Summerhill is prime real estate for interior design shops, so when owner Christine Flynn set up her second location of Love the Design in the neighbourhood, she knew she was playing in the big leagues. “I wanted to offer Summerhill something a little different,” says Flynn. “Our style is more nontraditional and industrial vintage.”
Flynn’s picks are extensive, from the vintage finds (many of which are from small town Ontario) to the pages ripped from Harper’s Weekly making up the wallpaper to the reworked stools for sale.
The store is ultimately a culmination Flynn’s likes and tastes. “It started with my artwork, as I have a graphic design and photography background. I never wanted to show my photography in a gallery with white walls,” says Flynn. “I wanted to show it so people could envision how it is in their home. It’s always been one of my dreams to have a store with furniture.”
The art stools ($375) would add instant character to any modern home, while the reclaimed side table ($545) can add a bit of industrial ruggedness to a soft space. Character and quality seem to be the key words driving everything that appears here, but the true underlying factor is Flynn’s love of each piece.
“One of my rules is I only pick what I love,” Flynn says. “If I can’t envision it in my own home I won’t put it in the store.”
Love the Design, 1226 Yonge St., 416-855-9991