Collection by Miyoko Ohtake

Made Design Shop and Gallery

Canada is known for its love of hockey and its long winters but few people know of our neighbor to the north's wealth of innovative modern designers. Enter Made. The Toronto shop and gallery features pieces that are—as the storefront suggests—"Canadian made, hand made, custom made, and well made." It's a celebration of what Canadian design is all about.

The shop functions as store and gallery. This vignette features a Terrace coffee table by Toronto designer Lubo Brezina as well as a Gem Collection rug by Bev Hisey, another local designer. Hisey's rug had been on display as part of a recent exhibition before becoming available for purchase.
The shop functions as store and gallery. This vignette features a Terrace coffee table by Toronto designer Lubo Brezina as well as a Gem Collection rug by Bev Hisey, another local designer. Hisey's rug had been on display as part of a recent exhibition before becoming available for purchase.
Moore and Nicholson man the shop. Before opening Made, Moore, a trained furniture designer, worked in another design shop and Nicholson, an artist whose CV includes managing galleries and curating exhibitions in addition to managing design stores, was freelancing as a floral designer. "We had been decrying the general lack of support for and visibility of worthy Canadian design works," Nicholson says. "We began collaborating with other designers, and it crystallized for us that we would have to go the extra step and create a platform for ourselves and others."
Moore and Nicholson man the shop. Before opening Made, Moore, a trained furniture designer, worked in another design shop and Nicholson, an artist whose CV includes managing galleries and curating exhibitions in addition to managing design stores, was freelancing as a floral designer. "We had been decrying the general lack of support for and visibility of worthy Canadian design works," Nicholson says. "We began collaborating with other designers, and it crystallized for us that we would have to go the extra step and create a platform for ourselves and others."
In addition to selling other Canadian designers' works, Made also offers custom design services and produces its own pieces, such as this Hybrid Bench.
In addition to selling other Canadian designers' works, Made also offers custom design services and produces its own pieces, such as this Hybrid Bench.
These shelves are another piece designed and fabricated by Moore for Made. On display are a red Contour Bowl by Calgary native Brad Turner; the salt and pepper sets by Sheridan College students Laura Langford, Chris Vanderwal, and Kamal Fox and Tomas Rojcik, Mark Finnigan, and Joseph Bauman; hand-rolled Porcelain Message Vases by Katherine Morley; and an Owl Lamp by Coe + Waito, a Toronto-based ceramics firm now working as a design consultancy.
These shelves are another piece designed and fabricated by Moore for Made. On display are a red Contour Bowl by Calgary native Brad Turner; the salt and pepper sets by Sheridan College students Laura Langford, Chris Vanderwal, and Kamal Fox and Tomas Rojcik, Mark Finnigan, and Joseph Bauman; hand-rolled Porcelain Message Vases by Katherine Morley; and an Owl Lamp by Coe + Waito, a Toronto-based ceramics firm now working as a design consultancy.
Pushed under the In the Round Table by Luflic is a Walking Chair by Toronto-based designer Ryan Legassicke.
Pushed under the In the Round Table by Luflic is a Walking Chair by Toronto-based designer Ryan Legassicke.
Near the front of the store, a maple Three-Legged Table by Dylan McKinnon is topped by Cell Bowls by Tsunami Glassworks. A pair of Puzzle Standard Lamps by Tamara Rushlow fill in the corner.
Near the front of the store, a maple Three-Legged Table by Dylan McKinnon is topped by Cell Bowls by Tsunami Glassworks. A pair of Puzzle Standard Lamps by Tamara Rushlow fill in the corner.
Topping the Cubert Love Seat by 608 Design is a pair of Storeys Cushions by Kerry Croghan.
Topping the Cubert Love Seat by 608 Design is a pair of Storeys Cushions by Kerry Croghan.
Designer Barr Gilmore played on classic Canadian iconography, combining hockey sticks to create his Shinny Standard Light. Next to it sits a Drawer Console designed by Jason Wheeler. Its metal front facade is actually just that: a facade. The entire piece is made of solid wood and wood veneer with the rusted metallic look painted on. The pillows at the far left are the Doilies Cushions and Home Sweet Home pillows by Shana Anderson.
Designer Barr Gilmore played on classic Canadian iconography, combining hockey sticks to create his Shinny Standard Light. Next to it sits a Drawer Console designed by Jason Wheeler. Its metal front facade is actually just that: a facade. The entire piece is made of solid wood and wood veneer with the rusted metallic look painted on. The pillows at the far left are the Doilies Cushions and Home Sweet Home pillows by Shana Anderson.
Resting on another console were the Log Bowls by Edmonton-based design collective Loyal Loot.
Resting on another console were the Log Bowls by Edmonton-based design collective Loyal Loot.
An area in the back of the shop houses exhibitions, which change about every six to eight weeks. On display during my visit was Variations on a Chair: An Installation by Connie Chisholm.
An area in the back of the shop houses exhibitions, which change about every six to eight weeks. On display during my visit was Variations on a Chair: An Installation by Connie Chisholm.
The exhibition featured three chairs representing variations on a theme. The walls were lined with printouts of the chair template that was the starting point for each prototype. The chairs will be on display through April 30.
The exhibition featured three chairs representing variations on a theme. The walls were lined with printouts of the chair template that was the starting point for each prototype. The chairs will be on display through April 30.
Made is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 am through 7 pm and Saturday 11 am until 6 pm. If you're in the area, be sure to stop in.

Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our  FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!
Made is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 am through 7 pm and Saturday 11 am until 6 pm. If you're in the area, be sure to stop in. Don't miss a word of Dwell! Download our FREE app from iTunes, friend us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter!