Gabriel Ross x Bidgood - Heirlooms Q&A
This summer, Gabriel Ross partnered with Victoria design firm Bidgood to create a curated vignette at our downtown showroom. The ‘Heirlooms’ vignette celebrates unique, eclectic spaces and the colours, patterns, textures, and objects that resonate from room to room, and generation to generation. We sat down with Creative Director Kyla Bidgood for a Q&A about the project and its significance in modern interior design.
Looking back to when we met about this project almost 2 years ago, what originally interested you about partnering with Gabriel Ross on a collaboration like this?
GR has been a long-standing local source for furnishings in our projects for many years, offering some of the most design-forward brands available. The idea for our latest venture came about almost spontaneously. We were in the Rockbay showroom, picking up items for a project, and during our conversation, we floated the idea to the team: "Wouldn't it be fun to collaborate on a vignette for the new store?" To our delight, the suggestion was met with enthusiasm. What excited us about this collaboration was the opportunity to go beyond creating a simple 'tasteful' setting. It would have been easy to do, given the beautiful pieces they carry. We wanted to tell a story that embraced both of our offerings; a meaningful message about the art of collecting.
Where did you draw inspiration from in creating the design?
The pandemic and the arrival of several new babies to the team had us collectively reevaluating our approach to sourcing furnishings and objects. We started prioritizing pieces that offered comfort and held personal meaning, beyond pleasing aesthetics, not only for our clients' homes but for our own. We began to think about what the next generation might inherit and what would endure.
The loss of my aunt around the time we started planning this vignette amplified this perspective. It felt like a personal theme we wanted to explore and celebrate – and this vignette was a perfect platform. But we needed a fictional muse for whom we based every decision. Someone who was vivacious, interesting, and bold in her taste and her life choices. Thus, everyone's favourite aunt ‘Geraldine’ was born.
What was your vision for this project?
We envisioned the vignette as an immersive experience that transports visitors into our muse Geraldine's apartment. To create the sense of 'rooms,' the space was divided into two distinct areas: a breakfast nook and a living room. A glass display cabinet defines the two spaces while overlapping area rugs connect them. We designed a platform that pays homage to kitchen floor tiles and wall-hung panelling, inspired by traditional window valance and drapery, to create the sense of a large spanning window backdrop. The concept is pure fantasy but rooted in unfolding our muse's story and space.
The muse 'Aunt Geraldine'
Why ‘Heirlooms’?
There are several facets to the ‘heirlooms’ concept that were perfectly fitting for this collaboration. We live in a world of micro trends and cheap mass production. As a designer, we have a responsibility to not only consider how our spaces affect people's well-being but also, the lifecycle of the products we’re recommending. A good quality, well-made piece will stand the test of time and move on to other homes. A unique and interesting object can become an heirloom. Mixing these pieces with real heirlooms can make for some of the most unique spaces. The word heirloom evokes a feeling of something that was cherished, cared for and lovingly passed on. This concept can start from the day it’s purchased.
How did you approach this project?
At Bidgood, we initiate each project by clearly defining the fundamental emotions or atmosphere wre aiming to create. When collaborating with homeowners, we prioritize the individuals' or family's unique and personal traits, making them central to every decision. This approach ensures that the resulting space is unique and a true reflection of the people living there. We applied this method to the vignette, crafting a creative narrative, drawing inspiration from our muse's personality. This of course needed to be balanced with a showroom experience, and the goal of showcasing the beautiful lines Gabriel Ross represents.
The primary challenge was creating an intimate nook within a large volume of space. The showroom has high ceilings and an open space plan, naturally providing a gallery-like experience. However, our goal was to create a more home-like, intimate setting without resorting to conventional walls. To set apart the conceptual interior of Geraldine’s apartment from the rest of the showroom, we carefully considered the layout and scale of the pieces selected, not only with the overall space but together as a grouping. We arranged them in a way that clearly defined the boundaries of the display, creating a distinct space within the open showroom.
Playing with colour, texture, and form, we layered elements much like an eclectic outfit Geraldine might wear. Together, these pieces weave the story of her life and her space. But, there's room for imagination. Our vignette's homelike setting is filled with curious objects to pick up and take a closer look, books to flip through, and chairs to sit in. It invites guests to come in, interact, stay a while, and explore. And ideally, envision how one could make these pieces their own. Perhaps a different fabric? Another colour? We hope that it sparks reinterpretations of how each piece might be incorporated into another collection or story.
Tell us about your favourite pieces and why they stand out to you.
One of our favourite pieces is the Utrecht Lounge Chair by Cassina. To the unassuming eye its a contemporary piece but the history and influence of this chair are fascinating. Designed in 1935, it perfectly combines the strange genius of Dutch design and the De Stijl principles of geometry. The moment you sit in it, you can feel that every aspect of the chair has been carefully considered. The attention to detail is remarkable, and the upholstery and stitching finish selections are endless. It’s the perfect testament that a well-designed piece can stay relevant and stand the test of time. On the other end of the timeline spectrum, Moooi’s Royal Delft collection is a brilliantly quirky reinterpretation of classic ceramics that is sure to become a collector's piece.
Who does this project speak to?
Because the theme centers around collecting over a lifetime, the pieces could resonate with any age. We intended to convey the message that our homes are in a constant state of evolution as we journey through different phases of life. The most interesting homes are layered and dynamic, not necessarily perfectly matching in style, pattern or era. Crafting a space that is an expression of an individual or family doesn't necessitate curating everything all at once, but rather, can be a beautiful collection that unfolds over time. And ideally, with quality pieces that can be passed on to the next generation.
For our readers who feel inspired by this project, do you have any tips or insights for bringing the themes of ‘heirlooms’ into the home?
Our goal is always to make a client's home feel uniquely their own. This involves incorporating objects, both accumulated and inherited, that narrate their identity - their values, interests, memories, family and experiences. Collecting pieces that align with this ethos helps to foster a deep emotional connection to your surroundings. So with this in mind, select items that bring you joy, tell your story, or hold meaning. Over time, gradually build the foundational pieces and don’t be afraid to mix different styles. This will keep your space feeling personal and inspired. Investing in high-quality items that are built to last ensures you'll love using them for years to come, and hopefully, so will the next generation.
Check out the Heirlooms vignette in person at our Victoria showroom located at 1319 Government St!
A special thanks to Kyla Bidgood and the amazing Bidgood team; follow their work on Instagram and visit Bidgood.co
