Table Stories

We all have tales to share every day. Simple little anecdotes concerning events of the day. Complicated chronicles. Juicy gossip. Lighthearted lexicons.






I've always found the best discourse develops around the table. There is something about the comfort of good food and in being surrounded by familiar people which make fertile ground for the development of interesting conversation. Some of the best times I've had in recent years have been at large dinner gatherings at the Lake Winnipeg cottage of my aunt and uncle.

They are collectors of people, Joan and Lionel. These events are always 'family' events but are never comprised entirely of relatives proper. Rather, there is about an equal measure of acquired 'family' - people who have come into our lives through Joan and Lionel and who have remained constant, some for so long that I can't be entirely sure they are not 'real' relatives. And that's nice, as motley and unlikely a crew we might all be at first glance.


At each gathering, especially during the big holidays, tables are added to tables until they take up the entire length of the cottage. Chairs are squeezed as tightly together as possible which makes for some interesting and creative movement coming and going from the table. When I was young all children were required to sit at the "kids" table, away from the adults, at the insistence of our parents. Today, all children are welcome at the main table - at the insistence of our parents. Something about becoming a grandparent mellows a person, I suppose.

Somebody always brings something, though Joan does most of the cooking (and is as terrific a culinarian as she is a hostess). The food is always good. The desserts, well... red velvet cake worthy of fighting with your favourite cousin for, pumpkin cheesecake like you've never imagined. But it is the company, above all, which make these events memorable.

And it is in these settings where the best stories unfold.

In honor of Joan and Lionel's 50th anniversary this summer, I can't think of a better gift than our newest edition to the store; glassware and a decorative plate from Tord Boontje's Table Stories collection.




















Stunning, whimsically etched glassware, short and tall.                   Deco plate in subtle grey on white.





Don't you deserve something this special on your table?

Puddles, Puddles Everywhere

Not everywhere, actually. Just on our wall.

We are delighted to announce that the first of many products created by designer Tord Boontje have arrived at our House.

"Who?"

Tord Boontje.

Tord Boontje was born in Enschede, Netherlands in 1968. He studied industrial design at the Design Academy in Eindhoven and finished with a Masters from the Royal College of Art in London. He currently works and lives in Bourg-Argental, France. His own mini-biography, as published by Design Museum (Take me there!) is much sweeter and funnier. In order to fully appreciate Tord Boontje one only has to look at his interior design elements. Seeing a picture of one of his wonderous pieces is almost enough to hook you. Being able to physically view and touch a piece, well, its something you have to experience for yourself.

And now you can.

In his own words: “Just like clouds, puddles are very imaginative in making their own shapes, sometimes they like to look like flowers, sometimes like butterflies or birds, or sometimes just like blobs.”

Puddles are decorative surface tiles inspired by nature. Cut from mirror polished stainless steel, they are self adhesive. Each is a unique piece of art. Light in weight and easy to apply, a singular piece subtley enhances any decor. A grouping transforms a space into a dreamscape.

Bird H 10" W 7"
Hibiscus H 17" W 20"
Hummingbird H 10" W 7"
Butterfly H 8" W 10"

In Winnipeg, Puddles is currently only available at ChiChi. From our House to yours.... with pleasure.