A new store opened earlier this summer in the Junction that is a bit of a cross between Commute Home and Smash just down the street. The specialty here is value added vintage - or salvaged and industrial materials that have been recondition for sale.

Find out more in my profile of Metropolis Living in the design section.

Just east of Ossington on Dupont stands a sleek, bright design store that stocks a tidy selection of mostly Canadian- designed housewares. It's not an everyday type of store, but for unique bowls, cups, cutlery or glassware there's lots to potentially covet here.

Read my review of Pimlico in the design section.

There's plenty of vintage design in this city but only certain shops manage to separate the good stuff from the junky and overpriced. One of these shops - at Jarvis and Adelaide - shares the same owners as the Queen West Antique Centre and just like its west side brethren has some of the city's best selection of intriguing vintage finds.

Read my review of Filter in the design stores section.

On the south side of Queen near Trinity Bellwoods Park, this furniture and design store might be easy to miss - but not for lack of trying. Inside is a collection of mid-century modern design including lights, chairs, clocks, art and other drool-worthy objects.

Find out more in my profile of Atomic Design in the design stores section.

When it comes to hunting down contemporary Scandinavian design in Toronto there aren't more than a handful of worthy destinations. One of them happens to be a one year old store on Queen near Niagara that stocks the sort of stuff worthy of making a wish list, treating yourself, or buying your best friend a birthday present.

Read my profile of Paloranta in the design stores section.

It's not the place to go for Ikea prices, but this store on Queen West has long been home to some of the best design inspiration in the city. It's no wonder they're among the most sought-after furniture craftspeople in town having decked out restaurants like Terroni, Colborne Lane and the revamped Babur.

Read my profile of Commute Home in the design stores section.