Design Destination - Klaus on King East

As I've mentioned a few times lately, I've been spending a lot of time down on King East. In and out of shops of all shapes and sizes.  This past weekend gave me a great excuse. Many of the design focused businesses were supporting Habitat for Humanity with giveaways, some free design consultations, and gift cards.  

Cruising through Klaus is something I would do without an excuse, so supporting habitat and having a small furniture exhibition out back was all the incentive I needed.   The importance of furniture aside for a second. What I found when I walked around the shop was that the furniture was just put there to stop me, so I could look up at all of the fantastic lighting.

Catherine Menard was wonderfully helpful inside. You see Keri has been building up the courage to get a Tom Dixon Copper Shade light (pictured above).  Catherine popped over, answered our questions and offered other suggestions that could work for Keri's space as well, like the Beat Light also by Tom Dixon (pictured below).

Here are two shots of the Raimond light by Raimond Puts.  As you can see, its available in different sizes and lets a lot of "space" blend through it.  Great light for the smaller space where you need a little of the background to bleed through to the foreground, or a view you don't want blocked by a fixture.

The Pendant Lamp by Alvar Aalto is perhaps the most elegant light currently on display (also available in black).  I love it grouped like this.  Has a fantastic contemporary vibe but the material and shape have a prettiness that I think could work in a variety of spaces.

So go down to King East, stop by and say "Hi" to Catherine and explore Klaus.  Classic, timeless, high design. You really can't beat the look, or for that matter, the value of a classic piece, when you're working on a space.

Bill

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Insta-weekend

If you are ever in the Distillery District be sure to check out Balzac's for some coffee, tea and some beautiful decor.

Be still my heart!  If you follow me on pinterest you know the love I have for this light!  

 King East is home to  Klaus, be sure to stop by and take a peak, I promise you won't be disappointed!  Tom Dixon is all over the place.  

St James Park

Happy Monday and have a great week!

keri

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Monday Morning Pics - King East Again!

Went down on Sunday to the King East Design District - They are calling it KEDD these days.  May even have found a sofa bed that I've been looking for at Calligaris and can you believe that Callacatta above is a porcelain tile?  This is a section of it, the whole thing measures 10' x 5'! 

Anyone else find anything exciting this weekend?

Bill
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Weekend To Do's - What a Weekend Edition!

What a weekend!  At least for events.... ... the weather might kinda suck... ...but really, what a summer we've had.  And you know what? The fall looks good too, a little rain? Pfff. That's nothing. Shake it off. There are a million things to do around the T DOT this weekend, don't let the wet weather keep you in. Enjoy this great town.

Let's start here.  The Canadian Sweets and Baking show.  How good does this sound?  Its a trade show that is dedicated to sweets and baked goods.  That means bread AND chocolate.

Saturday night is Nuit Blanche sponsored by Scotia Bank.  This is the best way to spend Saturday night in Toronto.  Contemporary art spread into 3 districts.  Check out the robotic chair, I've seen this! Pieces and installations like this are the reason to go!  There is even a planner to help you keep your night on track.

There might be complications on Sunday.  At least when deciding when to get up to, so here is my suggested itinerary.  Lets start at the Gluten Free Expo (opens at 10am). Whether you go Gluten Free for the health benefits, for allergy or dietary info, or simply to enjoy the food, you won't be disappointed.

Finish up there and go get some more eats.  The High Park Harvest Festival starts at noon on Sunday. You've got food, you've got music, and you've got some Canadiana.  Celebrate the bi-centennial of the War of 1812 with a smile and a full belly.

Lastly, and I mentioned it last week, the King East Design District is holding its open house. GO GO GO!  Meet some new people, source some new products,  and have a lot of fun.

Like I said, what a weekend! Have fun folks.

Bill

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Monday Morning Pics - King East Edition

Monday is back, as it always is. And here I am sharing some pics, as I always do.

One quick shot to share of an "in progress" install.  I'll share more of this when the job is complete.

 

I went for a stroll down King East to source some furniture and see whats new.  I should really get down there more often.  I could walk through these store for hours.

 Stopped in at Betty's for a pint.  Great atmosphere in this place, eat in, eat on the deck, eat at the bar, or sample one of their beers on tap (huge microbrew selection).

Great cluster light at Klaus Neinkamper

I can't remember where I saw this!?! UpCountry? Yes, UpCountry.
I have been pinning waaaay to many Union Jacks lately.

And a special little note, Happy Birthday to my niece.  She turns 2 on Wed, but had an early party on Saturday night.

Bill

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Weekend To Do's - Art and Miusic Edition

Music, Music, Music. Art, Art, Art.  This is Toronto, so of course, everything in between is happening  as well.  

Plans after work today?  Skip out a little early to take part in a pub crawl (part of Toronto Beer Week).  There are events all weekend ranging from Beer Commercial viewing to a femALE only beer and cheese pairing.  The events are all over the city, most at small local pubs and brewpubs. Support your local businesses!  

Building? Renovating? The Fall Home Show is on at the Ex Grounds all weekend.  Huge show, many vendors.  You'll find everything from Kitchen and Bath to roofers.  If you can't find someone here to do your job, it probably can't be done.  

Feeling like something Random, Rough, and a little on the wild side?  

There is a Roller Derby in Toronto.  Firstly, I didn't know Toronto had a Roller Derby. Secondly I didn't know there was a championship on Saturday night! How much fun is this!  Writing this feature has opened my eyes to all kinds of events in our fair city.

The music this weekend is varied, both in venue and style.  K'nann is playing Massey Hall (Friday night), Jann Arden is playing Massey Saturday night, and Slash is playing Sound Academy on Sunday. If that's not enough variety for you, the East End Rockabilly Weekend #4 runs all weekend too.   

For the art lovers on the east end, the Beach Guild of Fine Art has their annual show and sale, Art Down By The Bay.  On the west end of the city? There is a juried art show at Sunnyside beach. If you can't make it out to anything this weekend but still want some art in your life, there is a 6 week long show titled, oddly enough, Six Weeks Of Iranian Art beginning on the 21st and ending Nov 2nd.

If you need to get away and out of the city, the Niagara Wine Festival is a brilliant weekend getaway.

One last thing to note, and it's not even for this weekend, but for next.  Mark it on your calendar.  The King East Design District is holding a sort-of open house for folks of all stripes. Public welcome, designers welcome.  Many businesses are taking part, (BoConcept, Andrew Richard Designs) and all are worth a visit.

Have a good weekend whatever you get up to. On a side note: How nice are the bills for the above events? I love that  old school poster design. See you Monday. 

Bill
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