The benefits of buying local are simple: it cuts out the middleman, puts more money into the local economy, supports local designers & artists, saves transportation costs, and reduces the pollution caused by such transportation therefore reducing our carbon footprint on the environment. Koma Designs & Furniture Gallery realizes these benefits, and as a result is launching the Koma Designs Collective – a retail space where furniture designers, artists and photographers can sell their work in an environment that values the community and the environment.
The Koma Designs Collective has many benefits: customers pay the amount set by the designer, rather than the highly inflated price set by the retailer; the artists in turn, sell more pieces and they no longer have to pay the retailer a huge commission on their work sold. In exchange, members of the Koma Designs Collective pay a nominal monthly fee to showcase and sell their work, must commit to working one day each month in the store and agree to sign on to the Collective for a minimum of three months. This creates further value for customers, allowing them the opportunity to establish a personal connection to the artists before purchasing their work.
On Thursday April 16th, Koma Designs Collective will open its doors to the media and to the public, with an open house event. from 8pm to11pm. The designers will be present to discuss their work first hand. Some of the designers include Dennis Lin from Umomo, Brothers Dressler, Britt Olauson, Holtzundmetal, Ryan Legassicke and many more. For a complete list of members please visit www.komadesigns.com
For the last five years, Koma Designs has attracted design lovers, homeowners and community residents who look for individuality in their décor. Customers can discover new ways to turn cold man made spaces into warm healing environments. Koma Collective is a place to encounter the old and the new, the past and the future, in a way that evokes harmony, simplicity and functionality. While vintage and industrial pieces are for sale, the focus of Koma has shifted to locally made pieces, which for the most part, use sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, metal, glass and other recycled or repurposed objects.
Koma Designs Collective founder Jamie Cheveldeyoff has his own pieces for sale as well, which are created from reclaimed and re-used materials. With a background in architecture, lighting design and set design. Jamie blends a modern sense of design with respect for the traditional. “My motivation for creating this collective is fueled by my passion for design and my desire to support local Toronto designers,” states Jamie. “I want to help members flourish and continue doing what they love to do by creating a hub where people can purchase beautiful and locally made goods, while at the same time supporting our local economy and a lighter carbon footprint.”
Jamie began Koma Designs in 2004 and brought his holistic living approach to the Queen Street West space. He currently resides in Toronto, and is active in interior design and has recently began home-staging. He can be seen around Parkdale, sporting his crazy dreadlocks, usually scheming his next big project.