CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE
18 Watt
Designers flock to 18 Watt’s exclusive continental furniture and lighting. The showroom packs avant-garde Spanish seating from Beltá, Oi Side and Casadesús alongside poufs, benches and poolside furniture by Ross Lovegrove, Javier Mariscal and Karim Rashid. Vondom expands its reach with unconventional planters, lamps and rugs that lend colour and dynamism. See modular sofas and easy chairs from Sweden’s Johanson, which also morphs felt into sound absorbers for home and work spaces. For real attention-grabbers, look to Andromeda Murano’s sublime serpentine glass chandeliers. 834 CALEDONIA RD 416 787 1818 18-WATT.COM
Akroyd
Peruse a range of bespoke mod furnishings in walnut, cherry, white oak and maple, all sourced from regional woodlots and handcrafted on site. This Distillery District purveyor makes media cabinets with slatted doors, platform beds that boast cantilevered side tables, live-edge headboards and slide-out storage drawers. Chair and table designs also incorporate stone, glass, steel and upholstery – all built to order. Solid maple serving bowls with a beeswax finish are the perfect complement to Akroyd’s signature tables. 15 CASE GOODS LN, STE #101 & 102 416 367 5757 AKROYDFURNITURE.CA
The Art Shoppe
Treasure hunting is surprisingly easy in this
7,000-square-metre showroom that mixes classic and contemporary furniture staples. While AS sources internationally, its modern Italian choices yield noteworthy finds, like sectionals swaddled in white leather and linen, saddle leather–topped executive desks and dining tables that extend by remote control. Among its North American gems: a curved sofa in velvet chenille; tricolour chests by Kate Spade; and a luxurious sheepskin bench with gold legs that will stop you in your tracks. 71 KINCORT ST 416 487 3211 THEARTSHOPPE.COM
Augustus Jones
Drawing its name from a 19th-century Upper Canada land surveyor, Augustus Jones brings stunning European furnishings to the New World. Its fresh white interior provides a pleasant contrast to the bold selection of indoor and outdoor furniture and accessories on offer, including previously hard-to-find brands like Enne and Fermob. The curved rattan contours of the Wicked series from Vincent Sheppard and the angular, petal-like lines of Prostoria’s Trifidae lounge demonstrate AJ’S eye for daring forms and quality construction. 33 DAVIES AVE 416 360 1788 AUGUSTUSJONES.COM
Avenue Road
A 1907 industrial building with an airy central atrium is the perfect backdrop for AR’S selection of distinctive luxe furniture and home decor. This expansive showroom is home to exquisite lines, from bespoke kitchen solutions by Obumex to minimalist lighting options from Apure. Stellar seating on view: Jaime Hayon’s plush Vuelta armchair and Toronto darling Yabu Pushelberg’s tailored Lombard Street sofa. USM’S modular furniture creates endlessly customizable wardrobes and workspaces. AR also offers rugs from The Rug Company and textiles by Kvadrat/raf Simons. 415 EASTERN AVE 416 548 7788 AVENUE-ROAD.COM
B.O.F.F. Wall Bed
This Canadian-owned and -operated Murphy bed manufacturer has been catering to condo dwellers for over 30 years. Maximize your living space with its affordable wall beds, office systems and go-anywhere cabinets for the home. The showroom also includes endless styles of shelving, hardware, accessories, door finishes and panels, from Shaker to modern to contemporary. Space-deprived townies will love the wall bed units that incorporate a desk, a bookcase or even a sofa. 4249 STEELES AVE W 416 636 2633 BOFFWALLBEDS.CA
Barrymore
Barrymore’s upholstered furniture is handmade in Toronto. Select a sofa, sectional, daybed or headboard style, then choose from thousands of leathers and fabrics – options by Maxwell, Kravet and Robert Allen among them – before your piece is constructed in the adjacent workshop. Barrymore has increased its contemporary offerings to attract a new generation of modern design–lovers. For ready-made space-saving solutions, try multi-configurable media units by Quebec’s Huppé, and compact liquor cabinets by BDI that hold everything a well-stocked bar needs. 1168 CALEDONIA RD 416 532 2891 BARRYMOREFURNITURE.COM
BLVD Interiors
Budget-conscious fans of contemporary style love BLVD’S affordable, compact and multi-functional furnishings: wheeled bar carts, stackable dining chairs and platform beds with stowed drawers. Other small space solutions include lift-up coffee tables, storage ottomans and extendable dining tables. Guest-hosting condo dwellers will appreciate the extensive selection of sleep solutions that redefine the futon: Flip transforms from armchair to lounger to single bed, and the mid-mod Walter sofa is a foldout sleeper with enough room for two. 707 QUEEN ST W 416 362 5222 BLVDINTERIORS.COM
Boconcept
Denmark’s largest furniture retailer seamlessly blends functionality and modern luxury in residential staples at an affordable price point, offering plenty of ways to recreate the Copenhagen look at home. Karim Rashid’s curvy velvet-upholstered Ottawa sofa, with its optional built-in USB charger, keeps your devices within reach. Hard meets soft in the Bilbao coffee table, where smoked glass is set atop a bulbous concrete base. Another wonder: the inconspicuous Xtra ottoman that miraculously unfolds to reveal a twin-sized bed. 230 ADELAIDE ST E 647 352 8802 BOCONCEPT.CA
Bois & Cuir
Next time you’re window-shopping in Yorkville, make a stop at this comprehensive Montrealaise home furnishings showroom to see shabby-chic vignettes inspired by vintage, industrial and classic styles that can be reshuffled at the drop of a hat. Staff here is happy to walk you through the company’s many collections, including Aida, composed of made-in-india cabinets inlaid with bone, and the mid-century-inspired Flores collection, which recalls modern Brazilian designs. 55 AVENUE ROAD 647 348 2647 BOISETCUIR.COM
Cabinet
Cabinet’s fully customizable solid walnut, maple and oak furnishings for living, dining and bedrooms are impeccably built by its skilled craftspeople. Their showroom features stunning examples of workmanship: blocky dining tables in chevron patterns, credenzas with a hand-carved textured finish, and louvred sideboards with hidden drawers. Other popular selections include the streamlined yet rustic Benjamin bed, with its accompanying dresser and nightstand, and storage drawer models fit for smaller spaces. 354 DAVENPORT RD, STE #100 416 923 9234 CABINETFURNITURE.CA
Calligaris
This Italian manufacturer’s forte is sophisticated furnishings that exude creativity and elegance. Take, for instance, the Basil chair upholstered in lingerafter-dinner leather on a variety of base options, from swivelling pedestal to bar-height legs. A new arrival, the modular Ypsilon island sofa, features backrest cushions with a counterweight that enables two different positions: sleep and talk. Calligaris has larger-than-life space-saving solutions, including beds with an inconspicuous, easy-to-operate vertical-lift storage system that allows you to maximize your space. 170 KING ST E 416 504 2959 (ALSO: IMPROVE CANADA, 7250 KEELE ST, STE #304 905 876 1206) CALLIGARISTORONTO.CA
Carrocel
Dubbed “The Candy Store” by local designers, Carrocel has gathered a wealth of high-end original and custom furniture. A stroll through the sprawling showroom reveals eclectic vignettes flush with stately transitional and contemporary seating and casegoods, as well as a wide selection of art deco and mid-century modern styles. Dining tables reign supreme – find models crafted with Macassar ebony, polished walnut or Lucite. Also of note: Milo Baughman’s velvet sofas and swivel tub chairs encased in rosewood. 245 BRIDGELAND AVE 647 694 4683 CARROCEL.COM
Casalife
Contemporary, modern or timeless classic: Casalife proves big design ideas can fit any space. The living, dining and bedroom vignettes feature North American–made products that maximize function and style at any budget. Look for brands American Leather, Huppé and Stylus, and ever-growing collections of lighting, rugs and tabletop accents. If your dinner parties are legendary, the Skovby extension dining table seats up to 20. 350 EVANS AVE, ETOBICOKE 416 922 2785 (ALSO: 2532 YONGE ST 416 922 2785) CASALIFE.COM
CB2
Its condo-friendly furniture, lighting and accessories were always cool; now, CB2’S collaborations with established designers and gifted newcomers have put it over the top. Gwyneth Paltrow’s internetfrenzied special-edition Shearling Chair and pink velvet sofa mix chic and cozy. Fred Segal–designed indoor/outdoor furniture brings California calm to hard lofts, while Ross Cassidy’s Japaneseinspired bento box tables and shoji screen chairs will appeal to those making simpler statements. 651 QUEEN ST W 416 366 2828 CB2.COM
The Chesterfield Shop
Celebrating its 70th year in the biz, TCS has five showrooms offering acres of comfy sofas and recliners in multiple leather and fabric options. Browse sofa beds from Palliser and choose from innerspring, pocket-coil or gel-infused foam mattresses. Its specialties: sectionals in every size, shape and comfort level, a vast selection of theatre-style recliners kitted out with LEDS, and colourful tufted armchairs. Retreat into cocooning pieces aimed at making a home an inviting sanctuary. 2045 YONGE ST 416 667 1150 (ALSO: 4900 DUFFERIN ST; 1218 KENNEDY RD; 1248 DUNDAS ST E; 17940 YONGE ST) THECHESTERFIELDSHOP.COM
Commute Design
The soaring ceilings of this studio-cum-showroom provide an appropriately dramatic backdrop for the generously sized sculptural lighting on display. Fixtures originally cooked up for Commute’s many restaurant projects can be ordered to go; chances are you’ve seen its unique plated, perforated and polished pieces at Aloette, General Assembly and Oretta. Complement your choice of statement light with a custom leather sofa, marble-topped bench, or one of several striking accent tables in brass or gradient glass. 2896 DUNDAS ST W 416 861 0521 BY APPT ONLY COMMUTEDESIGN.COM
Coolican & Company
“Endlessly durable, purposefully made” is Coolican’s motto. Its heirloom-quality, Toronto-made wooden furniture is painstakingly constructed in small batches. Their Euclid wall mirror features a steam-bent arched frame inspired by the doorways of a Shaker village in Kentucky. Breadboard ends and a spare silhouette give its white-oak Lakeshore dining table a timeless appeal. Don’t miss benches – inspired by footstools in Moroccan souks –
upholstered with recycled fabric from French fashion houses wound into cord. 1299 ST. MARY’S AVE, UNIT #4, MISSISSAUGA COOLICANANDCOMPANY.COM
Crate & Barrel
Easy-to-mix accessories and craft-conscious furniture and tableware are C&B’S stock-in-trade. Tighter spaces will love their streamlined sofas, storage ottomans, and an adjustable pedestal tables that accommodate various heights. C&B’S elegant utility cart doubles as a rolling bartop, kitchen prep station or bathroom caddy. Mix and match home accents in marble and gold with wood and porcelain. Fulfill your entertaining ambitions with petite gas grills, stemless wineglasses and artisanal dinnerware in matte black. YORKDALE SHOPPING CENTRE, 3401 DUFFERIN ST 416 657 4100 (ALSO: SQUARE ONE SHOPPING CENTRE, 95 SQUARE ONE DR 905 949 1545) CRATEANDBARREL.CA
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, urbaniteapproved furniture. Live-edge dining and coffee tables with customizable steel bases are a draw, as are their made-in-toronto sofas, sectionals and sofabeds, available in hundreds of fabrics and leathers. Complementing small kitchens are islands on casters, industrial Rochelle stools in chirpy colours, and vintage accessories to personalize your look. 639 QUEEN ST W 416 603 0007 MYDESIGNREPUBLIC.COM
Design Within Reach
DWR is a destination for new designs and designers whose work captures the spirit and ideals of iconic modern design. Its collection mixes authentic licensed classics from Emeco, Cassina and Knoll with DWR’S exclusive house designs. DWR’S ever-popular Story bookcase from Afteroom virtually disappears when fully loaded. We also love the streamlined Sen media unit by Ibon Arrizabalaga in graphite, while the Neverending Glory hand-blown glass pendants inspired by chandeliers from Europe’s most eminent opera houses add a sense of quiet refinement. 214 KING ST E 416 977 4003 DWR.COM
Designers Walk
Spread across five buildings, DW’S furniture, lighting, accessories and fabric suppliers cater to the city’s interior design community. Find lush textiles from JF & Co. next to bustling design firms in Building 2, the Resource Centre in Building 3 and, in Building 4, a marketplace packed with fine rugs and wallcoverings from Robert Allen and The Red Carpet & Rug Company. Find luxury home furnishings, fabrics and accessories from retailers Theo and Primavera in Building 5. RESOURCE CENTRE, 168 BEDFORD RD, 2ND FL 416 961 1211 x225 DESIGNERSWALK.COM
Drechsel Studio
This design studio’s prowess is blending residential and commercial functionality using hybrid furniture and lighting from such stalwart European manufacturers as Arco, Asplund and Fredericia. Stingray is not your grandma’s rocker: the plastic seat’s unconventionally organic shape is wide and dynamic. Want a different way to lounge? Get inspired by the creative, avant-garde forms of DS’S modular sofas, including Sancal’s La Isla, and Verpan’s Welle – a low, undulating seating landscape with six different mix-and-match units. 150 KING ST E 416 740 7226 DRECHSELSTUDIO.COM
Elte
Many style-savvy shoppers make Elte their first stop for sofas, tables and beds. Elte has assembled a stacked lineup of designers, including Kara Mann, Timothy Oulton, Aerin Lauder, Thomas Bina, Milo Baughman and Thayer Coggin. Seek out furniture and accessories from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and test drive luxurious mattresses from Vispring. There are also scores of broadloom and handmade carpet options, including vintage Moroccan rugs featuring deep hues in lattice patterns. 80 RONALD AVE 416 785 7885 ELTE.COM
Elte MKT
Focused on discounted high-end design, Elte MKT’S raw industrial space caters to a modern clientele with an ever-changing inventory of urbane, compact furnishings. Explore sofas, beds and lighting – not to mention a strong selection of cowhide, vintage kilim and colourful silk rugs. Wall decor options abound: customize your home with graphic illustrations or polished photos from Yellowkorner, a shop within a shop at Elte MKT that offers limited-edition non-digital prints, finishes and frames. 1381 CASTLEFIELD AVE 416 789 0800 ELTEMKT.COM
EQ3
With an economical approach to design, EQ3 produces intelligently crafted and retro-sleek furniture and accessories. They primarily tout made-in-canada pieces, including sofas and sectionals. For a pressed-for-space condo, try the Marcel bed with optional six-drawer storage, or baskets handwoven from seagrass that double as storage and decor. Add small-scale, big-impact accents with Ball lamps in various finishes, or the Posey series of pastel ceramic vases in playful forms that will bring fresh energy to any room. 51 HANNA AVE, UNIT #3 416 533 9090 (ALSO: 222 KING ST E 416 815 2002) EQ3.COM
Fisker International
Headed by an owner with a growing design–build business, this no-nonsense trade-only showroom brings high-end Italian and Danish furniture and millwork to the Toronto market: seating from Plank and Mater Design, wardrobes from Presotto and contract furniture from Howe. Fisker’s now looking south; its latest venture is a collaboration with Brazil’s Sollos, a collection of furniture with a modern take on the mid-century modern aesthetic that exemplifies casual luxury. 58 STEWART ST, UNIT #100 INFO@FISKERINTL.COM BY APPT ONLY FISKERINTL.COM
Gautier
Environmentally friendly furniture for tight spaces is central to this French manufacturer’s offerings for adults, kids and teens. Their pieces are building-block masters: adjustable, stackable and multipurpose pieces to fit any nook or cranny. Take the country oak–finish Natura line with shelving options that perform double duty as integrated media stand storage and see-thru room dividers. Reinventing the smallest of spaces is Nocturne, with its 3-in-1 functionality: a pull-down bed with an extending console-to-dining table or multimedia unit. 156 DAVENPORT RD (MOVING TO 164 DAVENPORT RD LATER THIS WINTER) 416 777 9494 GAUTIER.CA
Green Light District
Shop owners David and Deborah Peets travel the globe to find eclectic furnishings sourced directly from independent artisans. Online, you’ll find artful lamps from Montreal’s Brollte and wood inlay media units by Christopher Solar, as well as European oak side tables with slender cube-shaped bases and tops that remove to reveal hidden storage space. Eye-catching homewares include sculptural blackened oak candlesticks and Lorraine Tuson’s merino wool felt pillows, coasters and table runners. 457 RONCESVALLES AVE 416 272 5005 GREENLIGHTSHOP.CA
Hardware Interiors
Murray Duncan and Jordan Tabachnik search far and wide for vintage furniture and salvaged materials. Serving both residential and commercial spaces, their in-house label Morgan Clayhall crafts functional and artful bespoke tables, lighting and installations with refined finishes. Many of their spectacular custom pieces incorporate Duncan’s bold and abstract mixed-media paintings and collages to create one-of-a-kind statements. We love the graffiticovered cabinets that incorporate lyrics, vows and heartfelt messages. 31 SAULTER ST, UNIT 3C 647 641 3724 BY APPT ONLY HARDWAREINTERIORS.COM; MORGANCLAYHALL.COM
Hollace Cluny
Wandering through HC’S elegant new showroom, you’ll discover a selection of tailored furniture and accessories from such high-end brands as De La Espada, Carl Hansen & Søn, Knoll and Bassamfellows. We noted handcrafted, mid-century-style wooden furniture from Smilow, statement-making tables from Tom Faulkner and exquisite wallpaper featuring old books and organic patterns. Complementing the collection are understated light fixtures from Stickbulb, David Weeks and Serge Mouille. The pièce de résistance: Lindsey Adelman’s Kingdom, a grand bulb-covered luminaire resembling a budding cherry tree branch. 245 DAVENPORT RD 416 968 7894 HOLLACECLUNY.CA
Hollis+morris
H+M is a contemporary lighting and furniture studio that specializes in minimal pieces – some with a futuristic bent, and all manufactured on site (do ask to see the facility when you visit!). The showroom features designer Mischa Couvrette’s impeccably honed pieces integrating wood and metals: aluminum basin coffee tables, fiddlehead-like umbrella stands, and off-axis conical stools that resemble large chess pieces. Meanwhile, Couvrette’s imaginative luminaires include hexagonal or zig-zagging Bolt sconces, and paperclip-like Link pendants, which can be hung horizontally or vertically. 501 ALLIANCE AVE, STE #102 647 970 9716 HOLLISMORRIS.COM
Home Smith
An eclectic yet curated selection of vintage, antique and modern accents and furniture greet visitors to this charming Roncy outpost. Larger pieces run the gamut from swanky velvet club chairs and weathered hickory bar carts to slender glass étagères with gilded iron frames. The diverse selection of textiles and accessories here includes Montauk linen throws, small-batch candles and vinyl mats inspired by world tile patterns that make a perfect welcome for your entryway or kitchen. 309 RONCESVALLES AVE 416 484 3702 HOMESMITHHOUSE.COM
Homestyle Furnishings
Natuzzi Italia’s luxe assortment of leather and fabric seating is the headliner here: the Euro collection boasts swivelling armchairs and deeply cushioned sofas and sectionals with adjustable headrests for added comfort. Models feature built-in docking stations, side pockets and even
shelves for added versatility. The range comprises upholstered beds, dining and coffee tables, and a recliner that intuitively responds to your shifting posture without levers. An expanded range of accessories complements the offerings. 1190 CALEDONIA RD 416 780 1055 HOMESTYLEFURNISHINGS.COM
Hudson’s Bay
The sixth floor of the iconic flagship store is stocked with high-end furniture and appliances: the largest Huppé shop in the city, a new Natuzzi Italia shop, Glucksteinhome and much more. The newly redesigned lower level stocks a perfectly curated selection of cookware, dinnerware and tabletop accessories, including 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
Improve Canada
Organized like a trade show, this supercentre boasts 400 vendors ready to help with any home improvement task, from hardwood flooring to fine-art framing. Find innovative appliances and fixtures from kitchen and bath manufacturers like Jura, Leicht, Miele and American Standard alongside select products from Bauformat, Poggenpohl and Canaroma. Other standouts: Komandor’s custom closets and doors, Pedini’s Italian kitchens and The Door Boutique’s panoply of modern knobs that make a big impact with small luxuries. 7250 KEELE ST, VAUGHAN 416 417 7507 APPT REC IMPROVECANADA.COM
Industrial Storm
Gary Flaherty and Hanson Tan’s showroom spotlights small-run and one-off furnishings and art objects. IS offers a personalized design service spanning everything from furniture to a line of Nepalese wool-blend rugs. Complementing their offerings are concrete coffee tables on recessed castors by Oso Industries and casegoods by Ted Boerner. Boost your home’s luxe appeal with exotic fibre textiles from French fabric house Bisson Bruneel and wallcoverings with dreamy painted scenes by Look Walls & Interiors. 367 DUPONT ST 416 955 9888 INDUSTRIALSTORM.COM
Interior Elements
IE’S focus is high-end Italian furniture. With 26 tailored environments featuring pieces from Baxter, Minotti, Molteni&c and Dada, its offerings highlight plush and perfectly fitted sofas and easy chaises longues that point to minimalist aesthetics and an attention to detail. The expansive interior is filled with sensuous curvilinear pieces offset by bold metallic accents, chunky wooden side tables and ethereal floating light fixtures. Exquisite lighting from the likes of Nahoor, Bomma and Lasvit – do see the horizontal Cipher pendant by Yabu Pushelberg – maintain the sense of European glamour. 102 BERKELEY ST 416 928 0222 INTERIORELEMENTS.CA
Italinteriors
The clean, inviting displays here are punctuated by Italy’s most sophisticated furniture icons. De Padova, Flexform, Living Divani, Porro, Porada and Riva 1920 are represented in palettes of grey, taupe and rich shades of green. New additions from Cassina, now under the art direction of Patricia Urquiola, include a resurgence of classic pieces by the likes of Gaetano Pesce and Vico Magistretti – and, from Flexform, Carlo Colombo’s new Sveva chair, which features a sculptural coach hide leather shell. Climb the grand floating jatoba wood staircase for Boffi’s elegant K6 kitchen system with sliding work surface. 359 KING ST E 416 366 9540 ITALINTERIORS.CA
Jalice Interiors
JI’S beat is European furniture and lighting that embody old-world sophistication – but thanks to rich hues, curves and quirk, there’s not a stuffy item in sight. Seek out the striking colour-blocked sectionals and bodice-shaped lounge chairs from Freistel by Rolf Benz; Furninova’s cozy wingbacks animated by a pattern of bright buttons; splay-legged coffee tables; and for the office environment, JI’S bespoke desk systems and partitions. JALICE.CA
Kare
Housed at this Munich brand’s bursting Queen West flagship is a cornucopia of furnishings and quirky baubles. From an upholstered bar cart with gold trim to an ashtray in the shape of a London mailbox, there’s surely something for everyone. Organic lines rule in their soft goods collection: sink into the cushy Lullaby Bluegreen sofa, or sit pretty on the elegantly curved Dschinn three-seater. 553 QUEEN ST W 647 350 5273 KARE-DESIGN.COM
Kiosk
Kiosk’s space is an architectural tour de force: dramatic staircases and a catwalk lead through three floors of exquisite contemporary furniture by top European brands, including B&B Italia, Glas Italia, Knoll, Rimadesio, Stua and Zanotta. Fall for the composed glamour of the Ren dressing table from Poltrona Frau – with its full moon–shaped mirror and secret leather-clad compartment – along with the optional loose, down-filled cushions on Bensen’s vibrant Aura sofa. Also on site: incredible lights from Flos, Foscarini and Bocci, as well as super-detailed rugs from Sweden’s Kasthall. 288 KING ST E 416 539 9665 KIOSKDESIGN.CA
Klaus
Klaus is the long-time source for contemporary and classic designs by such esteemed manufacturers as Thonet, Artifort, Tom Dixon, Moooi and Louis Poulsen. Here you’ll find the beautifully engineered work of pioneering German design studios Rolf Benz, COR and e15 alongside hip Danish brands Menu, Normann Copenhagen and &tradition. Among the many exclusives is made-in-montreal lighting by Lambert & Fils (see the ultra-linear Mile collection) and luminaires from Vancouver’s Andlight (check out the modular Pipeline series). The newly launched Nienkämper showroom next door showcases their in-house brand of executive office furnishings. 300 KING ST E 416 362 3434 KLAUSN.COM
Kroft
Dustin Kroft has an affinity for versatile, original solid-wood furniture, and it shows in his madein-toronto collection. With a focus on minimalism and craft, much of the new catalogue consists of ready-made small objects and bite-sized furniture items (check out those wall-mounted Buoy nightstands). Our favourites include the custom trestle tables (available in oak, ash or walnut and finished with hand-applied oils), which nod handsomely to Scandinavian, Japanese and Shaker styles, as well as the Carrara marble–topped Stir tables with popsicle-stick legs. 124 CONNIE CRES, UNIT #11, CONCORD 416 928 5959 BY APPT ONLY KROFT.CO
Mjölk
Home accessories by prominent Japanese artisans; heritage Scandinavian furniture by House of Finn Juhl and Fredericia; and contemporary, made-to-last pieces from De La Espada, &tradition, Frama and Maruni: sophistication abounds at Mjölk. Here you’ll find such treasures as Oji Masanori’s sand-cast brass flatware and Finn Juhl’s iconic France and Chieftain chairs. Among its many exclusive pieces are in-house collaborations with international designers, including an ongoing partnership with Luca Nichetto, who mixes Murano glass from his hometown with Toronto-produced brass to create refined tea light holders. 2959 DUNDAS ST W 416 551 9853 MJOLK.CA
Mobilia
Contemporary furnishings and decorative accessories for large homes and small spaces fill vignettes propped with lighting, rugs, throws – even a dash of office product. Popular items include modular leather sofas such as the Rockland II and Funktion sectionals, which feature fully adjustable headrests and tilted back seats respectively; the extendable Westlyn dining table with marble base; and the Wolfe bed, with its tall, tufted headboard upholstered in viscose–linen. Other standouts include the exclusive capsule collection by Canadian designer Aly Velji. 1425 DUNDAS ST E, MISSISSAUGA 905 625 9106 (ALSO: 71 COCHRANE DR, MARKHAM 905 305 0355) MOBILIA.CA
Modern Sense
MS is all about ultra-contemporary furniture. Continually refreshed stock includes Italian and Canadian mid-mod side chairs and occasional tables, slick dining sets and floating entertainment units. Some favourites: Innovation Living’s condo-friendly Long Horn sofa, which opens up to become a double-bed delight; Tonin Casa’s made-in-italy pedestal and trestle-legged dining tables; Huppé’s overstuffed sofas and solid-wood bedframes with floating soft-close nightstands; and Stressless’s ergonomic recliners in bright colours. 1875 WILSON AVE 416 746 9381 MODERNSENSEFURNITURE.COM
Molteni & C | Dada
M&C’S Vincent Van Duysen–designed showroom and neutral-toned vignettes illustrate its commitment to sophisticated, detail-driven furniture, accessories, storage solutions and kitchen systems. Accessory trays in the Gliss walk-in closet offer a place for every pocket square, while built-in lighting tracks ensure there’s no dressing in the dark. A dappled stone vessel sink reminiscent of terrazzo, from sister kitchen manufacturer Dada, and the delicate yet sturdy compositional wall system Grid, with its interior LED lighting and numerous luxe customization options, are standouts. 339 ADELAIDE ST E 416 362 2226 MOLTENIGROUP.COM
Montauk Sofa
Hardwood frames and springs tied at eight pressure points ensure Montauk’s cushy and handsomely casual seats hold up for years to come. The slate-grey, sink-into-me backrest of the Heather sofa is draped with a pillow hood and oversized down-filled cushions for the ultimate Netflix-binge
environment. Valcucine’s kitchen systems are equally spectacular; the sensor-controlled Air Logica reveals small appliances and cooking utensils hidden behind a rising backsplash with a wave of the hand, while the back panel’s illumination can be adjusted in density and hue to suit your mood. 220 KING ST E 416 361 0331 MONTAUKSOFA.COM
Nirvana Home Collection
Modern and contemporary home furnishings with an ergonomic edge mingle with Umbra and Braun accessories behind the glazed facade of NHC’S inviting showroom. Task and lounge chairs by Humanscale and Human Touch, as well as desk lamps by Koncept and Aerelight, suit the needs of any workaholic, while sofa beds – made-to-order by Nirvana in Toronto – are equipped with hidden storage, and are perfect for hosting guests in close quarters. Tempur-pedic mattresses and pillows, as well as Canadian linens and goose-down duvets, round out the selection. 55 BLOOR ST W 416 929 8300 NIRVANAHOME.CA
Palazzetti
A loft-like setting complements the strikingly minimalist furnishings and accessories here. Among the exclusive stock: the soap bubble-esque Cloud lamps by Cattelan; the Barbara table with peekaboo concrete base and Leon credenza, whose front has an incredible trompe l’oeil ripple effect, by Casamania & Horm; and Bonaldo’s sexy Lock chair, whose seat and back provide comfort with a single swoop of padding. Palazzetti’s growing collection of Piero Fornasetti’s decorative plates and vases are proven bestsellers. 1020 LAWRENCE AVE W 416 785 7190 PALAZZETTI.CA
Pavilion
Clean lines, comfort and understated silhouettes give Pavilion’s sofas, dining tables and media units – modern furnishings designed with urban dwellers in mind – a timeless quality. Pavilion specializes in Canadian-crafted, handmade and made-to-order pieces, including sleek bedroom furniture in walnut and white oak, and deep, modular sectionals. Pavilion also represents Canadian makers of classic dining tables and credenzas, original artwork and prints, as well as lighting, handmade pillows and other home accessories. 42 GLADSTONE AVE 416 504 9859 PAVILIONMODERN.COM
Pekota Design
Situated in the heart of the Junction, Pekota carries its own brand of furniture, which is designed and built in Canada, as well as an assortment of pieces from around the world. Best described as industrial elegance, the collection of chairs, tables, sofas, shelving and lighting pieces, made from hand-finished steel and wood, have a unique blend of modern design and art deco style. Also on offer: an assortment of live-edge wood slabs of various sizes and wood types. 406 PACIFIC AVE 416 792 8654 PEKOTA.COM
Poliform
Look no further for streamlined and distinguished furniture systems. In the showroom, a Senzafine wardrobe puts your threads on display with transparent glass doors and a slender frame available in a wide range of finishes. Varenna kitchen displays redefine the art of cooking with ultra-thin cabinetry and integrated lighting. Sprinkled throughout the showroom are such luxe furnishings as the geometric Pandora Due storage unit in forest green and the petite Jane armchair – both perfect for condos. Poliform’s bathroom furnishings are downstains, alongside stunning tubs and washbasins. 99 JARVIS ST 416 601 1661 POLIFORMTORONTO.COM
Quasi Modo Modern Furniture
The vignettes in this striking white space display contemporary furniture from such top international brands 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
Radform
This bright showroom displays modern European furniture for residential, commercial and hospitality settings. Take, for example, the dandy handle on Offecct’s Carry On stool, which allows it to be transported between rooms, or the archetypal Appia chair by Christoph Jenni for Maxdesign, which adapts to any environment. Sofas by Vibieffe can be sized to fit with mix-and-match elements, while the Meet modular sofa has built-in wooden planters that bring greenery into the mix. 317 ADELAIDE ST E, STE #102 416 955 8282 RADFORM.COM
Resource Furniture
RF’S specialty is innovative, convertible and modular space-saving furniture: over 100 cutting-edge and customizable pieces for adults and kids that disguise their multi-functionality until activated by a simple tug. Wall beds by Clei double as desks, couches or shelving units during the day, while the Picnic Bellagio coffee table lifts to become a dining table or work surface, complete with a bench and storage compartment below. 22 KING ST E 416 901 7555 RESOURCEFUNITURE.COM
Restoration Hardware
The fare at this two-storey, one-stop shop leans toward large and transitional furnishings – tufted leather sofas, sleigh beds and grandiose chandeliers – but RH has added more contemporary and modern wares as well, with many of the big draws in the lighting, outdoor and accoutrements sections. Don’t miss the luxurious alpaca throws, stonewashed Belgian bed linens and Moroccan wool area rugs, or the on-trend offerings for toddlers to teens. YORKDALE MALL, 3401 DUFFERIN ST 416 322 9422 RESTORATIONHARDWARE.COM
Roche Bobois
Elegant, casual and contemporary furnishings abound here. Two collections – traditional Les Nouveaux Classiques and modern Les Contemporains – boast such stunners as the curvaceous Tangram sofa and Mah Jong modular seating system, clad in graphic Missoni Home patterns. Nestled in the indented seat of the Macaron lounge chair is a circular backrest/cushion, resembling the irresistible French pastry. Pantone’s 2018 colour of the year enlivens the Bubble sofa, which looks like a cluster of grapes, while rugs from Missoni Home and Jean Paul Gaultier add pizzazz. 101 PARLIAMENT ST 416 366 3273 ROCHE-BOBOIS.COM
Selene
One of the GTA’S largest modern Italian furniture shops, just 30 minutes from downtown, Selene is Canada’s sole distributor of Sangiacomo’s floating bookcases and entertainment units; Sovet’s glass tables; and Meson’s wood, melamine and laminate kitchens. Also striking: Alea’s Calacatta-topped office systems, Calligaris’s heatproof ceramic tables and Sitap’s luxurious rugs. Don’t miss Selene’s seating – including a daybed with high-density foam and movable backrests – custom-made on site; listen carefully and you’ll hear the upholsterers hammering tacks in place. 8051 KEELE ST, VAUGHAN 905 669 2606 SELENEFURNITURE.COM
Shelter Furniture
SF brings a Queen-west vibe to the Uptown scene – without the downtown sticker shock. Much of its rotating selection of contemporary living, dining and bedroom furniture is globally sourced. One hip vignette after another reveals well-tailored sectionals with sculptural lighting and accents. Choose from sofas with plump, curvaceous shapes or tufted chesterfields; these pair nicely with SF’S mid-mod credenzas, side tables and occasional chairs. 885 CALEDONIA RD 416 783 3333 SHELTERFURNITURE.CA
South Hill Home
The strikingly elegant black and white facade of
SHH’S multi-level showroom only hints at the rich inventory of sophisticated home furnishings, lighting and accessories within. Matthew Mccormick’s striking Mila, Halo and Dawn luminaires add sublime illumination to the showroom’s refined collections, sourced from Rhode Island to Paris. Joseph Jeup’s portly Ellis dining table, with an inlaid veneer top and brushed cast-bronze base, stands out among the gallery-like vignettes, as do Gubi’s sweeping velvet upholstered dining chairs. 146 DUPONT ST 416 924 7224 SOUTHHILLHOME.COM
Space Furniture
SF’S impressive variety of custom millwork and furniture includes contemporary cabinetry for kitchens and bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling fireplace surrounds, floating staircases, media units and closets. Their stainless-steel and Corian countertops are made to order with integrated sinks, providing a seamless, easy-to-clean kitchen surface. Built in a wide range of materials, from Plexiglass to ceramics, SF’S pieces are marked by their durability and timeless style. 479 QUEEN ST E 416 955 4559 SPACEFURNITURE.CA
Studio b/plan b
This vast Corktown space houses impeccably crafted modern furniture that ranges from dreamy beds by Walter K. to sculptural consoles by Caste. Store exclusives include transitional seating and lighting from Holly Hunt, handwoven outdoor sets by Dedon and lighting from Penta and Oluce. Don’t miss Vladimir Kagan’s sinuous 1958 Ondine chair with its ski hill–steep high back, or Robert Kuo’s black-lacquered Pig Garden seat in the shape of a contentedly dozing porker. The in-store Hästens shop showcases handmade mattresses from Sweden’s bespoke bed manufacturer. 380 KING ST E 416 363 2996; 416 941 1010 STUDIOBHOME.COM; PLANBOFFICE.COM
Stylegarage
Stylegarage is a destination for industrial-chic wares and made-to-order furniture. Here, you’ll find roomy club chairs, flexible Jieldé task lamps, and various customizable wood dining tables and kitchen islands. Upstairs is the mid-mod collection of couches, chairs and coffee tables by Toronto’s Gus Modern; the curvy Hilary chair’s channel-stitch detailing makes 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
Suite 22 Interiors
This home to sharp Italian furniture has tailored living, dining and bedroom vignettes that boast such heavy-hitters as Cattelan Italia, Lago, Arketipo and Tacchini. Standouts include Naos’s Quasar extendable table with a gorgeous visible gear mechanism that adjusts the size with a simple push or pull; Tonelli Design shelving pieces in stunning, crystal-clear glass; and the Desalto Clay table, whose surface sits atop its conical pedestal in a seemingly impossible feat of balanced proportion. 160 BULLOCK DR, MARKHAM 905 554 6084 SUITE22.CA
Tendex
This purveyor of fine European furnishings ships luxury brands from Spain (BD Barcelona Design), Italy (I 4 Mariani, Bonacini and Marac) and Germany (More Moebel). The sleek Metropoli sofa by Marac comes in both straight and sectional formations, complete with angled legs in bronze or satin aluminum finishes. The Lax dining table and matching upholstered bench by More Moebel, which features two ×-shaped supports with an array of solid wood top options, is another compelling addition to an already impressive lineup. 247 DAVENPORT RD 416 515 0005 TENDEX.CA
Toronto International Design Centre
With all things home decor spread across 40-plus showrooms – a staggering 18,580 square metres –
TIDC is an evolving resource for the pros. Showrooms feature the latest in furnishings, accessories, appliances, textiles, flooring and lighting from top international manufacturers. Among the must-see attractions are the Nordic casegoods at Aito, Distinctive’s kitchen appliances, and upholstered furniture at Van Gogh Designs. THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, 6900 AIRPORT RD, MISSISSAUGA 905 678 5626 BY APPT ONLY EXPLORETIDC.COM
Tusch Seating
Though it caters to pros, anyone with, well, a tush can peruse Tusch’s colourful stools, desks, chairs and tables from Italy and Spain, exclusives from Tonon and Billiani among them. Look for Capdell’s low-slung Panel lounger fabricated from leather fixed to flat steel supports with exposed hardware; Tonon’s endlessly configurable and totally tubular River Snake series of poufs; and Expormim’s Livit loveseats and sectionals, whose cushions seem to float atop slender aluminum frames. 251 BARTLEY DR, UNITS #3 & 4 416 368 6100 TUSCHSEATING.COM
Upcountry
Old meets new in this showroom’s range of retro, modern and transitional furniture with a strong focus on Canadian designs. Look for mid-century-inspired sofas by Toronto’s Gus Modern, whose Scandi-style Astrid sofa pops in cherry red, plus stately sectionals from G. Romano and wood-frame beds by Mobican, both out of Montreal. Other cool Canuck offerings include dresser sets, entertainment units and rustic oak-veneered dining tables, as well as an in-store upholstered seating line. 310 KING ST E 416 366 7477 (ALSO: 1400 CASTLEFIELD AVE 416 787 8488; 3443 FAIRVIEW ST, BURLINGTON 905 333 3088) UPCOUNTRY.COM
Urban Mode
Inside this former 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 hand-painted, hand-spun aluminum Ambit pendant lamp by Muuto integrates seamlessly into any home, office or commercial space. Get organized with Blu Dot’s compact Amos coat rack with solid wood tray and powder-coated steel hooks. 145 TECUMSETH ST 416 591 8834 URBANMODE.COM
West Elm
This Liberty Village outpost emphasizes affordable furniture basics and accoutrements for condo dwellers: clean-lined beds, modular sectionals and storage tables. Fan faves include soft velvet seating, playful USB lamps to keep your electronics charged and the Gem Cut side table, which makes a statement all on its own. West Elm’s Local initiative adds homegrown items to the mix, such as handcrafted soap from Skipping Stone and reclaimed-wood coffee tables by Son of a Woodcutter. 109 ATLANTIC AVE 416 537 0110 (ALSO: 2434 YONGE ST 416 480 1078) WESTELM.CA + More contemporary furniture: Bauhaus, Casa Di Luce, Eurolite, NUA Office, Studio Pazo and Torp.