Real finds at stores just off beaten path
[attach]1196[/attach]Sometimes it’s easy to miss stores that are only slightly off the beaten path, which is too bad as they’re no less worthy of our shopping attention.
Continuum Modern Vintage is one such shop, having escaped my retail radar since opening Nov. 18.
Now that I’ve found it let’s just say I’ll be orbiting it compulsively.
Located on Pape just south of the Danforth in the former space of Jane Hall Design (which relocated a few years ago and is going strong in the Beach), Continuum is simply gorgeous — and aptly named.
Owner Daina Liepa has a talent for transforming vintage furniture — something she calls upcycling — into stylishly beautiful creations for contemporary times. She mixes these reworked pieces with vintage decorative accessories found at estate sales and some new items too.
The results are charming. An old coffee table Liepa has redone is $225. It was ugly as sin before but it’s now a wonderful white and sports a mirror she custom fitted on top.
Vintage but never before used Limoges china is selling for $75 a place setting. A chunky industrial bracelet marked “Poggi Paris” is $95, while dresses from the 1970s and 80s in impeccable condition are about $100-200 each.
Art deco mirrors, gorgeous silk cushions Liepa has created (an oblong green silk one is a mere $40) and other textiles her business partner, interior designer Reg Dohms, has made repose alongside carefully curated vignettes that sizzle with style.
A large oval vintage metal base ottoman Dohms reupholstered is $350, while lush velvet stretch curtains in winter white with darling brown velvet buttons on top are $125 a panel.
The store offers custom bedding, curtains, slipcovering and upholstery services as well.
I’m crushing on a vintage-esque fringed shawl, made from a fringe Dohms dyed purple and sewn onto antique purple velvet fabric with brown velvet fabric on the other side. It’s $275 and I hear Hermes has something just like it.
In February the store will be featuring Art Deco lamps to light up your life in the blah winter months.
Snap up those one-of-a-kind pieces if you love’ em ’cos once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.
707 Pape Ave., 416-778-1200, [url]www.continuummodernvintage.ca[/url]
Another store I never would have known about if it weren’t for an email someone sent me is Do Bamboo, on Coxwell Ave. just a few shops north of the Danforth.
Open since July with an online store for the last few years, owner John Elias sells bamboo clothing and natural products at phenomenal prices.
Bamboo, in case you didn’t know, has all sorts of benefits. It’s said to be anti-bacterial and I hear that after wearing it you won’t go back to cotton again (I say the same thing about cashmere).
Sure enough, the hoodies, sweaters and scarves I run my fingers over are arguably softer than cashmere, and way less expensive. In fact the prices are the best I’ve seen for bamboo clothing. Some items are made right here in Toronto.
Ladies’ coloured sweater turtlenecks are $50, while black workout pants are also a mere $50. A fashion-forward tunic with three-quarter sleeves and a cowl neck is only $30, while men’s hoodies are $60.
Undies for gals are $15 and come in bright hues. They’re made by a local fashion design student under the label of Candypants.
Canadian company Clapham’s Beeswax Products has an assortment of products, including Beeswax Polish for wood in a lavender scent ($8), Leather Dressing ($10) and Salad Bowl Finish ($8).
Clapham’s beeswax candles, starting at $5.50 for a wee one and $25 for a fat pillar, blow the crafty-dafty ones I see at markets out of the water. They’re sleek — no bumps — and come in wild, happy solid shades like fuchsia, bright green, red, purple and yellow.
All-natural soaps by Toronto-based The Soap Works are so well-priced I almost fall over: two bucks a bar (okay, some are $3 and $3.50), and in yummy scents like cucumber & comfrey.
I’ll be back soon to stock up on natural fibres and frothy shower-time goodies.
698 Coxwell Ave., 416-465-4800, [url]www.dobamboo.com[/url]
