Bungalow Home Decor

*This location is permanently closed*

John Ansell and Steven Thompson are private investors and former Torontonians who have made a clear mark on our downtown core. By revitalizing the once-neglected Maiden Lane strip, they’ve put together the perfect community of co-workers that have helped to make Windsor an attractive spot for urban dwellers.

Photos by Karitas Photography – Karitas Photography

One of John and Steven’s four downtown businesses (and the first stop on this mini-tour down Maiden Lane) is Bungalow Home Decor, a quaint boutique with an emphasis on local design, curated by the inspiring and entrepreneurial Kate Isley. A former CAD designer and marketer extraordinaire, she left her career in the corporate world to carve out a life where she could walk to work and become an active part of a burgeoning community. She and other co-workers like Chef Dino Grado, of neighbouring A Dog’s Breakfast, work together to make Maiden Lane a great place for tourists, locals as well as a refreshing place to work.

Kate, an urban dweller herself, lives mere steps away in a charming apartment (we’re geeked about her house tour coming soon on the blog). She believes a home, whether in the city or elsewhere, should be a place to recharge your batteries and that it mustn’t be big to be beautiful – as her style and much of the Bungalow‘s decor is “condo sized”, practical and budget friendly.

It’s clear that Kate pours her heart and soul into this shop, making it a valuable asset to our community. Among favourite international brands like Umbra and DIOY, she curates with an emphasis on “made in YQG” products whenever possible. These fine contributors deserve a shout out, so here we go: Ian Coffin creates useful and decorative objects from soapstone such as Soap Dishes, Candle Holders, Air Plant holders and Dianne Clinton a.k.a “The Hook Pusher” provides the store with custom crocheted pieces, such as scarfs & mitts, hand/face towels.

Kurt Hilton hand makes 100% food safe boards from local, fallen trees that are finished with a beeswax and mineral oil treatment. Jesmyne Wallace, an illustrator and designer provides the shop with one of a kind, minimalist prints. Simple Path Products created by Jess M. Bondy and Kylee Marcinko make handmade small batch specialty goods such as Body Scrubs, Bath Salts, Body Serums and more!

Albeit a pleasure on the eyes (and nose!) Bungalow Home Decor is more than just a cozy shop full of beautiful, practical pieces and local goodies. The new Maiden Lane, with its creative and harmonious business model, is proof we must often take chances to follow our dreams. Connect with Bungalow for info on their upcoming terrarium and essential oil workshops, we’ll be there!