Shop Here: Augustus Jones

Exploring uncharted design frontiers

Much like the 19th-century Toronto land surveyor it’s named for, Augustus Jones thrives in uncharted territory, offering a choice selection of high-end European furniture for the office, living, and dining rooms that can’t be found anywhere else in the city.

Wagner’s floral-upholstered W-Lounge Chair 3 ($3080) sits next to art by Simon Schneiderman.

Originally a graphic designer, store founder Cliff Smith discovered an opportunity to indulge his lifelong passion for fine, contemporary furnishings while sourcing pieces for his weekend getaway, a canning factory he was renovating in Grafton, Ontario. He became so passionate, in fact, that he acquired the Canadian distribution rights for Belgium’s Vincent Sheppard and carved a showroom for the manufacturer’s paper-wrapped steel seating from his dramatic countryside retreat.

LaPalma’s Cut chairs ($1340).

Now partnered with Jacques Trédille, a furniture industry vet who’s established showrooms in both Toronto and Paris, Smith relocated Augustus Jones to a loft-like storefront off Queen Street East and increased his roster of refined brands to 15. Throughout the space, raw industrial elements such as a pair of giant red-and-white pipes next to the entryway contrast beautifully with the elegant silhouettes and refined fabrics of the imports on display.

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Distinctive, regionally inspired designs by established and emerging manufacturers from across the pond. Turkish brand Enne’s brass-legged Icy-A coffee table is topped with a trio of wooden hexagons evocative of Islamic tiles ($2590), while ergonomic sofa beds by Croatia’s Prostoria come in aqua hues as bright as the Adriatic Sea (from $2220).

A lineup of Ton’s plywood seating (from $360).

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Seating. A raised stage area highlights options in a variety of luxe materials. Porsche lovers will feel right at home in desk chairs by Wagner, a Euro Herman Miller–of-sorts that uses leather upholstery from the same factory favoured by the sports car company ($3200). Our favourite throne is Czech brand Ton’s Split ($640). Designed by Arik Levy, the chair’s bentwood legs are spliced at the top to become both backrest and seat support.

33 Davies Ave  416 360 1788  Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 12-5

Editor’s note: This feature story was published in spring 2016. For up-to-date info, refer to our Augustus Jones store listing.

Originally published in our Spring 2016 issue.