Wedding SOS on Canada’s Slice Network Finds Solutions at Toronto Antiques on King!

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: August 29, 2009

With a savvy solution to any wedding-related problem and a knack for making something spectacular out of utter chaos, it is no wonder Jane Dayus-Hinch recently led her wedding planning team to the treasure trove of Toronto Antiques on King to film on location for an upcoming episode of Wedding SOS on Canada’s Slice network.

“Part wedding planner, part fairy godmother,” Dayus-Hinch is an internationally recognized, first-class “wedding guru” with over 20 years experience in the field, even counting Royalty on her long list of glamorous clientele.  Good taste is her business, which is why we are delighted to have hosted the cast and crew of Wedding SOS and thrilled that we were able to play a role in making one lucky couple’s special day a smashing success.

At Toronto Antiques on King, we know how important it is to have everything just right on the big day.  From bridal jewellery and accessories from the Cynthia Findlay collection, to one-of-a-kind wedding gifts, registries, and event decor, you will find everything you need to put together the most elegant and memorable wedding from start to finish.

For episode guides and more information about Jane Dayus-Hinch and Wedding SOS, visit Slice.ca.

Posted in Bridal Jewellery & Accessories, Gift Ideas, Media, Television Shows, Vintage Jewellery, Wedding SOS | Comments closed

The United Way and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Silent Auctions

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: August 11, 2009

At Toronto Antiques on King, we take pride in our commitment to community involvement.  What better way to help others than to do what we do best – antiques!  Recently we donated items to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award silent auction, ’Come Wine with the Best of Us’, a fundraising event hosted by the SHAMBA foundation, where fierce bidding for a silver cake basket generated much excitement and great results.

We also contributed several Royal Doulton figurines and numerous antique silver pieces to a silent auction held by the United Way, and will be participating in an upcoming United Way event held by the Audit Department in the lobby of Metro Hall on November 30, 2009.

For more information on The Duke of Edinbugh’s Awards and The United Way go their websites:

http://www.dukeofed.org

http://www.unitedway.ca

Posted in Antiques, Events, Fundraising & Charity, Royal Doulton | Comments closed

Emily Carr The Soul Within

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: August 11, 2009

Emily Carr, “Indian Church” (1929), oil on canvas, 108.6 x 68.9 cm, Art Gallery of Ontario.*

Once again Toronto Antiques on King is proud to announce that items from our inventory have been chosen as props to grace the silver screen and bring historical accuracy and atmosphere to a story.  White Pine Pictures and Cine Metu are producing the documentary film, “Emily Carr: The Soul Within,” an “impressionistic, luminous exploration of the spirit that informed the solitary life of one of Canada’s most celebrated and controversial painters” (www.whitepinepictures.com).

The film, which is still in production, features a scene set around a typical Victorian tea party.  Born in 1871, Emily Carr would have likely attended many tea parties with all of the necessary accouterments, including items like the silver plate three tier cake stand and Cauldon cups and saucers borrowed for the film from Toronto Antiques on King.

*Small prints of Indian Church are available for purchase at Toronto Antiques on King.

Posted in Film & Television Props, Media, Movies, Paintings, Tea, Teacups & Accessories, Victorian | Comments closed

Queen Latifah wears Cynthia Findlay’s Jewellery in the movie Chicago

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: July 29, 2009

(Queen Latifah’s necklace and earrings from Cynthia Findlay Antiques at Toronto Antiques on King, as worn in the movie Chicago)

When your business is antiques you are awarded the wonderful opportunity to meet all sorts of fascinating people.  Every day tourists and locals alike come searching for that perfect and unique treasure, whether it be a gift for a loved one, a souvenir to remind them of their travels to Toronto, or that perfect thing for their new home or jewellery box.

But at Toronto Antiques on King, we also have the unique pleasure of working with prop stylists in film and television, who work hard to make the physicality of their stories come to life with relevant and historical costumes, accessories, sets and props.  It is a joy to contribute our expertise as antique dealers to make a film as historically accurate as possible.  Besides, it gives us the chance to see these objects contextualized.  A silver Georgian tea set is a wonderful thing in its own right, but to see it incorporated on set in an old Georgian Manor, used by characters in period costume is truly spectacular.

As you wander around the shop you will find many interesting objects that were rented and borrowed for film and television productions like Chicago, The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Love Guru, Grey Gardens, Flashpoint… and the list goes on.  Consider this the next time you are looking for that special something for that special someone.  How exciting to own a beautiful Citrine art deco ring worn by Queen Latifah, eat off of dinnerware featured in a major motion picture, or wear a silver pocket watch that once contributed to styling an actor as Sir Winston Churchill.

The great thing about buying and collecting antiques is the sense of history imbued within an item.  Objects used in film and television carry an even richer provenance.

To see a picture of Queen Latifah wearing the necklace visit our In The Press page by clicking this link.

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Wedding Shoot “To the Manor Bound” with Bridal Jewellery for Arabella Magazine

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: July 21, 2009

One day this past spring I drove up to Woodbridge with a chest full of beautiful jewellery to participate by special invitation in the wedding shoot “To The Manor Bound” in the Summer 2009 issue of Arabella, a magazine dedicated to showcasing Canadian Art, Architecture and Design.

What a fabulous opportunity to be with a group of such dedicated people who poured their hearts into making the event a truly memorable and inspiring experience.  Racks of sensational gowns were flown in from Italy, some with corsets, others with tiers of lavender fabric.  There were red dresses and black dresses and even gowns painted with beautiful bold flowers.  Each model seemed to know exactly which dress they would be wearing, hair and makeup was done on site, extensions and hairspray were in abundance!  The classic cars and vintage motorbikes lent an exciting and unexpected appeal against the elegant architectural backdrop of Bellvue Manor.

All day the set was buzzing with creativity and concentration.  Time flew by as the florists, stylists, hairdressers, photographers and other contributors worked intensely and harmoniously almost in complete silence.  As I drove away I couldn’t help but to think, “Where did the time go,” but I felt as though I had been a part of creating something very beautiful that would be on record and enjoyed for years to come.

The dreamy concept of the shoot was developed by Founder and Editor in Chief, Debra Usher.  When she first came in to preview the Cynthia Findlay Jewellery Collection at Toronto Antiques on King, I had no idea that our pieces would come together so well with her unique vision to create such a lively and exuberant editorial shoot.  How exciting to see jewels from previous eras come to life on those models.

Pick up a copy of the Summer 2009 edition of Arabella to see the beautiful end result with photographs by David Cummings, Jessica Jean Martin and Brian Usher.  And be sure to visit the store at 284 King Street West in Toronto for a first hand look at our amazing collection of antique and vintage, fine and costume jewellery!

Yours,

Cynthia

Posted in Arabella Magazine, Bridal Jewellery & Accessories, Cynthia Findlay, Magazines, Media, Vintage Jewellery | Tagged , | Comments closed

Canadian House & Home Works With Toronto Antiques on King To Create Beautiful Features and Articles.

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: July 18, 2009

My very first boss when I worked for Royal Doulton, Ken Ridgway, was the descendant of the man who designed the blue willow pattern.

Who would have thought all those years ago that one day I would see a beautiful display of blue willow patterned china borrowed from my antique store on the glossy pages of  Canadian House & Home Magazine. Isn’t it funny how things work out sometimes?

Working with magazines like House & Home is always a fun experience.  The editors and stylists have such a good eye and know how to pluck treasures from our store and make them look effortlessly stunning mixed and matched with other items, new and old. Among the blue willow china you will find other items from Toronto Antiques on King like elegant alabaster boxes, perfume bottles and handsome jars, as well as cranberry-glass goblets in “Art of Display” (p. 46), an article in the August 2009 issue of House & Home.

And how exciting to see celebrated Quebec chef and TV personality Ricardo Larrivee cooking up the most gorgeous food using antique accessories and serving items from our store as well.  Being a native of New Brunswick, where seafood and blueberries are local favourites, it makes my mouth water to see our antique ladle  and spoons dipped in a pot of clams with chorizo and beer.  Using an antique gravy boat to serve the vinaigrette for a classic French salad is a creative touch.  And how delicious does fluffy wild blueberry mousse look presented in our crystal dessert cups?

To see these mouth watering photographs and to get the recipes see “Lunch with Ricardo” (p. 87) in the Food section of the same August 2009 issue of House & Home.

Yours,

Cynthia

Posted in House & Home Magazine, Magazines, Media, Royal Doulton | Comments closed

Junior League of Toronto Showhouse With Gluckstein Design & Spraggett Stevens Inc.

By Toronto Antiques on King | Published: June 30, 2009

Recently Toronto Antiques on King had the opportunity to participate in the Junior League of Toronto Showhouse at MacLean House. Working with Gluckstein Design and Spraggett Stevens Inc., we contributed items to the Living Room on the main floor as well as the Ladies’ Powder Room space. We are happy to say this event was a great success! Every few years the Junior League of Toronto, an educational and charitable organization of women, partner with Toronto’s design community to present a Showhouse that acts as a fundraising event to benefit community causes. For more information on the Junior League of Toronto Showhouse visit their website at https://www.jlt.org/

Posted in Events, Fundraising & Charity, Media | Comments closed