Canoe

Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada

Canoe’s unparalleled view of Toronto inspired the interior design of this iconic restaurant.

Drawing inspiration from across Canada, from its vast expanse to more intricate details, the interior design pays homage to a wide swath of the country.

For example, natural Canadian stone (granite) was used throughout the space in multiple ways capturing the rugged nature of the Canadian Shield at the window bar to the leathered countertops throughout and the raw stone back drop of the wine fridge. The back lit bar feature wall showcases the three sisters mountain range in Alberta. A woven felt ceiling installation was inspired by the traditional weaving techniques used for the seats in canoes and for snowshoes.

The deep green used throughout the space is reminiscent of the Canadian wilderness, as is a textured metal that was created to mimic the texture of wood that a beaver was gnawing on, which is used as the backdrop of the host stand and integrated into the bar façade.

Highlighting the theme of the restaurant’s stunning views, brass details inspired by vintage magnifying glasses and telescopes were used throughout the space. As well, a ceiling installation of mirrors and fiberglass lenses surrounds the perimeter of the dining room, giving patrons a different perspective of the city below.