Square Feet: Feel Good Furnishings

Every two weeks, Torontoist looks to fill up all the square feet in your abode. Eschewing the Ikea catalogue, delve into the unique design shops, interesting sales, and easy do-it-yourself projects that can be found scattered throughout Toronto.

Furnishing a space can easily add up and if your tastes lean towards vintage or antique, your pockets might be looking more bare than most. Deal hunters usually end up doing searches on Craigslist and eBay but surprisingly, the thrill of a live auction might be the best inexpensive answer. Especially if it's one with no reserve, which in auction-speak is the low, low starting bid of $1.

After 9 years of operation, Furniture Bank is holding its first quarterly auction Tuesday, June 19 from 7 to 10 p.m. to support their worthwhile efforts. All the furniture they receive is donated by individuals or through estates and picked up by volunteer drivers. Each piece is inspected to determine if they are worthy to give to clients or have potential value and should go up for sale. The majority of items go to clients who have little or nothing of their own—most are individuals or families leaving shelters or hostels or refugee claimants. Over 150 agencies are registered with Furniture Bank and in the past year they have been able to help over 1,000 households.

Previously, monthly sales were held instead and items such as a comfortable modern 3-piece sofa set would go for a steal at $200, but antiques dealer Kelly Dow has high hopes that the auction format will generate more money with buyers who can see value. Kelly began his career as a young boy by finding two cranberry vases at a second hand shop and flipping them for a $90 profit at an antique store selling identical vases. Starting out as a volunteer at Furniture Bank, he found a need for someone with his knowledge and soon enough he was organizing their first auction.

Some of the items likely to be popular this time around are several Herman Miller chairs, an intricate replica of a half-million dollar woven rug, and an orange paisley upholstered rocking chair with yellow piping. If a preview is what you desire, some of the 300 items on the block can be seen on their website or in person on Monday, June 18 from 2 to 8 p.m. Deliveries everyday ensure new pieces are constantly added to their stock and if nothing suits your tastes this time around, the next auction will be all new stuff.

If your square footage is bursting at the seams, consider donating to Furniture Bank. Anything that people need when they move into a home is appreciated, but they're always specifically on the lookout for linen, cutlery, pots, pans, beds, lamps, couches, and televisions. Items that fit easily in a small apartment are especially welcome.

Furniture Bank can be found at 200 Madison Ave, one block north of Dupont St and one block east of Spadina Ave. Come out and furnish someone else's home while furnishing your own.

Photo by Vanessa Toye