ISLO Furniture: A designer's solution for small spaces

When Toronto designer Emmanuel Belliveau lived in a condo, he found his kitchen wall was only 11ft long. Realizing this is a reality for some Torontonians who call “Condoland” home, he wanted to create a solution.

“It’s what happens all the time downtown now as condo developers are all about minimizing their cost [and] square foot,” said Belliveau. “I needed a solution, so I designed it.”

Belliveau’s answer to the question of small space living comes in the form of a line of kitchen furniture, aimed at maximizing a kitchen’s space.

The line, titled Islo— meaning Island in Tagalog, Belliveau's mother is Filipino— is described as kitchen island, but boasts many different uses. Available in sizes of 4ft or 6ft, the Islo can be used as counter top preparation space, storage as it comes with soft close doors, or as a hutch, bar or serving station. The versatility of the Islo speaks to the importance of design in a small space.

“What makes this design important is that it addresses several needs for people who lack countertop space [or] lack kitchen seating [or an] eating area, or lack storage,” he said.

Belliveau said his favourite aspect of the Islo are the angles of the legs. They were designed so that it would be easier to walk around the furniture.

Along with the physical design, colour scheme is a major component of the Islo Furniture.

When purchasing an Islo 4, an Islo 6 or an Islo bar, clients can choose several options in terms of colour and surface top. The Islo surface top is made of natural stone, quartz and porcelain. The body contains a stainless steel frame and a wood veneer or painted cabinet.

The customization aspect of the Islo Furniture, is what makes it unique, said Belliveau.

“You can select any colour to paint the box, there are several wood veneer selection as well. The frame can be powder coated too,” he said.

Belliveau, Principal of FLOROHome and founding partner of the Design and Build Boutique, said he worked out the details of the furniture line last fall.

“I had something in mind and Rob [Whitfield] said ‘you design something and we’ll build it’. So that gave birth to Islo,” he said. “We produced the Islo 4 and 6 for the show. The response..was great!”

He said that in a small space, furniture units that are multi-purpose save the owner from buying more furniture.

“As long as any furniture fills a need, be it aesthetics or function, the owner benefits,” said Belliveau. “[The benefits] are less stuff, more room, better organization and more money to spend elsewhere like a trip to Costa Rica. At least that’s where I’d like to go.”

Along with more money for a trip, Belliveau said another Islo benefit is aiding those who love to have guests over.

“The Islo bar has a bar height top which is great for people who like to entertain a lot. With the 4ft and 6ft lengths it can be paired to make an 8ft or 12ft island,” he said.

The Islo line of kitchen furniture can be found at Casalife stores now.