It's fitting that, for the past 11 years, Dax Wilkinson, the founder and president of Red Canoe, the retro-focused apparel company, has lived in a refurbished Victorian in Toronto's historic Trinity Bellwoods district with his wife, their two kids, a dog, a cat and a rabbit. The intrepid adventurer (he conceived of his company while flying in a bush plane over his native Northern Ontario in 2002) loves vintage style. When he kicks back in his living room, he listens to music on his retro stereo system and relaxes on his antique sofa: "My grandmother's refurbished feather-cushion couch [not shown]is great for naps," he says, "and for dreaming about the bush."
THE BENCH
"This bench is from Smash, in The Junction [area of Toronto] I love that store! The bench is made of old pieces of wood and reminds me of our summer bush camps in Northern Ontario, where you build what you need when you need it."
THE ANTLERS
"These are my two largest whitetail deer trophies. I love venison, and am a proud conservationist- hunter. Anyone who has ever tried to hunt big wily Ontario whitetail bucks will appreciate their quality and also the outdoor adventures they remind me of."
THE CHINA CABINET
"This cabinet is original to the house. We used it to store the stereo, glassware and china servers when the room served as our dining room. These days, it's more a cabinet of curiosities, featuring a Churchill tin, brass game-animal figurines and books."
THE BAG
"This is by Red Canoe, a reproduction of a Boeing Aircraft Navigation Kit bag. It's where I store my laptop and work, always at the ready should a little after-hours business need attending to."
THE SHEEPSKIN
"The sheep that gave up this hide was born and raised on the stony shores of the island of Gotland in Sweden. The wool is long and bleached out at the ends due to exposure to the sea. My good friend has a cottage there, and brought it back for me."
THE CARPET
"This is our newest addition to the room, purchased on Caledonia Road in Toronto; it really defines the space. I have always collected carpets, but this is the first new one we've ever bought. The colours are great, a nice change from the louder patterns I've had in the past."
THE STEREO AND JOHNNY CASH POSTER
"The German stereo, with a lit and mirrored bar cabinet built into it, still functions as a radio. It was a neighbourhood street find and it's got a nice tube-amp sound. My wife Kirsten's Johnny Cash letterpress print was produced in Knoxville, Tenn. on the largest letterpress machine made."