Stealth stores and you

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 9 of 13, W25 *
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With Hudson's Bay holding liquidation sales, and the department store model officially extinct, the way we shop in physical spaces has permanently changed. Meanwhile, impossibly high rents have drained our busiest retail strips of quirk and personality. Where's the joy of discovering beautiful things directly, guided by passionate shopkeepers?

Fortunately, what I call "stealth stores" are emerging to fill the gap. They're typically in out-of-the-way spots – up a flight of stairs, in a less-trafficked neighbourhood – and often require booking an appointment in advance. They reward the intrepid shopper with a bespoke experience that makes the extra effort worth it.

Two weeks ago, we checked out Inabstracto's fresh incarnation in a Little Italy coachhouse. Today, let's go to the heart of Parkdale for a peek at Studio 1484, a shop named after its Queen Street West location. A rusty old sign is your cue that you're in the right place:

The door makes it clear you're in for a journey:

Just inside, a staircase inscription appears three times, ramping up the anticipation:

Paul, the friendly proprietor, is quick to welcome you and show you around. The first moment is a little overwhelming, because most of the items are small, filling shelves and tabletops in several connected rooms.

If you pause and really look, you'll start seeing relationships between objects. It's a series of low-key lessons in how to combine colours and materials with flair:

A shelf of pottery and teak pieces, for example, proves the lasting allure of earth tones:

In some cases, a helpful label makes a museum-like gesture in providing some background, tempting you into the magic of collecting:

A single object might catch your eye, a yellow owl perhaps:

Then, your roving gaze will reveal an entire family of related artifacts. Creative display techniques are yours to borrow, like turning horizontal things vertical to highlight their appeal:

There's a jubilant sense of possibility in taking in so many colours at once:

You might be drawn to a single colour that's begging to bring your interior to life:

When I visited this past Saturday, there was a unique music to the experience: the creaking of floorboards as I moved through the rooms, a wash of ambient music that cast a curious spell, and Paul's steady patter as he shared design insights and anecdotes. Studio 1484 is a microdecorator's paradise.

I left with three finds that Paul wrapped carefully, then bundled into a No Frills bag, its unassuming name and pop of colour the perfect match for what was inside. He added a little thank-you gift too. I'm sure these items will make their way into future editions of this newsletter.

In the meantime, let's keep exploring stealth stores and get to know the frontier of shopping. (I was shocked to learn Studio 1484 has existed for three decades. Thanks, Paul, for this trailblazing venture!) Got a tip for a future article in this series? Let us know!

P.S. If you plan on visiting Studio 1484 soon, a quick heads up: as of this writing, serving ware is fifty per cent off. It's a great time to stock up on essentials for future entertaining.

Thank you for reading.