MADE At Home, the furniture and design show from the Canadian design company MADE, opens today above their Dundas Street store.

Design week has begun in Toronto. Anchored by the huge attraction that is IDS, many smaller design shows time their exhibits to open the same week, resulting in a slew of design-inspired parties, galas and openings.

Cabbagetown is a neighbourhood that inspires fierce loyalties. And deservedly so. The homes are beautiful, there are a handful of decent bars, cafes and restaurants and a huge, fully working farm for good measure. There are also some nice places to shop. This store on Parliament is one of them.

Read my review of Kendall & Co. in the design section.

One of the originals to set up shop in the Distillery District, this store moved into larger digs a couple of years ago and hasn't lost its shine. It's still a great source for local independent designers - from clothing to cushions to glassware crafted out of classic beer bottles.

Find out more in my profile of Distill in the design section.

A new furniture and design store surfaced on the ground floor of the Burroughes Building at Queen and Bathurst earlier this year. Inside, the massive space is filled with sofas, tables, chairs - all at reasonable prices. There are plenty of well known designer knockoffs - and quality can be a bit suspect - but it's still a welcome addition to the Toronto furniture store landscape.

Read more about Design Republic in the design section.

For a furniture store that looks like a world class art gallery look no further then this new showroom on Eastern Avenue. And while the sofas, tables and carpets here might end up in few homes beyond Rosedale and Bridle Path mansions it's still worth a trip to gawk at what's been created here.

Read my review of the new Avenue Road furniture store in the design section.

Formerly in the Beaches, this store near Queen and Broadview has built its reputation on crafting tables, benches, cabinets and other furniture out of salvaged materials from barns, churches and old buildings slated for demolition. It may not be fine woodworking but there's plenty of nice stuff here for those looking for that country in the city look.

Read my review of Kimberley Jackson in the design section.