The Twin Founders of GOODEE Prioritize Home Goods that Preserve Craft and Storytelling

June 27, 2023

The Twin Founders of GOODEE Prioritize Home Goods that Preserve Craft and Storytelling

Upcycled furniture, handmade decor, and natural bath products abound at the mission-driven marketplace.

When twin brothers Byron and Dexter Peart founded their mission-driven home goods marketplace GOODEE four years ago, the intention was simple: to showcase the independent designers they love by amplifying the stories of the artisans and their products. A few of the retailer’s best-selling designers include the Antwerp-based ecoBirdy, makers of children’s furniture upcycled from discarded plastic toys, the 137-year-old British gardening accessories brand Haws famous for its collection of luxury watering cans, and Baba Tree, a Ghanaian handwoven baskets line founded by musician Gregory "Ayinedollah" MacCarthy who has been frequently visiting Ghana since 1999. "We wanted to bring together a whole bunch of people who saw how design had the power to shape conversations," says Dexter.

"We’ve had the luxury to travel to far-off places and I've always been someone who's brought back memorabilia or souvenirs that I’ve had an emotional connection to, from these places that I've been to," adds Byron. "I've always found the home to be a collection of memories—the things that surround us remind us of who we are, where we've been and, and of the stories that matter in our lives. GOODEE has been another incarnation of that."

Though Byron and Dexter have been collaborating for 30 years, and up until a year ago they also lived in the same building at Montreal’s Habitat 67, the architectural landmark built for the World’s Fair in 1967 (Byron now lives in an apartment in a century-old Victorian house in Westmount, Quebec), the brothers bring their own nuanced design aesthetics and interests to GOODEE. "We’re 50 years old now and I'd say that over those 50 years, I've been quite predictable in a good way—but Byron, he's the wilder one, which I love," says Dexter. "He takes more chances with his design style and language. He’s got fantastic taste. I'd say he’s more maximal in his design and I’m slightly more minimal."

In how they break down their business duties, Byron separately confirms that he tends to lean into the "big dreams, big visions, big ideas" side of things whereas Dexter’s practicality and thoughtfulness in operations is what helps the duo achieve those goals. "We’ve found our rhythm of how to work together. There’s just a tremendous amount of respect and a lot of trust inside of our working relationship," says Byron.

When it comes to the way the duo decorate their respective homes, both Dexter and Byron turn to GOODEE for products that are sentimental, sustainable, and well-designed that also work for their own lifestyles. Dexter has included a children’s table for his two kids; Byron has included a handwoven basket that holds all of his dog Hugo’s toys.

"GOODEE is about providing people solutions to make better choices when deciding ‘I need X in my home’ or ‘I’m looking to buy a gift for someone that matters.’ It’s like, how could a broom not just be a broom? How could a broom have meaning? How can this be something you don't hide in the broom closet and instead be celebrated within your interior? That’s the kind of thing we’re excited about," says Byron. Ahead, the brothers share a few of their favorite home products that uphold their infatuation for craft preservation and cultural heritage.

"Window" Cushion & Textiles by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn

Svenskt Tenn’s classic cushions are loved all over the world; from Stockholm to New York and Shanghai. This linen cushion has the Window print. Josef Frank worked in New York from 1941-1946. Field manuals and botanical dictionaries inspired this and many of the other prints, which he designed during this time. The Window print is comprised of common houseplants. Perhaps some of them were in the windowsills of Josef Frank and his wife Anna’s Manhattan apartment in Park Terrace Gardens. The design is printed on the front and back of the cushion. Each individual cushion is unique and therefore the placement of the design varies from the cushion in the picture.

"When we were searching for the right fabric to reupholster antique furniture we purchased for our solarium, we knew we wanted something comfortable, homey yet arrestingly vibrant. Designed in the 1930s by Frank, yet perfectly relevant today, I can’t think of many prints—and linen fabric quality—that could so effortlessly pass the test of time." —Dexter Peart

1966 Collection by Richard Schultz for Knoll

Richard Schultz's outdoor dining tables have been serving summer lunches and poolside picnics for over 50 years. And they've never looked fresher.

Richard Schultz's outdoor dining chairs have been setting the scene for modern meals outdoors for over 50 years. The aluminum frame makes them resilient to weather and wind, while the signature mesh back keeps you cool.

"We live in Montreal, Canada, so summers spent outside are pretty sacred moments for our family. Not every furniture piece in your home can be a true investment piece, but we have enjoyed priceless days and night on our terrace with the 1966 collection of table and chairs." —DP

"Ocean" Candle by Goodee

Like the ocean, our eponymous scented candle inspires infinite wonder and endless possibilities with an essential oil blend of agarwood, coriander, and musk that’s both enticing and intriguing. Meanwhile, the vessel brings a swirl of joy to the room with vibrant custom colors. Hand-blown in Venice in the ancient tradition of Murano glass using leftover glass from local factories, it is a work of art designed to be repurposed once its life as a candleholder is over. (Simply remove the GOODEE logo with a blade.) The GOODEE candles are 100% responsibly made with all-natural ingredients. Hand-poured using 100% pure soy wax infused with natural essential oils and lit with a cotton wick, each candle has a burn time of 45 hours. Although the amount of wax is the same for each candle, you may notice slight variations in size due to the hand-crafted nature of the product.

"My wife’s family is from Greece and ours is from Jamaica so the sea is always in our hearts. The Ocean candle’s vibrant color injects a pop of joy into any space and its soothing scent reminds of warmer days by the beach." —DP

Copenhagen Pot by Bergs Potter

What could be more fitting than a pot with royal roots to elevate your houseplant collection? Inspired by a pot first manufactured at the royal castle in Denmark in 1860, the Copenhagen by Bergs Potter (also called the Castle Pot) makes a distinguished addition to your plant sanctuary. Hand-crafted in a small Tuscan village from the finest Italian clay and glazed with care, this pot will last for decades indoors as well as outdoors, becoming even more beautiful with age. This pot is frost resistant and has a drainage hole to keep your plant healthy.

"Adding more and more plants has become a mild obsession of mine, and the Copenhagen pot is my new favorite. Handcrafted in a small Tuscan village, these colorful glazed clay pots are uniquely stylish and will last for decades inside or outside the home."—DP

Art Corner Duo set by ecoBirdy

Setting up a play/learn corner in a kids’ room or living room? This pint-sized ecoBirdy set is sure to please. Consisting of a table with two chairs in different colorways, it offers the ideal spot for little ones to paint, read, build things, and even enjoy their meals from 18 months up to 7 years old. Crafted from ecothylene — an exclusive material made of recycled plastic toys — the set is easy to carry around and wipe clean, making it well-suited for indoor and outdoor use. Includes:1 Luisa Table (Party)1 Charlie Chair (Ocean)1 Charlie Chair (Vanilla). Please note that this furniture is suitable for kids from the ages of 18 months up to 7 years old to sit on. We do not recommend the chair to be used by adults.

"Finding beautifully designed and highly durable kids’ furniture can be a real challenge but ecoBirdy has a solution. Crafted from recycled toys, there is no better way to teach our next generation of kids about the joy—and power—of circular design." —DP

Smiley Goat Planter by Malaika

Not into minimalist plant pots? Then this quirky goat planter by Malaika is the perfect pick for your flowers and leafy friends. Expertly hand-crafted in the oasis village of Tunis in Fayoum by master potter Mohamed Mahmoud, this ceramic piece beautifully showcases the boldness and creativity of contemporary Egyptian craftsmanship, while bringing a touch of whimsy to your decor. Place it on your windowsill or on your porch and wait for your guests’ reaction. Malaika’s Fayoum Pottery is entirely handcrafted, so you may find slight imperfections, color variations, and minor sizing differences.

"No surprise my first reaction was one filled with sheer joy when first ‘meeting’ this handcrafted Smiley Goat Planter. She has since found her way into my home as an artful companion to a beautiful bonsai tree." —Byron Peart

Oak Shaker Peg Rail by Peg and Rail

Created from hand selected 3/4" thick Solid Oak. Optional "Extra Wide" 4.5 inches for making an impressive statement. Or standard 3.5" wide.

"When seeking out an entranceway solution to house several jackets and accessories, I felt so fortunate to come across this wonderful maker of solid, high-quality hardwood products from Michigan. My custom-length peg rail is in a beautiful stained oak that truly appears as through it’s from the original interior of my century-old apartment." —BP

Designer Josh Itiola Takes a Feelings Approach To His Eclectic Interiors

from Dwell.com https://ift.tt/oQimx8T

Search This Blog

Interior Design