The show took place in September as part of the Southex Exhibitions’ Vancouver Fall Gift Show at B.C. Place Stadium. Metz’s company, metzdesign, was one of the more than 120 home-based businesses sponsored by the Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Women’s Equality,  Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Royal Bank, Forest Renewal B.C. and Southex Exhibitions chosen to exhibit products at this wholesale market place. “This was a phenomenal opportunity for me,” said Metz, who earlier this year wass named one of the up and coming designers in B.C. by The Province newspaper. “The response to my furniture was very, very positive and I was able to reach a much wider audience, make many new friends and contacts, and advance my marketing skills..” Metz’s new line of wooden fruniture caught the eye of both out-of-province buyers as well as local retailers. His winning design, the CD Rex, along with his other designs, are sculptured and functional art the the home.

Greg Metz is a man of few words. Speaking to him over the phone sometimes seems as though the connection has been lost, or that he didn’t hear the question. But he’s just thinking … slowly.

Once you’ve seen the furtinure he conceives, designs and creates, his conversational shortcomings are forgotten.

He speaks through his work in the fractured surface of his Shatter Table; in the graceful inward sweep of the Arcus Drawers or the playful wave in the legs of his Dancing Legs Table.

Metz uses wood like cherry and Bubinga; glass that has been shattered or sandblasted; and shapes to create moods and make statements. He plays with shadow and illusion, and much of his work – like the Dancing Screen, inspired by rippling water – mirrors nature. Called contemporary furniture, it is beautiful and functional: he creates clever storage spaces under table tops, and peices are designed to fit perfectly in their spaces.

The North Shore resident – who had to move his growing business from North Vancouver in recent years – received his diploma in Furtinure Design from Sheridan College in 1995.

The roster of customers and fans for his work, which he makes under the business banner of Metz Design, gorws larger by the day as does his reputation.

In February, Metz was invited to participate in Studio North, the critically acclaimed section of the 2004 Interior Design Show in Toronto, which showcases Canada’s leading independent studios and designer/makers. Last year, his CD Rex, an arched sculpture whose spine holds 38 CDs, won an award for the most innovative new product and he is often featured in print publications as an up and coming new furniture designer.

Deanna Lancaster

North Shore News Home, Garden and Lifestyle

March 2004