Me, Neil, Klaus and King Street East. Be there.

Everybody who’s anybody will be at a soiree ce soir that opens the King Street East Design District festival, KEDD,  running this weekend.  (Okay, well,  I’ll be there –  if I don’t fall asleep in my glass of Gerotol first. In fact, I have no idea who’s going — other than Alejandra Melo Cea, my lovely step-niece once removed by marriage.)

But it sure sounds good. Over two days, 14 retailers, including Alexander Interiors & Design, BoConcept, Studio B, Kiosk, Klaus (from whence came the pic of the wonderful desk above, by Castor), Upcountry, Cambria, Modern Weave, Sub-Zero/Wolf and Andrew Richards Designs, will mount special in-store events for design hounds. If you go, you can tell the participating retailers by the banners and red carpets.This is the first year of the event, so they need support.

To get in  -  and to get a chance at give-aways - you have to buy a passport for $10. It  goes  to  Habitat for Humanity Toronto, run by the always-dashing Neil Hetherington, who is sure to be at the kick off. Go online for tickets or buy them from a retailer. 

If I do go, I'll be easily recognizable.  I'll be the one wearing the “Neil for Mayor” t-shirt.  

So - as weekend plans go, how does this sound? See great design, possibly win some cool stuff and wander downtown during what promises to be fine weather. What else could you ask for? Other than a functioning, democratic local government, that is. And a good, affordable hairdresser.

If it all gets too much, you can deak into a local bar with a friend. Have a drink or two. You’ll be reminded that Toronto still does have its charms. And if you see Neil down there on the weekend, ask him for me again if he's ever thought about running for Mayor? 

Make a date with EQ3

Haven't had time yet to get down to EQ3’s new flagship store at 3-51 Hanna Avenue in Liberty Village? Then pencil it into your diary STAT. In the meantime, here's a gallery of images of furniture, lighting, tableware and accesories you'll find there. Scroll down a few posts for a blog about the gorgeous Marimekko fabric they're carrying.

The new  location, began life in 1910  as the Irwin Toy factory, is dreamy. It's  9,000 square feet of open, airy, light-filled space -- in which industrial materials such as concrete are paired with rustic elements, such as eight-foot solid wood planks. And if you really can't get down there soon, keep in mind that the Winnipeg-based retailer now offers e-commerce. And remember that EQ3's first Toronto location on King Street East, is still going strong.

Vote for me! Vote for me!

The Ultimate Upcycle Challenge requires design writers, style bloggers and celebrity DIY experts to resurrect materials gleaned from Habitat for Humanity ReStores and turn them into functional beautiful décor pieces. They’ll be judged by show visitors, and pieces will be auctioned online to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity Toronto , which builds affordable housing in communities across the city. ReStores sell new and gently-used building and décor materials, with proceeds going to support Habitat’s work. While all five Toronto ReStores are a treasure trove for those hunting for reclaimed material, design insiders now often make a special trip to the East York location at 155 Bermondsey Rd, which has added furniture and other items, including pianos, to its mix.

Participants include eco-friendly landscape designer Carson Arthur, professional organizer Clare Kumar , interior stylists Lisa Canning and Sarah Gunn  and oh, yes, me! Check out the picture of the hall table we amde from an old mirror, stair spindles and salvaged wood. The chair was cleaned up, oiled and given a groovy Duck Brand Tape cover. So vote for me. Please? Or just vote - it's such a good cause.

 

Brilliant bath design - a la Bouroullec

Just saw this and had to share it right away. Hansgrohe’s high design brand Axor has just launched a beautiful collection created in collaboration with Paris-based design team (and brothers) Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

The lovely lines of these faucets, wash basins, shower components, and tubs alone are enough to make them worthy of mention. But the stand-out feature for me is the clever design in which shelves are incorporated into the fixtures that house the faucets. With the spout fully integrated into the shelf, the water flows from the unit organically. Various pieces can be configured to create customized combinations (see below) Such intelligent design. And so handsome.