“It was all my sister’s fault,” jokes Home Smith owner Jennifer Jackson of opening her Roncesvalles storefront. Jackson’s sister owns the neighbouring kitchenware and foodstuffs destination Cookery, and was pushing her to open a place that would complete the rest of the house. After Jackson finally left her job in private equity, her sister called her and said, “I’ve rented the place next door. You’re doing this.”
The homey space sells an eclectic mix of decor: Jackson sources products like vintage Moroccan carpets, scented candles and all-natural furniture paint from around 150 suppliers. A self-professed treasure hunter, she’s stocked the space with stuff shoppers won’t find at Pier One or West Elm. “My style is about layering different kinds of looks,” she says. “So there’s a collected, lived-in vibe.” Almost everything is accessibly priced, and since most of her customers have kids and dogs, there’s a big emphasis on durability—for instance, you can pick up rugs made out of recycled water bottles that can literally be hosed off.
The space used to be a condo presentation centre and before that spent 30 years as a tailor shop. Jackson added a cozy fireplace, knocked out a back wall and painted the exposed brick walls white:
A Linnea’s Lights candle in golden plum is always burning in the shop, providing the store’s signature scent (they’re for sale, too, for $26):
These rolls are actually decorative vinyl floor mats ($159—$375) from Israeli brand Beija Flor, which are printed to look like real tiles:
Here’s what they look like on the floor. They can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth:
The walls are crammed with work from local artists, as well as more affordable prints. These multimedia pieces (from $350) are by Toronto photographer and painter Jamie MacRae:
Vintage rugs from Morocco, including a few Beni Ourains, start at $1,700 (there are some newer styles mixed in here, too):
The vintage Oriental carpet hanging on the wall is priced at $3,600:
A company called Middle Kingdom makes miniature porcelain vases using a traditionally rebuilt Imperial Chinese kiln (From $29):
These locally handmade beeswax candles ($32—$92) are a natural air purifier and will burn for up to 800 hours:
Jackson says she’s getting every woman in her life this coffee table book ($50) by Grace Bonney for Christmas:
Turkish towels ($28) are made by L.A. designer Smyrna:
This linen throw from Pom Pom at Home is luxuriously thick and heavy. At $650, it’s one of the store’s pricier pieces):
309 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-484-3702, homesmithhouse.com
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