It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of one of our friends, and one of Vancouver’s great architects — Peter Cardew.
Peter worked in and around Vancouver since 1980 and was the recipient of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada’s Gold medal. Known for his deceivingly simple design, he worked on a wide range of projects from schools, galleries, libraries, residences, and commercial buildings.
His architecture blends form with place seamlessly and he always collaborated with skilled tradespeople to produce clean, pared-back buildings, interiors, and furniture which then allow the function of each space or object to be fully realized without interruption.
Peter’s friendly face and calm demeanour will be missed by all of us at Inform.
At Inform Interiors, we believe that the objects one invests in should be well designed and crafted to last for generations. These are objects that as time goes on are well-loved and well worn. To ensure that these special pieces endure the test of time regular maintenance is a must.
As always our team of design specialist are here to answer any questions regarding the care of specific materials and the sourcing replacement parts. Additionally, we have compiled a selection of videos to help guide you in ensuring your favourite pieces will become the heirlooms of tomorrow.
Oil Treated Wood
Black Oiled Timber
Soap Treated Wood
Repairing Wicker
Further care and maintenance tips from some of our favourite brands:
Since we and everyone we know have had our regular work/life rhythms disrupted in recent weeks, we find that we are looking for new daily inspirations, so we have decided to compile a running list of things we come across online that we find interesting.
We are extending our thoughts to everyone and hope you are all well.
We would like to take the opportunity in this challenging and unprecedented time to let you know that Inform Interiors will be doing our part to slow the Covid-19 virus. As such, our showrooms remain closed to the public and we have reduced our in-showroom staff, with the remaining staff working remotely. We are available from Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm for all inquiries.
Our online shop is open and running, along with a new live chat option!
The warehouse is fully functional, but there will be no in-home or curbside deliveries at this time. Pick-ups are available from all locations. Please contact your sales rep to coordinate.
Infinitely generous, curious, and creative, Gordon Appelbe Smith brought so much to so many people in his life. You will be missed, dear friend and teacher.
Few people working in the rather serious industry of industrial design have the ability to weave magic through every one of their pieces the way Ingo did. According to his Wikipedia page, he was nicknamed the “poet of light” — a title he certainly lived up to.
Rather than working to conceal the light source as most traditional lighting designers do, Ingo’s work has always exposed and underscored the beauty of the basic architecture and technology of lighting itself. His first piece, called Bulb, is a large crystal globe encompassing a smaller one; created in 1966, Bulb is now included in the MoMA permanent collection.
We invite you to come to our 50 Water Street showroom in Vancouver to see the many beautiful items we have on display for the holiday season. Find the perfect gifts for those on your list and take advantage of our complimentary gift wrapping service which features this year’s limited edition Inform Interiors’ holiday sticker by the renown graphic designer Marian Bantjes.
E.R. Butler & Co. Candlestick Holders
Intrigued by the classic but delicate shape of a Biedermeier candlestick found at a flea market, and impressed by the precision of nineteenth-century lathe work, Ted Muehling tried to capture these qualities using traditional spinning and casting techniques. Daunted, however, by the cost and labour required to realize them, the pieces remained as prototypes.
Ten years after seeing Ted’s pieces, Rhett Butler of E.R. Butler & Co. suggested that Muehling try a technology which he used to produce his exquisite hardware. Butler’s computerized lathes have given life to the designs. This process allows for precise control of the beautiful curves that make these pieces so elegant. Continue reading “Holiday Gifts”→
Spain is a country that is home to a wealth of design talent — currently and historically. As someone who works within the design industry, I had to visit Gaudi’s masterpieces when I found myself in Barcelona this summer. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to have visited a very special building — Casa Batlló — multiple times. Each visit felt like a new experience as they have been at different points in my life — high school, university, and now adulthood.
For those who are not familiar with Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), he was a Spanish architect based in Barcelona in the province of Catalonia. His artistry was one of a kind. Gaudi was strongly influenced by his passions: his work (architecture), nature, and religion. Seven of his works have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Vicens, Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Cripta Güell. All of these are located in Barcelona. Continue reading “Oh my Gaudi!”→
For the month of August, when you purchase any wood product, we will plant a tree in your name in northern British Columbia. The province has established itself as a leader in forest management, implementing stringent forest policies, stewardship programs, and scientific research.
Forests cover two-thirds of B.C. – totalling almost 60 million hectares. In recent years, insect pests and diseases have decimated many of these areas. The dead trees become fuel for wildfires, and in the summer of 2017, we experienced the worst wildfire in our history, with over 1.2 million hectares burned. Our reforestation partners are experts in rehabilitating B.C. forests and ensuring they have a sustainable future.
We are currently exploring the many qualities and beauty of wood. Visit us in-store or check out our blog to learn more about how amazing this material really is.
For those who are not familiar with Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), he was a Spanish architect based in Barcelona in the province of Catalonia. His artistry was one of a kind. Gaudi was strongly influenced by his passions: his work (architecture), nature, and religion. Seven of his works have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO: Park Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Vicens, Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Cripta Güell. All of these are located in Barcelona.