A visit to Toronto’s Junction ‘hood is a must for anyone renovating or redecorating their home. This casual and buzzing neighbourhood offers some of the best shopping for architectural pieces and unique furniture in the city. Store owners are passionate about both their businesses and the area, so expect lot’s personal and friendly service.

Located throughout the district are many buildings with historical and architectural significance. Be sure to enjoy their many stunning details while you are there.

Here are my top picks of the best design sources on a thriving strip of Dundas West and two other sources worth mentioning,  just a little further west.

CORNERSTONE 
2886 DUNDAS ST. WEST

At Cornerstone the  inventory is kept fresh with hundreds of hand-selected items arriving weekly. Always on trend yet so unique you won’t find it anywhere else! From live edge tables to French armoires, gorgeous textiles and hand crafted glassware, the selection in the 18,000 sq.ft. showroom is varied and impressive.

Within the furniture groupings are lot’s of unique accessories to select from to provide the right finishing touch for your space.

COMMUTE DESIGN
2896 DUNDAS ST. WEST

The property at 2896 Dundas Street West is located on the north side of Dundas Street West in the block west of Keele Street. Constructed in 1911, the Molsons Bank/Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce building is a fine example of the English Edwardian Classical style, designed by the influential Toronto architectural partnership of Langley & Howland and associated with the history of the Molson’s brewery family and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Situated at the heart of the historic West Toronto Junction, the distinctive scale, form and material of the landmark building contributes to and maintains the character of the late 19th and early 20th century ‘main street’ streetscape, where it is historically, visually, physically and functionally linked to the neighbourhood context.

Established in 1999, Commute Home is an interdisciplinary design firm that creates stimulating, intelligent and soulful environments and products.

All of their products, lighting and installations are designed in-house and made locally. This allows them to cater to the specific needs of their clients. Their passion is for compelling, thoughtful design, and their strength is an ability to provide unique solutions that extend well beyond the predictable.

Commute leads a talented team that lives and breathes design. They provide environments that you can feel in, and environments with feeling.With a special network of subcontractors, including woodworkers, metal workers, upholsterers, antique dealers and contractors, they design and create exquisite and thoughtful furnishings, lighting and interior spaces.

FUNKYTURE.CA 
2912 DUNDAS ST. WEST

Funkyture.ca is a workshop that designs and builds custom crafted furniture.It is also a marketplace for creative crafts that includes the visual art of emerging artists and an assortment of home décor items.Fun signage and one-of-a-kind pillows are perfect for casual and funky décor solutions.

Special orders are their forteand Lisa will happily describe the custom features that are available to personalize your very own piece!

PEKOTA 
406 PACIFIC AVENUE

Pekota is Industrial Elegance, a union of industrial aesthetic with the sophisticated elegance of a bygone era.  Pekota specializes in the manufacturing of hospitality and home furniture, lighting and accessories.

Their love of vintage and modern furniture is reflected in the design of their collection, as seen through their use of materials. The boldness and strength of metalcombined with the warmth of wood to create a their very own signature style.

MJoLK 
2959 DUNDAS ST. WEST

This interesting building with tower style roof was built in 1909.

Mjölk (Milk) is pure, honest, and essential.

Started in 2009 by husband-and-wife team John and Juli Baker, Mjölk is a lifestyle shop and gallery, representing work with an emphasis on functionality, craftsmanship, and timelessness. The products throughout the showroom are inspired by daily life. In their view, there is a beauty to be found in even the most simple, everyday tools.

The gallery exhibits work by artists and artisans from Scandinavia and Japan, and they have worked on several exclusive product collections, all of which explore the theme of daily ritual. Each collection is a collaboration between Mjölk and a prominent international designer, and produced locally by artisans in Toronto Canada.

HAVELI HOME
2871 DUNDAS ST. WEST

Haveli Home specializes is furniture, home accessories and textiles from the Indian subcontinent.

If you are looking to infuse your home with explosions of design and colour from India, be sure to visit this shop. Within this vibrant showroom, you will find a extensive and distinct collection of kilim pillows, mango wood furniture, architectural elements, silk cushions, scarves and shawls.

FOREVER INTERIORS
2903 DUNDAS ST. WEST

This building, currently occupied by Forever Interiors, was constructed in 1889 and it’s original use was the ‘Old Theatre Building’, either the Crystal or Wonderland Theatre

Forever Interiors is a small, independent business specializing in custom building furniture from reclaimed material. Their focus is on creating quality one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture from materials that would otherwise go to the landfill. They carefully mill, prepare and preserve the wood to be transformed into unique pieces for your home to last forever.

They work primarily with wood from century Toronto homes, made of Douglas Fir, along with other reclaimed material such as doors, floorboards, windows, ceiling tiles, and beautiful antique hardware.

All of their products are handcrafted, locally sourced and made right here in Toronto.

PHIL’Z 
2906 DUNDAS ST. WEST

At Phil’z  you will find rare mid-century design mixed with modern.

Offering great design for more than 35 years in Montreal and Toronto, Phil’z provides fabulous vintage design from the turn of the century to present time. With a mix of recycled wood, modern 20th century treasures and contemporary designs, Phil’z is a warm eclectic atmosphere of modernist finds.

WEST TORONTO PAINT & WALLPAPER 
2975 DUNDAS ST. WEST

Originally part of the ‘James Block’, the building currently occupied by West Toronto Paint, dates back to the mid 1880’s and was built by a the prominent land owner, William James. At the time, it consisted of stores, offices, an assembly hall and lodge rooms. The city council met on the second floor in 1888 and 1889.

A review of design sources would not be complete without including the local paint store. West Toronto Paint & Wallpaper is your go to source for all your paint related needs. They carry Benjamin Moore, Para, Kryloon and Modern Masters. They pride themselves on being experts in colour, application and product selection. With a well stocked selection of supplies, you will find everything needed for any paint, wallpaper and stain project. With an extensive collection of over 200 wallpaper books, there is no need to look further. Also on hand is their expert colour matching team that can replicate almost any colour.

A CHANGING NEST
472 ANNETTE ST

A Changing Nest is a Home Furnishing & Consignment Store with a big difference. Expect to find a well curated collection of up-cycled as well as unique new housewares and personal accessories. Throughout the shop are charming vintage accessories thoughtfully mixed in with home furnishings, both new and re-styled.

A Changing Nest is the perfect destination to find an eclectic mix of exclusive pieces for your home indoor and outdoor décor.

MAISON BASQUE 
266 JANE STREET

Maison-Basque carries vibrantly striped products from the esteemed French design house Artiga, its exclusive distributor in Canada. Artiga uses centuries-old Basque weaving traditions to craft colourful contemporary striped textiles that are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use in city homes, cottages, and country houses. Ready-made decorative accents include table linens, pillows, drapes, deck chairs, tote bags, and much more. Fabric yardage is stocked and sold by the meter. Maison-Basque also introduces made-in-Canada home décor products, both ready-to-go and made-to-order, in Artiga stripes, showcasing French and Canadian talents at work under one roof.

Maison-Basque invites design-lovers in Toronto to view its riot of stripes at our showroom. Expect to find strong colours of artisanal quality, featuring indoor and outdoor collections to celebrate each season with variety.