Thoreau MacDonald, son of Group of Seven member J.E.H. MacDonald, was a noted graphic designer. In 1929 he designed the furnishings for "Pinebrook" a house being constructed for artist Doris Huestis Mills and advertising executive Gordon Mills in Toronto. A pine motif was frequently employed as a decorative theme as were trilliums, fleur-de-lys and Canadian birds. The top of the trestle table was cut from an older table and the clock case predates the clock face and door handle designed by Thoreau. "Astra Castra' Numen Lumen" (The Stars my Camp, the deity my Light) is inscribed on the table and "Iure Divino" (Divine Law) on the clock face.
