3 Spots to Score One-of-a-Kind Designs This Weekend
Industry info, fresh from our inbox. Here are three upcoming events that should be on every design-lover’s radar
Shown above: Moooi‘s Altdeutsche chest, featured in Design Exchange’s upcoming Design Auction.
Toronto Designers Market
A new initiative from the organizers of Parkdale Flea, this Queen West storefront lets emerging designers set up shop without breaking the bank. So far, an eclectic mix of vendors have jumped at the opportunity to rent a booth – meaning shoppers will find everything from beard combs to geometric-patterned activewear. We especially love the market’s selection of offbeat lighting options. Two favourites: a star-shaped, marquee-style wall lamp made from up-cycled car scraps by metalworker Adam Fullerton, and sculptor Il Cek‘s Eureka light, which mounts a bulb into the top of a concrete bust. (Talk about a bright idea.) On the furniture front, Vintage 30’s retro trunks, tables and chairs are great options for new homeowners seeking pieces with old character. Opens May 31, 1605 Queen St W
DX Design Auction
Design lovers will find plenty to swoon over at this live auction, which includes objects donated by industry personalities, furniture and accessories sourced from top Toronto showrooms, and experiential packages, like a two night stay at Newfoundland’s Fogo Island Inn. Lots range in value from $20 to $20,000, with all money raised benefiting Design Exchange. One piece definitely worth raising your paddle for: the vintage Russell Spanner lounge chair shown above, donated from the personal collection of designer Brian Gluckstein. A reissue of the Canadian classic was released by Gus Modern last fall. Auction co-chair – and Hudson’s Bay Creative Director of Home – Arren Williams loves the vibrant Patrice chair custom-created for the auction by Statum Designs and Scottish textile studio Bluebellgray, while DX president Shauna Levy says her favourite piece is the playfully-patterned Mooi chest shown at the top of this post. Other standouts: Sebastian Herkner’s new oak-and-stone Bleeker Street table, Zaha Hadid’s avant-garde flatware collection for WMF Americas, and Carl Hansen and Son’s sculptural Dream Chair. Preview all of the designs on auction here. Tickets to attend start at $55. May 29, 234 Bay St,
Modern Makers
Stratford’s Shakespeare productions aren’t the only reason to head west. A new design show an hour outside of Toronto celebrates four of Canada’s most talented makers. On display at Cambridge gallery Design at Riverside, the show features work by Brent Comber, Heidi Earnshaw, Gord Peteran and Castor Design’s Brian Richer. Some of the featured designs are installation works, while others – like the Earnshaw-designed cabinet shown above – are functional furniture pieces available for purchase from the designer. May 30-Jul 11. 7 Melville St S, Cambridge
BTW, while you’re in the region, visit nearby design destinations such as the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery (designed by Patkau Architects) and the Moriyama + Teshima-designed Waterloo Region Museum, which won a 2011 OAA award.
