New Press Links

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PHOTO BY PER KRISTIANSEN FOR HGTV

'RAINBOW HOTEL' ARTWORK BY 

JAMES ROBERT DURANT of LAUSBERG CONTEMPORARY

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HGTV - Tour of our Parkdale Victorian  (Thanks to Elana Safronsky and Per Kristiansen!)  Also see their FOLLOW-UP post from April 26th.

POSTCITY - David Chrystian's delicious new menu at VICTOR

THE TORONTO STAR - From the media launch at Hotel Le Germain

ADDED APRIL 21ST:

AZURE MAGAZINE - Thanks to Nelda Rodger and Diane Chan

TORONTO LIFE - those glazed shortrib and kimchi handrolls are so good!


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Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 18

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ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY JJ THOMPSON

Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 17

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.TRANSFORMATION FROM DAY TO NIGHT

.THE FOLDING WALL

CUSTOM DESIGNED MIRROR, STONE + BRASS COCKTAIL TABLES

BETWEEN THE VELVET SOFAS

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Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 16

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TWO NEW ZINC BARS, CUSTOM LIGHT BOX, 'SHADOW FOREST' CUSTOM 
WALLPAPER, AND TWO-WAY MIRROR BACK-BAR DISPLAY.  
BLACK LEATHER STOOLS FROM KIOSK WILL BE ARRIVING SHORTLY!

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FOLDING GLASS WALL BETWEEN MAIN DINING LOUNGE AND 

PRIVATE DINING ROOM, WITH 10 FOOT HIGH DOORS.

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CUSTOM DESIGNED VELVET, WHITE OAK + BRASS SOFAS, 

,AND LIMESTONE DINING TABLES.  BLACK LEATHER ARMCHAIRS.
MONCER HARDWOOD FLOORING.

Finishing touches are taking place at VICTOR - the remaining custom tables are about to be fabricated, the new bar stools are en route, and floor to ceiling sheer drapery will add another luxurious layer to the private dining room.  The light box has now been installed above the new zinc bar with the 18 foot wide image I had designed.  I wanted the scale of the piece to be a little reminiscent of the artworks in grand spaces such as those found in old rail stations or perhaps the massive tilted frames high up in a Parisian salon.

David Chrystian's menu is better than ever, with vibrant local ingredients - we had a truly amazing dinner the other night.  It was fantastic to see the space full of people enjoying their meals and conversations.  I can't wait to return for another dinner - I have been thinking about that perfect lobster roll...

Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 15

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The wine cabinet, being stocked...
I love how the new chrome panels at the base create the illusion that the cabinet floats above the floor.

Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 14

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The flooring is being installed in the private dining room - it looks amazing - very Escher.  I am pleased with the new proportions of the space - it feels grand and yet also intimate.  A dozen hand blown glass pendant lights will be installed next week, to hang at varying heights in front of the new Shadow Forest wallpaper.

Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 13

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The latest wallpaper design called 'Shadow Forest' has now been fabricated and is on the FedEx truck headed to Hotel Le Germain at this very moment.  The different colourways can be seen here; the design can be adapted to customized wall dimensions.  The red lines on the image above show how the panels have been divided for the walls at VICTOR in the 20 foot high space.  Thank you to ROLLOUT for production.

Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 12

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The walls for the two new bars with their impeccably matched herringbone panels and brass bases are now anchored in place.  One by one the elements are coming together...

Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 11

The Moncer fumed oak floor is looking gorgeous.  The wood looks rich, with tones of ebony.  I'm tempted to just leave the space like this!

Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 10

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The new structural steel frame is in for the new 10-foot high folding glass doors that are being fabricated.  I love massive doors - the thin black mullions are going to look beautiful in the space.  The wall of doors will just accordion smoothly along a recessed floor track to allow the new private dining room to open up to the main dining lounge as desired.

Hotel Le Germain _VICTOR 9

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Construction is underway on site at Hotel Le Germain! Demolition is in progress and the space already feels spacious and grand.  A special private dining room will be created behind a folding glass wall.  The new zinc top and herringbone fronted bars have been fabricated and are awaiting installation.  The custom couches, chairs, dining tables and cocktail tables are ready for deployment in the new configuration.  Custom wallpaper and artwork for a massive light box have been designed.  I love it when a project finally launches into construction - the dust, noise and action promise the realization of a vision after of months of careful preparation.

Autumn Update

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ONE OF THE CUSTOM DESIGNED COCKTAIL TABLES 
AT HOTEL LE GERMAIN

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It has been an incredibly busy season, with the initiation of new projects and construction underway on others.  Renovation is being planned for two additional floors at Munich Re on Bay St (24,000 sf of new office and swing space), work is about to begin at the Covenant House, and the designs for the Heart Lake Cabana and the Meadow House are progressing very nicely.  New phases of design are starting up at the Rosedale House in order to renovate the ground and second floors including a new kitchen and additions.  As well, there are exciting graphic design projects happening through Backyard Design. 

JF

Hotel Le Germain_VICTOR 8

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I visited a wood veneer fabricator today in order to fine tune the herringbone pattern and select the best grain matching approach for the new VICTOR bar fronts.  I am extremely fortunate to be able to have this kind of relationship with builders and suppliers.  This company cuts its own high quality veneers and creates beautiful panels using light tables to carefully look for undesireable flaws in the grain.

Hotel Le Germain_VICTOR 7

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This is one of eight custom designed white oak and brass sofa frames in the Cooper Bros wood shop, just before staining, finishing and upholstery.  The velvet seat and back cushions were being made in the adjoining upholstery workroom - I had just decided on what kind of stitching would be best, as the last step following the approvals on wood and brass finishes.  This is one of my favorite moments - perfecting the final details on a custom design with the fabricators.

Toronto the Good

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YVES ST LAURENT'S HOME OFFICE, PHOTOGRAPHED BY HEDI SLIMANE

It's a great day to be in Toronto, with the film festival in full swing, the fundraising walk for womens's cancers taking place through the streets, and the whisper of fall starting to make itself known.

I'm excited to see the documentary about Yves St Laurent - L'Amour Fou - playing as one of the TIFF films.  The YSL launch party is going to take place at Hotel Le Germain's VICTOR, with our newly designed custom furnishings there just in time.  Hopefully Pierre Berge will enjoy lounging on our new velvet and brass sofas!  Also on the agenda - a reception at the Spoke Club and dinner at Buca with my dear friend Carmen Dunjko, whose Schoolhouse was just published in this month's House and Home.

Of course, as always on this day, I remember New York, and I feel very grateful to be able to enjoy the city, and life.

JF

Hotel Le Germain_VICTOR 6

In preparation for several Toronto Film Festival events the custom couches and tables are being fabricated, using rich materials such as white oak, aubergine velvet, brass, limestone, steel, and antique mirror.  Dining chairs are being upholstered in a rich black leather, and the suite of new menus have been designed.  The full renovation of the space has been strategically rescheduled to occur later in the year, in order to accomodate the many events scheduled within the hotel.

Hotel Le Germain_VICTOR 5

The permit drawings have been completed and demolition is poised to begin.  Luckily the plate glass survived G20 and is now ready to receive the hoarding paper, which has been designed and is being printed at this very moment!

Hotel Le Germain_VICTOR 4

The VICTOR project is humming along - the final details are being tweaked in the design drawings, the construction crew is in place, and the graphics for the identity, menu and custom wallpaper are in progress.  Can't wait for construction to begin!

Hotel Le Germain_VICTOR 3

The design presentation was very well received and we are full steam ahead with sourcing and detailing, designing with luxurious materials, iconic shapes, custom furnishings and elements that will suit our ultimate vision and master plan for Le Germain's Victor.

Hotel Le Germain_VICTOR 2

The first design presentation for HOTEL LE GERMAIN is today.  The design concept draws from a few particular passions - travel, the experience of great restaurants, and ideas about public spaces in cities - celebrating the grand tradition of the sophisticated hotel.  It is to be a strong architectural space layered with sensual materials, iconic shapes, and pieces that are an homage to certain eras of urban ambition.  We are in awe that the design is to serve as a backdrop to chef David Chrystian's mastery - how wonderful.

Photo credit: Peter J. Thompson / National Post