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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.
  • 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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Contemporary house with black frame window, steel column and landscape wall.

Site Integration

July 21, 2020/in Design Showcase /by Rebecca Muise

We pride ourselves on site integration, on designing homes that connect with the land. The way the home is properly positioned on the property. The way it flows with the natural grade. The way the sightlines are integrated with room positioning and space planning. Here are a few of our custom home designs that showcase site integration at its best.

This Modern Landscape presented an interesting design challenge, inspiring a home that blends seamlessly with the unique property. A sloping landscape called for a smooth transition to match the topography of the land, evolving from a two-storey front façade to a three-storey rear. Balanced massing and thoughtful landscape design, including tiered built-in planters and integrated landscape walls, give the home a sense of harmony with the property.

Contemporary home with natural stone, wood siding and corner windows.

Winning a Mississauga Urban Design Award for Site Integration, this home shows how a vertically challenged lot can be used to its full potential. Positioning the garage below the basement level maximized the amount of functional living space. This transitional design incorporates natural materials of stone and wood to tie the home to the natural environment.

Custom home with natural stone, white frame windows and stone steps.

Located on a heavily-wooded ravine lot, this home had to be positioned in the rear corner of the property for maximum tree preservation. The design takes advantage of its gorgeous surroundings at every opportunity. Multiple floor-to-ceiling windows engulf a section of the home, creating a two-storey glass corner that offers beautiful views of the property.

Natural modern house with light stone, wood siding and corner windows.

This Mississauga cottage in the city blends into its forested surroundings, embracing the key features of the property. Anchored by a three-storey stone chimney, the home’s side elevation resembles a classic Muskoka retreat, featuring large glass gables and board and batten siding. A timber-framed front porch and copper-roofed corner are standout features of the façade.

Mississauga with wood soffit, black frame windows and wood siding.

To view more of our home designs, click here to view our portfolio.

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/gallery-modern-landscape-03.jpg 1000 1800 Rebecca Muise https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Rebecca Muise2020-07-21 11:09:292020-07-22 08:37:01Site Integration
Modern home with wood front door, corner windows and floating roof.

The Architectural Toolbox

June 23, 2020/in Design Showcase /by Rebecca Muise

A well-designed home means all the pieces were put together just right. You can’t put your finger on what makes it great, because it isn’t just one thing. Its many decisions, thoughtfully made, that result in a cohesive vision. When the architectural tools of materials, colours, scale and proportion are properly deployed, the result is a beautiful home, regardless of style.

Selection and application of materials are a crucial part of accentuating and enhancing the desired architectural style. Materials work in tandem with other components to create interest and draw attention to detail. The juxtaposition of crisp details with textured finishes adds complexity and interest to the façade.

Modern home with wood front door, corner windows and floating roof.In this Natural Modern home, a mix of smooth, refined materials, like metal panel and glass, are contrasted with rugged stone and natural wood.

Exterior colour selection can make or break the design. Colour can be used to emphasize an architectural style, call out a detail, channel the homeowner’s personality, or evoke a certain mood. It’s not just about what colours are chosen, it’s about how they are applied. For this home, colour was used to emphasize the Arts & Crafts architectural style. The contrasting sage green serves as the key background colour, allowing the details to be accentuated in white.

Custom home with stone skirt, white frame windows and stone chimney.A clean but dramatic colour scheme creates interest and an Arts & Crafts appeal in our project, The Window Box.

Site integration is all about connecting building with land. Elements such as views, topography and sun orientation are critical factors in the design exercise. A key part of the home design process is creating a home that is unique and custom to the land. For this Seattle design, it became apparent that the topography of the land would dictate the narrative of the home. Three storeys were required to accommodate the living space, featuring a glass office on stilts, and an above grade basement leading to a back walkout.

Seattle home with floor to ceiling window, natural stone and wood garage door.Our Sloped in Seattle design allowed for unique aspects of the property to be showcased.

Scale and proportion. The balance of thoughtful, functional space with aesthetic appeal. Scale is about size and its relationship with the human form, while proportion is about balance and the relationship between all the components. Both are crucial in great architecture. The best example of this is a renovation, where the design should be seamless, unclear where the existing home ends and the new addition begins. The goal of this Mississauga renovation was challenging: to add a second storey without overpowering the property and surrounding neighbourhood. The success in scale is seen with the embedded gables, a staple of the arts & crafts architectural style.

Home renovation with wood garage door, natural stone and white trim.This Mineola Makeover conveys a sense of coziness and approachability using a split level second floor hidden in the tiered roofline.

To view more of our home designs, click here to view our portfolio.

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/natural-modern.jpg 900 1600 Rebecca Muise https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Rebecca Muise2020-06-23 19:58:272020-06-23 20:00:22The Architectural Toolbox
Traditional house with gabled roof, stucco siding and black trim.

BILD Renovation & Custom Homes Awards 2020

June 16, 2020/in News /by Rebecca Muise

BILD GTA recently announced the winners of the 22nd Annual Renovation & Custom Home Awards. We were thrilled to have two of our projects honoured with a total of four awards. The winning projects were completed in collaboration with the talented construction team at Profile Custom Homes.

Modern Upgrade, won Best Renovation over $500,000 (no addition). This project was about applying a modern aesthetic to a traditional ranch style home. On the exterior, we maintained the existing shape of the home but applied materials and windows in a more contemporary way. On the interior, walls were removed, windows were enlarged and some rooms were re-positioned for enhanced functionality. A white colour palette mixed with black-framed windows and warm wood flooring and furnishings works together to create a clean modern aesthetic.

Traditional house with gabled roof, stucco siding and black trim.

Modern custom home with floating staircase, hardwood floor and white trim.

The winner of Best New Home Bathroom was The Last House. It has a beautiful symmetrical layout with a custom prismatic skylight in the centre. Floating walnut vanities with concrete countertops flank the entry. Smooth, large scale porcelain tile transitions seamlessly to the curbless shower and continues up the walls and ceiling. With matte black fixtures completing the modern appeal, this master ensuite is simple yet luxurious.

Master bedroom with skylight, floating vanity and tile floor.

The Last House also won Best Custom Home over $2 million and Best Overall Custom Home. We are extremely proud of this home and are honoured to have it recognized. The goal of this design was to feel the power of the natural environment. With each design decision, we revisited this objective. The homeowners wanted to experience the beauty and serenity of their heavily-wooded, 1.4 acre property from each corner of their living space. They wanted barrier-free living; figuratively in terms of the intensity of the indoor-outdoor connection, and literally in terms of aging in place.

Mid century modern house with metal roof, wall sconce and concrete driveway.

Modern family room with brick fireplace, stone wall and wood ceiling.

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/gallery-modern-upgrade-01.jpg 1100 1800 Rebecca Muise https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Rebecca Muise2020-06-16 15:26:562020-06-16 15:26:56BILD Renovation & Custom Homes Awards 2020
Traditional house with gray siding, white frame windows and natural stone.

Recently Completed: The Craftsman Reno

August 20, 2015/in Design Showcase /by Jack Shepherd

This before picture is all too familiar. When driving through suburban neighbourhoods across the GTA you are guaranteed to see a version of this 1970s 2-storey home. With craftsman architecture as the inspiration, this home was given a complete overhaul.

Visit our Additions & Renovations portfolio for more before and after images of The Craftsman Reno.

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/image4.jpeg 900 1902 Jack Shepherd https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Jack Shepherd2015-08-20 14:31:252020-06-12 14:55:46Recently Completed: The Craftsman Reno
Ultra modern house with stucco, wood siding and natural stone.

Modern Oasis – OHBA Awards of Distinction 2015 Finalist

August 18, 2015/in Design Showcase /by Jack Shepherd

We are thrilled to share that our Modern Oasis design is a finalist for Most Outstanding Custom Home over 5000 sq.ft. at this year’s Ontario Home Builders’ Association Awards of Distinction. Covington Estates was the builder for this project and Barb Poce the Interior Designer.

Winners will be announced on September 28th at the OHBA 2015 Conference. Wish us luck

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/image5.jpg 900 1920 Jack Shepherd https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Jack Shepherd2015-08-18 14:31:252020-06-12 14:56:48Modern Oasis - OHBA Awards of Distinction 2015 Finalist
Natural modern house with wood siding, black frame windows and angled walls.

David’s House on Freshome

January 28, 2014/in Design Showcase /by Jack Shepherd

A “modern home that attracts and even converts traditionalists” is how Freshome, an international design blog, introduced David’s House to their readers. Freshome featured David’s natural modern home on their wildly popular design page at the start of this week. Click here to check out the feature.


www.freshome.com

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/image-2.jpg 900 1920 Jack Shepherd https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Jack Shepherd2014-01-28 16:10:402020-06-12 12:41:39David's House on Freshome
Mississauga house with metal roof, cupola and corner windows.

What is Transitional Design?

December 5, 2013/in Design Showcase /by Jack Shepherd

Transitional design is the middle ground between traditional and modern. It’s a balance of the sleek, stream-lined design associated with contemporary style and the warmth and timelessness appreciated in traditional design.

‘Copper Corner’, a custom home featured on our website, is a prime example of transitional design. It’s a marriage of clean lines with natural stone; large expanses of glass with leaded copper details; and sophistication with warmth.

Click here to view more images of ‘Copper Corner’

Another example of transitional design is ‘Vertically Challenged’, a project we designed in the late 90s. The exterior has traditional massing, but the clean lines, neutral colour scheme and lack of ornate detail conveys a modern appeal. The front façade even features a contemporary play on the traditional gable.

Often transitional design is associated with interior design and décor, and not with an architectural style. But in fact, a transitional exterior can be the optimal option for homeowners attracted to modern design, but not ready to stray too far from the comfort of traditional.

Copper Corner (Front)

Copper Corner (Rear)

Vertically Challenged (Front)

Vertically Challenged (Rear)

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/image-1.jpeg 900 1920 Jack Shepherd https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Jack Shepherd2013-12-05 16:10:392020-06-12 12:43:12What is Transitional Design?
Traditional home with red brick, natural stone and copper detailing.

Bungalow Renovation

November 21, 2013/in Design Showcase /by Jack Shepherd

We receive calls regularly from homeowners inquiring about renovating their bungalow. These inquiries can be broken down into three categories: 1) homeowners in need of more space, 2) homeowners looking to create a more open concept layout, and 3) homeowners seeking curb appeal and only interested in updating the exterior of their home. Some homeowners are seeking a renovation that combines all three. And others add a unique twist to their bungalow renovation.

In the past several years, we’ve had an increasing number of homeowners wanting to upgrade their traditional bungalow to a 2-storey modern home. This was the case for ‘Modern Renovation’, a project featured on our website. It was also the case for a renovation we designed in the Mineola West neighbourhood of Mississauga. Below are images showcasing this home’s transformation in both size and style.

Although it is rare, we’ve had homeowners request the opposite renovation – a modern bungalow renovated to a 2-storeytraditional home. Here are images of a modern bungalow in King City that we re-designed into a beautiful traditional home.

Mississauga Renovation Before

Mississauga Renovation After

King City Renovation Before

King City Renovation After

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/7-Home-with-Soul-4-1.jpg 900 1920 Jack Shepherd https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg Jack Shepherd2013-11-21 15:40:262020-06-12 14:49:31Bungalow Renovation
Modern house with steel beams, wood soffit and black frame windows.

Mississauga Urban Design Awards 2013

October 2, 2013/in News /by admin

 

You can design and create and build the most wonderful place in the world.
But it takes people to make the dream a reality.

– Walt Disney

Last Friday evening, David’s House was presented with an Award of Merit at the 2013 Mississauga Urban Design Awards. A Mississauga native and the son of a past Mississauga Urban Design Award winner (nearly 30 years ago), David was truly honoured to accept this award.

As the longest running urban design awards in Ontario, we were thrilled to have our entire team present at Mississauga’s Council Chambers to see Mayor Hazel hand David the award and congratulate our team on a job well done.

Thank you to the City of Mississauga for continuing to recognize excellence and innovation in both public and private design. Thank you to the jury members for your time, discerning eyes, and feedback. Thank you and congratulations to the other winners and finalists; it’s your extraordinary design talent and continued submissions that keep these awards interesting, competitive, and highly esteemed. And a BIG thank you to all the people – our dedicated team at DSD, our loyal clients, our dependable partners – for your contributions in making David’s dream home a reality.

We were fortunate enough to have David’s parents, Bill & Betty Lou Small, join us at the awards on Friday evening. Bill Small, a mentor to David and a respected and accomplished man in the building industry, both on the local and national level, was the President of HUDAC in 1978 (now known as the Canadian Home Builders’ Association). In our search for information about his Urban Design Award, we came across this HUDAC newsletter published in 1978. Just one of Bill’s many contributions to the Canadian Home Building Industry.

The Urban Design Awards were held in Council Chambers at Mississauga’s City Hall

Three generations of the Small Family

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/image.jpg 900 1920 admin https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg admin2013-10-02 08:00:442020-06-12 14:52:15Mississauga Urban Design Awards 2013
Ice rink in backyard of modern home.

The Backyard Rink

February 27, 2013/in News /by admin

David’s passion for hockey is only a close second to his love of architecture. When designing his current family home, one of the determining factors during the lot selection process was, “is there room for a backyard rink?”

For the past 6 years, David has constructed a 30ft x 53ft skating rink in his backyard. Complete with sideboards, hockey nets, a homeboni (a homemade Zamboni) and a Toronto Maple Leafs logo at centre ice, it has become an integral part of his home. From skating with his family to shooting practice with his daughter to pickup games with friends, David was determined to select a lot and design a home that allowed him to enjoy his favourite winter pastimes.

The backyard rink has become a popular addition to backyards across the GTA (check out Bert’s Sports annual backyard rink contest). They definitely add some outdoor fun during the cold winter months, but they also require regular maintenance.

David spends several nights a week keeping his rink in top form…

…and keeping the logo up to TML standards…

…and don’t forget the homeboni – some PVC piping, a piece of canvas, a drill, a hose, and a little ingenuity, and you’ve got yourself a homemade Zamboni…

Incorporating your lifestyle and interests into the design of your home is the true essence of custom home design – the creation of a home that reflects you, your family and your passions in life. Whether you’re incorporating your love of cottage living or a prized car collection into the design of your home, David will work with you to find creative ways to implement elements that will make your home unique to you.




https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/image-4.jpg 900 1920 admin https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg admin2013-02-27 00:53:032020-06-12 15:41:12The Backyard Rink
Mineola home with stucco siding, white frame windows and

A DSD Story

January 24, 2013/in News /by admin

David recently met with a prospective client looking to do a reno project in Aurora. They found us through our site sign on Keele St, checked out our website and fell in love with The Window Box, a home we designed in Mississauga’s Mineola West neighbourhood.

They proceeded to talk about other homes they were inspired by and mentioned a home they came across years ago in a Home Depot flyer. They had been carrying around a picture of this home for 3 years, not knowing who designed it or where the home was located, just knowing it was their dream home. David asked to see the picture. The couple presented the crumpled printout. It was a picture of Mineola Makeover, a beautiful David Small designed home located just minutes away from our office.

https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/image-5.jpg 900 1920 admin https://www.davidsmalldesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/David-Small-Designs-Logo.svg admin2013-01-24 01:11:502020-06-12 15:46:53A DSD Story

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