{"id":1455,"date":"2025-08-24T17:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-08-24T17:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/?p=1455"},"modified":"2025-10-02T16:25:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T16:25:49","slug":"odami-reinvents-the-old-world-apothecary-at-torontos-living-beauty-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/24\/odami-reinvents-the-old-world-apothecary-at-torontos-living-beauty-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Odami reinvents the “old-world apothecary” at Toronto’s Living Beauty"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Living<\/div>\n

Terracotta-toned tiles fan out across the floor of this spa<\/a> and retail space, which Canadian studio Odami<\/a> has completed in a former industrial building in Toronto<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Living Beauty<\/a> in the city’s Christie Pits neighbourhood sells skincare, haircare, fragrance and other beauty products, and also offers treatments that range from make-up sessions to facials and injectables.<\/p>\n

\"Retail
A marble-topped, L-shaped counter forms a focal point at Living Beauty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Located in a former factory building with large columns and an exposed ceiling, the space was designed by Odami<\/a> to celebrate the industrial bones while providing a fresh take on beauty shops of yesteryear: apothecaries.<\/p>\n

“We reinterpreted the apothecary typology for this post-industrial space, in hopes of creating something that feels honest, interesting and new,” said Odami.<\/p>\n

\"Retail
The large columns and exposed services of the former factory space were left to create contrast with the contemporary interventions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the front of house area, the dark wood, elaborate detailing and rows of small drawers found in these old medicine stores have been lightened, pared back and expanded in scale.<\/p>\n

A large L-shaped counter topped with Breccia Oniciata marble forms a focal point and serves quick customer consultations.<\/p>\n

\"White
White Corian display plinths contrast the clay-toned millwork<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The traditional apothecary was centred around personal consultation, so we bolstered that model with modern design approaches to create a contemporary, service-forward environment that’s geared toward community building,” Odami said.<\/p>\n

More marble forms counter-height shelving within arched product display bays, which are built from clay-hued millwork and wrap the walls.<\/p>\n

\"Vanity
Breccia Oniciata marble and tambour details add character to the space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Items are showcased on open powder-coated steel shelves within the niches above, while supplementary stock is stored within the drawers below.<\/p>\n

White Corian display plinths add a contemporary contrast against the tambour and panelling of the millwork.<\/p>\n

\"Concentric
Concentric terracotta-hued floor tiles converge where the retail space meets the spa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“While referencing the old-world apothecary, the space also invokes other eras and styles, incorporating retro elements like vintage light fixtures and reeded glass with chrome framing,” said Odami.<\/p>\n

“We want to be interpretive, experimental, and playful in how we nod to the past, allowing room for something uniquely contemporary to emerge.”<\/p>\n