Queen West
1 Atomic Design
Lawrence Blairs recently expanded his collection of mid-century pieces (heavy on the Eameses, Verner Panton and Pierre Paulin) to include more recent selections; it now comprises refurbished 1950s and ’60s originals and postmodern designs from the ’70s and early ’80s. AD’S smaller decor accents delight: hand-blown Murano glass table lamps, neon art and a selection of Scandinavian and Italian glassware. Spark, a new in-house range of custom lighting, includes table and suspension lamps in warm burnished brass. 965 QUEEN ST W 416 912 2358 ATOMICDESIGN.CA
2 Average
The brainchild of graphic designer Chris Hanz, Average is an ode to functionalist sensibilities, specializing in high-quality desk supplies and housewares with a timeless aesthetic and clear purpose – in other words, impressively functional, but no less handsome for it. Among the standouts are concrete soap dishes and bath brushes crafted from horsehair by Sweden’s Iris Hantverk; Japanese-designed slow-drip coffee brewers made in Japan; YUL’S runway-ready knapsacks and totes; and notebooks for typography lovers from Denmark’s Normann Copenhagen. 1081 QUEEN ST W 416 822 8374 AVERAGE.IS
3 BLVD Interiors
Budget-conscious fans of contemporary style love BLVD’S affordable, compact and multifunctional furnishings: wheeled bar carts, platform beds with stowed drawers and stackable dining chairs. Guest-hosting condo dwellers will appreciate the extensive selection of sleep solutions that redefine the futon: Mobital’s ISO transforms from armchair to lounger to single bed, and the mid-mod Walter sofa is a foldout sleeper with room enough for two. Look for new custom solid wood tables, hydraulic storage beds and Canadian made-to-order sofas. 707 QUEEN ST W 416 362 5222 BLVDINTERIORS.COM
4 Bookhou
With most of its items fashioned on site, Bookhou offers small-batch local furniture and accessories at their best. Natural materials are at the forefront, like totes and pillows in linen and waxed canvas adorned with monochromatic geometrics or handdrawn designs. Other gems include screenprinted linen storage buckets and drawstring project bags for holding sewing, knitting and crafting supplies. Among the custom hardwood pieces are maple veneer mobiles with intricate curves that recall mid-century Finnish design. 798 DUNDAS ST W 416 203 2549 BOOKHOU.COM
5 Brika
Brika is a destination of choice for whimsical home decor, gifts and stationery by artisans from North America and around the world. Favourite housewares include Xenia Taler’s striped ceramic coasters handmade in Toronto, Montreal textile artist Blanc Laine’s pastel woven wall hangings, Vancouver Candle Co.’s line of neighbourhood-inspired candles (including Yorkville and Queen West), and Morning Culture’s hippie-chic La Playa throw blankets. Baby shower honourees will love Brika’s hooded towels, as well as adorable plush narwhals from Pompon Design. 642 QUEEN ST W 844 472 7452 (ALSO: 768 QUEEN ST E 844 472 7452) BRIKA.COM
6 Bungalow
Aficionados of mid-century Scandinavian furniture and accents make Bungalow a regular stop, thanks to its rotating collection of impeccably maintained and refurbished vintage dining sets, modular wall units and occasional chairs from Domino, dyrlund, Herman Miller, Niels Koefoed and Imperial Furniture. Art glass from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s peppers the space, as do such hard-to-find European housewares as Dansk cookware and German ceramics, as well as pendant lighting, teakwood bowls and trays from Denmark. 273 AUGUSTA AVE 416 598 0204 BUNGALOW.TO
7 BYOB
At-home mixologists shouldn’t miss the glassware, utensils and boozy novelty items at this emporium for everything cocktail. Past a wall of local bitters are new and vintage coupes, copitas and tumblers. Elsewhere in the store find upscale essentials like Final Touch’s stainless steel Yarai mixing glasses, wood and copper muddlers, Boston shakers, minimalist Japanese tools and vintage cut-glass goblets. BYOB also carries an array of Tiki items including fun mugs, volcano bowls and neon stir sticks. 972 QUEEN ST W 416 858 2932 (ALSO: 20 KENSINGTON AVE 416 858 2932) BYOBTO.COM
8 Cambie Design
CD is a trove of thoughtfully curated objets and bright textiles sourced from Morocco and Peru: fringed alpaca-blend throw blankets, pompom-trimmed pillow covers and patterned wool rugs made in the Andes Mountains using traditional weaving techniques. The exquisite locally made ceramic pieces on display include Xenia Taler’s moon-shaped ornaments and Akai Ceramic Studio’s gold-rimmed plates. Other housewares include MLKANHNY brass spoons, Sara Clark’s rope wall hangings and the shop’s own line of soy-based scented candles. 1048 QUEEN ST W 416 516 7132 CAMBIEDESIGN.COM
9 Canadian Salvaged Timber
For over 20 years, Lambos Tsaousidis has created furniture and accessories custom-built using locally sourced premium woods. Slabs of live-edge oak, elm and maple – and all sorts of salvaged flooring – are ready to become your next kitchen island, dining table or storage unit. Bring your ideas and let Tsaousidis take over; his portfolio runs the gamut from shabby-chic barn doors and cabinets to minimalist platform beds, striated ambrosia maple and steel work tables, and industrial benches. 442 DUFFERIN ST, UNIT J 416 530 1333 CANADIANSALVAGEDTIMBER.CA
10 CB2
Its condo-friendly furniture, lighting and accessories were always cooler than sibling Crate & Barrel’s, but CB2’S collaborations with established designers and gifted newcomers have put it over the top. Jannis Ellenberger’s swivelling leather Cupa chair updates ’70s flair for the 21st century, while Mark Daniel’s glass and chrome Tesso bookcase marries a minimalist aesthetic with maximum stability. The brand’s latest collaboration with Fred Segal offers indoor/ outdoor furniture that will make your home feel like a modernist California retreat. 651 QUEEN ST W 416 366 2828 CB2.COM
11 Craft Ontario Shop
More than 400 artisans contribute to the collection of handcrafted-in-canada art and design objects – made of ceramic, glass, textiles, silver and wood – that’s artfully displayed in this double-height showroom. The selection ranges from functional housewares and giftables – including Kayo O’young’s iridescent free-shape bowls, Thomas Aitken’s oversized mugs and Gold & Ginger’s hand-sewn coin purses and bags – to such conversation pieces as Willy Sky’s stone animal carvings, Inukshuk statuettes and prints from various Inuit and Aboriginal artists. 1106 QUEEN ST W 416 921 1721 CRAFTONTARIO.COM
12 Cubeshops
Specializing in Japanese housewares and desktop accessories, Cubeshops elevates basic objects into super-kawaii works of art. H Concept transforms a door stopper into a quirky banana and Flowerman’s chubby porcelain vases are anything but ordinary, while practicality comes into play with Hario’s minimalist coffee syphons. Sceltevie’s vibrant Takuzen placemats and Kotori’s wooden shoehorns sit somewhere in between. Fun office accessories like +d’s brass Birdie letter openers will brighten the desk of even your grouchiest co-worker. 11 BALDWIN ST 416 260 0710 CUBESHOPS.COM
13 Design Republic
In the F.C. Burroughes Furniture Company’s former digs – one of the city’s greatest intact historic buildings – DR sells of-the-moment, urbanite-approved furniture. Live-edge dining and coffee tables with customizable steel bases are a draw, as are locally made sofas with hundreds of fabric options. Create your perfect dining table with materials like old pine barn wood. Another favourite, the industrial Rochelle stool, is available in such shades as cerulean and lemon yellow, with and without a back. 639 QUEEN ST W 416 603 0007 MYDESIGNREPUBLIC.COM
14 Drake General Store
DGS’S three-storey flagship offers a barbershop, coffee bar and retail space with enough room (of course) to also host the store’s signature Canadiana-inspired goods, among them Arborist’s Mountie-printed coasters and mugs, vintage-inspired provincial pennants and Mette Ditmer’s waffle throws. If home goods with an international flair are more your style, look to Malin+goetz’s candles, OMMO’S 1970s-style kitchen utensils and Puebco’s enamel lampshades. Gifting? Don’t miss wrapping paper with such funky motifs as high-fiving hands and terrazzo. 1151 QUEEN ST W 647 346 0742
(ALSO: HUDSON’S BAY, 176 YONGE ST, LOWER LEVEL 416 861 6009; HUDSON’S BAY, 44 BLOOR ST E 416 972 3333 X4137; 2607 YONGE ST 416 966 0553; 61 FRONT ST 416 214 6449) DRAKEGENERALSTORE.CA
15 Ella+elliot
Parents can find slick designs catering to kids’ every need at E+E. Alongside cutting-edge strollers and cribs – including the stylish Linea crib with matching dresser and changing table – are the Elephant chair and table set by Marc Venot, mini animal chairs by Takeshi Sawada (available in Bambi, sheep or cow versions) and the grey wool and natural oak Iconic Cloud rocker. Budtzbendix now makes a tent that fits over the frame from its changing table, transforming it into a play space. 188 STRACHAN AVE 416 850 7890 ELLAANDELLIOT.COM
16 Good Egg
Mika Bareket’s sunny boutique, dedicated to charming kitchen accessories and culinary literature, is stocked with Le Creuset, Staub and Falcon enamelware ready to transform basic ingredients into next-level cuisine. Other kitchen essentials include geometric-print linens and tableware from Marimekko, earthy clay-pot rice makers from Japan’s Kinto, colourful Moomin hand towels and Russel Wright’s American Modern pottery. An assortment of thematic art prints and books, including food magazines and cookbooks, round out the shop’s offbeat offerings. 267 AUGUSTA AVE 416 593 4663 GOODEGG.CA
17 Hudson’s Bay
The sixth floor of the iconic Canadian brand’s flagship store is stocked with highend furniture and appliances: leather sofas from Natuzzi Editions, retro-cool refrigerators from Smeg and classic Acapulco chairs re-imagined by Innit Designs. Head to the seventh floor for a wide array of cookware, dinnerware and tabletop accessories, from Orrefors’ violet-hued Totem candlestick holders and Villeroy & Boch’s fanciful serving plates to Kitchenaid mixers and Le Creuset baking dishes in every colour of the rainbow. 176 YONGE ST 416 861 9111 (ALSO: 44 BLOOR ST E 416 972 3333; YORKDALE SHOPPING CENTRE, 3401 DUFFERIN ST 416 789 8011) THEBAY.COM
18 Inabstracto
Mid-century furniture, art and design stalwart Inabstracto boasts vintage and vintage-inspired pieces from handmade floor and desk lamps by Toronto’s Paul Campbell to aluminum pendants made from recycled fire extinguishers by Castor Design; from original chairs by the likes of Verner Panton and Allan Gould to a selection of vintage dressers, sideboards and dining tables in teak and rosewood. You’ll also find Kurt Swinghammer’s contemporary Canadiana paintings, sculptural jewellery from Blackbones and intricate animal forms by ceramicist Janet Macpherson. 1160 QUEEN ST W 416 533 6362 INABSTRACTO.COM; VERSOGALLERY.CA
19 Jan Kath
A mechanic’s shop may seem like a strange home for a German manufacturer’s showpiece rugs and carpets, but the studio’s abode is more than suitable for its stunning fibrous masterpieces. A stone’s throw from the AGO, the art gallery-like space boasts large garage doors that open the boutique to its surroundings. Inside are Jan Kath’s digitized creations – photorealistic galaxies and highway billboards, partially “erased” Iranian Bidjars – all hand-knotted, handwoven and tufted in artisan communities around the world. 190 MCCAUL ST 416 604 9444 JAN-KATH.COM
20 Knife
The handcrafted Japanese knives on offer here – from the forges of Masakage, Fujiwara, Yoshihiro Yauji and Takumi Ikeda – are artisanal labours of love: skilled blacksmiths forge, hammer, temper and fold layers of high-carbon steel to craft these razor-sharp blades. The detailing is painstakingly intricate, from their carved wooden handles to their keen points. Knife also carries a selection of high-end kitchen accessories including Hasegawa soft cutting boards, Japanese fish scalers and tweezers, and Yoshikawa whisks. 803 DUNDAS ST W 647 996 8609 KNIFETORONTO.COM
21 Kol Kid
Look no further than this kids-ware shop for clever, creative goods for youngsters. Let them express their inner designer with Djeco’s glow-in-the dark wall decals (easy to remove and reposition), or save their allowance in playfully chic Jeff Koons-inspired monkey banks from Made by Humans 2. Older kids will love the vintage cinema lightbox by Amped & Co., which comes with a set of 100 letters, numbers and characters for creating personalized messages, and mermaid- or firefighter-print bedding by Amsterdam’s Snurk. 674 QUEEN ST W 416 681 0368 KOLKID.CA
22 Medulla & Co.
Tucked into a salon, this retail space is filled with haute home accessories and decor. Long, lean and curvaceous candlesticks from Applicata of Denmark are inspired by turned table legs and come in a variety of electric neon hues. Ceramic artist Grace Eunmi Lee handcrafts one-of-a-kind espresso cups, S&P shakers and quirky, animal-shaped ring holders in her Toronto studio. Don’t miss the luxuriously soft Tunisian cotton towels from
TO112 and handcrafted beech-wood spoons from Sir/madam. 809 QUEEN ST W 416 869 0809 (ALSO: 112 AVENUE RD 416 922 0112) MEDULLACO.COM
23 Morba
Indulge in modernist seating, tables and storage inspired by the designs of Saarinen, Eames and Maharam without marring your credit rating. This Queen West staple carries big brand designs, impeccable reproductions of classic furniture, as well as the occasional restored antique. Overhead, cluster pendants and softball-sized Edisonbulb lamps illuminate an eclectic collection of artwork (think patent drawings and vintage-styled maps). Recent modernist offerings are updated with warmer touches, such as rounded corners and rich velvet upholstery, and sit alongside new pieces that hearken back to the art-deco period. 665 QUEEN ST W 416 364 5144 MORBA.CA
24 Muji Atrium
The functional-chic office, bedroom and bathroom accessories found here lack logos, but share a distinctive, instantly recognizable aesthetic. Simple housewares like toothbrush stands and soap dispensers are elevated beyond the mundane by astute Japanese design; Muji’s brooms, mops and dustpans are so handsome it seems a
shame to hide them in the closet. Fan faves include storage containers, travel accessories, organic cotton bedding in muted, earthy tones and understated porcelain dinnerware sets in white and beige. 20 DUNDAS ST W 416 591 2233 (ALSO: SQUARE ONE SHOPPING CENTRE, 100 CITY CENTRE DR 905 276 2737; YORKDALE MALL, 3401 DUFFERIN ST 416 479 1204) MUJI.COM/CA
25 Neat
Design-obsessed neat freaks and neatness obsessed design freaks should head to this immaculately ordered (natch!) storage essentials boutique for everything it takes to achieve your space-management goals. Reclaim valuable square footage with Kartell’s stackable Componibili storage units, and declutter your entryway with Umbra’s wall-mounted Lettro organizer. Or, bring some pizzazz to your broom closet with Hasegawa’s Lucano step ladders, available in a variety of cheerful colours. Discerning germophobes will appreciate Simplehuman’s sensor-activated soap pumps and smudge-proof stainless-steel trash bins. 628 QUEEN ST W 416 368 6328 (ALSO: 2901 BAYVIEW AVE 416 229 6328) NEATSPACE.CA
26 Pavilion
Classic lines and understated silhouettes give Pavilion’s sofas, dining tables and media units – contemporary-styled furnishings designed with small-space dwellers in mind – a timeless quality. Pavilion specializes in Canadian-made and made-to-order pieces, including rich walnut bed frames, modular sofas, compact credenzas and a selection of refurbished mid-century chairs and consoles. Particularly striking is the collection of oversized lamps and chandeliers, including a Lindsey Adelman-esque chandelier in brass, and a selection of prints and mirrors to dress up your walls. 42 GLADSTONE AVE 416 504 9859 PAVILIONMODERN.COM
27 Planet of Sound
PS carries a collection of high-end audio gear with aesthete-approved form. Pro-ject’s classic turntable delivers cutting-edge technology in a ’50s-inspired facade, while ELAC’S futuristic speakers – with their exceptional sound quality and minimalist white finish – will impress audiophiles and design buffs alike. If you really want to go for the gold, consider the uber-luxe Accuphase E-470 Integrated Amplifier, decadent in both form and function. Finally, showcase your equipment on PS’S bespoke shelving to eliminate fidelity-compromising vibrations. 1020 QUEEN ST W 416 530 9703 (ALSO: 129 DANFORTH AVE 416 461 5053) PLANETOFSOUNDONLINE.COM
28 Quasi Modo Modern Furniture
The vignettes in this striking white space display contemporary furniture from top international brands such as Knoll, Cherner, Vitra and Gervasoni, as well as Canadian lines from Speke Klein and lighting from Artek and Foscarini. Colourful wool poufs from Spain’s Gan pull triple-duty as a seat, ottoman and nesting table, while Foscarini’s bold Twiggy floor lamp is lightweight yet remarkably durable. Other highlights include Knoll’s gold-plated Platner lounge chair and Herman Miller’s elegant Distil Desk. 1079 QUEEN ST W 416 703 8300 QUASIMODOMODERN.COM
29 Rec + Art History
What looks like another Queen West holein-the-wall is surprisingly well stocked with rare decor items and mid-century hardwood furniture, including rustic wooden chairs, vintage globes and glassware. Shelves and tables are lined with vintage curios, goblets, steins, champagne coupes and rock glasses; it’s no surprise, then, that bar owners come here in search of vintage glassware. Other fun finds: silver patina trays, Audubon bird prints and seasonal ornaments. 1080 QUEEN ST W 416 662 9235
30 Saudade
In keeping with its name (Portuguese for an intense longing for another person, place or time), this Little Portugal store offers classic and modern housewares and accent pieces imported from the motherland. You’ll find miniature good-luck roosters and other trinkets next to hand-woven blankets and baskets for brightening up your living space. An eclectic array of tableware includes nature-inspired ceramics by Bordallo Pinheiro, hand-painted mugs and bowls by Casa Cubista, and blue-and-white salt dishes by Vista Alegre. 1191 DUNDAS ST W 647 352 1191 SAUDADETORONTO.COM
31 SHOPAGO
Need a Turner print? A Monet? Perhaps something with pop-art flair, like some Andy Warhol paraphernalia? It’s no secret that the AGO should be your first stop. But you’ll also find – alongside the art prints – stylish gifts and arty housewares, such as Alessi’s laser-cut steel wine bottle holders and Rekindle’s walnut tealight candle holders. Don’t miss the eclectic kitchen accessories, including a stag’s-head cocktail shaker and Canada-shaped cheese boards from Love My Local. 317 DUNDAS ST W 416 979 6610 SHOP2.AGO.NET
32 Stylegarage
Located in an 1880s commercial building, Stylegarage is a destination for industrialchic wares and made-to-order furniture. Here, you’ll find roomy club chairs, flexible Jieldé task lamps in avocado green and saffron yellow, and various customizable wood dining tables and kitchen islands. Upstairs is the mid-mod collection of couches, chairs and coffee tables that make up the Toronto-designed line Gus Modern; the Hilary Chair’s curvy sculptural lines and channel-stitch detailing make it a contemporary take on mid-century Scandinavian style, while boxy Margot is softened by its quarter-round back and armrests. 78 OSSINGTON AVE 416 534 4343 STYLEGARAGE.COM
33 Trends & Trades
Across the street from OCAD’S art-schoolon-stilts, this boutique showroom has been offering beautiful custom hardwood flooring and stone products since 2009. Don’t miss Italian-made hardwood from Listone Giordano: their Slide modular series, a concept by Daniele Lago, creates an understated wood pattern that’s modern and elevated. If you’d rather go local, the
T&T Wood Private Collection offers affordable bespoke floors with options for wider and longer planks, chevron and herringbone patterns, and a selection of Fsc-certified and reclaimed woods. Also on offer: stunning slabs of marble, granite and quartz. 63 MCCAUL ST 647 347 4767 TRENDSANDTRADES.CA
34 The Umbra Store
The iridescent bands that gird Umbra’s flagship store conceal a team hard at work designing the latest and greatest bath hardware and home accessories. Such staples as Karim Rashid’s ergonomic Oh chair are interspersed with the efficient
storage solutions and compact household essentials the brand is known for. Check out the Hub collection, an assortment of sleek entryway pieces that includes a decorative storage ladder, an umbrella stand and mirrors with black and wood detailing. 165 JOHN ST
416 599 0088 UMBRA.COM
35 Urban Mode
Inside this former Niagara auto shop is a veritable rainbow of classic and contemporary furnishings and accents; Normann Copenhagen’s Form dining chair has an elegant, unified shell silhouette; daybenches from Blu Dot are made of soft, matte aniline leather with a velvety feel; and the handpainted, hand-spun aluminum Ambit pendant lamp by Muuto integrates seamlessly into any home, office or commercial space. Organize your life with its stylish felt Restore baskets, or Blu Dot’s compact Amos coat rack with solid wood tray and powder-coated steel hooks. 145 TECUMSETH ST 416 591 8834 URBANMODE.COM
36 Vdev
Kudos to Vdev for importing furniture and lighting in Montreal’s boho-chic style to Ossington. The glassed-in storefront features distressed leather sofas and armchairs, brass bar carts and a plethora of pendant lights, from the dip-dyed and woven Cocoon (a special order) to the industrial, copper-framed Bristol. For those who like their vintage in bulk, there are shelves at the back filled with cocktail glassware and decorative bowls, as well as bins of coat hooks and cabinet knobs. 120 OSSINGTON AVE 647 348 3381 VDEVMAISON.COM
37 WC The Store
A storefront extension to interior design firm Williamscraig flaunts vintage furniture that runs the gamut from rustic to regal, with a few oddities thrown in for good measure. Specializing in conversation pieces that integrate easily into contemporary homes,
WC carries antique chairs reupholstered in modern fabrics, raw wood tables and vintage industrial lighting. The selection of unique accessories ranges from quirky to theatrical; from brass candlesticks and primitive stoneware to vintage dolls, antique beehives and vintage textiles from around the world. 930 DUNDAS ST W 416 516 2177 WCTHESTORE.COM
38 Ziggy’s at Home
Packed with stylish bath and home products, Ziggy’s offers a modern aesthetic with plenty of fun flourishes. Check out Innit Designs’ Acapulco chairs, Umbra’s floating Stealth shelf and Chilewich’s Plynyl woven floor mats – sophisticated, durable and stain-resistant. Other notables include Fatboy beanbag chairs, Amped & Co. flamingo- and cactus-shaped neon lighting, and quirky vintage-inspired kitchen accessories from Danica. The faceless Numero clock, with just hands and numbers that screw directly into the wall, is a minimalist’s dream realized. 794 COLLEGE ST 416 535 8728 ZIGGYSATHOME.COM