{"title":"Design Talks","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"design-talks-john-ota-on-historical-kitchen-design","title":"Design Talks 001 with John Ota","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eToronto-based architect, curator, preservationist and author of The Kitchen: A Journey through History in Search of the Perfect Design will be speaking about historic homes, creative process, and striking a balance between restoration and modern function. He will also be speaking about his much anticipated second book, The Dining Room, arriving March 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"House of Iris","offers":[{"title":"Ticket Only","offer_id":47436753469492,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Ticket \u0026 Signed Book","offer_id":47436753502260,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0741\/8245\/9444\/files\/TheKitchen-JohnOta-02.jpg?v=1768967720"},{"product_id":"design-talks-002-with-kristin-sjaarda","title":"Design Talks 002 with Kristin Sjaarda","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKristin Sjaarda is a Toronto-based artist, ceramicist, and textile designer based in Toronto. Known for her large scale, lush still-life images of garden flowers and fauna found in the GTA urban environment, her photo-based work has been exhibited internationally. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this workshop, she will delve deeper into the historical context and contemporary process behind her artwork. In the second part of the workshop, Kristin will also reveal some essential tips for taking better still life photos on your smart phone. The best camera for your art, and your life, is the one you have with you!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"House of Iris","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47518531944500,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0741\/8245\/9444\/files\/unnamed_2.jpg?v=1771692402"},{"product_id":"design-talks-003-with-john-ota-the-dining-room","title":"Design Talks 003 with John Ota: The Dining Room","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe're excited to welcome back Toronto-based architect, curator, preservationist and author John Ota to celebrate the release of his new book - The Dining Room: Exploring the Design of Twelve Iconic Rooms in Search of the Perfect Dining Experience.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJohn will be speaking about historic homes, creative process, and striking a balance between restoration and modern function. After the talk there will be an opportunity for questions, and personalized book signings!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"House of Iris","offers":[{"title":"Ticket Only","offer_id":47658042196020,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Ticket + Signed Book","offer_id":47658047111220,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0741\/8245\/9444\/files\/DiningRoom.jpg?v=1775242658"},{"product_id":"design-talks-004-with-ali-mcquiad","title":"Design Talks 005 x Ali McQuaid (Future Studio)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eJoin Ali McQuaid for \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Art of Noticing: How to see, save \u0026amp; shape Ideas to turn memories into design \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eat House of Iris!\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eAli McQuaid Mitchell is the founder and Creative Director of Futurestudio, an award-winning Toronto-based design firm recognized for creating immersive hospitality, wellness and retail environments. Ali leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to designing spaces that respect the legacy of the past while inventing the experiences of the future.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown for crafting highly experiential environments, Futurestudio has helped shape some of Toronto's distinctive wellness and hospitality destinations, including Othership, Jaybird, Bar Prima, and Lee- along with a growning number of projects around the globe. Futurestudio continually explores new materials, technologies, and ways of thinking about space, creating environments that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. Their work balances modern aesthetics with enduring purpose, shaping environments that bring people together, inspire meaningful rituals, and create unforgettable experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"House of Iris","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47950073757748,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0741\/8245\/9444\/files\/Screenshot2026-06-27at13.23.21.png?v=1782581009"},{"product_id":"design-talks-004-x-sara-shemirani-community-garden-photo-book-launch","title":"Design Talks 004 x in the garden exhibition (Sara Shemirani)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRSVP for the opening exhibition of \u003ci\u003ein the garden, \u003c\/i\u003ea community garden photobook by Iranian-Canadian photographer Sara Shemirani.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003ein the garden\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis a is a photographic body of work by Toronto-based artist Sara Shemirani, originally compiled for a photobook of the same name. The series documented several community gardens across Toronto during their final harvest period in September and October of last year. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBeyond investigating urban agriculture,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ein the garden\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eexplores the familiarity inherent to gardens, created through the cultivation of the same plants and the informal, often improvised design of these spaces. From newly established gardens to those cultivated for over 30 years, on rooftops, in parks or along a rail path, each offered a moment of escape and a striking contrast to the pace of city living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs the gardens prepared for hibernation, themes of decay and renewal, endings and beginnings, emerged naturally, adding another layer to the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs my debut photography exhibition,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ein the garden\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis deeply connected to my roots, coming from a family of growers and gardeners. I hope to share the magic of these gardens with you. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAbout Sara: Sara is an Iranian Canadian photographer and architectural designer based in Toronto. Sara holds a Bachelor of Architectural Science from Toronto Metropolitan University where she first became interested in urban agriculture. She later pursued a Digital Photography Certificate from George Brown College, and through her capstone photobook project \u003cem\u003ein the garden\u003c\/em\u003e, she documented a diverse range of community gardens across Toronto, highlighting them as ephemeral escapes from urban life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"House of Iris","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47950078640180,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0741\/8245\/9444\/files\/2026inthegardenExhibit_Square2.jpg?v=1782581521"}],"url":"https:\/\/houseofiris.ca\/collections\/design-talks.oembed","provider":"House of Iris","version":"1.0","type":"link"}