Book celebrates ‘patchwork city’ | Toronto Sun

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Each Toronto neighborhood has a “distinctive look and feel”

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As a new book aims to illustrate, Toronto offers something for just about every architecture fan and is moving away from its reputation as a “beige” or “safe” city when it comes to design.

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“Toronto is something of a patchwork city, with 158 formal neighborhoods, each with its own distinct look, and many smaller enclaves within each,” says Catherine McIntosh, author of Toronto Interiors: Contemporary Residential Design (Figure 1 Publishing, September 9, 2025).

“You've got Victorian row houses in Cabbagetown, neo-Tudor houses on Kingsway, post-war bungalows in East York, beautiful Edwardian houses in Rosedale and, of course, lots of brick semis in the city centre. It's also tightly knit, so any new building has to find a way to fit into it – a way to be a good neighbor, so to speak.”

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McIntosh is a seasoned editor and writer based in Toronto with more than 25 years of experience covering interior design, art and architecture for publications such as Designlines, House & Home and Azure. In Toronto Interiors magazine, she profiles 30 established and emerging interior designers and architects who she believes together define the city's signature style.

“I wanted to include growing studios alongside some that have decades of experience under their belts. Younger studios bring passion and a unique perspective, while established firms have honed their techniques to a fine art level,” she says.

PLEASURE FOR THE EYES, INSPIRATION

Ultimately, McIntosh settled on something she describes as “a feast for the eyes and an inspiration… I wanted to embrace the different styles and approaches used by both interior designers and architecture firms – how one might transform the inside of a 100-year-old row house into something functional and uplifting, while another enhances the home's traditional elements with materials that contrast beautifully.” Many local designers do this very well – embracing both old and new to create a truly unique contemporary space.”

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She notes that architectural constraints, neighborhood bylaws and lot sizes can dictate much of the interior through height, width and density restrictions. “Often the solution is a traditional front with a surprising modern extension at the back or on the third floor. This is where each of the studios in this book shine, taking what they can work with and getting super creative with it. Many of them have cited these constraints as driving innovative and beautiful design.”

What does McIntosh think defines Toronto style? “I think the design language in Toronto is as diverse as the city itself. It's a patchwork city, incredibly cosmopolitan. Our design language is incredibly personal. Every home and studio has its own lexicon. And homeowners want to show their unique personality through their homes,” she says.

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“Another point of difference here is rooted in interior transformations, the unique and beautiful ways we transform our old homes into something completely new. Our focus on craftsmanship and natural materials also shines through, as does our expertise in functional elegance. It's not style for style's sake. There's always practicality built into our residential designs. And at the moment, we're also incorporating lots of curves and always a gorgeous staircase.”

While Toronto is sometimes considered “safe” or “beige” in its design choices, McIntosh suggests that this is changing as the city moves toward more individuality and risk-taking in interiors. “I think it was just a matter of time, a generational change in home ownership and more. We are all so influenced by international styles and have access to sources for almost everything. The home has always been an extension of the personality, but I see more people being bold with their colors, patterns, artwork and lighting.”

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The pandemic has forced people to look at their homes with fresh eyes, McIntosh says, and influenced the design choices she saw in the studios featured in her book. “Several of the houses in this book were built during this time, and what has changed is the impact of the supply chain on materials and the general slowdown in the construction or renovation process,” she says.

LOCAL CRAFTSMANSHIP

“I see that designers are now even more focused on local and sustainable sourcing. This city has always welcomed local craftsmanship, but these days the focus is on local craftsmanship. Plus, we've all looked at our four walls for so long that we've taken stock of what worked and didn't work for everyone in the family. A certain level of ingenious and functional interior design came out of that experience.”

What does she hope readers will take away from this book? “It's especially important to see Toronto celebrated in the design community and put on the map, and I hope people from other cities enjoy reading about the talented designers we have here,” says McIntosh. “I hope Torontonians feel connected to the types of homes we have here and inspired by the possibilities.”

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