Culture, what else have we learned from the egyptians

Table centrepieces made of garlands or wreaths are one custom that has endured the test of time yet not that of forgotten beginnings. Dating back to the Egyptians, wreaths were placed on mummies as they entered the afterlife in a nationwide custom that celebrated this important rite of passage. A few centuries after, rose-petal garlands…

Homes these days are less about norm and more about culture, part 3

Continuing our house tour of this eclectic home… (If you’ve missed it, start with part 1 and read it HERE) COLOUR Early-century modernists were purists that looked at interiors and architecture in a sculptural and straightforward way. Colour, artifacts and the interest in chinoiserie punctuated this aesthetic. Similarly, here, colour was applied in rich tones,…

Homes these days are less about norm and more about culture, part 2

Continuing our house tour on the main floor… (If you’ve missed part 1, read it HERE) MAIN FLOOR The living room and dining room are pulled together by a three-sided fireplace that articulates them without disrupting the flow of the space. The dining room sports a beautifully detailed bar with a backlit natural stone backdrop…

Homes these days are less about norm and more about culture, part 1

When myriads of cultures mix, borrow and evolve together within Toronto’s small geographic footprint, their aesthetic preferences intersect and build homes that exude a rich cosmopolitanism, proud of being different. This is such a home. A home where the owners love the contemporary design and wanted to keep most of their existing furniture and artifact…

Three tips for chores made easy when it comes to rug maintenance

I love rugs. They are nice on your feet and make barefoot walking a great sensorial experience. They enhance your tactile connection to your home in a direct and natural way. Aesthetically, any room can go from elegant to fun by swapping a rug and not changing anything else in it. This is particularly useful…