Feature – Inform Interiors

We are delighted to feature Inform Interiors, this unique company was introduced to us by the amazing Scott Trepp. Inform has a very distinct offering; they are truly unlike anybody else in Vancouver. Not only are they a full-service designer furniture retailer with a heart-stoppping showroom located in Gastown, but they also operate as Inform Projects and Inform Contract for trade-commissioned work on residential and commercial projects.

In their stunning Gastown showroom they offer hundreds of classic and contemporary furniture pieces including lighting, home accessories and an architecture and design bookstore. You will likely be hard-pressed to find most of their products elsewhere; not to mention for the prices they offer. Or as Scott Trepp puts it, “international design and quality without the sticker shock”.

 

Inform’s background story via InformInteriors.com

In 1963 Inform Interiors founder Niels Bendtsen opened his first retail store — Danet Interiors — in West Vancouver at Park Royal. The store focused on well–designed and well–crafted Danish modern furniture from companies like Fritz Hansen, which the store represents to this day. After seven years in West Vancouver, the store moved to 97 Water Street in Vancouver’s vibrant Gastown neighbourhood where it has stood ever since.

To further his pursuit of quality design, Niels sold the store to a Toronto retailer and moved to Denmark in 1972. He spent a decade in Europe studying and designing furniture for a variety of manufacturers. While in Denmark, he designed the Ribbon chair, which was accepted into the permanent collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Returning from Europe in the 80s, Niels regained control of the store and rebranded it into Inform Interiors. Shortly thereafter, he began his own manufacturing line Bensen to provide great design and great quality at an affordable price.

Inform Interiors continued to grow under the direction of Niels’ wife, Nancy Bendtsen. To meet the burgeoning needs of Vancouver developers, Inform Projects was created with Harvey Reehal. Inform Contract, led by Paul Sjaarda, serves Western Canada’s architects and interior designers who are creating commercial, office, hospitality, and other large scale projects. These divisions are now headquartered in the Railtown District, with a large and exclusive to–the–trade showroom, only a few blocks from Inform’s retail spaces in Gastown.

Inform has continued to grow through seeking out and delivering the best products that the world has to offer at the best possible prices coupled with unparalleled service. The business demanded expansion. Rather than move away from what they had started, the decision was made to stay in Gastown with the addition of a new showroom. Working with the Heritage Management Plan, the new building retained the entire façade of the previously existing building with a newly designed interior. Niels worked with Bocci Art Director Omer Arbel to create a stunning space that could truly showcase the future vision for Inform Interiors. This new space has won environmental and Design awards for its geothermal heating system and progressive approach.

 

As you likely know by now, Trepp Design Inc was our Interior Design partner on The Smithe project (click here to read our Trepp Design Inc profile & Q+A). Their team sourced several of The Smithe display home furnishings from Inform Interiors, as Inform’s products aligned so well with the aesthetic at The Smithe.

We are very proud to have partnered with Inform Projects on The Smithe. Trepp Design Inc worked with Inform Projects on custom designing all kitchen/bathroom cabinetry and master bedroom built-in wardrobe systems and importing them from Italy. They worked hand-in-hand with Harvey Reehal and his team in order to establish a design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing while meeting local code, environmental and procurement requirements. The collaboration resulted in the creation of a truly exceptional living space for our future homeowners.

The Smithe kitchen custom cabinetry by Inform Projects.

 

The Smithe master bedroom built-in wardrobe system with activated lighting.

 

Here are some photos we had taken of the beautiful Inform Interiors showroom, as part of our neighbourhood campaign.

Inform’s showroom is located at 50 Water St. in Gastown.

Visit InformInteriors.com to learn more.