David Small Designs
  • About UsWe believe that transformative design involves a well-considered, practical use of space. Learn more about our design philosophy, our team and our award-winning projects.Modern home with steel column, wood soffit and stone siding.
  • Architectural Design ServicesTo us, a home is a platform for dreams and ambitions. We specialize in designing custom homes and realizing dynamic renovations that perfectly reflect our clients’ lifestyle aspirations.Contemporary custom home with wood soffit, stone wall and black trim.
  • Interior Design ServicesA home’s interior should interact seamlessly with its architectural façade and natural surroundings, while being the perfect space for a family to live and thrive.Modern floating staircase with wood treads, glass railing and wood beams.
  • Our PortfolioExplore our modern, transitional and traditional home designs—and experience the Natural Modern design aesthetic in its many forms.Contemporary front entry with concrete steps, wood soffit and orange door.
  • CareersWe’re a team of creative, collaborative, and compassionate individuals committed to providing exceptional service.
  • Get StartedOur team is waiting to help you realize your distinct home design vision. Let’s take the road less travelled together.
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Den with white windows, floating shelves and hardwood floor.

Custom Home Design: Kids Edition

March 27, 2013/in News /by admin

Many of our clients have young children when they embark on a custom home design. Creating a space for their kids to enjoy – a space other than a bedroom – is often on their wish list. They want to create a kid-friendly area for schoolwork, games, reading or hanging with friends. Ideally, the goal is to create a space that serves all those functions, but leaves flexibility in the design for when the kids are no longer living at home, or for when our clients decide to sell.

David was no exception when he embarked on his custom family home. He wanted to create a “cool” teen-friendly area for his twin teenage daughters to enjoy. With the master bedroom located on the ground floor, he decided to hand over the entire 2nd floor to his daughters.

As you take your first steps up the ladder-inspired staircase, you know you’re heading into “cool” territory. The open space steps and glass railings create a sense of adventure in the modern staircase. As you cross the bridge over the foyer (with only glass railings separating you from the first floor below), you are officially entering the girls’ wing, which many say is their favourite area in the house.

The first room is the lounge; a TV-free zone with built-in desks for homework, a big comfy couch for reading and hanging with friends, and individual desktop computers.

David involved his daughters in the decorating of their bedrooms. Paint colour, bedding, and accessories were up to them…of course, David, along with Tania Parkyn of Parkyn Designs, were on hand to guide them in their decision making. In the end, each room truly reflects their individual style but are still complimentary, which was important seeing that more often than not the oversized sliding door that separates their bedrooms is left open.

Click here for more images of the girls’ lounge and bedrooms.

Custom home design allows you to create spaces in your home that truly reflect your family, your lifestyle and your personality. Including your kids or teenagers in the design process can be a fun and creative experience for both parties. It’s a great way for your kids to express themselves and feel involved in the project, and for the parents, working on the kids space is often the most fun and imaginative part of the design.

For more kid-friendly design inspiration, browse the ‘kids’ section on houzz.com. It showcases some great design ideas, like this one, this one and this one. Or visit our website to check out ‘The Muskoka Room‘ featuring this ultra-girly bedroom designed for the homeowner’s young daughter…

The modern staircase and glass railings

The girls’ lounge

One bedroom features grey and blue walls with a pop of orange in the bedding and accessories. Note the oversized sliding door that separates the girls’ bedrooms.

Black and pink floral bedding compliment the pink and green walls and modern furniture in the other bedroom.


Our client, owner of Reign Custom Builders, worked with David to create this space for his young daughter.

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Black and white photos of traditional homes.

Celebrating 1000 Projects

February 12, 2013/in News /by admin

Today we signed on our 1000th project.

For the past 16 years David has been putting pencil to paper designing beautiful, functional custom homes; taking the ideas and inspirations of each client and turning them into a home that goes beyond their expectations. Today marks the 1000th time he will be doing this.

This milestone is more than just another project added to a list. It’s a reflection of 1000 clients who trusted David and our team with the design of their dream home; 1000 times our tremendous staff have turned a sketch into an intricate computerized drawing, 1000 times we’ve called a client to say, “we got your permit today!”, and 1000 times we’ve seen a drawing come to life.

This milestone celebrates our partners who have been with us since day one, individuals who have contributed to these 1000 projects either through their engineering expertise, knowledge of municipal bylaws or surveying skills.

This milestone recognizes that design matters. 1000 clients saw the value in creating something that goes beyond four walls and a roof. They saw value in creating a home that was visually impactful and mindful of its surroundings; that was designed with care, attention and thoughtfulness. They saw value in creating a home that was a true reflection of their lifestyle, design style and inspirations.

This milestone is a reflection of our gratitude to every person, company and client that has been a part of one or all of these 1000 projects. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We look forward to working with you on project 1001.

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/image.jpg 900 1920 admin https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg admin2013-02-12 00:58:542020-06-12 15:44:16Celebrating 1000 Projects
Contemporary home with corner windows, copper siding and wood soffit.

David’s House is a CHBA Award Finalist

December 24, 2012/in News /by admin

“Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm.”

– Samuel Taylor Coleridge

We can barely contain the enthusiasm that has been buzzing through the office this week. Not only are we still on a high from our recent BILD Associate Award, but we found out Monday morning that ‘David’s House’ is a finalist for the 2012 Canadian Home Builders’ Association’s National SAM Award for New Custom Home. These awards recognize the best in ingenuity and imagination in the home design and construction industry. With ‘David’s House’ being such a labour of love, it’s an honour to have it considered among the most unique projects of 2012 and to have the efforts of everyone involved in the project recognized.

2012 has been a fantastic year – new clients, new designs, new website and new recognitions. We are grateful for the new relationships we made this year, as well as for the loyal clients and partners who have been a part of the DSD team since the beginning. We look forward to what’s to come in 2013…

Thank you to everyone involved in taking this award-nominated home from conception to completion.

For more information about the 2012 National SAM Awards and to see a complete listing of finalists, visit www.chba.ca

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/image-3.jpg 900 1920 admin https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg admin2012-12-24 01:23:472020-06-12 15:48:28David's House is a CHBA Award Finalist
Mississauga renovation with shingled windows, green shutters and white trim.

The Side Split Renovation

October 24, 2012/in News /by admin

The side split emerged in the 1950s. With the evolution of suburbia and the positive post-war economy came the demand for bigger, better homes. The solution was “splitting” the then common ranch-style home: the garage and bedrooms were on one side and the other side of the house held the main living area, half a storey above the garage level and half a story below the bedroom level. These multiple levels were obvious from the front elevation.

Credited with initially inventing the side split, acclaimed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright first featured a split design in his Prairie-style homes in the early 1900s. While the 1950s side split was a far cry from FLW’s design, a similar philosophy was employed: open living space with half floors dividing living and private areas. Popular into the 1960s, eventually the side split fizzled as homeowners began demanding more grandeur in home design.

The presence of side splits is still prominent in neighbourhoods across the GTA. However, these neighbourhoods that were new developments in the 1950s are now established neighbourhoods with beautiful mature trees and a pedestrian-friendly feel. Today these neighbourhoods are in high demand, unfortunately this style of design isn’t.

We meet with new clients every month who are considering a side split or already own one. They love the neighbourhood and the lot size, but usually aren’t happy with the exterior façade or interior layout. With the right design, even a dated side split can be renovated to match the vision and style of the client.

Accurately titled “The Side Split”, take a look at this side split renovation we showcase in our portfolio. It’s a great example of how architectural design can completely revive a dated design. While this renovation was strictly an exterior upgrade, there are numerous possibilities for renovating the interior of a side split.

If you’re interested in adding curb appeal to your side split or renovating the interior to better meet the needs and lifestyle of your family email info@davidsmalldesigns.com or call 905-271-9100.

Before

After

After

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/image-4.jpg 900 1920 admin https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg admin2012-10-24 01:37:482020-06-12 16:14:01The Side Split Renovation

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Oakville, ON, L6J 7T5

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