Department of Interiors

I’ve been shopping every few months at the Department of Interiors for the last couple of years. I moved into a new home with no window treatments and almost no furniture, so I’ve been furnishing the place over time with «customer provided fabric» on the chairs. As the name says, the stock is interior decorating fabric and not really garment fabrics.
The people at this store, particularly the lady who is there most of the time when I shop, are super knowledgeable about fabrics and upholstery choices. I’ve taken a chance on her advice more than once and I’ve been really happy with the results. She’ll tell it to you straight about how well a fabric will wear, whether or not you’ll probably like it in the application you’re proposing and whether you’re likely to get sick of it in time. You can also get a good idea of whether you’ve bought enough fabric since they know how to estimate yardage for upholstery and drapes. I appreciate the honesty and good service I always get at Dept of Interiors. They have gone so far as to ship fabric to me when ordered over the phone, all the way down to the US. (I forgot I needed an accent pillow and had to get another half a yard — they remembered me and sent it out the same day!)
Is it cheap and bargain fabric? No. Is every yard of it perfect quality? Yes. Is it better priced than what you’d find for the quality elsewhere? Usually. They get mill ends and overstocks, and sometimes there are great deals to be had. Depends on what you choose. There is also a bargain basement (literally) and I’ve gotten a couple of steals there before — a lovely white silk sheer organza plaid for around $ 10/​yard, and 13 yards of it at that.
It’s a full-​service place. They upholster their own pieces that are for sale in the shop, have some interesting light fixtures for sale, and they will even custom-​mill fabrics for you if you want enough of it. The fabric quality is wonderful, and the selection is interesting and in very good taste. You won’t see their fabric in everyone else’s window, or in anyone else’s home. I’m looking forward to my next trip to Toronto, with this shop first on my list.