A new MUST-go design destination in Corktown
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Home Societe and the brand’s very own midrange made-in-Canada collection make their debut in the heart of the King St. E. design district
In downtown Toronto, the retail landscape is easily overshadowed by a sea of high-rises and cranes in the midst of building new ones.
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Last week’s grand opening of Quebec-based home furnishing retailers MUST and Home Société at the corner of Adelaide and Power levels the playing field somewhat by offering a much welcome addition to the cityscape as well as a design enthusiast’s haven for all things home.
Occupying the first two storeys under the towering 22-floor Home On Power condominium, MUST and Home Société fashionably stand side by side with their own separate entrances.
Inside awaits 40,000 square feet of modern, cutting-edge furnishings, stylish decor and accessories for both interior and chic outdoor spaces.
Deemed a one-stop shop for home essentials at an accessible price point, this is the second stand-alone MUST location in Ontario with the first one that opened in Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre in February.
The prominent urban setting is poised to serve a new generation of city dwellers with inspiring curated vignettes, composed of high-quality furnishings made with premium craftsmanship in line with current trends that won’t break the bank.
Further enhancing the home shopping experience, this location also introduces the first Ontario outpost of the renowned Quebec-based flower shop, Prune Les Fleurs. Beyond the botanicals, add to the mix free on-site parking and a coffee shop slated to open later this year.
At a June 5 design/media event to inaugurate the grand opening, House & Home Publisher, Lynda Reeves moderated a panel of industry experts, each representing some of the higher-end European furniture brands available at Home Société.
Participants included: Paolo Cattelan of Cattelan Italia, Frederica Roppo of Gamma, Simone Vingerhoets of French luxury line Ligne Roset as well as MUST Product Director, Émilie Corbeil, a third-generation member of the Corbeil family whose grandparents founded the furniture company over 50 years ago.
Corbeil always knew she wanted to work in the family business, “I grew up in the stores and worked there part-time for 10 years before studying business and management.”
However, it wasn’t until she attended her first furniture show in Paris in 2016 that she discovered her passion for the world of purchasing and set her sights on working in this area of the business.
“I like to draw inspiration from my travels, magazines, social media or even IRL by noticing the details of a setting that thrill me or feed my soul. Such as in a restaurant, hotel or even more in the intimacy of someone’s home.”
During the panel discussion, and while all agreed the ultimate indicator is the consumer and the importance of launching a new product at the right time, the trend is towards fresh and light, a look pervades the entire showroom.
A lot of beige and cream-coloured pieces, natural materials, organic shapes and texture seem to define the current aesthetic. “There is a return to minimalism design,” points out Corbeil. “I think this time we’re daring to add a little more warmth to the colour palette with earthy tones. Natural textures and materials add authenticity and warmth to the decor.”
While we may be veering away from Maximalism, this road back to Minimalism differs somewhat from its spartan past. “We’re noticing that people are starting to incorporate more statement pieces, especially in the mid-century spirit. It’s a great way to maintain a minimalist look while adding a little boldness,” affirms Corbeil.
The new Home Société and MUST is located at 127 Parliament Street in the heart of the King Street East Design District. Visit https://homesociete
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