The Furniture Bank hosted its third annual Chair Affair on Thursday, November 1, at the stunning Palais Royale where over 300 patrons enjoyed an evening of entertainment and the opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind designer chair. The event was once again guest hosted by Global Television‘s Susan Hay and presented by Streetcar Developments.
“We are thrilled and honoured with the overwhelming support we received for the event from the design community, our sponsors and long-term supporters of Furniture Bank,” says Executive Director, Susanna Kislenko. “Combined with the support and the commitment of our incredible volunteers, this this has been the most successful Chair Affair yet!”
The theme of Vibrant Toronto infused the event – from food stations created by Chef Steffan Howard who represented the different neighbourhoods of Toronto, to the Toronto-centric playlist spun by DJ Matt Gracie.
Eighteen of the city’s talented designers took on the challenge of interpreting Vibrant Toronto in transforming chairs they’d selected from Furniture Bank’s warehouse into works of art. Twenty uniquely crafted chairs were on display, with 10 of the chairs were up for bid in a live auction, and led by seasoned auctioneer, Stephen Ranger from Waddingtons with some chairs fetching up to $1,300.
Also present was founder of Furniture Bank, Sister Anne Schenck, who presented Member of Parliament Olivia Chow with a special plaque in tribute to Jack Layton and the commitment he’d shown to Furniture Bank and the Chair Affair.
Olivia Chow stepped into the role of last minute guest auctioneer, replacing Councillor Mike Layton, and auctioned off a Maple Leafs signed Hot Stove Lounge chair. The chair raised $600, with former Toronto Mayor David Miller opening the bidding.
We were also delighted with surprise entertainment from Yakudo Traditional Japanese Drummers and soloist, Lesley Andrew, who also auctioned off a private home concert where she will perform. Many of the designers attended the event, including Heidi Richter and Paul Lafrance from HGTV’s Decked Out, Kiran Thind of Cherry Bomb vintage, Kelly Cray, Neil Jonsohn and Alex Chapman from UNION 31, Jessica Help and Jeff Schnitter from Seven Haus Design, Jackie Bray from The Upholstery Academy, and Peter Bray from PFBray Fire Woodworking.
It was quite a successful evening. I may not have purchased a new chair, as I have only just bought some comfortable office chairs for my home office, but among the other guests, I also bid on some items from the silent auction. I even came home with a yoga package! What matters is that all the money raised from this event supports Furniture Bank, an organization in the Greater Toronto Area that helps over 2,500 families annually by furnishing homes and bringing a sense of empowerment and dignity to their lives at no cost to the recipients.
