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 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 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.
