There’s a saying in retail: When you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance. When customers make a conscious choice to support the local economy instead of spending internationally, the whole community benefits.

With increasing competition from big box retailers offering mass-produced products, it’s more important than ever to source Canadian-made furniture and home décor options. In recent years, retailers have cited a skills gap, competitive pressure from the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and the cost of doing business as main challenges surrounding Canadian made goods.

Retailers have a lot of overhead costs, and the common markup for handmade is not as sustainable as it once was. All the more reason to celebrate and support local businesses that remain committed to offering homegrown products.

One-of-a-kind

Joshua Creek Furniture in Oakville has a 10,000 sq ft showroom with Canadian-made furniture for every room in the home, from sofas and sectionals to solid wood bedrooms, dining rooms, custom home offices and much more.

“Shopping Canadian supports local industry and minimizes your ecological impact,” says Joshua Creek’s Samantha Hobbs. “The bonus? Your Canadian made furniture is built to order, with custom choices that perfectly reflect the home you want to live in.”

The company works with local craftsmen known for superior construction and quality materials. Joshua Creek’s wood products feature details such as solid wood drawer boxes, English dovetailed mitre joints and full extension ball bearing glides. All of their leather furniture is made locally, with 100% top grain leather around the whole piece.

The company works with local craftsmen known for superior construction and quality materials. Joshua Creek’s wood products feature details such as solid wood drawer boxes, English dovetailed mitre joints and full extension ball bearing glides. All of their leather furniture is made locally, with 100% top grain leather around the whole piece.

The local advantage ensures superior customer service. “By using local builders, we are able to service any issues that may arise,” says Joe Levine. “Our builders take care of us, ensuring that we can take care of you.”

Cat McCrimmon, owner of Rustic Daisy’s in Waterdown, finds that customers enjoy discovering unique items they can’t find anywhere else. Her store sells exclusively Canadian-made gifts, home décor, and original art.

“The best example in our shop is pottery mugs made by Studio C Ceramics,” McCrimmon says. “Not only does this maker hand throw each mug on a wheel, but she also individually paints them. Every mug is a little different, allowing the customer to select the one that stands out to them the most.”

Quality first

Anderson Interiors in Burlington specializes in interior decorating, custom furniture and reupholstery, and has a showroom where designers showcase their work. Owner Jim Anderson stresses the Canadian-made financial benefit: “With no hidden costs like duty, shipping, or the dollar exchange from other countries added to the price,” he says, “every dollar spent is going into the quality of each piece.”

Canadian suppliers offer quicker lead times, customizable orders, lower shipping costs, less shipping damages, and more stock readily available. “We don’t have to make a pre-made piece work for your space,” Anderson says. “We can customize any piece to your specific room.”

Elizabeth Law, owner of Burlington-based Elizabeth Interiors, Liz at Home, and Liz at the Lake, can vouch for her merchandise because she visits suppliers and sees their work in progress. “We are very fortunate to have strong relationships with leading furniture manufacturers in Canada,” she says. “The advantage is visiting the [workshop] and seeing the quality [firsthand].”

Something to talk about

The key to sourcing Canadian-made products is communication. One way to get educated is simply by asking. Sales associates and store owners can point consumers in the right direction.

“Some items are designed in Canada but made offshore, so chatting with someone knowledgeable about the product will help,” says McCrimmon.

“Asking questions and comparing quality, price, and service to international brands will educate shoppers,” says Anderson.

“People like purchasing Canadian furniture because they like supporting the local economy,” adds Law. “Our clients feel proud to showcase Canadian artisans in their homes.”

According to Hobbs, customers of Joshua Creek Furniture are proud to say that their homes are full of locally made products. “We appreciate their commitment to our small local business,” she says. “When you buy our Canadian made products, you are purchasing quality pieces that your family will love for years to come.”

Local Links:

Anderson’s Interiors
686 Guelph Line, Burlington
andersonsinteriors.ca

Elizabeth Interiors
3225 Fairview Street, Burlington
elizabethinteriors.com

Joshua Creek Furniture
1029 Speers Road, Oakville
joshuacreekfurniture.com

Liz at Home
3443 Fairview Street, Burlington
elizabethinteriors.com

Penwood Furniture
270 North Service Road West, Oakville
penwoodfurniture.com

Rustic Daisy’s
25 Main Street South, Waterdown
rusticdaisys.ca

The Handmade House
374 Brant Street, Burlington
71 King Street West, Dundas
thehandmadehouseburlington.ca

By Nicole Hilton

Bringing new life to an older piece of furniture gives DIY (do it yourself) thrill-seekers a fulfilling and creative hobby. Whether you’re an avid antique hunter, love to bargain hunt online, or have inherited a family heirloom, restoration is a cost-effective way to personalize and modernize the pieces you’ve collected over the years.

Sometimes it’s hard to see the potential of a piece of furniture under layers of dust, paint, or veneer, but that can be half the fun. No task offers quite as much satisfaction as returning a weathered wooden gem to its former splendour.

“Most solid wood furniture is worth refinishing,” says Umar Ahmed, Owner of Howard’s Second Generation. “Look for things like dovetail drawers, finger joints, solid wood frames, maker’s marks, or unique designs and shapes to know if a piece is worthwhile.”

“Dressers, end tables, and sideboards are always popular pieces to refinish,” explains Rose Khara, Owner of Griffin Vintage Furniture & Gifts. “We find sixty percent of our customers are working on a DIY project and 40 percent are looking for help with professional
furniture painting.”

Take time to prep

Preparation is key to restoring wood furniture yourself. The better you plan your setup, the smoother your project will go. The first step is to ensure you have the right personal protective equipment for the job so you’re working in a safe environment. Next, start your prep by removing the existing hardware, cleaning the piece, and using 220 grit sandpaper to prepare the wood.

“Properly tape off areas that you don’t want to touch and sand thoroughly and evenly,” says Ahmed. “Keep your work area tidy because that can be the difference between a good looking piece of furniture and a stunning piece of furniture!” When you’ve finished sanding, wipe your piece with a cloth before priming and painting or staining.

Enjoy the transformation

As for selecting a paint colour, Ahmed and Khara agree the grey tones that dominated home décor over the past few years are no longer trending. “This year, the most popular dark colours selling in the Fusion Mineral Paint line are Coal Black and Cast Iron,” says Khara. “In the lighter range, Victorian Lace and the warmer tone of Raw Silk are popular. We’ve moved to painting in a satin or pearl finish and away from a high gloss finish.”

If you’re opting for a natural stain, you’re in luck. “The feeling of the wood grain is very popular,” explains Ahmed. “For natural wood finishes, people are choosing zero VOC and natural oils.”

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds – chemicals that are released into the air during application. Zero VOC wood stains help maintain healthy indoor air quality while giving your project the desired finish.

Complete your project with some revamped hardware. You can entirely change the look by spraying handles and knobs a new colour or purchasing new hardware in a different style.

Consider hiring a pro

If you’re not in your element with sandpaper, stains and paints, a professional furniture refinisher in your neighbourhood would be pleased to handle the job. They’ll know what kind of wood you’re dealing with and can offer suggestions or make your own
vision come to life.

Many benefits factor into the wood furniture restoration industry, including the joy it brings to DIY enthusiasts. “I love the interpersonal interaction with clients and working on unique pieces,” says Ahmed. “Every time we show the finished piece, the oohs and aahs, and sometimes hugs and tears, are priceless.”

“I love to discover the history of a vintage piece because every piece of furniture can tell a story,” says Khara. “Focusing on the idea of reduce, reuse, recycle and showing people you can have beautiful furniture and save money at the same time is an important message.”

By Nicole Hilton

LOCAL LINKS

Griffin Vintage Furniture & Gifts,
Ltd 7 Griffin Street, Waterdown
griffinvintage.com

Howard’s Second Generation,
2-1244 Speers Road, Oakville
Howardssecondgeneration

A Perfect Touch
perfecttouchfurniture.com

Kaza Refinishing,
247 Barton Street, Hamilton
kazarefinishing.ca

Mankind has been obsessed with outdoor grilling ever since our ancestors first discovered fire a million years ago. Cooking over wood and charcoal imparts a smoky flavour that is the secret ingredient to so many favourite ethnic dishes. If you’re an adventurous epicurean who loves playing host, you can turn your backyard into a gourmet oasis with specialty ovens and grills that bring to life age-old traditions from around the globe.

A Gateway to Heat

The tandoor oven, a cylindrical vessel made of clay, is an integral part of India’s culinary heritage and the secret behind the smoky tang of your beloved Indian dishes. Cooking food over wood/ charcoal in the belly of a tandoor oven at scorching high temperatures results in fast cooking times.

If you love the interactive experience of fondue parties, you’ll love these ovens that are designed for vertical barbecuing. Picture marinating meats, vegetables and cheeses in yogurt and spices, skewering them on metal rods and inserting them into the vessel vertically.

As the food cooks with the lid closed, the juices spill down onto the charcoal, creating a flavourful, smoky convection-style cooking chamber. And brace yourself – slapping dough on the inner walls of the oven makes fluffy naans with a crispy exterior!

Typically standing waist-high, tandoor ovens are portable and easy to integrate into any patio. There are stainless steel or beautifully handcrafted clay versions carved and painted in intricate geometric patterns and Eastern motifs.

Italians have perfected the fine art of pizza with their iconic brick wood-fired ovens. The tradition dates back centuries, notably in Naples, the birthplace of Napolitano pizza.

The brick construction allows for intense heat as high as 500 degrees Celsius, and the dome shape allows heat to circulate effectively for consistent, even distribution. It makes mouth-watering pizza with an airy, crispy crust in a record-breaking 90 seconds, while adding a hint of smoky delight.

But the magic doesn’t stop at pizzas! Many regions in Italy, like Tuscany and Campania, roast meats in the same ovens, including whole lambs or goats for special celebrations. Even distribution of high heat locks in the juices. Upscale brands like Forno Bravo offer pizza ovens that can be customized with stucco exteriors or decorative tile and mosaics, for a traditional look with a personal touch.

The Social Art of Grilling

In Argentina, asado is not just a grilling method; it’s a social event. The tradition dates back to the early 19th century and has its roots in the gaucho (Argentine cowboy) lifestyle. Gauchos would gather around an open fire, grilling large cuts of meat while sharing stories and songs.

Asado barbecuing is a slow, measured process using a parrilla – a special grill, typically a two-part design featuring an iron grate and a firebox (brasero) by the side to ensure food doesn’t absorb acrid flavours that are produced when wood/charcoal is fired up.

Parrillas often come with a crank that makes the grill easy to raise and lower for quick temperature adjustments, allowing popular dishes like costillas (beef ribs), chorizo sausages and morcilla (blood sausage) to be cooked to perfection.

Since the meat is cooked over an open fire, these grills don’t imbue as much smoke flavour as an enclosed smoker. But guess what? With asado, the meat is never marinated – all you need is a good quality salt. If you’re not ready to go big with free-standing units, a built-in unit can be easily dropped into an outside kitchen island.

For a more interactive social experience, consider a Korean barbecue grill. These tabletop grills, whether built into the table or portable, encourage communal cooking and dining and allow you to cook marinated meats and vegetables right at the table.

Side dishes, known as banchan, like kimchi, pickled radishes, and various sauces, will elevate your grilling experience, making every meal both a feast and a festive event!

By Fiorella Grossi