Ontario Design 2023 edition

INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN AT ITS BEST

by Hojeong Ji

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The pursuit of happiness

SAMANTHA SANNELLA, EDITOR

addingan element of surprise and delight in design can be as simple as a splash of colour or an unexpected shape. Placing something that is in direct opposition whether in materiality, texture or geometry can stop and make us take notice – and hopefully make us pause and smile.

As the creators of environments and products, designers have the ability to go beyond simply creating an object, container or environment. We have the ability to influence joy and happiness and to push and pull the psychology of the audience.

We can design to make occupants feel comfortable or uncomfortable and there are techniques that utilize the principles and elements of design that act as the tools in our toolbox.

Recently, I had the pleasure of being a guest on the podcast ‘Happitecture’. The creator, Michelle Fenton, an architect from Vancouver, prompted me to explore the idea of what makes us design vibrant, happy environments. This is a genius idea. In all my years of teaching, we focused on productivity, accessibility, quality and sustainability – but I would be hard pressed to ever say that we focused on happiness. In a world full of constant negative media stories, anxiety, stress, violence and strife, I propose that we champion the inclusion of ‘happiness’ in our built environment.

Are there precedents for this? Absolutely.

inhuman.” He went on to say, “Most of the time, buildings leave us feeling indifferent.”

Unfortunately, I couldn’t agree more. In fact, I believe it is the product of looking at what others do and an adoption of risk aversion that has become the predominant mantra of building owners – and also many designers and architects. I often hear that it is ‘expensive’ to be original. The more unusual something is, the more it costs. While this may bear some truth, part of our job is to fi nd creative and cost-effective ways to make our solutions work for clients. However, we do need clients who want to embrace what we can provide, and part of that is educating them against the boring beige boxes that dot our streets.

How do you integrate ‘delight’ into your design?

I am a big fan of Thomas Heatherwick, the UK based leader of Heatherwick Studio who is the creator of the ‘Rolling Bridge’ and the ‘Spun’ chair. Not only does Heatherwick create some of the most interesting buildings in the world, but he recently spoke out against an epidemic of ‘boringness’. “I want to talk about streets with new buildings and the problem that we all know exists in our towns and cities around the world – that we’re increasingly surrounded by characterless buildings,” Heatherwick said. “I believe we’re living through an epidemic of boringness. Everywhere is the same – dull, flat, shiny, straight,

As an historic example, I always refer to the frieze on the original Toronto Stock Exchange building, a.k.a., the former Design Exchange, a building and organization I managed for eight years. If you stand across Bay Street and ponder the façade, you will fi nd a cheeky nod to the fi nancial climate of the 1930s by the artist, Charles Comfort. The sculptural frieze, which is a shining example of Art Deco, features industrial workers, but also features a man in a top hat with his hand in the pocket of the worker. For those history aficionados amongst us, this is an element that not only surprises the viewer, but is a delightful commentary on our capitalist economy. While it is unknown if this was an addition that was approved by the building developer (I suspect not), it certainly makes an impact on the viewer – almost a century later.

It takes time and effort on our part to consistently ask the client, how do we want to inspire and delight the user, passerby, tenant or resident? How can we orchestrate a solution that is timeless, but interesting? How can we weave elements into the interiors, façade or landscaping that make us smile? How can we animate our space to prompt moments of joy?

You can start by asking yourself the simplest of questions: What brings you happiness? Answer that, and you are on your way. OD

QandA

Paul Raff Studio

FOCUSED ON DESIGN EXCELLENCE

1 | How have you seen your practice shift over the years?

Our objectives and philosophy have remained steady over the years – to create artistically remarkable places which are environmentally sustainable and a joy to inhabit. The practice has also become richer

and more diverse in a number of ways. We have a greater diversity of project types. For example, this morning I worked on the design of a private garden, a mid-rise downtown commercial building, and a place of worship. This stimulates creative design, and having the experience to know what to do, keeps it fresh.

2 | Are clients more knowledgeable about sustainable choices/ideas or do you still spend a fair amount of time educating them about the benefits?

Clients are more knowledgeable than ever about sustainable ideas and other aspects of design. They have easy access to the information; it’s right at their fingertips via the internet. This is helpful. Nonetheless, because of all the interrelated aspects that go into the selection of, and decisions about, how best to employ sustainable strategies in architecture and design, discussion and education are still needed, and providing guidance and judgement is essential to achieving effective results.

highly technical and sophisticated new building products, that if used well, help make buildings healthier, more durable and more energy efficient. That said, we still use ancient and low-tech strategies like passive solar design too, taking advantage of the practical as well as poetic potential of natural light.

4 | I love your work! I

find

it

serene,

thoughtful and always a bit surprising (in the best way!). Do you use certain elements in all of your projects or do you approach them all as a blank slate?

3 | What are some of the newest technologies/ techniques you are implementing

in your work?

We focus on quality of life – everything from indoor air quality to quality of natural light. So, we are taking advantage of some of the

We treat each project as a unique situation and try to explore what’s important and unique about that situation. We then try to bring it out the best way possible through the design, so in a way, each project is idiosyncratic. As well, we are captivated with light, with beautiful qualities of natural light, and the shifting light of day, and shifting seasons. We combine that with our obsession with great function and flow. Those preoccupations are invested in all of our work.

PHOTO: BEN RAHN

PHOTO: BEN RAHN

PHOTO: BEN RAHN

PHOTO: BEN RAHN

PHOTO: STEVE TSAI

PHOTO: STEVE TSAI

PHOTO: STEVE TSAI

Architectural poetry

5 | Do you think there is a ‘Canadian style’ in architecture and design? And if

do you represent it?

so,

I certainly recognize regional characteristics of architecture and design in Canada, but I don’t think one can refer to a singular Canadian style. And I don’t think we should aspire to it. However, my own strong interest in making architectural spaces that connect people to landscape, light and nature reflects my Canadian values.

6 | Which one of your projects is your all-time favourite and why?

When I look back on any one of my projects, each feels like my favourite! And the most recent feels like the most favourite!! But one that is close to my heart is Treetop Villas because it both preserves the beautiful landscape and allows people to have a powerful experience of living in it.

7 | Who influences you?

I have many influences from the worlds of art and design, and my own colleagues and collaborators are big influences. To name an architect, the early works of Herzog & de Meuron, because they drew on Avant Garde contemporary art to create fresh architectural ideas.

8 | What inspires and excites you everyday?

The sky – it is endlessly beautiful, dynamic and ever changing. I often try to design spaces to be able to experience the sky’s beauty in different ways from inside.

9 | What’s next for Paul Raff Studio?

More of the same, I hope. We are designing residential and commercial buildings, and working on public art and public spaces here in Canada and internationally as well. We have a great team and great ideas, so we just want to keep doing what we do, to continuously design exceptional work that is thoughtful, evocative and poetic. OD

PHOTO: BEN RAHN

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Colour makes a comeback

Q AND A WITH

ISABELLA

BOBA OF LUX DESIGN

1 | What inspired you to use this colour in the kitchen?

Located within Toronto’s downtown core, our client’s condo had expansive views, but they were primarily that of other buildings with a lot of grey concrete structures in the foreground. This was precisely the inspiration LUX Design had to bring greenery and nature inside. The natural green tone is a derivative of trees with a hint of blue inspired by Lake Ontario.

Kitchen: Benjamin Moore HC-160 Knoxville Gray, 30% Sheen

Walls: Benjamin Moore CSP-305 Crisp Linen, Eggshell

2 | How have kitchen designs changed over the course of your career?

Kitchen design has evolved more significantly than any other area within residential interiors over the past few decades. We interview our clients to determine how much they cook, their lifestyle, for family settings or entertaining as well as their mobility. We are recommending fewer upper cabinets as often times, they are not used or easily reached. Clients with mobility issues tell us they have not been able to reach items in the upper cabinets for years. Instead, we think of smart space-saving solutions within the lower cabinets, such as organizational dividers inside drawers, added pull-out drawers for pots and pans as well as pull-out racks for spices. Open shelving above the countertop often replaces upper cabinets, as it creates a lighter feel inside the kitchen and provides a place for decorative pieces. We also love the use of sinks such as farmhouse style in porcelain, cast iron, concrete or copper to create a focal point of interest.

The most significant change for kitchen designs over the course of our career at LUX Design is the ability to introduce colour into the cabinets. Clients are seeing the beauty of experimenting with the

cabinet colour (as illustrated in this article) and they trust us to bring the outside in and everyone is thrilled with the results. Kitchens are no longer one tone, they are a myriad of colours and shapes to reflect our client’s personalities and create truly unique interior designs.

3 | How would you characterize your work?

At LUX design we characterize our work as ‘understatedly luxurious’. The luxury should be a quiet, simple and comfortable one. Our ultimate satisfaction is when a client comes home and feels at ease to live their ideal lifestyle.

4 | What’s next for LUX?

As time moves forward, at LUX Design we are constantly evolving with it, pivoting and looking for ways to stay creative, current and efficient. Various economic factors are a constant to which we must consistently adapt. At LUX, we have given our interior designers the freedom to work from the office, from cafes, or their homes or wherever they choose at any time of day. This has enhanced their creativity immensely as we believe that a creative soul must have freedom. Simultaneously, the managerial side of the business must be a solid foundation and core that can support and guide the interior designers. Both opposite roles must work in a symbiotic relationship to ensure success in an interior design firm and that is precisely the balance that we consistently strive for at LUX Design.

What’s next for LUX Design? While maintaining our strong brand in Canada, we have recently began expanding into the United States. Many of our furniture vendors are already there, so the transition is quite a natural one. The market is similar and many people have moved to warm states such as Florida. We are there to help them settle into their new condos, homes, offices and businesses with the aid of great interior design. OD

DESIGNED BY JIN KIM OF LUX DESIGN INC MANAGEMENT TEAM NAZNEEN TEJPAR AND BILLY HALIS • PHOTOS BY VALERIE WILCOX

Creating an oasis through colour

IA Interior Architects

A focus on sustainability, wellness, equity, diversity and inclusion

PROVIDES STELLAR RESULTS IN A BRICK AND BEAM WAREHOUSE SPACE

three floors make up Sobeys’ new state-of-theart innovation hub in a 20,000 sq. ft. downtown brick and beam warehouse space. The space is purpose built to support product development and Sobeys’ e-commerce team, Voilà by Sobeys. The choice of a downtown location is an extension of Sobey’ suburban campus, providing more choice and flexibility for its staff. This

architecture was part of the attraction, but did challenge the design team to spend additional effort to solve for acoustics, HVAC delivery as well as provide accessibility for all, to facilitate the goal of creating a comfortable and highly functional space for staff and customers. All three floors of the space are virtually connected by technology. Two floors of the space can transform for a two-floor town hall

meeting with screens and speakers delivering content. Digital boards deliver experiential brand experience in key traffic paths. Content can be modified and managed by Sobeys’ internal team. Each room has built-in technology and supports a variety of formality and postures. In addition, all rooms have sensors to measure the usage of the space and allow for fine tuning of room utilization going forward. Wireless connectivity is provided throughout the entire workplace. Other key technologies to increase space utilization include online booking for conference rooms, and every conference room includes video conferencing.

Sobeys had a strong vision for sustainability and wellness for the project: To strive to positively affect the environment and it takes responsibility for the impact it has on the planet and communities. Sobeys also wanted a space that made employees feel good and comfortable about where they work. The work of Canadian manufacturers as well as works by local artists and artisans featured throughout the space provide a unique character and personality. These elements are complemented by reused, repurposed and vintage

finds to give the space unique character and reduce the footprint of the facility. The final design is a true celebration of national and regional talent coming together to create a space that fosters innovation, complements culture, and will inspire talent for years to come.

To acknowledge the diversity, equity and inclusion values, a variety of work settings were created to accommodate people with differing tolerance for noise, light and temperature. There is separation between active and quiet zones to provide acoustic comfort. Lights are dimmable throughout all locations of the space. Every room and corner of the space is different and almost no furniture type is repeated to provide a variety of postures and human scale. Icons and text were used for high contrast throughout the space to accommodate for poor vision. Additional HVAC zones were added and a thermostat provided in every room.

Five stand-alone washrooms were added; one universal and four accessible, gender neutral. The space includes a wellness room and a prayer room with meditation pillows and mats where employees can retreat for quiet time, privacy and respite. The space includes lockers of different sizes for individual preferences and needs.

Other human comfort elements include access to nourishing food (healthy snacks are ordered for everyone), and added water fillers throughout the space make it easy and convenient for anyone to refill a water bottle. Placing enclosed areas towards the centre of the floorplate, natural light and views are enjoyed by all. OD

DDA Advantage

Marla Nazzicone Q AND A WITH

I caught up with Marla Nazzicone, who focuses on luxury residential design. As an integrative designer, she combines interior design, fine arts and fashion to create unique solutions for her clients.

1 | The warm wood in this kitchen is stunning! This may be my favourite kitchen this year. What was your design concept?

A large influence was the differing styles and preferences of the home owners. One preferred traditional and opulent, while the other tended towards the simplicity of modern, Scandinavian design. This positive friction ultimately resulted in the unique art deco-modern style that the kitchen inherited. This was achieved using luxurious materials such as walnut and brass cabinets in sleek, modern profiles.

2 | I love that you mixed the book-matched backsplash with the granite on the island. Do you often mix materials? What inspires you to do this?

The island stone is a leathered Belvedere granite and the backsplash and kitchen perimeter is a honed Arebescato Corchia. Mixing materials is a great way to create contrast and emphasis in any space, especially

with both materials having such characteristic texture and veining in contrasting colours.

3 | The millwork in the kitchen is beautiful. What is your process for designing custom cabinetry?

Designing custom cabinetry is like creating a painting. It begins with inspiration and goes through multiple variations and revisions until the composition and design is just right.

4 | This is a dream closet. What inspired this design?

This closet (pictured above) was designed so that my client’s bedroom and closet could merge as one. We made an entire wall of the primary bedroom into a closet and vanity and it works harmoniously with the young homeowner’s lifestyle. OD

QandA

WITH Lee Fletcher OF FLETCHER SCOTT STUDIO, INC.

1 | How has your practice shifted over the years, from product design to your new gig?

The practice started as a pretty standard industrial design firm – looking at product development from concept creation through to prototyping, engineering design and manufacturing liaison and without a specific specialty of product type. This is pretty typical for many ‘product development’ firms. At that time (~2008) it was a great approach, as many manufacturers were looking for the full spectrum of services and we couldn’t afford to focus on any one product category. It was also specific to the kind of work we went after.

Quickly, we realized focusing on a specific product category would be a good idea, and both Terry (Terence Woodside) and I had worked at Teknion for many years; looking at contract office furniture manufacturers was a logical focal point. That is what Fig40 has focused on for more than 10 years and we’ve had some terrific projects, met some great people and seen some success along the way.

As with many businesses, COVID forced change. Work dried up in early 2020 and we had to let our staff go. The down time gave me the opportunity to think about the work I was doing and the overall direction of my career. I felt there was an opportunity to think about design work differently. There will always be a need for the creation and implementation of design work, but what I was finding myself more and more drawn to was the work in setting design direction. So

often in my career I found that work would get derailed or change direction in ways that may be important to the business but would have negative effects on the design work, resulting in products that may not be what they could have been. The process that leads to this, I believe, can be improved, and that’s where I’m working now.

Fletcher Scott Studio is a design firm focused on getting the design direction right, through collaboration and iteration of all the variables that bear on a project, before we get too married to a specific design direction. This will lead to the development of concepts, but the engineering component now, for me, is for others to work on.

2 | Do you see that clients value design more now? If so, how?

I think so. I say that hesitantly as I may not have the best perspective on it. One of the reasons I like working in furniture is that manufacturers all know they need design. This is in contrast to other manufacturers in Ontario, who often don’t. Having said that, I am still having the same conversations about different interpretations of what designing a thing actually entails that I’ve been having throughout my career – it seems not to have changed in ways I might have thought.

There is greater interest in the narrative behind a product these days, as well as sustainability, and both of these can be best manifested through the design process of products, so I suppose that supports my

thinking things have evolved… but it’s with a small degree of hesitance. Part of that is also that it can be hard to tell if these new interests are about trends in the marketplace driven by sales alone, or truly a desire to design and make better things with a longer view to business success.

3 | How do you integrate empathy and social change into your work?

Empathy is a great one. Conventionally, empathy means putting yourself in another’s shoes, it’s about people, and as with much design, you tend to be designing for people other than yourself – you need to put yourself in their shoes to be able to design effectively for them.

I’ve been trying to broaden the scope of that to include the environments products exist in (are the products conscious of the other products in the room, and the room itself?) and also, the planet. In what ways might the product have empathy for the planet through material and energy use and the ways it’s made, used and then discarded?

All these things cast a pretty interesting light on design choices and although many can’t be capitalized on just yet as companies don’t always take their products back for refurbishment or recycling, I want to try and be sure that the products will be capable when the infrastructure gets there.

Social change is a more difficult one to get a handle on. The main scope of influence a designer can have through the design of a product is through remaining mindful of the people making, shipping and installing the products rather than keeping the human-centred design solely focused on the user. This can create the potential for social change, but achieving it can often be beyond the reach of designers, when working with manufacturers.

To take it a little further, I have tried to work on projects that hope to make positive social change and they tend to be self-directed and have been difficult to get off the ground. (communityforopportunity.org)

4 | How do you maintain your creativity? What inspires you?

All the initial response to any design work is a visual one, regardless of what it is, how good it is for the environment or what it costs. If it doesn’t strike a strong visual presence, no one is really going to care about it. For me, in recent years I have found the greatest inspiration coming from architecture or at least the imagery that architecture can create. Products tend to not be around for very long, despite designers wanting them to be. I believe this has led to an impermanence to the way we design things. At its best, architecture has a greater sense of permanence, and the strength and groundedness that comes with that I find very inspirational. Strangely, I have also found that Instagram and the architectural photography feeds are a terrific source of imagery to draw on.

In general, I’m inspired by balance. An idea of wholeness or completeness inspires me, seeing people really own a product in ways you never anticipated inspires me. The idea of circularity inspires me

because it’s a wicked problem that’s super complex and very contextspecific. How to design products that can support circularity is a problem that gets me up in the morning.

5 | What is one of your all-time favourite projects and why?

The Community Chair : The first pilot build we did with people struggling with homelessness has to be one of the best days of my working career. We designed the chair, found a shelter interested in buying some and we partnered with the Salvation Army to help coordinate the build of the chairs and it thoroughly convinced me of the power that making physical things can have on the well-being of people. If design can contribute to that, it’s truly living up to its potential.

Metronome for Nienkamper: The design of this table achieved a number of things beyond the awards it won – it’s lightweight aluminum structure is very strong and stable based on its geometry while also being sculptural and cost effective to make. These are tough targets to hit together. It also incorporates a highly customizable element that the interior design community really ‘got’ and use it extensively. This also doesn’t always happen.

6 | If you could do anything (and money were no object) what would you do?

I would start a furniture company based on sound circularity principles and employ people on the fringes of society. It would need a new business model and to enable it all it would need to deliver beautiful objects that reflected a sense of place and the people who made them.

7 | What’s next for Lee?

Honing this new process through new projects and clients interested in evolving the way they design and make things. It’s new, and it needs testing and growing. I’m in the process of doing that now on current projects and I’m working to find new projects and partners to further the work. OD

DDA Canada Celebrates

On 27 October 2022, members of the Decorators and Designers Association of Canada and their guests gathered at the Grand Luxe event space to cheer on and recognize the accomplishments of the 2022 DDA Canada Decorating and Design Competition Award winners. This was the first time the event has been held in person since 2019 and the energy and buzz was electric as everyone gathered to network and catch up with one another.

The Decorators & Designers Association of Canada is a Canadian professional association that elevates the decorating and design industry through education, events, training, advocacy and community building.

ddacanada.com

office@ddacanada.com

(416) 231-6202

Karl Lohnes, designer, National columnist for Postmedia News and Editor-At-Large at Style At Home magazine, spoke to the group about the current climate in the decor and design environment. He shared a number of insights and ideas to ease the challenges that were reassuring and encouraging to all in attendance.

MC Glen Peloso of Glen Peloso Designs, TV personality, writer and DDA Canada Board member kicked off the awards portion of the evening, announcing the winners of the competition and of course entertained the group along the way.

The winners of the 2022 DDA Canada Decorating and Design Competition are Rotem Golan, Lydia Kiezebrink, Carra Myers, Beth Lowenfeld, Marcus Lafrate, Benjamin John Ouellette, Ewa Fisher, Natasha Washington, Lara Kalins, Aman Than, Katherine Porath, Diane Rose, Stacey Price, Michelle Fleischhaker, Nathalie Godbout-Bourgeois, Geeta Kewalramani, Leah Simpson, Casey

Our Student Competition winners include Kirsten Archer, Mary Li, Emma Kerslake & Priyanka Seethepalli, Andrea Trujeque, Erin Rundle, Kathleen Rumney, Seungh AH Shin, Vanessa Stock, and Yuna Kim.

Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2022 Decorating and Design Competition! We look forward to connecting, sharing, celebrating and learning together at the 2023 Awards Gala event.

Fitzgerald, Sophie Creelman, and Heddy Bing.

photo credit: Diana Bastone Design

Celebrating Canadian interior design

IDC HONOURS WINNERS OF THE 2022 VALUE OF DESIGN AWARDS

interior

Designers of Canada (IDC) held its annual awards celebration on Oct. 20, 2022, at Malaparte, a charming event space on the sixth floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto.

The event was hosted by Gloria Rinaldi, Sharon Grech and Danielle Dent of Benjamin Moore & Co., who were the event’s main sponsors, along with an introduction by IDC CEO, Trevor Kruse, and closing remarks by IDC board President, Ian Rolston. Additional presenters from sponsoring firms, such as Lutron, Keilhauer, Grohe, and 3M also made an appearance at the event to help honour winners of various awards.

The IDC Awards celebration honoured winners of the Innovation in Design Thinking – Student Competition, IDC Fellows, the Legacy Award of Distinguished Service, and the Value of Design Awards.

The event closed IDC’s annual design symposium, which was presented by, and hosted at, Cosentino City Toronto. The theme of this year’s symposium was Legacy of Design: Past, Present, and Future, as IDC celebrated its 50th anniversary as the national association for interior designers. This year’s symposium keynote speakers were Michael Ford, architect and creator of The Hip Hop Architecture Camp, and Nora Young, host of CBC Radio’s Spark.

“It warms my heart to finally see everyone together again, buzzing with joy and anticipation,” said Trevor Kruse. “We are lucky to have a space to honour the significant talent of our community.”

POLAR CAPITAL | BY MJMA ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

POLAR CAPITAL | BY MJMA ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

THE NEWLY INSTITUTE | BY MACKEY DESIGN GROUP LICENSED INTERIOR DESIGN INC.

THE NEWLY INSTITUTE | BY MACKEY DESIGN GROUP LICENSED INTERIOR DESIGN INC.

This year, four Canadian design firms received IDC’s coveted Value of Design Awards. These awards, which launched in 2018, shine a spotlight on Canadian interior designers by providing a forum to showcase the benefits of design thinking: An empathetic, inventive, and iterative process focused on the human experience within interior spaces. OD

Celebrating the best interior design in Canada

Founded in 1972, Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) is the national advocacy association for the interior design profession, representing more than 5,000 members which include interior designers and related professions at all levels of experience and areas of practice such as retail, commercial, health care, institutional and residential design as well as manufacturers and suppliers who provide products and services for interior design projects and firms.

Value of Design Award – Excellence

‘Polar Capital’ by Tarisha Dolyniuk and Sean Solowski/MJMA

Architecture & Design in Innovation in Workplace Design (project location: Toronto, Ont.)

‘The Newly Institute’ by Clare Mackey/Mackey Design Group Licensed Interior Design Inc. in Innovation in Healthcare Design (Calgary, Alta.)

Value of Design Award – Merit

‘TECHNOLOGY FIRM’ by Tatiana Soldatova and Kseniya

Filippova/Syllable Inc. in Innovation in Design Thinking (project location: Toronto, Ont.)

‘LIFE SCIENCES COMPANY’ by Kristina Kamenar, Brittany Moore, and Caitlin Turner/HOK in Innovation in Workplace Design (project location: North York, Ont.)

The 2022 Value of Design Awards were presented to the following winners who continue to push the boundaries of interior design:

One space, two seasons

A KITCHEN DESIGNED FOR ELEGANT LIVING

a new build for a family gave Evelyn Eshun the opportunity to create a dream house!

Due to an existing long-term relationship with the client, Evelyn was given full rein to make great design decisions in this feature kitchen that reflected both the personality of the family and her great taste.

The kitchen is the perfect blend of form and function. Evelyn worked with Olympic Kitchens to create a transitional aesthetic in this space with finishes inspired by nature that surrounds the home. Appliances that provide all the proper amenities while looking good was important.

DESIGN: EVELYN ESHUN • PHOTOS BY LARRY ARNAL

The 48-in fridge is hidden behind white oak cabinet doors while the 36-in stainlesssteel freezer is in the pantry with the coffee maker, additional storage and sink. The countertop is quartz, which perfectly mimics natural stone without any of the maintenance requirements of marble. It was also used as a backsplash in order to have a clean and simplified look and make it easier to clean. An Island painted in a deep grey contains ample storage on both sides as well as a cantilever for casual seating. The tall cabinet, which matches the fridge area, houses a bar fridge and storage for entertaining, as there is an outdoor covered sitting area just outside the kitchen area. This kitchen serves the family of four with extended friends and other family members who now pop by often to enjoy this comfortable, bright and welcoming space. OD

Essence 2 Piece

Elongated Toilet

Essence Wall

Mount Sink

Essence Single Hole

S Size Faucet

ESSENCE COLLECTION

Fleurco specializes in the design, manufacturing and distribution of a full range of high-end glass shower doors, bathtubs, lighted mirrors, medicine cabinets, vanities and accessories. For the past 50 years, our beautifully designed collections have enabled our customers to create the bathrooms of their dreams.

A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES FOR YOUR BATHROOM

For over 95 years, BLANCO’s passionate kitchen experts have perfected the water place with the BLANCO UNIT , a seamless, customizable solution of kitchen sink, faucet, accessories and organization systems. Everything you need all in one place with German engineered products designed to enhance meal prep and organize your sink space.

Discover the BLANCO UNIT at BLANCO.com

Nourishing the soul

recently,

I came across a delightful company that makes things that nourish the soul, surprise and delight our senses and provide an element of FUN! The Cazadores-del-sol light installations are designed to give you moments of relaxation and pleasure amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They can also turn your lawn or landscape project into a mystical meadow that glows – even in our

LIGHT SCULPTURES BY CAZADOR-DEL-SOL cazador-del-sol.ca

Canadian winters. The artist, René Hildebrand envisioned these as a dose of pure happiness to relieve stress while bringing warmth into our lives. Made of Plexiglas and flexible metal rods, these little sun catchers are a simple way to enliven your outdoors. They are also available as pendants, just in case you want to hang them from canopies, trees or pergolas. With some luck, the birds might also use them as swings. OD

Kitchen

is our specialty.

Open rehearsal

INTERWEAVING ART AND DESIGN

TEXT BY PAOLA POLETTO

art and design

are incredibly related. In both disciplines, we’re thinking about engaging with people and forming communities. In 2002, I watched an open rehearsal of a performance at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) that encapsulated this connection between art and design.

Threading Echoes, developed by Shion Skye Carter, Mayumi Lashbrook, and Hitoko Okada in the 2022 AGO x RBC Artist-inResidence Program, combines both object-making and dance performance, embodying the practice of weaving. Their work shares the history of shifu, a time-honoured, hands-on textile practice from sixth-century Japan, through contemporary dance. Their movements included weaving the paper thread. A large paper ball was also made. The project also reckons with the institution’s architecture, its histories and power structures.

Here’s the picture I created as they were performing at the AGO. We are in Walker Court, which was named after Sir Edmund Walker, a philanthropist and banker, and the first president of the AGO.

Walker Court was originally designed as a central space to emulate the European style of museum courtyards that display sculptures. Today, it remains largely open-concept and our team at the AGO facilitates a range of performances, art experiences, and gatherings. Around this space are sculptures by Inuit artists, and walls with donor names. Inside the Walker Court are The Seven Grandfathers, a work of Robert Houle, situated up high towards the skylight: The seven ceremonial drums, made specifically for this space, resonate in their traditional teachings and complicated context, filling and enlivening the entire space. Carter, Lashbrook and Okada performed underneath the AGO’s spiral staircase designed by Frank Gehry. In my photo, I

glitched the experience so all of this – the moment, the space and the performance – doesn’t feel so fixed for posterity.

Okada tells me their movements radiate out and up in part to work through the institutional trauma of a space. I offer that their work echoes words in Byung Chul-Han’s The Scent of Time: A Philosophical Essay on the Art of Lingering (2017/21). Like incense, he suggests that time moves upward in a non-linear billowy multisensorial fashion. Letting go, falling down, rising up, pushing off, gathering up: These are all gestures performed in their open rehearsal. The artists toss their billowy ball in the air as a liberating gesture. It is a light big puff of air. During their performance, Walker Court has become different for me. It feels more like a site for enjoying our differences, and letting go.

Art and design engage with their context and space to allow selfreflection, toward healings and liberations, to listen, and to tease new possibilities with diverse peoples intacting, thriving even. That is what we experienced in that moment – the slow magic of art and design, and our coming together. The rehearsal of Threading Echoes speaks to unfinishable work. I watched Carter, Lashbrook, Okada, the people gathered, Houle’s artwork, the floor and walls, and my own shadow from my camera phone settle upon the scene; the artists spinning nearly intangible threads quickly then slowly up toward a twisting staircase upturned on its head as if we are weaving a different sweater all together.

Please see the Threading Echoes film here: https://ago.ca/ago-x-rbcartist-residence-shion-skye-carter. OD

Paola Poletto is director of Engagement & Learning at the AGO. Her art practice includes photography, writing and creative collaboration.

TURN SEEING RED INTO A GOOD THING.

Sansa Interiors

A SPACE PUNCTUATED BY WOOD ACCENTS BRINGS WARMTH TO A RENOVATION

jude kamal of Sansa Interiors embarked on a renovation with the goal to embrace minimalism and make a home a peaceful oasis. Light wood, black hardware and white accents work together to create harmony in the palette.

Slatted wood accents around the fireplace offer a modern backdrop to a feature wall. A white quartz surround repeats the shape and colour of the flanking cabinets and brings unity to the overall design.

Sansa mixed traditional treatments, such as the crown moulding with more modern finishes and fixtures, which makes the overall design transitional, which is a great technique for many of the older homes in Ontario. By mixing the old with the new, an aesthetic is achieved that keeps the context of the original architecture and yet brings it up to date.

The master shower offers a great solution for a small space and the attention to detail simplifies the concept. A black trim piece is the only line around the glass perimeter and stands in stark contrast to the patterned white tile. By using three patterns of tile, visual interest is created. A large off-set niche and hand shower/rain shower combination makes this shower very functional. The storage nook beside the shower is

deep, and is a great space to store towels. The horizontal grain of the oak cabinetry is repeated here.

Sansa designed a creative solution to store shoes at the back door with a built-in bench and shelf. The bench is a great idea for kids who need to sit while parents help with boots and coats, while hooks make it easy for them to stay tidy. The oak grain is horizontal, and this becomes a feature throughout the many wood elements in the home, including the bathroom vanities.

In the dining area, an open shelving unit in light oak offers a spot to display objects, and the white shelf above becomes a lovely art gallery. The simple white pendant and live-edge table are functional and fun. OD

QandA

Mason Studio

PROJECT BY DUEAST • TYPE RESIDENTIAL • LOCATION TORONTO, ON • YEAR 2021

What inspired the design?

Located in Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood, the design of the new DuEast Condominium residence represented both a challenge and an opportunity for Mason Studio, who were engaged to develop

common amenities and suites within the development to create a sense of place that feels familiar and new (welcoming to former neighbourhood residents returning to the community) and yet attractive enough to new homeowners moving to the area.

Through thoughtful consideration of history, cultural differences and lifestyles, the goal of the project was to create a place where residents would feel a sense of ownership and would be proud to call DuEast their home.

Mason Studio’s considered design approach created a building with its own unique character, while also integrating within a larger development, responding to the vibrant culture of the community, while evolving to reflect the future of this significant master-planned redevelopment by Daniels Corp.

What are some elements that are forward-thinking in the design?

For many residents at DuEast, the condominium experience is a new type of home, having been more familiar with lowrise development with outdoor spaces. Beginning with a thoughtful evaluation of the needs of future residents, Mason Studio worked with the local community to create a sense of place within the building that feels both reflective and aspirational. The studio’s unique approach was to think of public spaces as if they were an extension of private space, not merely decorative, but areas reflective of the full spectrum of a person’s life.

Focusing on fostering community, Mason Studio considered the types of spaces that would create opportunities for living for a diverse group of people and lifestyles. The public spaces are meant to be flexible,

with a range of areas that cater to different interests. From crafts and hobbies to gardening, health and wellness, social gatherings and large outdoor areas, these spaces encourage both social connection and individual expression.

Artwork is also an essential element that helps reinforce a sense of place throughout the building. Instead of art as a passive aspect of decoration, the art program at DuEast is reflective of the exceptional talent of artists in the community. The building becomes a gallery and an extension of the neighbourhood, showcasing the talented artists who live and work in the area and is reflective of the issues they care about.

What continues to inspire your creativity every day?

Here at Mason Studio, we find inspiration in everyday life, being mindful of the routine and everyday things we do. The more we pay attention, the more we can make small changes in our designs to bring value to people’s everyday lives.

Nature is another source of inspiration. It is the closest thing to perfect, and almost all our answers can be found there. And finally, human science articles – learning more about the human mind and body – provides us with so much value. It creates a better

understanding of how and why we respond to external stimuli in a certain way, and allows us to respond through design.

How have you seen projects change over the years?

Effective design can be leveraged to improve mental and physical health in the home, and with wellness top of mind right now, we’re seeing a greater appreciation of design as people focus on enhancing their homes in a way that promotes positive well-being.

Additionally, we’re witnessing shifting buying habits of consumers and how that impacts our retail and residential spaces.

Do clients request new things now that were unheard of 10 years ago?

We believe that things are not ‘new’ but an evolution and compilation of past ideas to respond to our changing world.

We’re seeing ideas and trends of the past resurge but reinterpreted into a contemporary context. Ideas that were not as popular 10 years ago are now making a transition into popularity. For example, Victorian interiors with segregated rooms with very clear definitions turning into open concept, now turning back into more delineated and private/semi-private spaces in homes. OD

Design services

FOR

A POST-CARBON FUTURE

my career in architecture, I have witnessed considerable evolution in my profession. I believe the most significant potential we have as designers of cities and buildings is to leverage our role as service providers and proactively work towards helping our clients move toward a post-carbon future.

Being a service provider is one of the noblest acts of what our profession can do. It is through our skills that clients can finance, market, advocate and eventually build the ideas we initiate, manage and execute. We have the potential to eloquently and impactfully influence our clients to make progressive decisions that benefit the environmental and social health of our planet.

Our training makes us uniquely positioned to help mitigate the effects of climate change with buildings that don’t emit greenhouse gases while building urban solutions that don’t rely on transportation driven by fossil fuel.

I began my career in the ‘90s, learning from the theoretical paper architects whose grandiose, unbuilt (and unbuildable) designs were partly fueled by the fact there wasn’t much work going around. Then the building industry took off, and the era of the “starchitect” exploded with iconic and expensive buildings vying for ever-taller heights, expense and luxury – often with little attention paid to reducing greenhouse gases. The first decade of the 21st century defined a new image of the master builder: a globally recognized superstar architect who had to curate a marketable image and personality as much as a signature style. Then came the global financial crisis of 2009, and our attitudes pivoted, if only slightly.

The ability to assume financial risk only became more conservative after 2009, even as the economy recovered and continued to grow while borrowing costs were at record lows. To stay competitive in this new economic reality, architecture firms amalgamated to harvest global markets and enhance the relevancy of their built portfolios when going after increasingly onerous procurement processes. Fees and margins grew increasingly tight, yet our services became increasingly complex and commodified. As we look ahead, our potential to regain leadership and value through a new era of providing design services remains strong, but only if we aggressively immerse ourselves in the emerging

throughoutareas of CimateTech, PropTech, and the new growing economic opportunities of ESG.

Architects are not economists, bankers or venture capitalists, but we considered ourselves as influencers long before social media influencers began to influence. Therefore, we must influence our clients! Ultimately, we will measure our achievements by effectively leading our clients and our planet in tandem toward a post-carbon world.

There are many ways to achieve this, but through policy, advocacy and research, explicit action is required. I will use a singular and small example of an architectural expression that struck me as a symbolic but highly instructive lesson that can help guide architects’ drive for change. A small and modest post-war branch of a Canadian bank still operates at the corner of Toronto’s Eglinton Avenue East and Laird Drive. I’ve passed by this particular branch countless times before noticing a distinct architectural flourish that symbolizes everything that “was” and everything that “can be” when it comes to architectural design. While the source of fossil fuel has since become a slightly lesser-GHG-emitting natural gas, the primary architectural statement remains: As a banal example of modernist architecture, the building’s most distinctive design feature is its corner tower element, a chimney from the basement to vent the exhaust from the original oil furnace, with an illuminated sign with the bank’s identity hanging on the chimney — the building’s only architectural flourish located prominently at its corner and next to the main entrance.

What was once a mindless and innocent statement has become a symbolic reckoning: We must rethink how we manage, finance, and build our cities for a future without fossil fuels. And architects need to connect those dots for our clients: To design decarbonized buildings that no longer emit greenhouse gases.

Architects have tremendous opportunities to provide post-carbon design services that yield innovative, clear and practical solutions. We need to lead insightful design processes that are in lockstep with parallel changes to improve our built environment – changes that include policy, advocacy and financial mechanisms. Together, these elements will help mitigate our climate crisis and save our planet for future generations. OD

The Bézier Curve House

THE EPITOME OF SURPRISE AND DELIGHT

PROJECT BY TANIA BORTOLOTTO ARCHITECTS

theBézier Curve House began as the initiative of custom-home builder Farhad Kazmian, owner of Abond Homes, to replace his family’s home in Toronto’s Lawrence Park neighbourhood. His desire was a family home that would also serve as a showpiece for his business. In particular, Kazmian wanted a house that would be the antithesis of the boxy fishbowl. Searching for a “contemporary house with sloped roof,” he discovered Tania Bortolotto and her studio’s spirited and sculptural style. Bortolotto’s starting point for the design was the original house’s atypical front courtyard consisting of a lushly landscaped oasis with a lap pool.

1 | Creativity

The Bézier Curve House employs digital technology, until recently relegated to the design of public buildings, to realize a contemporary home that is neither boxy nor glassy. Using Grasshopper, the architects conceived of a spectacular roofline in the form of a Bézier curve – a three-dimensional sweep that elegantly hugs the house’s front yard pool and nods to traditional styles of its gable-roofed neighbours in a fluid and harmonious motion. Constructed using standard materials and traditional techniques, the house was completed at a comparable cost

to other contemporary homes, thereby paving the way for houses with more original and expressive forms.

2 | Context

The resulting Bézier Curve House simultaneously stands with and apart from its neo-classical neighbours. The dramatically sloped roofline elegantly mediates between modern and traditional styles. Parametric modelling enabled Bortolotto to design the entire home around the roof’s sweeping curve, and to respond, with uncommon sensitivity, to the house’s unique site conditions.

A soaring ceiling creates drama

Clad with hand-laid, diamond-shaped zinc shingles, the material simultaneously recalls a shimmering reptilian body while also drawing connections with neighbouring slate roofs. In the valley above the doorway, a series of eye-catching, twisted zinc snow guards form a protective barrier and highlight the dip in the roof.

3 | Sustainability

The walls of the A-frame window extend beyond the face of the glazing and act as a bris soleil, deflecting sunlight and reducing heat gain within the building. Three separate high-efficiency HVAC systems were installed in select zones of the house to provide climate control and increased energy-efficient temperature management of areas for day and night usage. As well as hydronic in-floor heating throughout the

Repeating texture brings harmony

basement, all washrooms and points on entry were installed, taking advantage of the thermal mass of the concrete slab and providing more efficient heating solutions over forced air.

4 | Legacy

The cathedral-like roof structure was constructed using steel ridge beams, tipping to an outrigged A-frame steel structure, and infilled with conventional timber joists that fan out to form a curve. Once the steel was up, the carpenters strap-pulled an LVL to bow and create a smooth ridge curve. In sum, the house is a testament to thoughtful design and the aspirations of a capable builder that aims to give specialist design tools a wider audience. This process demonstrated that a complex geometric design could be achieved on a residential scale given the right team. OD

BAGNO ITALIA

BAGNO ITALIA “Italian Bath” is a Canadian distributor offer high quality bathroom vanities, freestanding bathtubs, slim shower bases and crystal vessels that were catered by hired designers to fit into our customers homes.

Our mantra is to offer luxury high end products with top notch designs without the burden of high price tags. There are lots of thoughts, studies and market wide surveys that goes into introducing any of our products as the design of any our products must also serve proper and thoughtful functionality to end users.

416.909.2906

info@bagnoitalia.ca

bagnoitalia.ca

BLANCO

For over 95 years, BLANCO’s passionate kitchen experts have perfected the water place with industry-leading German engineering. Their mission to transform kitchen chores into joyful moments is delivered with a solution-oriented approach to design. The BLANCO UNIT is based on three founding pillars: “Drink, Prep, Clean” and offers a seamless, fully customizable solution of kitchen sink, faucet, accessories and organization systems. Everything needed all in one place with premium products designed to enhance meal prep and organize your sink space.

1.877.425.2626

info@blancocanada.com

BLANCO.com

Canadian Appliance Source

Founded in 2008, with more than 37 locations coast to coast, has developed into a forerunner of modern appliance retail. Our model is unique in that our focus has always been on providing our customers with the personalized, thoughtful help and advice of an appliance specialist. Whether online or in-store, CAS customers receive knowledgeable advice, expert service, and quality appliances at exceptional prices. Our goal is to leave each customer with the certainty they made the right choice buying from us.

1 (877) 374-3439

canadianappliance.ca

LOCATION

See our website for a location near you!

DeckMart

Fleurco Products Inc.

Cosentino provides outdoor and indoor design solutions that offer value and inspiration to people’s lives. This goal is made possible by pioneering brands that lead in their respective segments, such as Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa by Cosentino®. Technologically advanced surfaces, which allow the creation of unique designs for the home and public spaces. The group bases its development on international expansion, an innovative R&D program, respect for the environment ,sustainability, and its ongoing commitment to society and the local communities

416 247 9090

cosentinocitytoronto@cosentino.com

cosentino.com/en-ca

DeckMart Building Supplies is a specialty store of outdoor building materials. DeckMart’s product line includes Composite decking, various siding materials, outdoor railing, and lighting products. With over seven years of experience, we are experts in our field. We pride ourselves on partnering with our customers to create the best outdoor living space you need. In addition, DeckMart offers an inviting showroom for our customers who want to see, touch, and feel the great variety of decking, railing, siding, and outdoor lighting.

905.856.1177

sales@deckmart.ca deckmart.ca

100 Marycroft Ave., Vaughan, ON, L4L 5Y4

FLEURCO is a Canadian company that specializes in the design, manufacture and distribution of a full range of glass shower doors, bathtubs, Lighted Mirrors, Medicine Cabinets, vanities and accessories. Our company relies on the latest technology and designs to offer you top quality products. 1.800.993.0033

sbock@fleurco.com

Office: # 7 – 4380 South Service Road, Burlington, ON Warehouse: 7035 Ordan Drive, Mississauga, ON

Formica Canada Inc.

Formica Canada Inc. is a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative surfacing products for commercial and residential applications. The Formica® Brand reputation has been founded on quality, service and innovative product lines. We have developed an unrivaled expertise that ensures products meet the needs of their applications — as well as market demands.

Working closely with architects, designers and developers, Formica Canada Inc. is strategically positioned to offer new products and surfacing solutions that complement current design trends.

1-800-FORMICA formica.com

GLASSWISE Architectural Glass Experts

With over 20 years of experience, we are an industry-leading architectural glass installation and design company that caters to commercial and residential clients. Specializing in affordable custom Glass & Mirror solutions with this timeless material to enhance natural light, improve views throughout the room to create architectural focal points in unexpected ways. Using leading-edge laser technology templating for precision cuts and fit, our team offers bespoke glass designs and solutions for projects of all scopes and levels of complexity.

416.209.9814

info@GlassWiseInc.ca glasswiseinc.ca

Goemans

There’s a lot at stake with a new kitchen, which is why Goemans’ brings together just the right amount of appliance knowledge, plentiful selection and reliable delivery and installation to make your project a success. Don’t leave an appliance investment to chance, come to Goemans and Do Appliances Right.

goemans.com

LOCATION

Visit our website for a location near you!

GROHE

GROHE is a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings and dedicated to providing innovative water products.

For decades, GROHE has been committed to the brand values of technology, quality, design and sustainability, seeking to offer the “Pure joy of water”. From the Grohtherm SmartControl Shower System to the Essence Ceramics Collection, GROHE ensures that its products live up to the most uncompromising demands in terms of workmanship and functionality.

Parniian Frozan

1.855.836.9617

Parniian.frozan@lixil.com

www.GROHE.ca

Check our website for a showroom near you!

KOMANDOR Closets & Glass Doors Inc.

The GTA’s finest custom closets. door products, and glass partitions manufactured in our Mississauga factory for the entire Toronto market. Home of the “Lumi Glass French Door” and “Orto Closet System” both modern and sleek European systems .Environmentally friendly products include closets Murphy wall beds, home office cabinets, glass door and wood and glass partitions for homes, offices, condos, and lofts. Includes interior sliding doors and closet doors graphic glass doors. Let us help custom design and make your space.

905.766.0880 or 1 877.541.3667 or 905.636.1968

komandor.ca

We are the largest franchised chain of residential Lighting stores in Canada, proudly serving Ontario. Our philosophy is to showcase where solutions come to light. This means offering practical solutions, expert advice and personalized service. Walk into any of our stores and you’ll find countless options, ranging from the hottest new styles to perennial favourites – in various price ranges, sure to fit your lifestyle and budget. With everything from classic chandeliers to contemporary shades and LED bulbs, we can help you find exactly what you have in mind.

LOCATIONS

MAPLE DRAPERY & CARPET LTD.

Maple Drapery & Carpet Ltd. is leading the interior decorating industry in custom designed drapery, blinds, wallcoverings, custom bed coverings and flooring. Customer service is a priority, and we are proud of our friendly, reliable, and efficient service. Maple Drapery & Carpet Ltd. has proudly served communities in the GTA for over three decades.

Design Showroom, Hunter Douglas Gallery, On Site Workroom soft goods specialist to the designer trade industry.

MOUNTAIN HOUSE FURNITURE

With over 25 years of experience, we bring you quality products in a range of beautiful styles. Mountain House’s design team is renowned for their ability to create unique furniture and ensure spectacular quality. The company’s home ground, Canada, has extreme weather and that’s precisely why we excel at making outdoor furniture. We manufacture products which are extremely durable in all kinds of weather. Mountain House Furniture succeeds in combining the best of both worlds, durable outdoor furniture, beautifully designed.

Rolltec Rolling Systems Ltd.

905.660.7290

mapledrapery.com

Rosehill Wine Cellars Inc.

Since 1995, Rosehill, has specialized in wine storage solutions. We pride ourselves on quality and craftmanship, which are paramount when it comes to storing and enjoying wine. We are dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and constructing quality wine cellars for the private collector, restaurants, hotels, resorts, casinos and wineries. We are fully integrated with a stateof-the-art manufacturing facility, retail store and design centre. We are committed to delivering a truly exceptional experience to our customers.

905.275.0979 | 1 888-253-6807

info@rosehillwinecellars.com

rosehillwinecellars.com

1686 Mattawa Avenue, Mississauga, ON L4X 1K2

403.455.9288

sales@mountainhousefurniture.com

mountainhousefurniture.ca

Rolltec® is the leading Canadian manufacturer of upscale retractable awnings and other shading products. Since our start-up in 1984, Toronto based Rolltec® has proven to be an industry leader in retractable awnings by providing the highest calibre in both quality of products and customer service. Our superior work was recognized by numerous Awards of Excellence, Outstanding Achievement Awards, Consumer Choice Awards and Best Of...by Homestars. 905.879.0725 or 1.800.667.0474

Royal Oak Railing & Stair Ltd.

Interior stairs and railings continue to be a focal point in many new homes and home renovations. This means the design and quality is very important to accent the interior of your home.

Our stair design capabilities and procedures are well established. We utilize the latest computerized technologies to design and to manufacture our quality stair products. 905.853.5737

SAUNAFIN is your Source for Traditional & Infrared Saunas, Sauna Kits, Pre-Fab Saunas & Steambaths. Whether you are planning a built-in or a sauna, or renovating your bathroom and want to add a steam bath or steam shower we have what you need. We are a second generation family company that have been making and selling saunas for over 50 years.

Experience matters. Quality Matters. And Price Matters. At Saunafin, you get all three and more..

1 800.387.7029 sales@saunafin.com saunafin.com

Sandra Howell

4611 Manhattan Road SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 4B3

TASCO

Tasco has a decades long history of partnering with the design community to deliver stunning kitchen reinventions. Our curated selection of luxury appliances creates the perfect backdrop for our Tasco Professionals to romance homeowners into their perfect appliance match. When you’re looking for something special to complete your design, there’s no better place than Tasco.

tascoappliance.ca

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CANADA INC

Established in 2002, Vicostone has grown and is now one of the Top 3 largest suppliers of engineered stone countertops to the global market. Using the most advanced techniques in the industry and the latest technology from Breton S.p.A. of Italy., Vicostone is in constant innovation to provide timeless design combined with unparalleled quality and ingenuity.

From Exotic to Natural looks, Our collections offer over 62 designs that reflect your personality down to every last detail perfect for all your residential and commercial projects.

905.760.7888 • 613.739.8888

info@vicostone.ca vicostone.ca

TORLYS

Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, TORLYS is an innovative global flooring company and a trusted partner to North America’s most successful builders for 35 years. Offering a large selection of Vinyl, Laminate, Hardwood, Cork/CorkWood, and Leather categories to choose from, TORLYS has the flooring solution for homeowners, builders, and property managers alike. Using the latest technologies, TORLYS prides itself in its modern, and high-performance flooring backed by exceptional service and experience.

1.800.461.2573 asktorlys@torlys.com

torlys.com

VOGT INDUSTRIES

Vogt products are crafted from the highest quality materials curated from around the world. As a Canadian company, we specialize in kitchen and bathroom products and accessories. It is our passion to skillfully produce creative solutions that offer the aesthetics, functionality and quality you look for. Every collection is designed to not only complement your lifestyle, but to also provide reliability for years to come.

TRISOL WINDOW FASHIONS, INC.

Producing top-quality blinds, shades and shutters since 1989.

Elegant and Affordable Dressing for your Windows. Trisol Window Fashions has long been synonymous with style and sophistication, providing a timeless look that’s always on trend. Offering innovation, quality, service and selection.

Tel: 905-264-7887

Toll Free: 1-888-203-1303

info@trisolwindowfashions.com

trisolwindowfashions.com

1.888.215.8648

905.670.8488 Ext 251 reka@vogtindustries.com vogtindustries.com

We Do Blinds

We sell, install, repair and clean all types of shades and blinds. Hunter Douglas, ShadeO-Matic, Elite dealers. Untrasonic cleaning is safe, fast and simple. Blinds will look like new and work better. We also carry wood and Polysatin Shutters. 416.785.1144 wedoblinds@yahoo.com wedoblindsplus.ca

Trade & Consumer Show Information

JOIN IDC

Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) is the national advocacy association for interior designers with a mission to advance and promote the Canadian interior design industry locally, nationally, and internationally.

Membership perks:

Online access to job opportunities through Career Centre

Exclusive deals and discounts on insurance rates, auto rentals, and more Education seminars and webinars (CEUs)

Access to industry research and stats

Advocacy tools to help designers succeed

Annual awards and scholarships

Access to networking events

Industry news and updates

Promotion on IDC’s social media channels

Discounted rates for events & IDC’s annual design symposium

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Raid the Fridge without Losing Your Cool.

Combining innovation and distinctive design, the InstaView™ Door-in-Door® refrigerator will enhance even the most beautifully crafted kitchen. The sleek tinted glass panel illuminates with two quick knocks, so you can see inside the easy access compartment without opening the door, reducing cold air loss to help keep food fresher longer.