313 Design Market
Brothers Chris and Mark Siemicki agree: “Home is where the heart is.” The two opened 313 in their childhood abode to house their shared passion: fun and playful design-forward objects by cool international brands. Home accessories from Dusen Dusen, MoMA, Poketo and Areaware happily mingle with throws and pillows by David Fussenegger. Also: watch for installations, pop-up markets, design-related talks and workshops in this space. 313 RONCESVALLES AVE 416 537 2220 313DESIGNMARKET.COM
Average (now AAVVGG)
Average is a collection of contemporary and classic home objects designed for everyday life. The revolving QW showroom’s founders hand-pick unique pieces from Japanese and European design houses. Find practical yet stylish counter and bar stools, as well as coat hooks in powder-coated steel from Menu and, from Valerie Objects, multicoloured dining chairs and retro-cool ceiling lamps. Other furniture standouts include Montana’s versatile storage elements and Tecta’s three-tray trolley on castors, which travels even if you don’t. 626 RICHMOND ST W 855 439 4881 AAVVGG.COM
Bergo Designs
Nestled in the historic Distillery District, BD boasts an eclectic array of industrial design from international brands like Blomus, Eva Solo and Guzzini. Discover a medley of objects and whimsical gifts, watches, jewellery and gadgets: Dreamfarm’s pizza scissors, Kikkerland’s briefcase barbecue and Lexon’s UV-light phone sanitizer. Peruse impressive collections: Cec LePage’s colourful Lucite vases and Toronto’s largest selection of Georg Jensen house decor and Alessi products (think shiny carafes and space-agey juicers). Staycations are fun with puzzles and games, or Spotify streamed through Lexon’s Mino Bluetooth speaker, one of the world’s tiniest. 28 TANK HOUSE LN 416 861 1821 BERGODESIGNS.CA
Craft Ontario Shop
More than 200 material artists contribute to the handcrafted-in-Canada art and design objects displayed in this gallery-like showroom. Collect enduring works of sculpture, textiles, woodworking, jewellery and Inuit carvings and prints. Find everything from functional housewares and giftables – Joon Hee Kim’s intricate ceramics, Stefanie Dueck’s sculptural flatware, Doug Magrath’s turned wooden bowls or Uppdoo’s hand-sewn bags – to such conversation pieces as Pitseolak Qimirpik’s Boy with iPod stone sculpture. 1106 QUEEN ST W 416 921 1721 CRAFTONTARIOSHOP.COM
Cubeshops
Specializing in Japanese housewares and works of art. Appreciate the wonders of the natural world with Trinus’s plant jewellery or Iwashi Kinzokuka’s magnificently detailed metal figures of sea creatures. Delight in everyday goods or gifts: quirky banana doorstops, cutlery with delicate laser-carved patterns, and made-in-Berlin Bagjack totes, rucksacks and messenger bags with all the modular extras you can dream up.
