The Read

 
Urban Instincts: Julia Johnson, Founder and Creative Director of Le Centerpiece

Urban Instincts: Julia Johnson, Founder and Creative Director of Le Centerpiece

Julia Johnson Some people collect decor. Julia Johnson collects the feeling, whether it’s the tension of an odd colour pairing, spaces and style that feel comforting yet intentional, or the satisfaction of adding something unexpected. Julia Johnson is the Founder and Creative Director of Centerpiece, a Montreal-based vintage furniture and...

3-minute read
Urban Instincts: Principal Designer and Nest Founder, Natalie Chong

Urban Instincts: Principal Designer and Nest Founder, Natalie Chong

Natalie Chong For Natalie Chong, style starts with the same instincts that guide her interiors: texture, warmth, and the mood a well-chosen detail can create. As the principal designer and founder of Toronto-based Nest Design Studio, Natalie has spent more than 15 years creating residential spaces that feel layered, liveable,...

3-minute read
The Art of Expression with Manuela, Founder of Dora Nola

The Art of Expression with Manuela, Founder of Dora Nola

Early this year, I was searching for the perfect silk scarf. Something with a unique point of view. Artisanally made. Actual silk, not a polyester blend pretending to be luxury. As I increasingly do, I narrowed my search to Canadian designers. That’s when I found Dora Nola: hand-drawn 100% silk...

6-minute read
The Art of Comfort with Tamara "Solem" Al-Issa

The Art of Comfort with Tamara "Solem" Al-Issa

Ceramic artist Tamara Solem Al-Issa approaches her work with a deep sensitivity to material and form. Based in Toronto, she creates hand-built pieces that explore memory, tradition, and the emotional weight objects can carry. In her studio, days are shaped by movement and instinct, shifting between moments of focus and...

4-minute read
How a Season Is Made: Inside Our Spring 2026 Collection

How a Season Is Made: Inside Our Spring 2026 Collection

How trends, travel, and everyday moments shaped our most joyful season yet. Why Everything Looks the Same (and How We Stay Different) Designing Spring 2026 started nearly two years ago. Most brands are working from the same global forecasts, which is why butter yellow and mesh flats suddenly show up...

4-minute read
Styled in the Annex

Styled in the Annex

Inside fashion stylist Shira Hershkop’s take on the east–west bag and how to wear it now.
4-minute read
The Art of Movement with Amy Dixon

The Art of Movement with Amy Dixon

Movement is a big part of how artist Amy Dixon works and lives. Based in Edmonton, Amy’s work explores the feeling of home through bold, vibrant landscapes and expressive acrylic paintings inspired by nature and place. Her paintings explore change, rhythm, and atmosphere, guided by motion, intuition, and a trust...

7-minute read
Beyond the Ice: Closing the Girl Gap with Kristen Campbell and Dr. Toogood

Beyond the Ice: Closing the Girl Gap with Kristen Campbell and Dr. Toogood

How sport, mindset, and mental wellbeing are changing the game for the next generation of girls Poppy Barley has pledged $100,000 over three years through its Future Fund to close “The Girl Gap” by empowering girls ages 10–14 with opportunities in sport, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. PB Ambassador, Kristen Campbell,...

14-minute read
Canadian Brands I Love

Canadian Brands I Love

For years, I’ve been committed to buying Canadian when possible. Supporting a homegrown brand gives that entrepreneur the courage to keep dreaming, and every purchase is a hug you give the company. I know because these are the superpowers and love I feel every time someone buys Poppy Barley. Here...

2-minute read
Onward Together: Designed in Canada for a Better Future

Onward Together: Designed in Canada for a Better Future

Poppy Barley is proudly a Canadian B Corp. We love calling Canada home. Everything we make is designed in Edmonton, Alberta and produced by our manufacturing partners in Mexico, Spain and Portugal. Behind Poppy Barley is years of relentless hard work. With bold hearts, kindness and the support of our...

2-minute read
The Tea: Working With Your Sister

The Tea: Working With Your Sister

By: Justine Barber, Poppy Barley Co-Founder In 2012, I started Poppy Barley with my sister, Kendall. People are always so curious about running a business as sisters. Almost every journalist asks, “What’s it like working with your sister?” So, here’s what it’s really like to share a childhood and a...

3-minute read
Top Inspiring Business and Self Development Books Curated by Influential Women

Top Inspiring Business and Self Development Books Curated by Influential Women

In the world of business and finance, knowledge is power, and inspiration is a catalyst for growth. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, the right book can provide invaluable insights and spark innovative ideas. In this curated list, we bring you a collection of must-read business and...

3-minute read