2019-09-01 DESIGNLINES

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One Thing

Stuff

Daniel Gruetter’s pieces are much more than furnishings – they are receptacles for memories

by TORY HEALY

Have you ever seen a time capsule? I have,

at last year’s Interior Design Show. At a

metre and a half long, the black walnut

credenza is broad-shouldered with a

cinched waist; its legs straddle an

elegant undercarriage. Behind two

gliding doors are stacked shelves

and a no-longer-secret drawer.

Examples of its maker’s exquisite

joinery can be found within –

David Gruetter hand-picks his

planks from local arborists,

salvage companies and sawmills;

he hand-oils them, too.

The credenza is charismatic:

before you know it, you’re thinking

about where you will showcase it. But

while the casegood might be ready to fill

now, it was long in the making, taking six

weeks of labour and a lifetime of study.

Daniel Gruetter left Bella Coola, British Columbia,

for Toronto in 2010, bringing with him

woodworking experience – construction,

renovation; he’s the son of a carpenter –

and a history degree from UBC. Since

then, he’s assisted at local workshops

and fulfilled commissions. But

his passion lies in ancient craft.

“Everything made by people, each

piece of furniture, reveals a time

and place,” he says. “Each piece

is embedded with environmental,

economic, cultural and political

circumstances. Well-made

furniture can last generations. As

it ages,  layers of human use instill

further history and context.” Meet

Daniel Gruetter and his time capsules

during the DesignTO Festival, running

January 17 to 26. DANIELGRUETTER.COM