My Catch #2

Driving into the heart of the city I had no idea what to expect. I’ve done city driving, I’m good to go, right? Well there is a lot of negativity out there ref Toronto driving, I must admit I was a little anxious… I am happy to report though that not one bad thing happened, not a beep of an angry horn, no mad pedestrians, this was noon on a Saturday and it was relatively easy, parking wasn’t even an issue, I was pleasantly surprised.

My second stop, Love the Design

I did my very best to calm my self down from the experience of my last stop, I didn’t want to appear hickish when I landed in a downtown Toronto store…  I needn’t have worried at all! I walked into the most beautifully merchandised store I have ever been in, a tiny sweet voice greeted me with a very friendly Hello… The owner Christine was not there, but her friend Jenn was. I must say she made me feel very welcome, she is a great ambassador of the store and has so much pride in the work they do, I was very impressed! The store as mentioned was merchandised so amazingly! I would put everything that was there into my home in a split second…

There is a huge contrast to the last store I was in though, Love the Design is the final product, the what “to do” with all the goodies you would find in a salvage shop. A how to display them, how to refurbish them, how to make them into art, not a literal how to, a what should be done, a what can be done… Having said that, as a designer that is very interested in refurbishing things myself this visual treat was almost too much to bare! I totally know I sound like I am exaggerating, call Jenn she’ll tell ya how much I was drooling all over everything! 😉

Knowing not everyone has the know how or the desire to refurbish (to my mind that seems like an impossibility, but it’s true) this place is an awesome resource to get and have a one of a kind piece of art, a conversation piece, a place where you can style your loft and home to be a show case… The 1920’s eclectic items, the awesome bits & pieces and chic industrial vintage furniture were just begging to be brought home, to the right home…

This place will forever be a model for what I’d like my someday store to be like! Christine the owner is also a very accomplished photographer (yep I wanna be her), her gorgeous art is on the walls and has been picked up for art shows internationally, her merchandise and art were also featured on the Marilyn Denis Show. Very cool!

Lets have a peek…

Some day, I hope to inspire like Love The Design inspired me…  Thanks to Jenn for being so down to earth and awesome!

The products featured in this beautiful store were more than my budget would allow on Saturday, oh but I wanted everything! The trouble lights, the Industrial lighting, the counter they served from, the antique luggage cart, well just about everything!!! I didn’t take these things home physically, but they are stored away in my creative brain for another day…

This is what I left with, still happy as can be…

I have a lot of these bottles, never have I found one in this good of shape, with a label and a cork, score! I can’t resist anything jute or burlap, so the twine was love at first sight… I think Bud should be very proud of how I restrained myself in this beautiful place!

Thank-you Love the Design, I’ll be back!