Designer decor at an affordable price
If you're looking for that missing design element, one of Canada's pre-eminent designers wants to help.
Brian Gluckstein, known for creating bespoke interiors since founding his eponymous firm more than three decades ago, has teamed up with one of Canada's big-box chains to launch an exclusive decor collection.
Possibly best known to Canadians as the home design ambassador to the Hudson's Bay department stores, Gluckstein has debuted a new collection where he can share his unique creations with homeowners across the country at pricing levels that shouldn't wreak havoc with their budgets.
“I have a passion for designing interiors for my clients and this collection allows me to share the elements I use throughout those projects to a much wider audience,” said Gluckstein.
But don't go to Hudson's Bay to find the new G luck stein elements collection — currently focused on bathroom vanities, mirrors, lighting and ceiling fans — as you won't find them there. Rather, check out Home Depot Canada (homedepot. ca).
“I don't want to make vanities that no one can afford,” said Gluckstein. “I want product that Canadians who want beautiful design can all afford. I already design for people that can afford one-of-akind pieces.”
Home Depot, said Gluckstein, is the right partner. He also said they can produce the scale necessary to keep items affordable.
“We're spending more time in our homes than ever, and consumers are looking for functional solutions that will bring effortless style to any space,” said Kathy Marinic Walsh, brand manager, Home Depot Canada. “Every step of the way, this collection was developed with our customers in mind. We know what our customers are looking for and we worked with Brian and his team to ensure every product is a balance of quality design and excellent value, which our customers have come to expect from our decor assortment.”
As to why vanities, lighting and mirrors were among the initial products, Gluckstein said he gets numerous requests for them. A good part of that, he said, comes out of the Princess Margaret lottery show homes he has done — the lottery raises funds to help conquer cancer.
“We do a very ambitious show house each year and we get an enormous amount of inquiries about the vanities and the bathrooms,” said Gluckstein, noting they're custom designed for the lottery.
As to his inspiration, Gluckstein points to various sources: architecture and design from around the world. Even old Hollywood movies.
“I have very diverse design point of view,” he said. “I love so many different looks whether it's modern or traditional. I'm so inspired by so many different periods, and architecture from different countries. As long as it's done well, I love it so much.”
He will also draw upon hundreds and hundreds of photos taken in his travels — think doors, fireplaces or moulding, which could provide him with that initial spark. He might even find inspiration in a classic movie from the 1930s or 1940s.
For example, on the Beaumont with the fluting or the Somerset with its top fluted drawers — both vanities in the Elements collection — they were inspired by what he saw in old films on the Turner Classic Movies channel.
“As new as the collection is, it has been very well received by the Canadian consumer,” added Gluckstein. “The sales are exceeding our expectations.”
While there are plans to keep expanding the line — possibly even into other markets such as the United States — Gluckstein points out that existing products, especially lighting and mirrors, are usable in all parts of the home. Also, if someone is creative, he said vanities could be transformed into furniture pieces by changing out the tops.
“It's been an incredible experience working alongside the Home Depot Canada team on these designs, and I'm so excited to share them with Canadians looking to update their spaces and turn their homes into ones they truly love spending time in,” said Gluckstein.