Skip to main content
Digital Archive Toronto Public Library Homepage
Dramatic jump: Yorkville antique dealer and interior designer Robert Dirstein sits in front of a French pine armoire, circa 1800, he says is worth $11,500 today.
Dramatic jump: Yorkville antique dealer and interior designer Robert Dirstein sits in front of a French pine armoire, circa 1800, he says is worth $11,500 today.

Dramatic jump: Yorkville antique dealer and interior designer Robert Dirstein sits in front of a French pine armoire, circa 1800, he says is worth $11,500 today.

Date4/24/1981
Names
(photographer)
Format
Medium
Language
ProvenanceFrom the Toronto Star Archives
CollectionToronto Star Photograph Archive
Usage Rights Copyright (Learn More)
Copyright HolderToronto Star (Firm)
Call Number / Accession NumberTSPA_0126726F
Boldly dramatic: Top Toronto designer Robert Dirstein, right, with his huge embroidered portrait of a mandarin, found about 10 years ago at a Toronto estate auction.
Boldly dramatic: Top Toronto designer Robert Dirstein, right, with his huge embroidered portrait of a mandarin, found about 10 years ago at a Toronto estate auction.
12/3/1982
Interior Designer Robert Dirstein, here in his Rosedale home, has a big business in Metro. But foreign clients, who include Saudi royalty, account for one-third of his revenues.
Interior Designer Robert Dirstein, here in his Rosedale home, has a big business in Metro. But foreign clients, who include Saudi royalty, account for one-third of his revenues.
9/24/1990
Alex Bleakley relaxes with the old and new in his apartment in renovated downtown house. The interior designer says classic designs of any era can be mixed if surroundings are muted in color. In background is antique mantle clock contrasting with modern design of fabric-covered canvas.
Alex Bleakley relaxes with the old and new in his apartment in renovated downtown house. The interior designer says classic designs of any era can be mixed if surroundings are muted in color. In background is antique mantle clock contrasting with modern design of fabric-covered canvas.
8/20/1971
Frank Crane: The opera singer turned antique dealer was tired of the urban jungle so he retreated into the woods with his wife, Verena, and built himself a log cabin. And you can see the cabin Frank built! It's cathedral sized. Just the thing for housing such treasures as the Chinese tomb figure from the T'ang period (618 to 906 A.D.) which he is holding. These things are on trust, he says.
Frank Crane: The opera singer turned antique dealer was tired of the urban jungle so he retreated into the woods with his wife, Verena, and built himself a log cabin. And you can see the cabin Frank built! It's cathedral sized. Just the thing for housing such treasures as the Chinese tomb figure from the T'ang period (618 to 906 A.D.) which he is holding. These things are on trust, he says.
11/4/1983
Refinishing pine tool moulds is just one of the projects 27-year-old Bill Don has taken on since he and he and his wife Bev decided to fulfil his life's dream, to run their own store. Ardith One, on Yonge St., features antiques and artifacts the pair has collected over the past two years. The young couple say that mixing marriage and business has given them something to work on for the rest of their lives.
Refinishing pine tool moulds is just one of the projects 27-year-old Bill Don has taken on since he and he and his wife Bev decided to fulfil his life's dream, to run their own store. Ardith One, on Yonge St., features antiques and artifacts the pair has collected over the past two years. The young couple say that mixing marriage and business has given them something to work on for the rest of their lives.
8/1/1973
Seniors home: Dr. Janis Lusis, chairman, sits in the two-storey atrium of Kristus Darzs Home for the Aged being opened by the Latvian community on Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge, on Saturday.
Seniors home: Dr. Janis Lusis, chairman, sits in the two-storey atrium of Kristus Darzs Home for the Aged being opened by the Latvian community on Pine Valley Drive, Woodbridge, on Saturday.
11/1/1985
Won in court: Patrick Cudahy sits in his 1980 Cadillac Elorado, looking spiffy now after three years of fighting to get his car in reasonable working order. His battle culminated in a District Court ruling last month that his new car was actually a used one. The court ordered the dealer pay various damages and Cudahy's legal expenses.
Won in court: Patrick Cudahy sits in his 1980 Cadillac Elorado, looking spiffy now after three years of fighting to get his car in reasonable working order. His battle culminated in a District Court ruling last month that his new car was actually a used one. The court ordered the dealer pay various damages and Cudahy's legal expenses.
12/21/1987
Traditional style: Robert Dirstein opts for elegance in his living room, mixing an English Hepplewhite setee with Venetian and Georgian chairs on a Savonnerie rug.
Traditional style: Robert Dirstein opts for elegance in his living room, mixing an English Hepplewhite setee with Venetian and Georgian chairs on a Savonnerie rug.
1/13/1992
Frank Codd, presidet of Interior Designers of Ontario, shows use of dramatic wall fabric to add warmth, individualize room.
Frank Codd, presidet of Interior Designers of Ontario, shows use of dramatic wall fabric to add warmth, individualize room.
12/23/1980
He wanted to be a policeman but his attempts to meet the education requirements ended in disaster, says 24-year-old factory worker Joe Gough as he sits beside his wife and his 5-year-old son outside their home in Etobicoke
He wanted to be a policeman but his attempts to meet the education requirements ended in disaster, says 24-year-old factory worker Joe Gough as he sits beside his wife and his 5-year-old son outside their home in Etobicoke
8/4/1971
Bill Jackson is secretary of Canadian antique dealers. He wants young collectors to get break at big antique fair
Bill Jackson is secretary of Canadian antique dealers. He wants young collectors to get break at big antique fair
5/30/1972
Toronto's oldest Redcap, Jake Charendoff, sits waiting for new business at Toronto's Union Station, while behind him sits redcap Bert Fortune. Charendoff picked up his first piece of baggage at Union Station on the day it opened in 1927. But, although he claims the title oldest, he refuses to say exactly how old he is.
Toronto's oldest Redcap, Jake Charendoff, sits waiting for new business at Toronto's Union Station, while behind him sits redcap Bert Fortune. Charendoff picked up his first piece of baggage at Union Station on the day it opened in 1927. But, although he claims the title oldest, he refuses to say exactly how old he is.
1/24/1972