One of these things just doesn't belong...

Sometimes things show up in the most unlikely places. Like a polar bear in the desert, or a pop singer at a blues festival. Something like a fake at Holt Renfrew.

Nestled amongst expensive clothing I spied with my little eye what I thought was a Kartell Louis Ghost.  I made a beeline with my camera. I was surprised to discover that it was the furthest thing from Philipe Stark's original design. Constructed of injected polycarbonate into a single mold, the real thing is seamless, beautiful and durable. Although the shape of this chair is the same, the integrity of the piece is compromised because the knock off has poorly executed joints, with no attempt to disguise them. 

I find it fascinating that a fake would be placed in an environment with such high foot traffic and big ticket prices. Not to be critical, but it does seem out of its element. Needless to say, it wasn't for sale and it still does its fundamental job, as you can see here.

Next time you're chair hunting, keep an eye out-not every piece is what is seems. 

The Metal Surprise

While shopping in Crate & Barrel, I came across a stunning array of chairs that I couldn't pass up. This particular display challenged my perception of a material that is usually used on the old, cold, unforgiving chairs you find in a church basement.

Aluminum has a bum rap no longer. These trendy chairs are streamlined and slat-backed. Made in one continuous piece and polished to perfection, they come in a sleek table chair and a higher bar stool type. In 2010, the move towards functionality as well as style has pushed the production of metal chairs into high gear. They can be used indoor and out and will withstand years of wear. The prices are quite affordable:

The store also featured a model called the Lyle Side Chair.

It has a more rustic feel and is a little more expensive, but it is a visually enchanting piece.

It is crafted of galvanized steel that is reminiscent of an old farm bucket. Also stackable!

Check the Crate and Barrel website for the location nearest to you.

Flexible Love: The Eco-friendly Chair

I always enjoy a good visit to the ROM. On this particular occasion, I dropped into the gift shop to nose around and found some real beauties. One that caught my eye was an environmentally friendly, innovative design that can seat not just one person, but many.

Hello, Flexible Love Earth8:


This amazing chair is made of recycled paper and wood waste. It has an accordion like structure that expands in the round or stretches out to accommodate 8 people (up to 2112 lbs)! To reduce the green footprint, the seat is constructed using 'pre-existing manufacturing processes'. It's made by a company called Pinzaan CO, Ltd. and was designed by a young Taiwanese designer Chishen Ciu. He was inspired in his hometown of Miaoli, which is heavily into industrial manufacturing. He was working in a factory when he stumbled upon a honeycomb cardboard box insert and had an aha! moment. The structure was the basis for the chair.


The manufacturer also produces Flexible Love Virgin 20 (huge), Earth16 (coming soon in white). You can learn more by looking here. The ROM carries only the pictured version and the price is not for the faint of heart:

However, it's an unique concept, an incredible chair and I covet it. It's also surprisingly comfortable and easily portable.


Now, it's my goal to one day sit in a precursor to this lovely seat-a Frank Ghery Wiggle Chair but this was a great beginning. You'll find it near the front of the ROM gift shop, which is located at Bloor & Avenue, close to Museum Stn.

Happy sitting.

The First Chair: Mid Century Reproduction

Walking along Queen street on a Sunday afternoon, I stumbled upon MORBA, a home decor/furniture store, charmingly crammed with an eclectic mix of modern and retro items. The chairs I found here were reproductions, but I loved them all the same.

The first is a copy of Danish designer Hans Wegner's Shell Chair, circa 1963.

It's an updated version of his first, which was created in 1948.

The chair almost fell out of production, but luckily it was revived in 1997 and did very well for itself. I love the way it curves so sleekly and sits on three legs. The comfort of the added cushion on the back and seat provides just the right amount of support. Like the original, this reproduction is made of plywood shells, with laminate legs. The front two are one continuous piece and the hind one is a separate entity. At this store, the model is available in American Walnut and cushions are made of microfiber. The better to sit in, my dear.


Now, an original chair usually runs anywhere from $2500 and up but a quality reproduction is a great way to afford a certain style on a tighter budget. At MORBA, this is on sale for:

Pretty great, hmm? There's more to come. In the meantime, if you want to look for yourself you can find them at 667 Queen Street West or check out their online store for other varieties.

Get Ur Seat On

I love to sit. It’s a thing I’ve discovered lately and mostly because I just had a baby. In my recent past of go go go! I never took the time to savour the little things, like a fine perch on a soft seat. I was engaging in a particularly satisfying sit session one day last summer when it finally hit me -what am I sitting on? I’d taken for granted the fact that whatever had legs or a base and possibly a cushion would support my weight and make me less tired.

So I actually started to look at chairs: their shapes, their styles, their designs. How each one has its own personality.

They’re awesome.

My love for sitting has become entwined with my love for looking at and finding out about what I’m sitting in. Reviewing my photos, I realized that it has become one of my favourite things to do while I’m out and about. It’s just plain fun. And I like to share my fun.

So here we go. Me, in chairs: an epic adventure, or something like that.