DESIGN ACCESSORIES
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. Among the standouts are concrete soap dishes and bath brushes crafted from horsehair by Sweden’s Iris Hantverk; Japanese slow-drip coffee brewers; 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
Bergo Designs
Boasting home accessories from top European manufacturers, BD offers an eclectic array of international design. Among a medley of objects is the Cubebot by Areaware, a Japanese-inspired puzzle that converts from an innocuous cube into a robot; shiny carafes and dishes from Alessi; and collectible roller pens from ACME. Meanwhile, Tom Dixon’s Brew collection contains a PVD stovetop espresso maker with an exaggerated handle – an unlikely marriage between art deco geometries and futuristic aesthetics. 28 TANK HOUSE LN 416 861 1821 BERGODESIGNS.CA
Black Rooster Decor
Nina Ber-donkor and Prince Brefo-donkor’s boutique sparkles with the glamour of a Hollywood Regency manse. Its wide selection of statementmaking furniture and decor objects gravitates toward the opulent, like Jonathan Adler’s velvet Maxime club chair, or benches and ottomans swathed with sheepskin or rabbit fur. Smaller pieces include brass sculptures, black and white ceramics and rich, earthy throw pillows; accents in gold and Lucite add to the space’s sumptuous allure. 1025 QUEEN ST E 416 465 7778 BLACKROOSTERDECOR.COM
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 hand-drawn designs. Other gems include screen-printed linen storage buckets, drawstring project bags for crafting supplies and, among the custom hardwood pieces, maple veneer mobiles that recall mid-century Finnish design. 798 DUNDAS ST W 416 203 2549 BOOKHOU.COM
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. 642 QUEEN ST W 844 472 7452 (ALSO: 768 QUEEN ST E 844 472 7452) BRIKA.COM
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. 972 QUEEN ST W 416 858 2932 (ALSO: 20 KENSINGTON AVE 416 858 2932) BYOBTO.COM
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. Other housewares include MLKANHNY brass spoons, Sara Clark’s rope wall hangings and Akai Ceramic Studio’s gold-rimmed plates. 1048 QUEEN ST W 416 516 7132 CAMBIEDESIGN.COM
Craft Ontario Shop
More than 400 artisans contribute to the collection of handcrafted-in-canada art and design objects 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 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
Cubeshops
Specializing in Japanese housewares and desktop accessories, Cubeshops elevates basic objects into super-kawaii works of art. H Concept transforms a doorstop into a quirky banana, 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
Distill
A revolving collection of Canadian fashions and handmade objects by both celebrated names and fresh talents fill Distill’s space. New Brunswick artisan Yolande Clark’s porcelain vases splashed in painterly compositions are accented with gold leaf, while
YYY’S one-of-a-kind handmade stoneware teapots are definitive Zen. We especially love Makiko Hichernakamura’s multi-functional earth- and pink-toned tumbler/cup/bowls and EIKCAM’S porcelain hanging planters tied with leather string. 1360A QUEEN ST E, UNIT #2 416 304 0033 DISTILLGALLERY.COM
Drake General Store
DGS’S three-storey flagship offers a barber shop, coffee bar and retail space with enough room left over (of course) to also host the store’s signature Canadiana-inspired goods, among them Arborist’s Mountie-printed coasters and mugs, vintageinspired provincial pennants and Mette Ditmer’s waffle throws. If home goods with an international flair are more your thing, look to Malin+goetz’s candles, OMMO’S 1970s-style kitchen utensils and Puebco’s enamel lampshades. 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
Easy Tiger
ET is a haven for sophisticated minimalist housewares from around the world. Hay’s swirly Lup candleholders, in brass or matte black, add a sculptural element to the table, while Lindsey Hampton’s speckled ceramics delight with pastel hues. A selection of everyday essentials elevated through luxe materials and savvy design make perfect gifts for the designophile: think linen-covered Shinola notebooks, One Sky Turkish hammam towels and Tsubota Pearl lighters in a rainbow of colours. 1447 DUNDAS ST W 647 748 6161 EASYTIGERGOODS.COM
Eclectisaurus
Leslie Zysman’s longstanding Cabbagetown boutique reflects the neighbourhood’s comfortable idiosyncrasy with a rotating inventory that highlights quirky, retro-infused furniture, lighting, kitchenware and textiles. The cozy shop offers an array of such vintage and antique pieces as stunning Italian glass chandeliers, striking wool textiles and teak furniture. Zysman also carries vintage clothing and jewellery, plus a unique selection of artwork. 249 GERRARD ST E 416 934 9009 ECLECTISAURUS.COM
Fabrique 1840
Quebec fashion brand Simons has launched an all-canadian online marketplace with all the hygge and wabi-sabi looks you want. Shop Shaker-inspired wood furniture from Toronto’s Coolican & Company alongside geometric rugs and tapestries from Montreal’s Haut Beau. “Canadian design needs to be as celebrated as Scandinavian or Japanese design,” says co-owner and president Peter Simons. And with 50-plus Canuck artisans in the shop, we heartily agree. FABRIQUE1840.COM
The Finnish Place
Devoted to Nordic products for the home, FP boasts Canada’s widest selection of Marimekko merchandise. Bags, kitchenware and bolts of fabric in the company’s Mynsteri floral pattern are plentiful, and joined by the black-and-white Basket tableware collection, as well as organic cotton textiles printed with forest animals. Iittala resets the table with artful yet functional housewares, including curvy vases and beaded glassware. 7670 YONGE ST 416 222 7575 FINNISHPLACE.COM
Gardiner Museum Shop
The museum’s dedication to exhibiting the best in international ceramics continues in the curated objects that occupy the dramatic linear shelves of the gift shop. Up top sit cage-like sculptural vases by Toronto’s Chiho Tokita, which double as graphic artworks, while below, Barbara Banfield’s woodfired teapot, with woven-cane handle, is a standout. Outside, a vitrine features Loren Kaplan’s delicate monochrome woven vessels composed of hundreds of interlocking porcelain strands. 111 QUEEN’S PK 416 586 8080 GARDINERMUSEUM.ON.CA
Good Neighbour
Arrayed in a turreted two-storey cottage, GN’S selection of cool home and lifestyle accessories makes for cheerful shopping. You’ll find staples like Herschel bags, Hudson’s Bay blankets and LAFCO candles complemented by local pieces from Drake General Store and Jenny Bird Jewelry. Alongside these classic Canadian essentials and locally sourced goods is a wide range of decor items, including retro Newgate clocks and art books from Phaidon. 935 QUEEN ST E 647 350 0663 GOODNBR.COM Britt Nilsson’s online boutique serves up Scandinavian dinnerware, decor and lighting from Danish brands including Normann Copenhagen, Ferm Living and Menu. Equally delightful is the selection from Copenhagen’s Moebe, which