Decorating & Design
February 3, 2021
These Canadian Makers Are Making Waves In The Design World
In our annual A-list issue, we honor and celebrate a roster of Canadian furniture designers and makers who continue to do great work during these difficult times. Scroll down to discover the creatives who are challenging the status quo with their unique designs. Here’s to the power of true talent!
Megan Cassidy (left) and Jane Son met on the first day of architecture school at the University of Toronto and, after a combined 30 years working in commercial and residential architecture and interior design, launched Casson Hardware in 2017. This practical experience gives them unique insight into sourcing architectural components for both the public and the trade that are both beautiful and functional.
Design Philosophy: “Great design begins with attention to smaller details: Multum in parvo — much in a little.”
Why Now? The brand has expanded into lighting, furniture, mirrors and planters.
After studying commerce at McGill University and working in management and IT, Lani Adeoye made the switch to interior design with a stint at Parsons The New School of Design. Her tables, stools and lighting reference Yoruba culture, particularly the West African talking drum, which takes a prominent role in celebrations.
Design Philosophy: “I believe that if you have a concept you feel connected to, that concept can work on various scales and forms.”
Why Now? Helping makers in Lagos is a cornerstone of Lani’s operation, where she helps support the region’s traditional fabrication methods and growing design scene. She’s been named to prestigious lists, including Dwell magazine’s recurring Young Guns roundup, and an Elle Decor feature celebrating trailblazing women designers around the world.
While they both come up with product ideas, Michael Stamler, a trained industrial designer, leads the design while Denise Murphy handles the business side of their six-year-old company. The lighting on offer from this husband and wife team is a combo of midcentury geometric shapes in brass and handblown glass with polished steel accents.
Design Philosophy: “We want to make beautiful lighting; that’s more important than being able to expand on a global scale.”
Why Now? This year, the studio branched out into copper and new finishing techniques, such as blackening and acid dipping, for a range of patinas. The brand has supplied lights for the Viceroy Chicago, Lord + Taylor stores and Canada’s official residence in Guyana.
The former creative director of EQ3 has been hard at work at his eponymous studio in Winnipeg since 2015 (and soon relocating to Montreal), juggling furniture design, architecture, interiors and art direction. Pieces such as Thom’s groundbreaking Saddle chair have been exhibited at design fairs in Milan, Stockholm and New York. In January, Thom unveiled five new products for Toronto shop Mjölk, which has since received orders from Singapore and Australia.
Design Philosophy: “I try to work in honest materials that improve in quality with use and age, and hopefully embody this energy throughout the piece’s lifetime, to be eventually handed down to the next generation to enjoy.”
Why Now? This Canadian talent has raised the profile of homegrown brands and proven his own design mettle on the world stage.
House & Home December 2020
Produced by Emma Reddington