I went with a client last week to the Toronto Furniture show - it is a trade only show and is supposed to enlighten us all with the trends etc and items available for retail.....I can honestly say I was dissapointed with the whole bleak show....Mario and I travelled to Paris about 4 years ago - prior to both our children and saw most of what was available finally in Canada 4 years later...The lamps above were impressive - somewhat french inspired and somewhat industrial something I love and is becoming more and more edgy. Pricepoints were far better on the retails here in Canada on these lamps as I believe in Paris they were about 250 euro's at the time - here the retails will be about 125.00 and up. We ordered them and will have them in the store shortly - I believe the manufacturer stated that they will be available mid march.
Now the part I actually really liked was a local manufacturer who imports sofas, chairs etc...they are pre made when they arrive and currently in stock to send out...unlike the delays on the other sofa companies...these ones are ready to go...
French inspired - and very Elle Decor - tufted back in a pale linen and the bottoms of the couches were lined with nail heads - really really cool....the fabric is wonderful - there was a sofa, a loveseat, a deep chair , a comfortable sitting chair and then the tufted ottoman - also introduced in the line was a french dining chair same linen fabric with a bleached wood trim.....
Did the show inspire me....not really...I think there is way too much of the Leons look - large pillow backed leather couches and chairs, oversize iron beds and nothing that truly inspired....
We have started carrying some amazing chandeliers from a company that introduced the above table...it is made of one piece of tree - reflecting the flaws in the wood as well...the legs of the table are more pieces of the tree and would be amazing paired up with the Phillip Starke ghost chairs....if I had more room in the store I would carry the whole line of tables , benches etc.....and who knows maybe will get some space to do that....
Overall - I think I find more inspiration from reading all the french magazines...and kind of just stuff that pops in my head.. Our aesthetic is pretty simple to figure out ....French meets Industrial with a real quirky edge....
So when you are looking at all the other retail stores - other then the big box ones....think of how much work we all need to do to make sure our inspiration gets to you..
