Table of contents for Issue 2, 2024 in DESIGNLINES

As cities evolve and grow, there’s an inherent urge to leave our mark. It’s a desire that reveals itself in daring architecture, bold street art and urban spaces that invite congregation and placemaking. In a city like Toronto, every corner holds the promise of discovery, where beyond the skyline and streetscapes, our homes become natural extensions of ourselves, shaped by how we live and a testament to human ingenuity. With this in mind, our New Builds issue celebrates the profound impact of creating something new, not just as an architectural endeavour but as a testament to laying down roots and shaping the very essence of our city’s identity. “Garden Party” (PAGE 46), the title of our cover story, considers two unique takes on landscape design that capture backyard living in…

INFORMED BY THE PORTRAIT OF a woman who loves to travel, eat good food and keep good company, DesignAgency’s concept for a new restaurant inside The Sutton Place Hotel Toronto channels the coastal culture of sites like the Amalfi Coast, Mykonos and the south of France. Though its namesake and muse might be imaginary, Abrielle’s impact to the city’s food scene is unmissable—a connection point, Toronto’s answer to coastal Mediterranean cuisine. Housed in the historic Westinghouse building at 355 King Street West, Abrielle’s interior design (like its menu) draws on the charm of the Mediterranean with a vibrant palette and effortless elegance. “In addition to giving Abrielle a distinctive style, the design concept positioned the restaurant as a natural extension of the Sutton Place lobby, the hotel’s feature venue,” says…

CLOSE TO HOME Jennifer Turner Architect transforms a plain yard into a dynamic outdoor retreat With soothing sounds from the tiered water feature, this Whitby, Ontario, garden bubbles with life. Architect Jennifer Turner has mastered the art of balancing natural and built environments in her 30-plus years designing luxurious gardens and homes. “I’m an avid gardener and wanted to create a modern, structured garden with an appropriate sense of scale to elongate the space and make it feel larger than it did previously,” she says. The vision—a unique cottage alternative for a retired couple located just an hour outside Toronto. Along with Turner, landscape architect Elise Shelley opted for a mix of plants, trees and bulbs including Japanese Maple, Lily of the Valley and multiple types of Clematis to achieve…

ONE OF THE MANY challenges of designing a new-build family cottage is creating that quintessential sense of warmth and nostalgia. For one young family, their dream getaway was not a log house, but rather something light, casual and not too serious. At 1,800-square feet, this Muskoka bungalow is a generous home-away-from-home where they can seriously unwind and entertain. Architect Gary Stein executed the contemporary form with vaulted ceilings, wide passageways and grand windows. To complement Stein’s design, interior design firm Studio P was in lockstep throughout the planning and building process. Principal designer Priya Mitrovic was galvanized to start the studio in 2017 after a stint in Northern Spain following several years of working in the design industry. Taking cues from her work abroad, Mitrovic is not shy about layering…

EAST ROOM IS VENTURING westward with its new location in the city’s vibrant Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood. Distinct for centring design and hospitality within its programming, the coworking space promises to bring a dynamic social and community hub across town with its latest expansion. Set to open this spring, the inaugural West End site at 68 Claremont Street will feature an 800-square-foot café and bar powered by Forno Cultura in addition to its wide range of office space and sprawling lounge rooms. Designed by JAH Studio, the café and bar will be public-facing and accessible through the building’s inconspicuous alleyway—a “hidden in plain sight” architectural style that has become synonymous with the neighbourhood’s distinct sense of cool. “The West End is very community oriented, but it doesn’t have a community clubhouse…

In its latest exhibition, Dressed to Impress: Footwear and Consumerism in the 1980s, the Bata Shoe Museum leans into cultural nostalgia with a sizable footwear collection from the most epic, tubular decade: the 1980s. From Reebok Freestyles and original Air Jordans to Brothel creepers and jelly shoes, this exhibition covers the cultural and social mindsets of the era from toe to heel. Gag me with a spoon! The exhibition does more than offer a glimpse of a decade in fashion. It captures a chapter of consumerist culture fueled by advertisements, music videos and films designed to sell the idea of having it all. Curious about the intricacies behind building such an exhibition, we caught up with museum curator Nishi Bassi who shared the ins and outs of her curatorial process,…

The Miss Havisham–era houses that characterize Toronto’s streetscape have a distinct charm. But their interior layouts can be a sticking point, feeling too conservative and constraining, especially for someone who wishes to live a little differently. “The reality is we live in this city of houses designed for your nuclear, heteronormative family,” says the architect Anya Moryoussef, who leads the firm AMA. “Most of these houses are Victorian and Edwardian, and there are so many ideas about gender and family structures ingrained in the way they are designed.” Convention didn’t fly with Moryoussef’s client at Blind Dormer House, who is starting a family solo and wanted a new home that reflected this exciting new chapter. Rather than a prescribed principal suite, for instance, Moryoussef went rogue, creating flexible spaces that…

The Fashion District is a vibrant neighbourhood, defined by heritage architecture and creature comforts SHOPS 1. LightForm This premiere destination for lighting houses an impressive collection from the world’s top design brands in their flagship showroom, where every step feels like a journey through an immersive art gallery. 267 Niagara Street, lightformshop.com For our complete guide of shop and showroom listings, visit designlinesmagazine.com 2. STANDARD SHOP A Toronto-based contract lighting leader, Standard Shop is open to trade professionals and their clients, helping to serve them with their uniquely curated selection of innovative decorative lighting. By appointment only. 145 Tecumseth Street standardshop.ca 3. URBAN BARN Beyond furniture, this long-time Fashion District staple is a source for on-trend decor, including throw pillows, vases and even a wide range of wall art. With…

DesignTO festival attendees were among the first to visit Ashley Botten Design’s new in-studio showroom, unveiled during a co-presented exhibit by Vessels + Sticks Ceramic Art Gallery. “It will be in a constant state of evolution,” shares Botten, who has since refitted the space at 72 Strafford Street with a curated selection of ABD furniture exclusives. “What excites me most is the chance to reinvent this one room a million times over and to be inspired by the conversations it sparks.” Open by appointment, the showroom features art from Botten’s own collection alongside wild floral arrangements, bespoke furniture, decor and the sweet scent of incense, adding sensorial layers to the in-person experience.…

To note: Carnevale motif shown in Gelato colourway.…

THE IDEA FOR BALLOOMS’ inflatable bouquets, which conflate Koonsian kitsch with decorative charm, was born out of a desire to create objects that spread joy. “It’s quite possible that it was a reaction from a few unfortunate years for all of us, where we lost a lot of human connection,” says Dylan Kwacz, the brand’s founder and creative director. Having spent the past eight years supporting the ambitions of others, he decided to pursue Ballooms in the summer of 2023 as a manifestation of his own creative impulses. With a small team consisting of Kwacz and his partner, each Ballooms bouquet is fashioned from natural and biodegradable latex balloons and ranges anywhere between $45-$70 each—however, the two are open to experimentation and tackling unconventional requests. With springtime blossoms in full…