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Special Guide Edition
The best shops in Toronto’s 7 design districts and (pssst…) hidden gems off the beaten path
$5.95
Uptown
40. Monogram Design Centre
Showcasing professional appliances and Aya cabinetry is a contemporary demo space that practises a “try before you buy” ethos. Book a tour to experience the lineup of indoor and outdoor appliances, and the second-floor cooking studio. The all-in-one Advantium built-in oven includes a double-door model with backlit controls, while fridges boast interior Brita filters and column refrigeration. Options include integrated, flush and overlay panels and Wi-Fi connected appliances that link to voice and smartphone apps for greater convenience. 1290 CASTLEFIELD AVE 416 781 3579 MON-FRI 10-5, SAT 11-3 APPT RECOMMENDED MONOGRAM.CA
41. Olympia Tile + Stone
OTS maintains its place among the titans of tile: its multi-building flagship comprises a massive gallery, a clearance centre and a slab division. Ceramic, glass and porcelain tiles of virtually every effect are available, simulating raw limestone, vein-cut marble or natural grasses, or artfully mimicking oxidized metal. Other notable lines include mosaics of glass and marble chips in an irregular brick pattern. For those seeking something distinctive, porcelain tiles come in a variety of geometric shapes, sizes and textures such as basketweave. 1000 LAWRENCE AVE W 416 785 6666 MON-WED 8-7, THU 8-9, FRI 8-5, SUN 10-5 OLYMPIATILE.COM
42. Palazzetti
This loft-like showroom complements the striking, minimalist furnishings and accessories within, including classics from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Pierluigi Molinari and Achille Castiglioni. Among the exclusive stock is a laser-etched, origami-like plywood chandelier from Horm.it, Piero Fornasetti’s Themes & Variations decorative plates and Alivar’s luxe quilted-leather Boss bed. Also of note: Morfeo’s dresser with a hidden valuables drawer, Maconi’s super-flexible Link bookcase and steel-top coffee tables screen-printed with spirited patterns. 1020 LAWRENCE AVE W 416 785 7190 MON-WED 9-5, THU & FRI 9-8, SAT 9:30-5 PALAZZETTI.CA
43. Petroff Gallery
Since 1982, this hybrid gallery has featured visual art and contemporary craft from Canadian artists – over 200 of them. Also on offer: tableware, jewellery, Judaica and a collection of glass, ceramic and wooden sculpture. Two local artists stand out: Emanuel Pavao uses tape to create urban landscape “paintings,” and Sandra Di Leo pairs vivid swaths of colour with animated black brushstrokes in abstract expressionist compositions. For your bespoke requirements, site-specific commissions are available, along with framing and in-home installation. 1016 EGLINTON AVE W 416 782 1696 TUE-SAT 10-6, SUN 12-5 PETROFFGALLERY.COM
44. Roman Bath Centre
Whether in gleaming porcelain or polished chrome, RBC boasts a large and diverse range of bathroom and kitchen furnishings from top brands, and an extensive assortment of accessories. This year’s faves: faucets from Graff and Rubinet in a matte black finish, and Zucchetti’s massaging shower panels with six body sprays. Also of interest is Wetstyle’s contemporary twist on the double console, whose rectilinear, high-shine chrome frame replaces traditional pipefittings. Sculptural faucets are in ample supply: Ritmonio’s Waterblade wall-mount tub filler resembles an elemental waterfall. 883 CALEDONIA RD 416 787 1219 MON-WED 9:30-6, THU 9:30-7, FRI & SAT 9:30-6 ROMANBATHCENTRE.COM
45. Roots Home
We’re all familiar with this lifestyle brand’s classic, comfortable and vaguely outdoorsy clothing, and Roots’ modern and rustic-chic Canadian-made furniture staples – including leather club chairs, sectionals and sofas – are suitable complements to the theme. Roots’ iconic woolly red-and-white work-sock is reinterpreted in bedding collections. Ottomans wrapped in ultra-soft Pendleton Beaver State blankets marked with indigenous motifs are perfect for a fireside snuggle, while area rugs and pillows radiate the cozy Canadian cottage themes at the heart of the brand. 1400 CASTLEFIELD AVE 416 927 8585 MON-FRI 10-5, SAT 11-4 INFO.ROOTS.COM/ROOTSHOME/
46. Saltillo Imports Toilet by DXV American Standard, at Ginger’s
BainUltra tub, at Taps
Every possible surface here displays natural stone, porcelain, terra cotta and slate tile; even the floor is a patchwork of options. Mix and match to create innovative looks, like Bianco Carrara marble mixed with Bluestone, or matte and enamel finishes. Choose from dozens of hand-cast encaustic cement tiles to create stunning entryways. The company’s sweet spot is mosaics that infuse even the tiniest spaces with richness: penny, checkerboard, basket-weave – even mini arabesques or concentric circles of stained glass delight the eye. 115 TYCOS DR 416 441 2224 MON-FRI 9-6, SAT 10-4 SALTILLO-TILES.COM
47. Sescolite
For nearly a century, Sescolite has braved every lighting trend. Today’s curated selection of statement-making indoor and outdoor lighting
taps Hudson Valley, Hubbardton Forge, Troy and Arteriors. For more streamlined models, look to Sonneman and Eurofase. Luminaires with simple linear profiles, geometric cages or soft gold finishes stand out among this year’s crop. Also notable are Legrand’s stylish switches and Eco-Feu’s portable fireplaces. Specialists help you find custom solutions in their calm, unfussy designer work areas. 1461 CASTLEFIELD AVE 416 651 6570 MON-FRI 9-6, SAT 10-6, SUN 11-5 (ALSO: 4175 FAIRVIEW ST, BURLINGTON 905 632 8659) SESCOLITE.COM
48. Shelter Furniture
SF brings a Queen West vibe to the uptown scene, without the downtown sticker shock. Much of its ever-changing selection of contemporary and modern furniture is sourced from around the world, including well-tailored sectionals and an expanded leather collection. These pieces pair nicely with SF’s mid-mod credenzas, accent tables and occasional chairs that add bursts of colour. Live-edge wood dining tables may be shortened for smaller spaces. SF complements its offerings with area rugs and accessories from Denmark’s Superliving. 885 CALEDONIA RD 416 783 3333 MON-SAT 10-6, SUN 12-5 SHELTERFURNITURE.CA
49. Silverwood Flooring & Interiors
SFI’s top-of-the-line European hardwood flooring will appeal to homeowners looking to upgrade. These specialists in solid-engineered hardwood offer a number of colours and highly durable finishes manufactured in narrow-width single staves, as well as extra-wide and long board widths. The Novoloc 5G connection system used with the chevron pattern from Austria’s Scheucher offers easier installation. Silverwood’s aptly named Modern Miracle flooring looks just like wood, but with the durability and water-resistance of vinyl – perfect for basements and cottages. 123 MIRANDA AVE 416 923 8181 MON-FRI 9-5, SAT BY APPT SILVERWOODFLOORING.COM
50. The Sliding Door Company
Transform spaces with SDC’s diverse selection of interior sliding-door solutions, including room dividers, partitioned or free-standing office enclosures, as well as customized closet, swing 107
Carafes by A+J, at Petroff Gallery
rugs in silk and wool blends. Its premier Signature collection offers a broad range of styles in earthy colour palettes to suit modern, contemporary and transitional spaces – including organic grey flecked with amethyst accents, suggestive of aerial landscape views. Consult with the in-house designer for custom work; pattern, texture, colourway and size can be specified to your demands. New in: Fogo Island wool rugs recall an East Coast summer dusk. 1400 CASTLEFIELD AVE 416 929 7929 MON-FRI 9-6, SAT 10-6, SUN 12-5 (ALSO: 162 BEDFORD RD 416 923 7929; 255 BASS PRO MILLS DRIVE, VAUGHAN 905 660 7929) WEAVERSART.COM
and barn doors. SDC boasts that its patented easy-gliding roller system is the smoothest and safest on the market; its aluminum frames in contemporary forms and finishes are combined with tempered glass in varying degrees of transparency. Some models incorporate elegant engineered-wood panels or mirror inserts, while others double as whiteboards for spur-of-themoment brainstorming sessions. 75 INGRAM DR 416 637 4620 MON-FRI 9-5, SAT 10-4 OR BY APPT SLIDINGDOORCO.CA
51. Stone Tile
This elegant showroom displays 500-plus lines of tile and slab sourced from Europe, India, Brazil and beyond. Samples of sumptuous marble, limestone and travertine – as well as state-of-the-art porcelain, ceramic and glass – are displayed in a gallery setting, hanging from metal armatures for large-scale viewing. Noteworthy newbies: 3-D geometric designs in porcelain and concrete from Hungary’s KAZA Concrete, and a revolutionary 12-millimetrethick Laminam porcelain countertop that promises an affordable, indestructible alternative to engineered quartz. ST also carries carbonized reclaimed wood and a wide spectrum of engineered planks, including rustic patterns and leather-like finishes. 1451 CASTLEFIELD AVE 416 515 9000 MON-WED & FRI 8:30-5, THU 8:30-6, SAT 10-5, SUN 12-5 STONE-TILE.COM
52. Surfaces & Co.
Founded in Montreal, S&C offers North American-made artisanal tiles with traditional and contemporary motifs – all of which have a touch of opulence. The Odyssée Collection by Pinterest favourite Mosaïque Surface weaves stone, brass and glass into polished compositions, while Tabarka Studio’s Byzantine collection features hammered bronze and pewter. Other fine finds: Walker Zanger porcelains that impersonate quilted, woven and knitted materials; Encore Ceramics, suitable for your steam shower; and intricate avian scenes by superstar mosaicist Allison Eden. 133 MIRANDA AVE 416 782 8453 MON-FRI 9-5 SURFACESETCOMPAGNIE.CA
53. Taps Bath Centre
Rows of gleaming faucets and hardware are lined up like so many polished toy soldiers, alongside shower systems from top brands such as Kohler. Notable finds include Rubinet’s fire engine-red fixtures, and Dornbracht’s waterfall-effect, flattened spouts. Aquabrass’s recessed showerheads are animated by 16-colour chromatherapy, while its line of brass faucets with bases in white Carrara or black Marquina marble are reminiscent of Achille 108
Castiglioni’s Arco floor lamp. For deep relaxation, BainUltra’s drop-in and free-standing therapeutic baths deliver warm air-jet massages and aromatherapy. 1020 LAWRENCE AVE W 416 785 0224 MON-WED 9-5, THU & FRI 9-8, SAT 9:30-5 (ALSO: 3050 VEGA BLVD, MISSISSAUGA 905 569 1262) TAPSBATH.COM
54. Threadcount Textile & Design
Find exclusive collections of European and house-made drapery and upholstery here, including lace and madras panels from MYB Textiles, classic patterns by Teasel England and sumptuous silks from James Hare. New this season is TT&D’s Bagatelle collection, featuring hair-on hides, embossed leathers, stonewashed linens, furry wools and elegant chenilles in a palette of salmon, ivory and deep hunter green. Also available: jacquard weaves from Clarke & Clarke and botanical-themed wallpapers from Rapture & Wright. 81C RONALD AVE 416 916 9012 MON-FRI 9:30-5:30, SAT 10:30-5 THREADCOUNTINC.COM
55. Tubs
A vast temple of soaker tubs and related wares, Tubs has everything to complete your sanctuary: vanities, faucets, surface tiles and, of course, bathtubs. Meander through bathroom vignettes for inspiration; browse rows of fixtures from Vida, Franke, Toto, Grohe, Riobel, Hansgrohe and others; or choose from a plethora of showerhead options. Custom finishes from Rubinet’s kitchen and bath lines include trendy matte black. Also in store: Canadian-made custom Vanico Maronyx vanities, and working display toilets and rainshowers. 45 SAMOR RD 416 665 8787 MON & TUE & FRI 9:30-6:30, WED & THU 9:30-7:30, SAT 9:30-6, SUN 12-5 (ALSO: 80 THE EAST MALL 416 640 8827; 7390 WOODBINE AVE, MARKHAM 905 940 8827; 2575 DUNDAS ST W, UNIT #12, MISSISSAUGA 905 608 8827) TUBS.COM
58. York Fabrica
With a portfolio comprising everything from the onyx and marble found in Trump Tower to bathroom vanities in simple home renos, as well as church altars to bar counter-tops, this stone and porcelain surfacing supplier has it all. Compare the removable wall-mounted samples in different lighting conditions before touring the warehouse’s alleys of slabs in search of the perfect piece. Choose from granite or luminous onyx for fireplace facings and mantels, or handmade countertop options including semi-precious green malachite and rose quartz. 2 SHEFFIELD ST 416 235 0161 MON-FRI 9-5 OR BY APPT YORKFABRICA.COM
59. Zaneen
Zaneen’s focus is minimalist architectural luminaires from leading European manufacturers, including streamlined suspension models, recessing wall-washers in 25 colours and both straight and curved track lighting. There are also decorative items, like sconces with quilted faux-leather shades, and playful pairings of bulbous and tubular glass – but fixtures from Dutch manufacturer Quasar steal the spotlight. Current faves: branching, wall-mounted Sparks; and Universe, a wispy, metal-framed cage with mini LEDs at each joint. Don’t miss the showcase of exterior ground and wall options. 30 TYCOS DR 416 247 9221 MON-FRI 8:30-5, SAT BY APPT ZANEEN.COM
Laundry hamper, at Crate & Barrel
56. W Studio
Two signature collections stand out among the expressive contemporary rugs: W Dream – popular with contract clients – uses exclusive technology to recreate photorealistic images on stunning floor and wall coverings, while W Artisan’s looks range from traditional to edgy mod to suit any space. These hand-woven, all-natural carpets are designed in-house, or in collaborations with such studios as Les Ensembliers. WS’s latest pieces are a sumptuous combination of silk and handspun wool woven in Nepal. 1330 CASTLEFIELD AVE, BLDG C, UNIT #C2 416 929 9290 MON-FRI 9-6, SAT 10-5, SUN 12-5 WSTUDIO.CA
57. Weavers Art
WA’s flagship showroom boasts the largest collection of the finest hand-knotted area DESIGNLINESMAGAZINE.COM