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House Call: Heather Shaw in Toronto by Alexa

Issue 46 · The Well-Stocked Home · November 14, 2011

House Call: Heather Shaw in Toronto by Alexa

Issue 46 · The Well-Stocked Home · November 14, 2011

Toronto artist Heather Shaw makes lovely domestic goods—hemp pillows printed with drawings, linen tea cosies, pencil cases embroidered to look like lined paper—under the name Pi'lo and also writes a blog that is suffused with the same spare charm. She lives in a Victorian home in downtown Toronto and cultivates a "very calm and tranquil space, even with all the toys that end up being strewn all over," says Shaw. Her home centers around handmade accents and minimal color: "Every wall in our house is a slightly different shade, but most people only see white." To browse her shop, go to Pi'lo.

Photos by Heather Shaw.

Above: A weaving shuttle and a small broom are among an array of framed objects displayed over a sofa upholstered in slate-colored linen.

Above: A braided skein of flax and vintage buttons are arranged in box frames.

Above: The fireplace has been supplanted by a radiator, but it still gives off a warm glow thanks to the hanging tealights over the mantel.

Above: A display of freshly cut branches.

Above: Shaw created the wall hanging by covering a patchwork of fabric with a layer of organza.

Above: A collection of mainly ironstone dishes are displayed on open kitchen shelving.

Above: An arrangement of dried canella berries with a paper lamp from Ikea.

Above: Shaw's kitchen desk is an antique table and writing desk that opens up to "lots of little compartments."

Grundtal Kitchen Rail

Above: The children's craft table is outfitted with a roll of paper that hangs from a repurposed Grundtal Kitchen Rail from Ikea.