Highlights from R:DESIGN’s Showroom Opening
The celebration coincided with the launch of the brand’s latest collection
On September 25, Toronto’s Castlefield Design District was a hub for the city’s creative community as R:DESIGN celebrated the opening of its new showroom at 81B Ronald Avenue. The evening also marked the much-anticipated launch of its Neutral Curves collection—a series of hand-knotted rugs designed by Canadian artist Robyn Waffle. Over cocktails and gourmet bites, Interior designers and design enthusiasts gathered to experience the new space and delve into the gallery-style showcase of striking products. Designlines was on-site to take it all in, capturing a first-hand look at how the event brought together the city’s design community and highlighted R:DESIGN’s expansive offerings.
Upon entry, guests were met with a long and illuminated hallway that leads past the R:GALLERY and towards R:DESIGN’s Escher room.
The showroom is divided into four distinct areas, each designed to offer a unique experience. The RUG LAB displayed a sprawling variety of broadloom carpets, hand-knotted samples and large-format rugs, highlighting the brand’s custom capabilities. The Bazaar featured a collection of rugs with global influences, emphasizing the breadth of designs and global styles available. The Escher Room (inspired by Relativity, the lithograph print by the Dutch artist M. C. Escher) offers geometric-inspired pieces that highlight stair-runner design and speak to the relationships between design and our physical world. However, it was in R:GALLERY where the spotlight was firmly on Robyn Waffle’s Neutral Curves collection. Here, walls were adorned with standout pieces, alongside curated vignettes featuring furniture by District Home and decor from Izibele Boutique.
Waffle, known for her eclectic designs and mastery of materials, guided attendees through the intricate details of her rugs. “I love experimenting with natural materials,” she said. “Some of my favourite pieces in the collection feature a combination of natural nettle and wool, with the wool dyed to create a lovely contrast. It’s the interplay between these two materials that really brings the collection to life.”
Artist Robyn Waffle in the showroom’s R:GALLERY.
Neutral Curves explores the relationship between texture and form, with each rug meticulously hand-knotted in Nepal. The collection also features pieces made with luxurious materials like mohair and silk, which lend a dynamic quality to the designs. “What’s fascinating about silk,” Waffle explained, “is that it changes depending on the angle you view it from. One side looks darker, while the other side appears almost white. It’s like a hologram—it totally transforms depending on your perspective.” It’s a party trick for the senses, inviting you to experience the design from every angle.
Sun spills into R:DESIGN’s front entry vignette.
DJ Lucie Tic kept the good vibes going from her booth in the Escher room.
Scenes from the R:DESIGN showroom opening in the shop’s RUG LAB.
The Burrata Bar served elevated snacks as guests mingled in the RUG LAB.
There was no shortage of bubbly at the R:DESIGN showroom opening to match the event’s lively atmosphere.
Details are on full display in The Bazaar room.
In the Escher room, Robyn Waffle’s Gaga rug takes us back to 2013, when the art piece earned a DL Love Tag at that year’s Interior Design Show.
The RUGLAB + Carpet Cove features a gallery-like wall of samples from which customers can choose.
The Tile Sculpture rug in Emerald is hand-knotted from 100% silk.
Follow the showroom on Instagram @rdesignrugs.
The Neutral Curves collection is available to shop now at R:DESIGN.
R:DESIGN showroom at 81B Ronald Avenue—directly across from Elte.
Showroom owner Jordan Reznick has long been regarded as a trusted source for high-quality floor coverings in the city, thanks to his established reputation with Reznick Event Carpets, a company known for delivering custom carpets for prestigious events. In teaming up with Waffle, the result is a thoughtfully curated showroom that seamlessly merges Reznick’s storied expertise in high-quality custom carpets with Waffle’s artistic vision, offering a new addition to the Castlefield Design District that celebrates both craftsmanship and creative innovation.
To learn more about R:DESIGN and shop its rug collections, visit RDESIGNRUGS.COM
