Last year I was only able to make it to two Toronto Design Week events. This year though, I did my research, made a list, and set aside an entire day to hit up as many places as I could.

The first place I checked out was actually a sneak preview of the thesis work by my own school’s graduates. The soon-to-be alumni had their projects up on display in varying stages of completion for people to come and get a taste for what it’ll be like in May.

There were certainly some interesting projects that piqued my curiosity. I’m excited to see how it’ll look when it’s all done.

I completely forgot to take any pictures of the posters.

Right around the corner from the Rally gallery is a store called Gravitypope, where Sam Kennedy had set up shop with his Feltro line of toys.

You can stick the trapezoids together in all kinds of combinations to make different things.

This project really made an impression on me when I first saw it back at OCAD’s grad show in 2013, the last grad show I attended as a high school student.

Sam had a similar set up (albeit a bit smaller) to what he had now – several Feltro tiles on display and several tiles scattered around just inviting you to pick them up and start playing. I really enjoy interacting with the felt tiles and Sam’s ability to present his work is phenomenal.

The crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

The entrance from Gravitypope.

I thought it was pretty cool how they also used Feltro in their window display.

A little further down Queen is a store called Cambie Design. They had a small showing of products collectively called 7 Wares & Meaning. The selection of items are supposed to reflect and represent the essentials in a home.

The fourth place I went to was Craft Ontario. I knew I had to visit because one of my favourite projects from OCAD’s most recent grad show was on display – the kompact kitchen station, by Victoria Milley and Felicia Semiawan.

These beautiful herb keepers that are placed on top.

Louie George Michael’s "David Mazeltov" double chair was a stand out piece I knew I had to see in person. She integrated the two seats in such a charming and pleasant way, adding verticality to an otherwise grounded form.

The rest of the store is just filled with some really cool stuff.

Afterwards, I dropped by Souvenir quickly to take a look around. I’ve been here before and although it’s small, the store is excellently curated by Danielle so it’s a pleasure to be in every time.

Oscar Kwong's Luna pitcher.

My last stops were around the Gladstone Hotel, at both the CUTMR (Come Up To My Room) and the Outside the Box exhibition across the street.

CUTMR is a series of installations by different artists that you can visit one after the other as you work your way upstairs.

Closer to the top of the hotel, specially designed rooms were put on display as part art and part advertisement to spend a night in them.

White walls, brick, and wood. Authenticly Scandinavian.

This elevator is so old it still needed a human operator.

Finally, I walked across the street to Outside the Box, a display of products carefully selected by correspondents all around North America and laid out to be shown on a series of tables. Each collection was an eclectic set and unique from the rest.

Sometimes I see designs that just instantly infatuate me. I want this lamp.

And that was it for the night.