What to buy: Best beds
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 Grid compositional wall system, 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 brightness 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 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 is defined by a unique blend of modern and art deco styles. 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 Italian furniture systems. Put your threads on full display with stand-alone wardrobes or walk-in closets with smoke glass doors and slender frames. Varenna kitchens redefine the art of cooking with ultra-thin cabinetry and integrated handles and lighting. Sprinkled throughout the showroom are such luxe furnishings as the petite Jane armchair and the multi-functional Dama, which is stool and side table in one. Bathroom furnishings are downstairs, alongside stunning tubs and washbasins by Antonio Lupi. 99 JARVIS ST 416 601 1661 POLIFORMTORONTO.COM
Quasi Modo Modern Furniture
QM is an elegant showroom displaying contemporary furniture from such top international brands as Knoll, Cherner, Vitra and Gervasoni. Find lighting from heavyweights Artemide and Foscarini and expressive new pendants by Arturo Alvarez. Spain’s Gan features stylish outdoor tartan rugs and colourful wool poufs that pull triple duty as seat, ottoman and nesting table. Balance form and function at the small scale, too: collect glassware from Iittala and appoint your private spaces with accessories from Vipp. 1079 QUEEN ST W 416 703 8300 QUASIMODOMODERN.COM
Radform
This bright, street-facing showroom displays modern European furniture for residential, commercial and hospitality settings. Offecct’s Carry On stool is easily transported between rooms, and its quilted leather, stackable Bop chair, designed for concert venues, fits perfectly in a home studio. We like the tubular metal bookcases that can be wall- or floor-mounted, and the modular Meet sofa’s built-in wooden planters, which bring greenery into the mix. Transform even the simplest space with eye-catching wallpaper for room-sized works of art. 317 ADELAIDE ST E, STE #102 416 955 8282 RADFORM.COM
Resource Furniture
RF’S innovative, convertible and modular furniture speaks to space-hungry Torontonians. Over 100 customizable pieces for adults and kids unlock their multi-functionality with a simple tug. Italian-made wall beds by Clei double as desks, couches or shelving units during the day. Check out the latest innovations in transforming and expanding tables, and other unique storage solutions. Maximize micro-apartments, home offices or dens with cleverly incorporated corner closets, upper cabinets, or full wall shelving. 322 KING ST E 416 901 7555 RESOURCEFUNITURE.COM
Restoration Hardware
Commanding four levels of retail space, this home furnishings mecca features entire floors dedicated to transitional, modern and outdoor collections. With an integrated restaurant, wine and coffee bar, RH blurs the line between home and hospitality. View a collection of its global designers’ creations: velvet tufted sofas, steel I-beam dining tables and hand-carved alabaster pendants. 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 SHOPPING CENTRE, 3401 DUFFERIN ST 416 322 9422 RESTORATIONHARDWARE.COM
Roche Bobois
Browse elegant, casual and contemporary furnishings in this airy two-storey showroom. Two collections – traditional Les Nouveaux Classiques and modern Les Contemporains – boast such stunners as the Carrara marble–based Aqua table and the low-slung Mah Jong modular seating system, dressed in Kenzo Takada’s kimono-inspired patterns. The Globe Trotter collection by Marcel Wanders features sofas, cabinets, and accessories sprinkled with illustrated motifs evoking fantastic journeys. The ultra-long Profile sofa, ensconced in velvet or Jean Paul Gaultier fabric, seats four. Hand-tufted rugs from Missoni Home and Christian Lacroix add pizzazz. 101 PARLIAMENT ST 416 366 3273 ROCHE-BOBOIS.COM
Selene Furniture
Its 1,858 square metres make it one of the GTA’S largest modern Italian furniture showrooms, yet SF is just 30 minutes from downtown. It’s also Ontario’s sole distributor of Sangiacomo custom wall units and wardrobes; Sovet’s glass, wood and ceramic specialties; and Meson’s integratedeverything kitchens. Check out swivel armchairs, coffee tables with hidden storage, and sectionals with extra deep seats and adjustable backrests for maximum lounging. SF’S sofas, chairs and upholstered beds are made in its on-site manufacturing facility with remarkable turnaround. 8051 KEELE ST, VAUGHAN 905 669 2606 SELENEFURNITURE.COM
Shelter Furniture
SF brings an affordable Queen West vibe to the Uptown scene. Much of its rotating selection of contemporary to mid-century living, dining and bedroom furniture is globally sourced. The massive, brightly lit showroom is fun to browse for designers and loiterers alike. Experience one hip vignette after another, each a complete set combined with lighting and accents – perfect for those without their own modelling tools. Choose from well-tailored sofas with slim, small-profile designs; these pair nicely with SF’S mid-mod consoles, side tables and occasional chairs. 885 CALEDONIA RD 416 783 3333 SHELTERFURNITURE.CA
The Sofa Bed Store
Oh, the ubiquitous sofa bed...luckily, things are done a little differently at SBS. Instead of hiding a thin foam mattress inside the seat of the sofa, the seat here is made from a shape-retaining pocket-coil mattress – meaning the mattress is comfortable and the convertible sofa streamlined. Our favourites from the selection: the Movie Night sofa with wooden arms and the handsomely tufted Soho sofa with extra-wide armrests. 590 MT PLEASANT RD 416 901 9134 THESOFABEDSTORE.COM
South Hill Home
The 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. SHH is home to impeccably crafted pieces from around the world: from timeless contemporary elegance by French designers Stéphane Parmentier, Jean-louis Deniot and Joseph Dirand to the casual luxury of Brazil’s Jader Almeida. Talented Canadian designers’ work figures in the mix; be sure to see Matthew Mccormick’s ringed luminaires, Paolo Ferrari’s distinguished seating and Powell & Bonnell’s masterfully understated consoles. 146 DUPONT ST 416 924 7224 SOUTHHILLHOME.COM
Space Furniture
SF’S skilled artisans create custom millwork and furniture: 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, affordability and timeless style. Watch for SF’S new location opening later this year. 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 carpet from Holly Hunt, columnar bronze sculptures by Corbin Bronze, handwoven outdoor sets by Dedon and lighting from Penta and Oluce. New to the showroom are concept spaces dedicated to Italy’s Flexform Mood and Henge. 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 supporting local craftspeople and suppliers. Here, you’ll find bespoke
sofas, console desks 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 Wallace Chair with its channel-stitched leather upholstery is a modern reinterpretation of the classic English chesterfield. Also: a configurable series of industrialstyle metal and glass partitions and solid-wood, modular furniture from Belgium. 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 and Tacchini. Standouts include Naos’s Quasar extendable table with a gorgeous visible gear mechanism; it adjusts the size with a simple push or pull. Bonaldo’s hemispherical Planet coffee table with internal lighting creates a focal point. The newly renovated showroom features a 400- chair gallery. 160 BULLOCK DR, MARKHAM 905 554 6084 SUITE22.CA
Tendex
After 35 years in the retail biz, this purveyor of fine European furnishings from Italy (i 4 Mariani and Misuraemme) and Germany (More Moebel, Yomei) has moved online. The Lax dining table (and matching sideboard) by More Moebel, which features two ×-shaped supports with an array of solid wood top options, is a compelling addition to an impressive lineup that also includes the Magic Matrix – a lightweight and highly flexible shelving system from Yomei – and i 4 Mariani’s curvaceous Voile chair in saddle leather. TENDEX.CA
Toronto International Design Centre
With all things home decor spread across 25- plus showrooms – a staggering 14,000 square metres – TIDC is a one-stop shop for design professionals. Showrooms feature the latest in furnishings, accessories, appliances, textiles, flooring and lighting from top Canadian and international manufacturers. Among the must-see attractions are rug art from Renwil, Distinctive’s kitchen appliances, and luxe accent pieces from Guild Design Gallery. Delight your clients with extraordinary indoor–outdoor entertainment spaces that Nanawall operable glass walls can create in an instant. 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 Nix chair, which gracefully combines solid wood and curved plywood, and Expormim’s modern take on the rattan/wicker armchair. To complement, Inclass’s programme of various polyethylene bases and tabletop options make for endless configurations to adapt to new ways of working. 251 BARTLEY DR, UNIT # 3 416 368 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 Scandistyle 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. 1400 CASTLEFIELD AVE 416 787 8488; ( ALSO: 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. For lighting with an edge, try Normann Copenhagen’s chunky bell pendant in a matte finish or Muuto’s hand-painted, hand-spun aluminum Ambit rail lamp – both integrate seamlessly into any home, office or commercial space. Softline’s modular sofa with adjustable backrests allows you to create two different seating directions at once: window or TV. Get organized with Blu Dot’s painted wood dressers with bevelled relief, or simple powder-coated steel open shelving that doubles as a space divider. 145 TECUMSETH ST 416 591 8834 URBANMODE.COM
West Elm
This Liberty Village outpost features modern home designs for condo dwellers. Whether starting out with furniture essentials such as beds or sofas, or styling up with tabletop and decorative accessories, WE is a destination for affordable home furnishings. Fan faves include handwoven wool rugs, USB- charging nightstands, and bath staples for your self-care needs. 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.