Long live inabstracto!

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 7 of 13, W25 *
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Last July, we said farewell to a local design landmark – inabstracto's West Queen West vintage shop, with its convivial mood, eclectic assortment of objects and inimitable street presence. At the time, we all understood that another destination was in the works. This past weekend, I finally had a chance to explore the new venue, a coachhouse in Little Italy you can visit by appointment.

So many retail environments mimic the feel of a home, in an effort to help you envision your ideal space. The new inabstracto actually is a home, and Kate and Julie warmly invited me in to see the current collection.

The raw concrete floor on the main level gives the space an art-gallery feel, well-suited to the sculptural qualities of the seating and lighting on view:

The shop's trademark way of arranging things, at once casual and beguiling, is well represented:

Ceramic pieces on open shelves prove that vases, bowls, and teacups can be as forcefully present as more traditional works of art:

Upstairs, a wooden floor painted white is just the right setting for sharp blasts of colour:

Throughout, there's a balance struck between the softness of textiles and the hard edges of modernist forms:

I was especially drawn to this dining table display:

An arrangement of porcelain trinket boxes had me coveting the entire set:

After an hour or so of conversation and browsing, I was buzzing with thoughts about how the retail world is changing. As rents have escalated and our streets have become peppered with the same few pharmacies and fast food joints, the fascinating and unique places that make a city worth experiencing are going into semi-hiding.

You might have to go up a flight of stairs, or know about a warehouse, or have the right email to arrange a rendezvous. It feels like we're not so far from the world of speakeasies, secret passwords, coded handshakes. The payoff is that on the other end you have a far richer, far more personal form of commerce that's more about the connections between people than the exchange of goods and currency. The new inabstracto is a perfect example of this slowly emerging world.

So, here's inabstracto's contact info to launch your expedition. Make an appointment, and make sure you get directions to the coachhouse. When you reach a weathered brick wall with a plaque of a horse's head, you'll know you've arrived:

In the weeks and months ahead, we'll explore other stores that deploy unconventional venues. In the meantime, thank you Kate and Julie for your pioneering spirit!

Elsewhere

Last year, in our ongoing series on micro-decorating moves, we looked at how to "youthify" your space by incorporating kid-oriented items. For a shopping list of things to consider, check out this recent article from New York magazine:

All the Best Kids’ Furniture and Décor for Adults

Delightful … and cheaper.

The StrategistCrate & Kids

Thank you for reading.