It’s a new year, but we can’t help but marvel at all we accomplished last year. So with new readers thanks to the Homies and NOW’s Best of the year issue, we thought we’d reintroduce a few of it’s highlights. Stay tuned for a bit of a blog renovation–a permalink snaffu has made navigation VERY difficult (among other renos in the works).

1. January 8, 2009: Kitka Design Toronto is born. I’m feeling a bit nostalgic. When life was simply about thrifting, visiting shops and finding cool Canadian young designers.

January 2009 round up – thrifting
February 2009 round up – Interior Design Show, Radian Dark
March 2009 round up – teak week!
April 2009 round up – store watches, Canadian design, before & afters

2. June, 2009: we thrifted our way through Scandinavia.

Day One, Copenhagen;

We spent an evening with Arne Jacobsen;

Bought some vintage PH lights;

Crawled all over the spectacular new Oslo Opera House;

Hung out with vikings;

Ate well in Stockholm here and here;

Thrifted and dream thrifted in Stockholm;

Adored Helsinki (even though they shut down the city for midsummer celebrations, leaving us to wander about like zombies);

Fell for the Aalto home;

And snagged an impromptu private tour of the Arabia factory.

3. Summer 2009: We renovated an inherited cottage, taking it from tired and dated to fresh and Scandinavian inspired.

Yup… That’s what it used to look like.

The discovery of hardwood flooring underneath layers of vintage tiles;

Exposing the cedar ceiling once again (last seen circa 1987);

And then covering it up again with cloud white paint;

Um, and the floors too;

Throw in some vintage furniture…

The big reveal!

4. mjölk: pure scandinavian is born.

The old Urbanscape gallery…

Under construction;

We’re open!

Whew, what a trip down memory lane! Thanks to all of you who came along for the ride!