FAIR PLAY

Trend expert Arren Williams tells us about Arcade, his collection of furniture, rugs and lighting launching in time for fall decorating&lt

Take us back to the beginning! What was your starting point for the collection?From a style perspective, it was all about creating a dialogue between my favourite high points of 20th-century design, which are Art Deco, mid-century modern and ’70s style. I wanted the collection to actually feel collected, which hopefully makes it more livable. What’s behind the name? I liked that Arcade is an architectural term, as well as being connected to old-school gamer culture and video arcades. There’s a lot of great colour and pattern. Was that important to you? I love velvet and how intense it can make colour look. Some of the Canadian-made sofas and chairs were definitely designed to play that up. And I firmly believe that just about every space is improved with a standout chair in an unexpected pattern.What are some other design details that people might not notice but make all the difference? Scale and shape come to mind, especially with how the Roxy sofa can fit so well into a small space. And the bookshelf — I wanted it to look good even if it’s left empty.Who do you imagine is the quintessential Arcade client? I thought of a design-forward thirtysomething, putting together their first place. But just about anyone can perk up their interior with one of the chairs or occasional pieces. Care to predict what the bestseller will be? The perfectly petite Manhattan cocktail table. I designed it to keep a drink nearby while lounging on a sofa.