Urban Space — Custom Outdoor Furniture
Sit. Swivel. Scoot. This playful patio transforms public furniture into a stage crafted for connection, curiosity, and community.
Project Partners
Client Collaborator: Perth County Inn
Design/Build: Mischief & Wilde
Location: Perth County Inn, Stratford, ON.
In a world that often urges us to retreat inward, this little corner of downtown Stratford, Ontario, stands for something different. It’s a place to be curious—and maybe even share a story
Here, handcrafted custom urban furniture invites interaction and delight. Made from warm Canadian Douglas Fir and set atop bold orange casters, each piece moves to meet the moment—whether you’re enjoying a quiet coffee or striking up conversation with a stranger nearby.
Here’s a thought… what if you took your living room and fastened the furniture to giant skateboards? What would that communicate to your guests? Maybe that you’re a bit nutty… but maybe they’d also get that they’re in a place where they don’t have to take themselves too seriously. A place to relax. A place to laugh.
As Bruce, owner of Perth County Inn, puts it: “Interesting and important people come here and they get to have something valuable that they almost never have… time. I want people to sit down and end up sharing stories with a stranger they just met. That’s how community starts.”
At its heart is the picture-window bench: a robust geometric seat and table that perfectly frame a classic Stratford view—the Avon River, a historic church steeple, and trees dancing in the breeze. Some days, you might even catch the resident osprey soaring through that framed skyline.
Other modular elements flex and pivot—hinged timber benches that adjust to invite intimacy or openness, and high-top stools built into the railing, ready to spin toward the street, the river, or a partner at your table. This isn’t just a place to sit. It’s a place to meet.
Handcrafted in Ontario, this interactive furniture installation turns public seating into a playful destination for connection.
“Interesting and important people come here and they get to have something valuable that they almost never have… time. I want people to sit down and end up sharing stories with a stranger they just met. That’s how community starts.”
— Bruce, Owner of Perth County Inn
Design Notes:
Sustainability Focus
- Crafted from Canadian Douglas Fir, this custom furniture installation stores nearly 1,000 kg of carbon, helping to offset much of the energy used in fabrication and transport. By prioritizing sustainable wood and limiting steel to small functional components—like hinges and casters—we significantly reduced the project’s embodied carbon footprint.
- A typical commercial-grade steel bench (such as those made from powder-coated, laser-cut frames) can generate 400–700 kg CO₂e per unit. This custom wood installation has at least 10x lower embodied carbon per seat than standard commercial steel furniture—and actually stores carbon rather than emitting it.
- Local fabrication, minimal waste, and renewable materials make this a gathering place with a softer environmental footprint.
At Mischief & Wilde our collaborative process creates thoughtful, engaging environments.
