Let the light in
By: Beverly Allen - February 15th, 2007
In ancient times, when the dark winter season began, people believed that the sun would return only if entreated to do so by humans making merry and creating light with fires and candles. While we now understand the science of seasonal change, we haven’t lost the instinct to huddle round the fire and illuminate our homes when the nights are long.
That’s why the next few months are the perfect time to add another lamp to your décor. But rather than going to your local home improvement emporium for a new lighting fixture, consider a hand-made piece by a home-grown Canadian designer.
The 
Folk Lamp is the result of collaboration between furniture maker Mathew Birtch and textile designer Marta Pietrzyk, both of whom belong to the Vest Collective, a group of Toronto-based designers and craft practitioners who focus on creating beautiful contemporary objects that are made to last.
(The works of the collective are available for viewing online at www.vestcollective.ca, but they’ll also be on display at the Interior Design Show, running February 22 - 25 at the Direct Energy Centre in Exhibition Place in Toronto (www.interiordesignshow.com).
The folk lamp is made from wood veneer that has been laser-cut in a delicate floral pattern, through which light gently shines. The model shown measures 18 centimetres in diameter by 30 centimetres high and costs $400. Other sizes can be custom made. For more information, contact Mathew Birtch (416-607-6773/Mathew@vestcollective.ca.)
Yuill McGregor of NorthonSixty is a builder and 
furniture designer who uses reclaimed woods and other found materials, including moose, oxtongue and deer antlers, with which he creates rustic chandeliers. (The antlers come from commercial deer farms; deer shed their antlers annually and McGregor hand picks the best of the lot for his chandeliers.)
Prices for these one-of-a-kind beauties start at around $2,050. The moose chandelier, shown above, retails for about $5,500. McGregor’s work can be seen and purchased at his workshop and showroom on Highway 60 in Dwight, Ontario www.northonsixty.ca. In Toronto, you can contact him at 416-538-3325.
Kathryn Walter’s Hanging Pearl lamp (seen above) is made from die-cut felt waste material, which she uses to create a variety of home furnishing and fashion products. This eco-friendly lamp has a 28-centimetre diameter circular shade below a 33-centimetre diameter shade, and will take bulbs up to 60 watts. It sells for about $400 at Eurolite (416-203-1501/ www.eurolite.com ). For more information about Walter’s work, go to www.feltstudio.com or call 416- 652-6657.
Rob Brown of Equinox Interiors uses a variety of exotic woods to create Japanese-style floor lanterns that shed a warm, inviting light. They come in a variety of patterns, weights and colours. The one shown features a solid black cherry frame with a brushed satin varnish and a cherry-blossom patterned paper designed and made by Brown.
Measurements for this model are 23 centimetres wide by 23 centimetres deep by 35 centimetres high. Prices start at abut $200, but if you’re very handy, you can check out Brown’s website at www.equinoxinteriors.ca for instructions for making lanterns. You can also call Brown at 1-888-815-9663.
Great selection of lights… (: