327 Queen St. East, between Parliament and Berkley streets, Toronto, Ontario, CANADA. 416.778.6608. email: info@ethel20thcenturyliving.com
Hours: Mondays by appointment, Tue - Thurs: 12pm - 6pm, Friday: 2pm - 7pm, Sat: 12 - 6, Sun: 12pm - 5pm

12.31.2009

Happy New Years Darlings!


Hello darlings,
Ethel here...
I'm back from my fabulous holiday in the sun, and despite the many invites to glamorous New Years Eve parties, I've decided to stay in tonight, and enjoy a quiet cocktail by the fire. 2009 was full of surprises and we can only hope that 2010 offers much of the same.
All my love to you mid century lovers out there...
Happy New Years!
XOXO
Ethel

12.29.2009

Rec Room Chic

As well as the lovely red chrome deco chairs we posted about on Boxing day, we've decided to mark down a few more things to make room for more fun stuff in the new year.
This adorable little striped sofa would be perfect in a small condo. It's tres 70's chic and is on sale for $500.

If you're feeling the cold this time of year, then maybe you need a fireplace. This modern freestanding fireplace is priced at $995, with 15% off (you do the math!) and comes complete with all the chimney pieces.
UPDATE: Fireplace has sold


If you're concerned about installation and fire codes I can refer you to the architect here, who we share space with. His name is Paul Dowsett, and his firm is called Sustainable.to. Here's a picture of his dog, Creemore. He can keep you warm too, but he's not for sale!

To celebrate the New Year, we're celebrating Rec Room Chic. What rec room would be complete without a vintage cocktail bar.

This one is a jaunty barrel shaped bar, with a raised surface and display window for all your groovy bar glasses. It's only $195 and would be fantastic for your New Years party.
UPDATE: Barrel bar has sold

If you don't have any groovy bar glasses, we can help you out with that too. Ethel always has a few sets of vintage barware so come on by and pick up a set.
See you at the store!

12.26.2009

Boxing Day Sale

Ethel hopes you all had a fabulous Christmas and spent lots of time with family and friends. She's spending the holidays getting some sun in the desert, but sends you all her love and best wishes for the holidays.
If you are out and about on Boxing Day, drop by the store for some big savings on select furniture and accessories.
This pair of chrome framed deco chairs, featured in our Christmas window, are now on sale for $300 each.

They make quite the statement and are very comfy to boot.
Also on sale this week is all vintage Christmas ornaments and accessories. 30% off all vintage Christmas and new Christmas cards. Stock up for next year!

Finally, all kitchenware will be 20% off this week too. The new year is a time to eat healthy, so why not use vintage dishes to celebrate your new diet!
Lots more stuff on sale, so drop by and say "hi".
See you at the store!

12.21.2009

Grey is the new black and tabletop bling

Would you look at these gorgeous grey chairs? The real praise goes to Lisa Jo at Princess Perfect, who turned a pair of sad neglected vintage chairs with shredded upholstery and broken springs into these beauties. We went with two tone grey to go with the black painted frames and I think if Don Draper were a chair, he'd look like this! All new upholstery, foam, and sassy button detail on the back, they're yours for $795 each.
UPDATE: Grey chairs have sold


If you've blown your furniture budget for the year, then treat yourself to a little tabletop bling.
This classy tea and coffee set in pewter with rosewood handles hails from Holland and is priced at $65. Even though it's Dutch, we can still call it Danish Modern, can't we? Perfect for Christmas morning coffee, or for afternoon tea with the ladies.
UPDATE: Tea set has sold

If 70's style is more your bag, then dress up your Christmas table with these David Hicks style brass napkin rings. The photo does not do them justice, as they really are quite stunning. At $5 a piece they'd make a great hostess gift too. Remember, Brass is Class!
UPDATE: Brass napkin rings have sold


If you're still not on the brass bandwagon and prefer silver simplicity, then this little tripod candlestick is perfect. Made in Denmark, it can light up your life for $35.


See you at the store!

Weekend round up

Well, as they say, you snooze you lose!
The gorgeous kistchy chair seen below sold on Saturday to a wonderful mom and daughter, who laughed about not needing another chair, but they couldn't resist this one. I've always considered myself an adoption agency for stray furniture, so I feel this chair is going to a good home!
More later today on some new/old chairs we just got in (thanks to Princess Perfect and her fabulous upholstery work) as well as great kids puzzles, and some holiday table top bling.
See you at the store!

12.17.2009

Christmas at Ethel

For those of you who've never been to Ethel, we're a vintage furniture shop that specializes in 20th century design. Since I've taken over the store, I've had a ball looking for fun stuff to bring into the store. Sometimes the stuff comes to me, which makes my job easy. Today, I bought this fantastic chair, and after a little bit of soap and water, it came out beautifully. It's a great example of 50's kitsch, with the two colour vinyl upholstery and chrome frame. I'm thinking it could be from either a beauty parlour or a swingin' rockabilly juke joint. Right now it's at Ethel, priced at $295.

Dontcha just love the chartreuse and coral upholstery?
Here's a close-up of the chartreuse vinyl. The abstract daisies are the best!

Another piece we have on the floor right now is this fabulous mod 1970's italian vanity.

Made by Kastilia, it's perfect for the single gal in a studio apartment, and it's a steal at $495.
If funky furniture won't fit under your tree this year, how about some vintage barware? Ethel has lots of fun and silly sets of bar glasses, mod ice buckets and 60's italian decanters to spice up your cocktails this year.

The danish desk is $495, and the cocktailware ranges in prices.

Along with the vintage barware, there's lots of vintage glassware too.
And to finish up your Christmas shopping, you'll need some festive vintage ornaments for your tree and some cards and paper to wrap everything up with.



The cards and paper are by Whigby, and the vintage ornaments are going fast!

Welcome to Ethel!

Well, here it is, the first official post from the new Ethel Blog. Ethel herself will be dropping in from time to time to share her thoughts, musings and gossip, but as we all know, she's a busy gal about town so it'll be mostly me, Shauntelle, the new owner of the store. You can expect updates on whats in the store, upcoming sales and interior design projects and lots of other good design-y stuff.
Welcome to Ethel!