When Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe, the designers behind iconic Canadian fashion label SMYTHE, decided to establish their first ever bricks and mortar shop, there was an obvious way to realize the interior design component of their vision.
For many years, interior designer Ashley Botten had been working closely with Andrea, executing modern and sophisticated homes for her family in Toronto and Muskoka, using the best handmade objects and furniture from local and international makers. Meanwhile, TOM founding partner Tommy Smythe had been co-creating layered and louche homes for his sister Christie and her family over a lifetime, blending heirlooms and art to create personal, story-driven interiors. Tommy and Ashley’s lives and careers have run parallel for decades, resulting in an enduring friendship that’s rooted in their mutual love of design and a shared sense of humour. They were the perfect pairing for this exciting project.
Since Ashley and Tommy had been close to the brand — and the women behind it — since day one, dissecting that DNA and creating a retail space that reflected it was a natural extension of their relationship with SMYTHE. The brand is both modern and nostalgic, with clothing that is sophisticated and comfortable with a tailored fit. Silhouettes are striking and totally unique. There is juxtaposition as well as considered blending in the clothing, and that mix was Ashley and Tommy’s starting point for the overall vision.
Terracotta, various species of wood, soft plaster, multiple varieties of stone and hand-wrought metal all worked together to ground the environment. With collections that change every season, a neutral backdrop was key, and these varied materials had to be refined and fresh. This was no place for distracting flourishes or bossy gestures, so discipline was key. This exacting detail, presented in immaculate simplicity, is a hallmark of Ashley’s work, and it is brilliantly employed here. Telegraphing history using visual cues is where Tommy excels; so the shop’s layout had a classical and ordered look, and the two worked together to achieve a pleasing balance.
The two designers created a retail experience in which rooms reveal themselves with natural flow and a subtle sense of order, and that’s really what the design development process was like too. There was never a moment of disagreement or challenge. Four friends who are like a family, two of whom are actually family, and one vision for a beautiful new chapter in the history of a beloved brand.
Creative Community: Tommy Smythe & Ashley Botten
