quality chairs and tables for residential, contract and hospitality use (indoors and out). And just to be clear, we’re talking about premium FSC-certified wood transformed by hand into award-winning products. Showstoppers include Patricia Urquiola’s…

Bay Bloor Radio A long-standing institution, BBR is a centre for sight and sound from the world’s leading brands. Drawing on the best TVs from Sony and Samsung, high-fidelity sound options in a range of price points and a topnotch selection of headphones and turntables, BBR’s custom design department will advise you on all your AV installation needs. Standouts include Samsung’s atypical The Frame television, invisible speakers from Bowers & Wilkins and media consoles from BDI. MANULIFE CENTRE, 55 BLOOR ST W 416 967 1122 BAYBLOORRADIO.COM Great Metropolitan Sound The services on offer at this audiovisual design and installation hub include lighting, shade- and climate-control automation and computer networking. Integrating the latest from RTI, Crestron, Sonos, NAD, Bluesound and Marantz, the team installs multi-room music systems and surround-sound home theatres,…

The Adelaide Project Here’s something a little different: innovative luminaires in a lovingly restored and fully furnished heritage home where consumers and industry pros alike can explore functional vignettes of architectural and decorative lighting. Good ideas abound: Nod suspension lights by XAL in the bedroom create a variety of moods thanks to a rotatable head and changeable height; in the living room, the fabric diffuser of the celestial Manto suspension lamp by Axolight provides the perfect balance of illumination and ambiance. 509 ADELAIDE ST W 416 538 6548 BY APPT ONLY THEADELAIDEPROJECT.COM AM Studio AM’s versatile custom lighting studio is home to intricate and imaginative fixtures handmade in Toronto. The gallery is aglow with Swarovski crystal, metal and glass fused, blown and drawn into dramatic sculptural forms. Find shapely porcelain…

JF & Co. This trade-only showroom specializes in fabric and drapery from such high-end brands as MissoniHome, Scalamandré, Ashley Wilde, Pindler and Maxwell, as well as its own in-house collection. JF&C’s equally impressive wallcovering collection features sumptuous silks, grasscloth, paper weaves, cork, screen-printed novelties and digital prints that are sure to enliven any room. A sweeping drapery hardware line and decorative tapes, tassels and trims for those finishing touches are also available here. 326 DAVENPORT RD 416 238 5254 JFANDCO.CA Kate Thornley-Hall Collaborating with artists, local designer KTH transforms their work into home furnishings, wallpapers, decorative flatweaves and custom handwoven wool and silk rugs, or what we call “art you can walk on.” Patterns include butterflies and bees, playful birds, peacock feathers and decorative florals. A new partnership with design…

Century Architexture Loft living without the cost and hassle of bricklaying: CA’s seven-millimetre-thick pre-engineered brick veneer wall panels affix to a mesh backing, making them a cinch to install. Locally hand-cast from gypsum to replicate the look and feel of century-old reclaimed brick, they’re incredibly convincing. The showroom’s own backsplashes, bathroom walls and media room exemplify a variety of uses for the manufacturedon-site panels. 1401 THE QUEENSWAY, UNITS # 5 & #6, ETOBICOKE 416 503 3889 CENTURYARCHITEXTURE.COM Farrow & Ball Britain’s F&B offers a medley of handcrafted wallpapers showcasing the rich pigments it is best known for, as well as an expansive selection of paints ranging from contemporary neutrals to heritage tones. Chromologists will relish the latest hues from F&B’s collaboration with London’s Natural History Museum. Covetable metallic-print wallpapers with…

Büro Klaus Klaus, the famous showroom run by Klaus Nienkämper, has reinvented itself. Büro Klaus carries contemporary and classic designs by such esteemed manufacturers as Lambert & Fils, e15, COR, Fredericia and &Tradition, as well as an in-house line that includes both reinterpretations of Nienkämper classics – iconic Canadian-made office furniture – and new furnishings developed in collaboration with renowned designers. The underlying theme is enduring furniture so beautiful that it serves equally well for residential or contract use. 296 KING ST E 416 362 3434 BUROKLAUS.COM Haworth Haworth’s affinity for the “resimercial” (commercial–home hybrid) model defines its showroom. Discover adaptability with pops of colour and texture in their dashing task chairs, desk sets and storage options, courtesy of design stars Marcel Wanders, Jasper Morrison and Patricia Urquiola. Find that…

Have you ever looked at a work of art and been reminded of a moment in time? If not, might we recommend peeking at the newest collection from Jeff Goodman Studio, Telescope? Designed by executive and creative director Sylvia Lee, Chroma glass – a flagship product of the studio – is carefully cut into a circle and, with steel bases and brass frames, fashioned into nesting tables and wallmounted decor. Lee explains that the pieces are inspired by memory. “What was once a clear picture,” she says, “becomes worn and fragmented and turns into something different. Every circle is a moment captured as if looked at through a telescope.” Lee wants viewers to take the time to peer into the glass landscapes, to see if they call up any recollections.…

From vintage looks to natural vibes, the best new styles all offer something familiar…

When Les, a tech entrepreneur, and his girlfriend, Alex, an artist and talent agent, hired interior designer Suzanne Dimma to renovate their Leslieville loft, they told her they wanted to clean up the unit without making it cushy. “We still wanted it to feel like a warehouse,” says Les. Dimma toured the original home and concluded that it was “a bit of a mishmash.” The rooms lacked clear demarcations, the pipes were painted garish colours, and to the right of the entrance was an unsightly staircase with grey particle-board guards. Dimma realized she had two challenges: to impose a sense of order while keeping things open, and to add texture within a streamlined palette. First, with the help of architect Barry Goldman, she redid the staircase with oak treads and…

313 Design Market Brothers Chris and Mark Siemicki agree: “Home is where the heart is.” The two opened 313 in their childhood abode to house their shared passion: fun and playful design-forward objects by cool international brands. Home accessories from Dusen Dusen, MoMA, Poketo and Areaware happily mingle with throws and pillows by David Fussenegger. Also: watch for installations, pop-up markets, design-related talks and workshops in this space. 313 RONCESVALLES AVE 416 537 2220 313DESIGNMARKET.COM Average Average is a collection of contemporary and classic home objects designed for everyday life. The revolving QW showroom’s founders hand-pick unique pieces from Japanese and European design houses. Find practical yet stylish counter and bar stools, as well as coat hooks in powder-coated steel from Menu and, from Valerie Objects, multicoloured dining chairs and…

Advice from a Caterpillar This Yorkville lifestyle boutique caters to the design-loving parent and child. Personalize your nursery with blankets from Autumn Paris, seagrass changing baskets from Olli Ella and beautiful rattan doll furniture from Bonton. Lovely home decor abounds: Astier de Villatte’s ceramic incense holders and candlesticks, Iris Hantverk’s eco-friendly toothand hairbrushes, Mifuko’s woven baskets and plenty of stay-cozy clothes. 41 HAZELTON AVE 416 960 2223 ADVICEFROMACATERPILLAR.CA BB Buggy Find everything that stylish soon-to-be parents want and little ones need at BBB, including rockers and bassinets, beds, bookshelves and changing tables. Canadian-made Natart cribs with matching dressers and handcrafted Dutailier gliders will add warmth to any nursery. Sleep sacks, organic loungers and Leander’s foam Matty changers make for chic baby-shower gifts. The Bugaboo play yard unfolds in seconds for…

ARD Outdoor Transforming your backyard or balcony into a resortinspired retreat? ARD Outdoor has all the upscale patio furnishings and accessories you’ll need, including futuristic European line Vondom. Seating abounds in colourful Sunbrella fabrics – sectionals, loveseats, accent chairs and canopied daybeds. Cantilevered umbrellas and Tuuci parasols pair with dining tables in teak, resin and powder-coated aluminum. Maximize your nighttime downtime with a Dekko concrete firepit and ambiance lighting. 3019 DUFFERIN ST 416 551 6055 ARDOUTDOOR.COM Casualife Outdoor Living If you are seeking furniture for outdoor entertainment spaces, exterior family rooms and private oases, Casualife’s on-staff designers will navigate you through wares made from teak, aluminum and woven resin. Look for luxe daybeds, loungers with sunshades, and poufs that perform triple-duty as side tables, footstools and seating. Create ambiance with…

Atomic Design Lawrence Blairs’s compact boutique presents a tightly curated, high-end collection of authentic vintage art and design restored to glory. Current exceptional offerings include Hans Wegner’s iconic black leather Wing chair, Tobia Scarpa’s architectural coffee table and a pair of Victor Vasarely black and white Cinetique serigraphs. AD’s smaller decor accents also delight: sculptural modernist lighting, abstract neon and a vibrant selection of Scandinavian and Italian art glass. 955 QUEEN ST W 416 912 2358 ATOMICDESIGN.CA Bungalow Aficionados of mid-century Scandinavian furniture and accents make Bungalow in Kensington Market a regular stop, thanks to its rotating collection of impeccably maintained and refurbished vintage dining sets, modular wall units and occasional chairs from Domino, Dyrlund, Herman Miller, Vejle Stole and Niels Koefoed. Art glass from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s…

1925Workbench A true love of craft – for solid wood and traditional techniques – is on full display at 1925, with its studio in the front, workshop in the back. And the specialty: handcrafted solid wooden doors and furniture, panel and glass doors, and hand-welded metal. Highlights include patented single-track bypass barn-door hardware (made in Canada), walnut slab doors with transom-like cut-outs and nearly five-metre-tall rolling or hook ladders. 198 30TH ST, ETOBICOKE 416 878 1869 BY APPT ONLY 1925WORKBENCH.COM ADH Fine Hardware ADH offers tried-and-true solutions – in traditional and contemporary styles – from Baldwin, Emtek and Rocky Mountain. Unlock your creative side with stylish jewelled knobs by Matthew Studios, leather loop straps by Scrim or custom forged bronze handles by Hamilton Sinkler. Or go the minimalist route: tiny…

Out on the ice in the late ‘60s, Gerry Cheevers looked terrifying. Though aggressive, the Boston Bruins goaltender wasn’t particularly imposing, nor was he a “goon.” But his mask was the stuff of nightmares. Exaggerated black “stitches” criss-crossed the stark white surface – one for each time he was struck in the face by a puck – giving him an air of the supernatural. Goalies have decorated their masks ever since, incorporating everything from royal iconography to Led Zeppelin lyrics. Always, though, there’s been a bit of theatricality. But no goalie masks are quite like Lubo Brezina’s. Carved out of basswood, Brezina’s masks are vivid, expressive and otherworldly, each one a small piece of drama in its own right – which is appropriate given his other inspiration, Japanese Noh theatre.…

Design has a domino effect. The owners of this handsome Georgian home – a couple with three daughters – hired Toronto’s Wayback Architects after admiring its work on a neighbour’s kitchen and bath. The ask? Carve out two extra bedrooms and renovate the kitchen. Soon, the first proverbial domino tipped, and the project grew to include a complete attic renovation, a sculptural central staircase and a reimagining of the main floor. Taking cues from the home’s original library – a rich, oak-wrapped room with a fireplace – the team developed a look for the home that Wayback partner Jordan Winters describes as “crafted modern,” an aesthetic marked by clean, continuous lines with elegant details that impart warmth. Those details include oak-outlined thresholds, integrated closets with oak strips that act as…

Allan Rug Company ARC’s newly renovated 1,263-square-metre showroom boasts a staggering selection of versatile flooring solutions suited to home and office environments. This long-standing family-owned business – one of Toronto’s largest carpet and flooring showrooms – carries Missoni, Nourison, Stanton, Karastan, Bloomsburg and many more. Also at ARC: custom and hand-knotted rugs in modern and traditional designs. Cork, laminate and extra-wide hardwood and vinyl planks from Lauzon and Fuzion Flooring round out the selection. 103 MIRANDA AVE 416 787 1707 ALLANRUG.COM Amala Carpets For their local, designed-in-house artisanal rugs, Amala uses Nepalese wool and Thai silk. The six-generation family business works directly with the craftspeople who harvest and weave creations using sustainable methods and vegetable-based dyes. Find exquisite transitional and contemporary designs in hand-trimmed Himalayan sheep’s wool and shimmering hand-reeled…