Article by Michelle Heslop. Photography by Jody Beck.
In an age of disposable, mass-produced goods, owning a unique piece of custom furniture can be very gratifying. Investing in a special piece that reflects your personal style has significance and can actually add the kind of value to your life that is meaningful. Commissioning a custom-made piece of furniture is like buying a tailor-made suit: it fits like a glove and wields a distinct quality that stands the test of time. Custom-made furniture embraces your unique creative vision, optimizes your space, and is built with the kind of quality that can travel with you through generations.
All advantages aside, there are those people that simply value something truly original and desire a quality product that has sentimentality. Despite what you may have heard, custom furniture and cabinetry aren’t always the more expensive option. In fact, there are often higher prices to pay for mass-produced furniture in terms of ethical production and environmental burdens. Custom-made furniture provides a unique opportunity to participate in your local economy with the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting a time-honoured craft in an age of assembly-line mass production.
Compiling their wish-list from their image bank, the clients approached Jenny Martin Design (JMD) to bring their multifunctional bed design vision to fruition. To maximize the modest square footage of their condo bedroom, they coveted one design in particular that incorporated an integrated headboard with floating side tables. Merging this photo with another image exhibiting hidden storage and integrated lighting for the bedside tables, Mari O’Meara at JMD, drafted the blueprints for a multifunctional custom-designed bed.
With over 40 years experience, Nabil Fayad from Alexandria Design, was the ideal craftsmen to tackle the upholstery for this versatile bed design. Fusing both art and science, Fayad had to determine how to approach the upholstered aesthetic considering its multiple functions, the actual structure of the bed, and the chain of events that had to occur before he could begin. Having built many beds, Fayad adds that, “this design was probably the most contemporary with multiple elements and functions.” Working with South Shore Cabinetry, Fayad states that, “the challenge was how to convert the sides of the bed into four drawers and how the upholstery would look aesthetically without compromising the integrity of the bed.” The result is a sleek, versatile design, boasting a luxe and sophisticated feel for this contemporary bedroom. Two, upholstered, 4×4 deep drawers for storage were built beneath the mattress. Stone Harbour fabric from Kravet, in Flax 1616.
“Originally the headboard was intended to be a sold nine-feet in length without dividing it into sections; however, with the specific height dimensions it wouldn’t have fit through the client’s bedroom door. Rethinking the structure, the headboard was cut into three sections and was reinforced for stability,” says Fayad. As a result, Fayadreconfigured the back of the headboard so he could reinforce the pieces and mount them to a walnut veneer with steel frames. Keep in mind these measurements had to be logistically coordinated with the electrician before the lights went in for the integrated bedside lamps. The fabric was carefully selected to coordinate with the warm, neutral palettes of the carpet and the walnut wall panelling.
Oliver Wall Lights, by Gabriel Teixido Lighting, in a matte nickel finish, blend in beautifully against the linen upholstered headboard. Floating walnut side table with glass top for simple but elegant display and storage. Richelieu stainless steel glass spacers. Drawers in side table have a walnut stain to echo the wall paneling.
Custom built-in wardrobe unit by Urbana with elegant marble slab countertop provided by Stone Age Marble. Glass shelf for perfume display with back panelled mirror. Drawers and hardware provided by South Shore Cabinetry.
