When we begin a the design phase of a project, I always begin with a day in the city for some in-person sourcing. Although our studio has a wonderful sample library that helps us round out our ideas, it's nice to start with fresh inspiration. Getting out from behind the desk is also key - being able to see the scale of items, touch and feel fabrics, and look at vintage items in person is invaluable to all of our designs. I always find I stumble across something I would never have if just looking online. These days are some of my favourite as a designer, as it allows me to take time to take in new inspiration for the approaching project.
Here I'm going to share some of my favourite sourcing spots in Toronto as well as my top tips for a successful sourcing trip, whether you are sourcing for a client or curating your own home.
My top sourcing tips:
Make a list - I like to start with a list of key things I'm looking for, and I always bring our furniture plans and a highlighter with me. This helps keep me on track and make sure I'm filling in those missing pieces on projects.
2. Plan to spend the full day - rushing this process always feels chaotic, so I block my whole day so there is nothing else taking up mental space. I like to take my time and really peruse each shop - there's usually a lot to see. Have a plan to grab a coffee and lunch midday to keep your energy levels up.
3. When it comes to fabric - more is more. When I'm working on a project, I pull 200+ samples every time I go fabric sourcing. When I'm back in the studio, we arrange the samples by colour and start building schemes for each room. I initially pull anything that fits the palette and vibe I'm going for - but I don't edit until later.
Best for Lighting | Vintage Lighting by Vintage Rivival
Best for Fabrics | Kravet (trade only)
Best for Stone | Cava Surfaces
Best for Vintage | The Door Store
Best for Rugs | Elte
