SHELTER

C o v e r i m a g e c r e a t e d b y G G I i n c o r p o r a t i n g o u r O l d M i l l P e n t h o u s e p r o j e c t

Meet, Gillian

Hello and welcome to our first digital edition of SHELTER Thishasbeenalongstandingproject andwanttodoforme,anditfeelssogoodtoat long last get some of my musings and thoughts downonpaper

A shelter magazine is a type of magazine that traditionally focuses on interior design, architecture, and home décor - I subscribe to several and we love nothing more than being featured in one. It typically features articles and photos showcasing beautiful homes, inspiring design ideas, as well as insider source guides (something I always personally love). These publications can provide insight and a starting point for someone embarking on a house move orrenovation

ThisispartofmygoalforSHELTER,butIwantto cover more than just interior design I’ve been a residential designer in Toronto for almost 20 years and for several years before that in my homecountryofScotland Mylovesandinterests gofarbeyondinteriordesignandtheseinterests often interlace organically with my work and client projects I thought this would be a great way to showcase all things from travel to health and wellness, to fashion and art and to many otherareasoflife

I’d like this magazine to be your resource to insider tips, travel and more as well as the often competingthoughtsinmyhead!

Pleaseletmeknowyourthoughtsonourinauguralissue,andifthereisanythingspecific you’dlikeustoincludeinthenextone-TheSummerSolsticeIssueoutinJune

P h o t o g r a p h s t a k e n b y V i r g i n i a M a c d o n a l d D e s i g n b y G G I T a c t i l e T o w n h o u s e T r a n s f o r m a t i o n p r o j e c t

The Spring Equinox

IthoughtreleasingourinauguralissueofSHELTER onthespringequinoxwouldbeagreatwayto celebratethearrivalofanewseason Thespring equinoxisanauspiciousday,markingthe beginningofspringontheNorthernHemisphere andtherenewaloflifeafterthelongwinter months.Thisastronomicaleventoccurswhenthe tiltoftheEarth'saxisisinclinedneitherawayfrom nortowardstheSun,resultinginequalamountsof daylightanddarknessallovertheworld Itisa timeofrenewalandrebirth,asthelongerdaysand warmerweatherbringfreshgrowthandnewlifeto thenaturalworld.Ithasbeencelebratedbymany culturesthroughouthistoryasatimeoffertility, regeneration,andthetriumphoflightover darkness Iamhopingtotapintotheexcitement andenergyofthisseasonalshift Thedaysare becomingwarmer,andpeoplearecomingoutof hibernationandeagertoseewhat'sfreshandnew forspring

Formeourrecentlycompletedprojectshown here,tappedintothespringequinoxfeeling-more imagescanbefoundonourwebsite

Spring Flatlay With Our Favourite Things

Summer Days Spent In Stockholm

InJune2023,myhusbandDeanandI celebratedour20thwedding anniversaryinScandinavia Stockholm wasourfirststopandithasleftwith mewithsomanygreatmemories I simplyhadtoshare!Thisphotowas takeninthegardenatEttHemHotel

Stockholm

SwedeniseverythingandsomuchmorethanIhadimaginedanditscapital citydidnotdisappoint HavingpreviouslyvisitedDenmarkandNorway,Ihave toadmitthatSwedenhasthetopplaceinmyheartamongsttheScandinavian citieswehavevisited Fromthebeautifulpeople,thedivinefood,thecreative andeffortlessfashionandtheirmassages, IfeltlikeIfloatedaroundforthe timewewerethere.

FloatingisprobablythebestwaytodescribeStockholmasit’smadeupof fourteenislandsthatareconnectedbyroadsandbridgesofvaryingsizesand multipleferriesandboats IfIhavethechancetogetoutonthewater,it's alwaysmyfirstpick!

EveryonesimplyseemstogowiththeflowandIthinktheever-present connectiontothewatersetsthetoneandthecolourpalette

MycustomcolourwayforChristopherFarrClothwasinspiredbythistrip, henceitsnameStockholm.Itcanbeseenintheflatlayonthepreviouspage andthecoloursinourdesignhavebeenreplicatedthroughoutthisinaugural issue

Onthenextfewpages,Ihavesharedmylovesfrommytrip!IntheSource Guide,youcanscantheStockholmQRcodetogetaneasytravellistwith someextrabonuscontent.

Dining

Idon’tthinkyoucangetabadmealin Stockholm.Thefoodissofresh,nearly alwaysorganicandsodeliciousand nutritious.Iamagluten-freepescatarian andinStockholmIatelikeaqueenevery daywithoutanyfussorspecialmenus needed Thismeal-Iamnotfrequently onetophotographmymeals-wasatthe EttHemhotel Withoutaprintedmenu,the chefprepareswhathehasfreshandalso whatyoufeellike,justlikeagoodfriend woulddointheirhome

Stockholm

Shopping

TheMotherShiporMotherShopasIrefer toitisSvensktTenn.Anentiredepartment storededicatedtodesignfromfurniture, fabrics,books,jewelryandhousewares It requiresmultiplevisitswithmandatorytea breaks

Thestorebeganwithaserendipitous meetingbetweenEstridEricssonandthe designerJosefFrankthatleadtoa partnershipinthe1930'sthatstill resonatestodayandsetsthisstoreapart fromallothers

Sleeping

WestayedatTheEttHemhotelwhich hasbeenalongcovetedplacetostayfor me DesignedbyIlseCrawfordthehotel functionslikeahome,therearenoareas thatareoutofboundstoguests,no menus,nolistsorprintedparaphernalia, it’sahomeawayfromhome.Thedining roomshownontherightfeaturesabottle greenJosefFrankcabinet Icannotspeak highlyenoughaboutourexperiencehere

Stockholm

Fashion

IhavelovedSwedishfashionforyears, possiblybeforeIevenknewthepiecesI likedinmagazineswerebySwedish fashionhouses Thelinesareoften androgynousinstyling,alooserfitbut tailoredsoyoudon’tlooklikeyouare drowning,trulyawinningcombinationfor me.Myfavouritebrandsandstorestovisit areToteme,FillipaKandRodebjer We, wellmainlyDeanstruckgoldatthefamilyrunstoreGabucci Itisprimarilyamen's storewithacapsulecollectionofwomen’s wear.

Museums & Gallerie

Thereareseveralmuseumslocatedclos toeachother-somejustasimpleferr crossingapart.WelovedtheVas MuseumasittalkstoourVikingheritage Itfeaturesa17thcenturyshipthatsan onitsmaidenvoyage canyouimagine, wastootallandskinny Itisalmostintac andworththevisit.TheMuseumo ModernArtisgorgeous,ithasanamazin cafewithwaterviewsandfreshfoodfo lunch Themuseumhasanextensiv permanentandrotatinggallerycollection

Stockholm

utdoor Living

omwhatIsawandfeltSwedeslovethe ummersunmaybemorethananyother ation Maybeit'ssimplyan nderstandablereactionafterthelong arkestdaysofwinter Whateveritisyou llfindthecitystreetsteamingwith atiosandwanderingsouls.Cityparksare edwithsunbathersandsunlovers It's toomuchformyfairskinsopacka unhat,sunscreenandabigpairofglasses ndfindashadyspotjustlikethestatue ntheleft!

Taking Care of You

Health & Wellness

P h o t o g r a p h t a k e n b y V i r g i n i a M a c d o n a l d D e s i g n b y G G I T a c t i le T o w n h o u s e T r a n s f o r m a t i o n p r o j e c t

Takingamomenttopauseisnevera badidea.Sometimestheslowingdown cantelluswhat’sreallygoingonand allowusspacetoresetandrecharge, onthefollowingpagesyoucansee whatIloveandI’mlookingforwardto using/drinking/tryingthisspring season.

Health & Wellness

Thosewhoknowme,knowhowobsessedIamaboutskincareanddoingallI cantofeelgoodinmybody IhonestlythinkthatthenexttimeIcomearoundI maybeanalternativehealthpractitioner Ithoughtmaybeitwouldbea secondcareerformewhenIretired,butdesignfeedsmysoul,beingof servicetoothersandhelpingthemmoveintoanewwayoflivingiswhatIlove todo,somuchsothatIcan’tseemyselfeverreallystopping.Soitwillneedto waittillnexttime,alongwithbecomingatextileweaver!

I’malwayslearningandtryingoutnewthingsandnewwaystolookafter myself Onthenextfewpagesfindmypicksandloves

Skincare Lov

Thesmellofholi(oil)fromAge Natueurissimplydelicious,blend withHelichrysum(Immortelle)oilit’s nourishingandcalmingformysk

TheOneLoveEnzymeCleansingOi deeplyhydrating Youreallyfeellikey aredoingyourskingood,onecleanse atim

Iloveusingbothoftheseproducts theendoftheda

Health & Wellness

Smelling Good

Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforewe createdourownsignatureessentialoil blend.Havingreliedonmixingseveraloils togethertogettotherightmix,thisyear welaunchedourown It'stheperfect blendoffourofmyfavouritescents-Wild Orange,Litsea,LavenderandCypress Eachwascarefullyselectedtoenhance communication,ground,energize,and providemanifestingproperties

Wealsohaveourownwaterlessdiffusers infourcolours.Theperfectpairing.

Walks

Walkingisagreatwaytoclearabusyhead Tome,it'sthebestwaytomoveyourbody andbeinnature HockleyValleyinCaledonis oneofourfavoriteplacestohiketwelve monthsoftheyear ThereareseveralBruce Trailloopsthatallowyoutobuildahikefrom 6-19km

Closertothecityacircuitalongthelakefrom AshbridgesBayupthroughthegroundsof theHarrisWaterPlantandalongQueen Streetbacktothestartingpointaffordsa changeofsceneryaswellasgreatGFsnacks atTheHavenandmagazinebrowsingat InternationalPresseonQueenStreetEast

Health & Wellness

fter

work out balms

aybeit'sanagethingormaybeIamjust ushingandortakingcareofmyselfmore esedaysbutIadoreagoodworkout almtoeaseachesandstrains.

eepBluebydoTERRAnowcomesina andysolidsticksoyoudon'tgetthe oductonyourhands malsodeeplylovingthe100%organic almsby BumblingAcres-theirComfrey alveBalmisgorgeous!

Spas & Bathing

ThebestmassageIhaveeverhadwasin Sweden,Iwantedtoexperiencea SwedishmassageinSwedenand experienceitIdid ThespaatTheEtt Hemwassettoaverywarmsteamytemp andthestonewallsandfloorsradiated heat Itwasincredible NowifIcouldjust findthisinToronto Athome,Iamsomewhataddictedtothe VagusNervebathoilbyOsea.Itcontains MoroccanRosemaryaswellasother soothingherbsandessentialoils

Health & Wellness

Herbal Teas

Steamysaunasandinvigoratinghikes makemereachformyfavouritewarm beverages-teabutonlytheherbalkindas Idon'ttoleratecaffeine.

MyfavouritedailybeverageisRoasted DandelionTea,tryit,youwillnotbe disappointed Ialsoadorefreshminttea whichiswhatIusuallyorderwhenIam travelling.Itisdelicious-askforextramint asitsbestservedstrongandhot.

Events

Wearesoincrediblyluckytoliveinacityas populousanddiverseasToronto Onany weekendnomattertheseasonyoucanfindan arrayofactivitiestodo Ihaveselectedsome springeventswearereallylookingforwardto!

Photography

Scotiabank’sContactPhotographyFestivalstarts thisMay.Weareinundatedwithdigitalimages dailyandeveryonenowthinkstheyarea photographerastheyhaveacellphone,but there’ssomethingsospecialaboutseeinglarge scaleanaloguephotographyinunexpectedplaces.

Events

Museums & Galleries

I really can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday Artful Yoga is an ongoing program at McMichaelGallery Inthewarmermonthsyou’llfind yourself in good company, yoga is held outdoors bythebronzewolves

The AGO presents Moments in Modernism, a showthat’llbringtogetherworldrenownedartists from across the globe Of interest will be the ways in which modernism is interpreted globally TheshowopensMay18th

Retail Therapy

TheteamwillbeheadedtotheTorontoVintage ClothingShowtogetalargedoseofnostalgiaand inspiration Whentheshow’staglineis“Unfollowing ConventionSince2013”-we’resold!

SaturdayApril6thandSundayApril7thatthe

QueenElizabethBuilding-ExhibitionPlace

Events

Festivals

Inits11thyear,theGlutenFreeGarageisgoing strongasatopfoodeventinthecity.The inceptionoftheeventwasinspiredbythe founder’sdaughterwhowasdiagnosedwith Celiacdiseaseattheageof3.

SundayMay26thatWychwoodBarns

TheTorontoFlowerMarketisback.Themarket highlightsOntariogrowers-bringingtogether flowerandplantenthusiastsfor11years.

Themarketwilltakeplaceonthefollowing

Saturdays:May11th,June15th,July13th,August 17th,September14thandOctober12th.The locationisCAMH,1001QueenStWestattheSW cornerofQueenandShaw.

A Walking Tour Of The Junction Neighbourhood

ItisnosurprisetheJunctiondraws countlessvisitorsdaily.Interesting galleries,deliciousrestaurantsandquaint shops.It’stheperfectwaytospendan afternoon.Ifoundmyselfstandinginthe differentestablishmentswonderingwhat oncestoodinthesespaces.Aswestart peelingbackourlayersandwelcoming thewarmerweather,Ican’thelpbutthink aboutthelayeredpastofthisfascinating neighbourhood.

Museums & Galleries

A great starting point is the Olga Korper Gallery. An expansive space featuring both Canadian and international contemporary artists.

Explore

Dining

You can’t go wrong with elevated pub food

The Commoner is a local favourite adorned with antiques - paying homage to the neighbourhood’s past Torontonians love brunch and of course patio season Enjoy The Commoner for a snack, supper and of coursepeoplewatching

Retail Therapy

ThemomentyouwalkintoMararamiroyou areenvelopedinwarmthandbeauty The storefeaturesanarrayofproductsmadeby bothCanadianandinternationalmakers A realtreatfortheeyesandthesenses

Explore

Retail Therapy

The unassuming storefront of Michelle Ross adds to the allure of this fabulous Toronto jewellery brand The contemporary pieces are made by Michelle in her studio The juxtaposition of various materials is what makesthesetheperfectstatementjewellery foralloccasions

Sipping & Nibbling

IDealCoffeeisanidylliccafewith2 locationsalongSoraurenAve Communityis integraltothecafe’sethos-welcoming neighboursandvisitorstorelaxandenjoya drinkandsmallbite Iadoretheirhot chocolatewithalmondmilk AlltheircoffeebeansareRainforestAlliance Certified,sustainablepracticesareofthe utmostimportancehere

Explore

Listening

Records are back in a big way - did they ever leave, not in my home where we have two turntables, anyhow I digress I poured over the beautiful cover art at High Notes Coffee and Vinyl Attention and detail have not only gone into the musical curation but theartisanalcupsofcoffeeaswell

Spring Transition Tips

Here'safewofmyfavouritethingstowelcomeinSpring

Havingmywindowscleaned-thismakessucha differencetothequalityoflightinmyhomeafter several months of grimy winter weather, it's so goodtoletthelightin

Reducing the weight of clothing in my front hall closet as I move away from boots and down coats I have my coats cleaned and boots polished and pack them away so all is set for when I need them. I swear I can almost hear my closet breathe a sign of relief as it is no longer stuffedfull

Bringing the outside in with potted tulips and bulbsonmykitchentable Theylastmuchlonger than fresh flowers and when they are spent I plant the bulbs in my garden I am unsure if anything has sprouted the following spring or if it'sjustfodderforthesquirrelsbutItry

Removingmyboottraysandindooroutdoor carpetfrommyfrontentranceandhopingIdon't havetoputitbackdownagainifwehavealate deliveryofsnow!

Editing my closet and packing up my most thickestandwintryofsweatersandclothes Allis cleaned and folded away for next winter Items I nolongerwantorneedaredonated.Ialsomake alistofthingsImaywanttoaddnextyear.

Updating my cushions and throws, replacing some of the heavier weight items for lighter materials that have been stored away over the winter

Refining what books and materials I have on my coffee table I like to change this out seasonally with things I already own Sometimes it’s just nicetoseetheminadifferentlight.

Credits, Guides & Sources

Source Guide Spring Things Flatlay

1 PaintingbyPatService,OenoGallerywhichhappilyhangsinourstudio2 KellyWearstlerHexAuraWallpaper3 Idealchocolateindark chocolateandcoconutmilkchocolateflavours,fromIDealCoffee-thisstuffisdivine,aperfectEastertreat!4 MarcPhillipsTextureTR-03 woolcarpetinYellow/Ivory5 MarcPhillipsPrismallosilkwoolcarpetinDesertRose6 WhitemarblecatchallfromourGGIStudio Collection-perfectforjewellery,keys,orabarofsoap!7 MichelleRoss,Leo(Blush),brassandpinkzebrajasperearrings-sovery beautiful8 MuddfinishsamplesinThymeandMousse-thesearethecheekiestsinksmadeinOntario9 DedarMilano,Belmondo, upholsteryfabricincolour00510 SomaChocolatemakerAbstractChocolateScience,darkchocolatewithroastedcacaonibsfromIDeal Coffee11 FerrickMasonbyAlexK Mason,LawrenceGrassclothinMintGreenPink12 StonefromYorkFabricainBrecciaPernice 13 MichelleRoss,Liliam(Blush),hammeredbrassandpinkzebrajasper14 SomaChocolatemaker,MaltedMilk,creamydreamydrinking chocolate,mynewaddictionfromIDealCoffee!15 PhillipJeffries,SilkyStrings,inRoseQuartz16 LoroPianaInteriors,madetomeasure stitches,incolours001-005and006-001017 Amethystcluster,encouragesgrowthandpurpose,fromTheRockStore18TheSeasonsof EttHembookletfrommyStockholmtripwhereIstayed19 SalmonandStoneteatowelsfromourGGIStudioCollection,designedin-house andwovenlocally20 OurChristopherFarrcolourwayoftheiriconicdesignCarnival,celebrating20years,whichwenaturallycalled “Stockholm”21 GGIMagicBlendessentialoil,amagicalcombinationofLavender,Cypress,WildOrange,andLitsea,fromourGGIStudio Collection22 WaterlessdiffuserinRoseGoldfromourStudioCollection,pairsbeautifullywiththeMagicBlend23 ChristopherFarr,handknotted,handspunwoolcarpetinAscot

Source Guide Health & Wellness

1.AgentNateur.Holi(oil). Availableonlineandinstore fromGeeBeauty

2.OneLoveOrganics,Botanical BEnzymeCleansingOil& MakeupRemoverfromthe DetoxMarket.

3.HockleyValleyinCaledon. ImagesourcedfromOntario Hiking.

4.AshbridgesBay.Images sourcedfromTorontoTo Anywhere

5.DeepBluebydoTERRAina handysolidstick

6 BumblingAcresComfrey SalveBalm,Etsyshop.

7 TheEttHemspainSweden ImagesourcedfromHouse& Garden.

8 OseaVagusNervebathoil availablefromTheDetox Market.

9 TraditionalMedicinals RoastedDandelionTea AvailablefromWholeFoods& Ambrosia

10 Minttea Imagesourced fromMinimalistBaker.

Source Guide Events

1.MaïmounaGuerresi,Sebaätou Rijal&VillesNouvellesand AncientShadows.Thisimageis aninstallationviewoftheseries iVillesNouvelles&Ancient Shadows.Location:AgaKhan Park,Toronto,2023.Photocredit: SalinaKassam Imagesourced fromReadFoyer.

2.YogaattheMcMichaelGallery. ImagesourcedfromMcMichael Gallery.

3.Untitled,TomieOhtake,1978. ImagesourcedfromArtReview 4.PhotoofGraceKelly.Image sourcedfromHultonArchive, GettyImages

5.VintageFerragamophoto. Imagesourcedfromthe historialistcom

6.Chocolatechipcookie.Image sourcedfromWildblueBakery.

7TheTorontoFlowerMarket

1TheCommonerPub

2.MararamiroHome.

3. Michelle Ross, model wearing necklaceandearrings

4.MichelleRoss,necklace.

5. High Notes Coffee & Vinyl, imagesourcedonline

Thank you for reading our inaugural issue!!

We’ll be back in your inboxes in June.