Pekota Design has found a home in the old Metropolis Factory space in the Junction. Owner and designer Marco Pecota named his showroom after his Croatian refugee father who escaped after WWII and was forced to change the spelling of Pekota because the Italian alphabet doesn't have a 'K'.

After buying, gutting and renovating the entire building, Marco created a living/working space. Inside houses Pecota's own handcrafted designs as well as a variety of other local, Canadian and American makers of handcrafted furniture, lighting, decor and lifestyle items ranging in price from $20 to $5,000.

Scott Miller, creator of Sondermill.com , an online store that sells handmade goods made in Canada and the US, was the bridge that connected Pecota with other local artisans and designers that make up 50% of his inventory.

If you don't feel like shopping in store, all of the items from Marco's repository are available to be purchased on sondermill.com .

Though it's not uncommon to find custom designers working with steel, wood, leather and glass, Marco has established a sense of style in the way he chooses to combine the materials in his Toronto manufacturing camp.

Pecota's extended option to choose from six different bright paints and add a happy pop of color to his craftsmanship is a creative trademark move.

Bougie Leslieville families and minimalist West Enders looking for family style dining options could go with the Titus Bench ($990 and up) and the PK10 wood table ($990).

Trendy West end bars and restaurants could easily decorate their space with PEKOTA Stools ($345 each) and Titus lights (starting at $80) to establish a cohesive design trend with their Parkdale and Ossington neighbours.

Photos by Matt Forsythe.