Here in Canada, we are just as guilty of relying on big box stores as the rest of the world’s developed countries, but sometimes the cookie-cutter, everyone-has-it Ikea table doesn’t quite cut it. Many Canadian artists are inspired by our country’s rugged landscape, and the same goes for many of these furniture designs, which have been crafted with local textiles in mind. So if you’re looking for some unique and homegrown furniture for your cottage or home, here are a few Canadian designers to keep in mind.
Looking at his furniture, it is no surprise that Michael Thomas Host is a native of British Columbia and the son of a forester. His intricate, unique designs crafted from salvaged wood and organic resin focus on natural wood grains, aging, and rings. MTH's work now ships out of Vancouver and has recently won "designer of the year" accolades for the outstanding Bloom collection, which includes these side tables. More info: www.mthwoodworks.com
Bettie Cott is a furniture and object designer based out of Toronto. We found out about her because some of her work is sold at MADE, a design store in Toronto that has been previously featured in Cottage Life for their innovative stools made from milk crates. Bettie's Peaks & Valleys Coat Rack is made of powder coated steel and may be the perfect gift for the mountain lover in your life. More info: www.bettiecott.com
In the small town of Morden, Manitoba, a group of eight craftsmen spend their time collecting and repurposing the barn wood from dilapidated homes and farms in the area. Most of the Prairie Barnwood collection is somewhat rustic and includes countertops, flooring, furniture, and old wooden doors. It would be nice to have a whole wall of old barn wood, but for now we'll settle for this gorgeous headboard. More info: www.prairiebarnwood.com
Twin woodworkers Jason and Lars Dressler have been based in downtown Toronto since 2003. Their focus has been on wood furniture, lighting, toys and jewelry, and their designs have been incorporated into major projects throughout the GTA. All of their furniture is handiwork at its finest, but we're really into this coffee table made from a giant sycamore root and an old white oak retrieved from the bottom of Georgian Bay. More info: www.brothersdressler.com
Based out of Toronto, The Barnboard Store mainly supplies reclaimed barn board to retailers and interior designers. The refinished grey, brown and red barn board is collected from across Canada and has been featured on popular Canadian design shows, and has been included in Tim Hortons and Canadian Tire projects. The Barnboard Store also makes its own furniture including this reclaimed industrial factory coffee cart table. More info: www.barnbeamstore.com
This proudly Canadian design studio specializes in repurposing and upholstering furniture. The result is unique (and coveted) furniture made from antique and vintage materials, including these fabulous benches covered in Hudson's Bay Company blankets. The HBC benches are currently sold out, but other favourites from the Toronto store include the fur bench, buffalo check pillows, and hand-painted deer antlers. More info: www.jandjmade.com
This Scarborough, Ontario-based store sells salvaged materials, including a large stock of raw planks that can be purchased and turned into the furniture piece of your forest-loving dreams. Of course, Urban Tree Salvage creates their own furniture as well, including this wood cube—which could be used as a table or stool—carved from the centre of a Toronto-area tree. More info: www.urbantreesalvage.ca
Gus* products mix industrial textures with elegance, a common element in popular modern design. Some of our favourite designs from Gus* are proudly Canadian, including the uniquely designed Canadian Prairie table - a piece that is formed from three separate Prairie province-shaped slabs. Then there's the red tartan Hex Ottoman, which seems very appropriate for a Canadian winter spent fireside. More info: www.gusmodern.com
