And so we embark on the adventure that will lead us home. The home you make, wherever you may be or go. The home that looks so very different from the one in which you were raised. Deliberately and accidentally different, tangentially and fatefully different, vastly generationally different. Our ideas of home, of life, of culture, of fulfillment are so different even than what we believed that might look like ourselves back when we were kids.

The ways in which we communicate have fundamentally changed; the routes we travel; the ways in which we live. The question of home is not easy anymore, but it never was one size fits all.

Brownstone and Birch is, first, a long percolating concept.

We have an idea of home that is unique and includes traditional and modern elements, reclaimed pieces, items that are sentimental or whimsical, true creativity and good design within reach.

Our influences and motifs include the well-worn but crisply painted cottage wood table that always fits just so in every new home you move to over the years; the endless appeal of white on white (when done right); the amazing piece from that movie that you’ve just got to find (or make or fake); the joy of eclecticism and the precise pleasure of the harmonic quiet room of one’s own. Let’s not forget, those fabled Brownstones of our oldest, most loved cities and the myriad definitions of the Ontario summer cottage (where the summers are short and precious and the birch trees call each visitor home with their still beauty.

Woven through all of this style, beauty, and thoughtful curation of the space in our Toronto east shop (and here, online) are goals, priorities and dedication to our larger place at home in our local community (and communities) with a focus on ways we can build important causes and contributions into our ongoing projects and work.

We’ve developed (and are always open to) our mission of community partnerships where we can benefit community groups in need through our own dedication to fundraising, sponsorship, advertising, donations, or special projects in and around our business and design work, year round.

We will offer meaningful work experience to students and design interns of all ages.

Our space will include the work (for display and / or sale) of freelance artists, photographers and artisans, craftspeople, designers and collectors.

We will also promote the work of independent and underrated musicians and writers by stocking and showcasing their work (and hosting in-shop music /lit events) to give a home to these important cultural creators.

If you count yourself among any of these groups we’ve mentioned, or have ideas, questions, products, artwork, designs, items for consignment, music, books (collections or independent releases); are a student/ have experience in boutique retail/design/merchandising/ want to submit a resume; or work with community outreach/non-profit/not-for-profit or public awareness groups in Toronto/Ontario/Canada, and would like to discuss working together in the future, please send us an email at brownstoneandbirch@gmail.com

We can also be reached/ please like us on  Facebook and follow us on twitter 

(More social media links to follow.)