Fogo Island Workshops

"We often talk about local design, but just because a design is local to one place, doesn’t mean it’s not relevant elsewhere... I like to believe that people – and our needs – are more similar than we sometimes think." -Wataru Kumano Visit the link to read our latest blog, a conversation between Anniina Koivu and Wataru Kumano. Wataru was asked to take part in the design of a new collection that asked the question: How can we connect the culture and experience of Fogo Islanders to an urban residential one?

Designed by Kingman Brewster, 'Eel Brook House' is a new construction in Joe Batt's Arm that features our Premises Collection. "The neighbourhood is filled with spectacular buildings. We did not want the house to imitate or "fit in" but rather relate to and respond to its surroundings. It was key to consider scale and materiality throughout the design process. Instead of one large building, we made smaller interconnected ones. The Eel Brook House is clad with spruce boards, used on structures in the area for centuries, but the finish and detailing of the siding is very different from those nearby. The Premises Collection seamlessly continues the scale and materiality conversation. The pieces fit within the intimate space and resonate with the home's natural wood finishes and its context. Like Eel Brook House, each Premises piece has grown out of a dialogue with place, history, and culture." -Kingman Brewster 📸 Alex Fradkin

We are thrilled to have our products featured in the Goodee suite at the Ace Hotel Toronto - a space for celebrating craft and telling stories. See if you can spot one of our iconic strip quilts and snake cushions. A testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of Fogo Islanders, both are hand crafted by island makers with decades of passion and experience. 📽️ Courtesy of Goodee

Fogo Island has magical light no matter what the weather is doing, and days often close with a spectacular sunset that seems to last for hours. The weather is tangibly alive, going from moody fog to stormy rain to bright sunshine. Nick Herder’s "Island Atmosphere" wallpaper design captures the diversity of Fogo Island's everchanging atmosphere. 📸 Alex Fradkin (1-4); Christopher Farr Cloth (5)

The wallpaper that adorns the walls of the rooms and suites within Fogo Island Inn is a design favourite of guests. These iconic designs take centre stage in a new collaboration between Fogo Island Workshops, Fogo Island Inn Design Strategist Ernst Hupel, and Christopher Farr Cloth. This new collection of four wallpaper patterns and two new fabric patterns is now available for purchase:

The Shed Studio, our curated showroom in Toronto’s Cabbagetown, is now open for private appointments. Come experience our furniture (including our new Premises Collection), modern quilts, and home accessories at 391 Ontario Street. Email [email protected] to book an appointment.

Our Passion Over Reason quilt is a limited edition of 10. Make one yours by shopping our ready-to-ship quilts: https://buff.ly/49cGXdB In 1968, artist Joyce Wieland produced a quilt appliquéd with Pierre Trudeau’s evocation to the nation: “Reason over passion.” During his Fogo Island Arts residency, Dr. August Klintberg flipped the script. The reversed phrase evokes memories of building Fogo Island Inn, which some said was neither practical, reasonable or rational.

In 2024, we will be unveiling new products and collections that celebrate craftsmanship and creativity. Don't miss out, sign up to our newsletter for exclusive previews and event invitations: https://buff.ly/3N63gIC

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Toronto's Interior Design Show last weekend, and to our insightful panelists: Ernst Hupel, 2H Interior Design and Ambassador for Fogo Island Inn Michael Murphy, VP, Fogo Island Workshops Janet Langdon, Textile Designer and Maker Andrew Sardone, Editorial Director, The Globe and Mail Style Advisor Learn more about Fogo Island's unique design philosophy through Andrew's article, "Fogo Island Inn marks ten years of outport design," here: https://buff.ly/3HzMhLu

No Saturday plans? Join us at 3pm today at @idstoronto! Discover how community, artistry, and innovation have defined one of Canada's most talked about design destinations, @fogoislandinn. Tickets are available both online or on-site: