week and it just took off from there. I guess
you could say I was forced into retail.
“Customers would ask us regularly to
bring in this and that and eventually it
evolved into a home décor store. We now
manufacture the custom home textiles
off site, but it’s still a huge part of the
business.”
Abounding with luxurious linens,
décor, giftware and clothing, Titus &
Louise combines elegance with a hint of
kitsch. It’s the perfect assortment for this
central Toronto neighbourhood which
boasts an edgy mix of retail, industrial and
residential buildings. (Having another
home décor store next door, Vienna
Douglas Collection, draws plenty of décor
aficionados.)
As the main buyer, Diane sources
products from the CGTA Gift Show in
Toronto, and enjoys travelling to New
York and Paris for unique finds. Great
quality and design are paramount to her
product selections, while the playful,
quirky and unusual are what draw her
attention. “I love to bring in some of
the more exquisite, expensive items for
certain clients, but mainly it’s about
great design and affordability,” she says.
Driven by a passion for beautiful
objects and working with the public,
Diane is a hands-on business owner –
she’s currently handling things solo six
days a week. “One of the hardest parts of
retailing is finding dependable, long-term
staff. Usually I have a full-time employee
and I’ll spend two days in the store and
the remainder handling the design work.
“But with our sales up considerably
from last year I really can’t complain.
Even though it’s 24/7, I love what I do
and wouldn’t change a thing.”
10 BESTSELLERS
BED LINENS
Revelle
www.revelle.ca
CURTAINS
Titus & Louise (custom)
FRENCH-MILLED
SOAPS
Tani Investment
www.lothantique.ca
www.belledeprovence.com
GREETING CARDS
Paper E. Clips
www.papereclips.com
LOUNGEWEAR &
PYJAMAS
St. Geneve
www.stgeneve.com
DECORATIVE
CUSHIONS
Canfloyd Trading
www.canfloydtrading.com
JEWELLERY
Kien
www.bijouxkien.com
SHIRTS & JACKETS
Titus & Louise (custom)
MOCCASINS
Auclair & Martineau
www.martinofootwear.com
AREA RUGS
Tapis Waves Carpets
