Drive past the Arts and Industry building in Kensington, and it could be mistaken as just another abandoned warehouse along the industrial-heavy North American Street. That's too bad, since inside it's chockfull with a handpicked stock of local artwork, handmade furniture, and home goods. And yes, you can buy all of it.
It's called the Design Collaborative and includes a team of nine artists and designers who have put together a showroom in the Kensington warehouse. It features a mix of eclectic pieces of artwork from local artists, from customizable wooden bar carts to funky light fixtures to tastefully restored vintage chairs.
"So many of us work in town, yet we don't ever interact with each other," says Gregg Krantz of Fisher Grey design studio. "We thought, 'Here's a space to come together and do the same thing.' It's nice to share ideas and collaborate."
While the collection is highly curated, the collaborative actually came together quickly. Meg Rodgers of Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design and owner of the warehouse approached Krantz and his Fisher Grey partner Joshua Thibault two months ago about the project.
Soon, other designers and artists signed on: Robert and Joshua Aibel of Moderne Gallery, Michelle Liao of Liao Collection, Warren Muller, Calderwood Gallery, Kevin O'Brien Studio, and John Pomp Studios.
The curated room is 2,000-square-feet—in the back there's a 5,000-square-foot space that features vintage furniture for sale and will only be open this weekend.
You can drop into the Design Collaborative on Friday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. It'll be open by appointment through March 25.