The Twin Founders of GOODEE Prioritize Home Goods that Preserve Craft and Storytelling
Upcycled furniture, handmade decor, and natural bath products abound at the mission-driven marketplace.
Upcycled furniture, handmade decor, and natural bath products abound at the mission-driven marketplace.
When twin brothers Byron and Dexter Peart founded their mission-driven home goods marketplace GOODEE four years ago, the intention was simple: to showcase the independent designers they love by amplifying the stories of the artisans and their products. A few of the retailer’s best-selling designers include the Antwerp-based ecoBirdy, makers of children’s furniture upcycled from discarded plastic toys, the 137-year-old British gardening accessories brand Haws famous for its collection of luxury watering cans, and Baba Tree, a Ghanaian handwoven baskets line founded by musician Gregory "Ayinedollah" MacCarthy who has been frequently visiting Ghana since 1999. "We wanted to bring together a whole bunch of people who saw how design had the power to shape conversations," says Dexter.
"We’ve had the luxury to travel to far-off places and I've always been someone who's brought back memorabilia or souvenirs that I’ve had an emotional connection to, from these places that I've been to," adds Byron. "I've always found the home to be a collection of memories — the things that surround us remind us of who we are, where we've been and, and of the stories that matter in our lives. GOODEE has been another incarnation of that."
Though Byron and Dexter have been collaborating for 30 years, and up until a year ago they also lived in the same building at Montreal’s Habitat 67, the architectural landmark built for the World’s Fair in 1967 (Byron now lives in an apartment in a century-old Victorian house in Westmount, Quebec), the brothers bring their own nuanced design aesthetics and interests to GOODEE. "We're 50 years old now and I'd say that over those 50 years, I've been quite predictable in a good way — but Byron, he's the wilder one, which I love," says Dexter. "He takes more chances with his design style and language. He's got fantastic taste. I'd say he's more maximal in his design and I'm slightly more minimal."
In how they break down their business duties, Byron separately confirms that he tends to lean into the "big dreams, big visions, big ideas" side of things whereas Dexter’s practicality and thoughtfulness in operations is what helps the duo achieve those goals. "We've found our rhythm of how to work together. There's just a tremendous amount of respect and a lot of trust inside of our working relationship," says Byron.
When it comes to the way the duo decorate their respective homes, both Dexter and Byron turn to GOODEE for products that are sentimental, sustainable, and well-designed that also work for their own lifestyles. Dexter has included a children’s table for his two kids; Byron has included a handwoven basket that holds all of his dog Hugo’s toys.
"GOODEE is about providing people solutions to make better choices when deciding ‘I need X in my home’ or ‘I'm looking to buy a gift for someone that matters.’ It’s like, how could a broom not just be a broom? How could a broom have meaning? How can this be something you don't hide in the broom closet and instead be celebrated within your interior? That’s the kind of thing we’re excited about," says Byron. Ahead, the brothers share a few of their favorite home products that uphold their infatuation for craft preservation and cultural heritage.
"Window" Cushion & Textiles by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
"Window" Cushion & Textiles by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
Svenskt Tenn’s classic cushions are loved all over the world; from Stockholm to New York and Shanghai. This linen cushion has the Window print. Josef Frank worked in New York from 1941-1946. Field manuals and botanical dictionaries inspired this and many of the other prints, which he designed during this time. The Window print is comprised of common houseplants. Perhaps some of them were in the windowsills of Josef Frank and his wife Anna’s Manhattan apartment in Park Terrace Gardens. The design is printed on the front and back of the cushion. Each individual cushion is unique and therefore the placement of the design varies from the cushion in the picture.
"When we were searching for the right fabric to reupholster antique furniture we purchased for our solarium, we knew we wanted something comfortable, homey yet arrestingly vibrant. Designed in the 1930s by Frank, yet perfectly relevant today, I can’t think of many prints—and linen fabric quality—that could so effortlessly pass the test of time." —Dexter Peart
1966 Collection by Richard Schultz for Knoll
Knoll 1966 Dining Table
Richard Schultz's outdoor dining tables have been serving summer lunches and poolside picnics for over 50 years. And they've never looked fresher.
Knoll 1966 Dining Chair
Richard Schultz's outdoor dining chairs have been setting the scene for modern meals outdoors for over 50 years. The aluminum frame makes them resilient to weather and wind, while the signature mesh back keeps you cool.
"We live in Montreal, Canada, so summers spent outside are pretty sacred moments for our family. Not every furniture piece in your home can be a true investment piece, but we have enjoyed priceless days and night on our terrace with the 1966 collection of table and chairs." —DP
"Ocean" Candle by Goodee
GOODEE Ocean Candle
Like the ocean, our eponymous scented candle inspires infinite wonder and endless possibilities with an essential oil blend of agarwood, coriander, and musk that’s both enticing and intriguing. Meanwhile, the vessel brings a swirl of joy to the room with vibrant custom colors. Hand-blown in Venice in the ancient tradition of Murano glass using leftover glass from local factories, it is a work of art designed to be repurposed once its life as a candleholder is over. (Simply remove the GOODEE logo with a blade.) The GOODEE candles are 100% responsibly made with all-natural ingredients. Hand-poured using 100% pure soy wax infused with natural essential oils and lit with a cotton wick, each candle has a burn time of 45 hours. Although the amount of wax is the same for each candle, you may notice slight variations in size due to the hand-crafted nature of the product.
"My wife’s family is from Greece and ours is from Jamaica so the sea is always in our hearts. The Ocean candle’s vibrant colour injects a pop of joy into any space and its soothing scent reminds of warmer days by the beach." —DP
Copenhagen Pot by Bergs Potter
Copenhagen Pot by Bergs Potter
What could be more fitting than a pot with royal roots to elevate your houseplant collection? Inspired by a pot first manufactured at the royal castle in Denmark in 1860, the Copenhagen by Bergs Potter (also called the Castle Pot) makes a distinguished addition to your plant sanctuary. Hand-crafted in a small Tuscan village from the finest Italian clay and glazed with care, this pot will last for decades indoors as well as outdoors, becoming even more beautiful with age. This pot is frost resistant and has a drainage hole to keep your plant healthy.
"Adding more and more plants has become a mild obsession of mine, and the Copenhagen pot is my new favourite. Handcrafted in a small Tuscan village, these colourful glazed clay pots are uniquely stylish and will last for decades inside or outside the home."—DP
Art Corner Duo set by ecoBirdy
Art Corner Duo set by ecoBirdy
Setting up a play/learn corner in a kids’ room or living room? This pint-sized ecoBirdy set is sure to please. Consisting of a table with two chairs in different colorways, it offers the ideal spot for little ones to paint, read, build things, and even enjoy their meals from 18 months up to 7 years old. Crafted from ecothylene — an exclusive material made of recycled plastic toys — the set is easy to carry around and wipe clean, making it well-suited for indoor and outdoor use. Includes:1 Luisa Table (Party)1 Charlie Chair (Ocean)1 Charlie Chair (Vanilla). Please note that this furniture is suitable for kids from the ages of 18 months up to 7 years old to sit on. We do not recommend the chair to be used by adults.
"Finding beautifully designed and highly durable kids’ furniture can be a real challenge but ecoBirdy has a solution. Crafted from recycled toys, there is no better way to teach our next generation of kids about the joy—and power—of circular design." —DP
Smiley Goat Planter by Malaika
Smiley Goat Planter by Malaika
Not into minimalist plant pots? Then this quirky goat planter by Malaika is the perfect pick for your flowers and leafy friends. Expertly hand-crafted in the oasis village of Tunis in Fayoum by master potter Mohamed Mahmoud, this ceramic piece beautifully showcases the boldness and creativity of contemporary Egyptian craftsmanship, while bringing a touch of whimsy to your decor. Place it on your windowsill or on your porch and wait for your guests’ reaction. Malaika’s Fayoum Pottery is entirely handcrafted, so you may find slight imperfections, color variations, and minor sizing differences.
"No surprise my first reaction was one filled with sheer joy when first ‘meeting’ this handcrafted Smiley Goat Planter. She has since found her way into my home as an artful companion to a beautiful bonsai tree." —Byron Peart
Oak Shaker Peg Rail by Peg and Rail
Oak Shaker Peg Rail by Peg and Rail
Created from hand selected 3/4" thick Solid Oak. Optional "Extra Wide" 4.5 inches for making an impressive statement. Or standard 3.5" wide.
"When seeking out an entranceway solution to house several jackets and accessories, I felt so fortunate to come across this wonderful maker of solid, high-quality hardwood products from Michigan. My custom-length peg rail is in a beautiful stained oak that truly appears as through it’s from the original interior of my century-old apartment." —BP
Eperera Siapidara Set of Six PET Lamps by PET Lamp
Eperara Siapidara Set of Six PET Lamps
"I fell in love with the PET lamps' colourful beauty right away... each one is an original artisan handcrafted design made from recycled plastic bottles. It's the perfect design solution for people and the planet." - Dexter Colorful, conscientious and crafted with excellence, the Eperara Siapidara series by ACdO masterfully combines innovation with time-honored tradition. Repurposing PET plastic bottles that would otherwise collect in landfills and rivers, this innovative studio engaged Colombia's expert artisans to design and weave its colorful plastic strips, turning out captivating light fixtures that beautifully illuminate your space. Includes a collection of six lamps.
"These beautiful handwoven designs from Colombia are made from recycled plastic bottles. Neatly nestled above my kitchen island, they create a magical glow and are stunning conversation starters when entertaining guests at home." —BP
Flaÿou Chess Board Game by Soukra
Flaÿou Chess Board Game by Soukra
Flaÿou’s chess set features original designs with strong Berber influences that complement the shape and style of the traditional pottery of the Sejnane region, where local artisans have worked with clay for more than 3,000 years. Each board and its pieces are crafted entirely by hand, from the extraction of local clay to the shaping, outdoor firing and coloring using all natural materials like red ochre and mastic tree juice. Each game arrives in a pizza box along with a notebook about the collection, and bags for the pieces
"I love to welcome friends and family over, so I recently gifted myself this stunning chess set of unique clay pieces handcrafted in Tunisia with centuries-old technique and Berber influences." —BP
Pakurigo Basket by Baba Tree
Pakurigo Basket by Baba Tree
Boasting the intricate patterns, shapes and expert weaving techniques of Baba Tree's Ghanaian artisans, the Pakurigo basket features a wave-like silhouette that few weavers are able to master. Crafted from flexible yet strong palms, the Pakurigo's wide diameter allows for easy storage in your home, from extra blankets near the sofa, to children's toys, or cold-weather accessories tucked conveniently near the entryway. Each basket features a singular design created by its weaver, ranging in colors and patterns from simple neutrals to bright, complex creations.
"These organic baskets handwoven in Ghana have not only been one of my go-tos for housewarming gifts, but it is also well-loved by my dog Hugo for housing all of his favourite pup toys." —BP
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