David Small Designs

David Small Designs David launched David Small Designs in 1996. Initially it was a one-man, home-based operation.
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David Small Designs is an award-winning architectural and interior design firm based in Oakville, Ontario, proudly celebrating 30 years of experience and more than 2,000 completed design projects. Today it is a collaborative team of 35 individuals who share a deep respect for each other and an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service. With a design vocabulary that spans from traditio

nal to modern, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional and timeless custom homes and renovations.

The DSD Vision Study⁠⁠If you’re planning a custom home or major renovation, one of the biggest questions isn’t what to b...
08/13/2026

The DSD Vision Study⁠
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If you’re planning a custom home or major renovation, one of the biggest questions isn’t what to build—it’s what’s actually possible.⁠
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Can your property support the home you’re envisioning? Will zoning allow it? What construction costs should you anticipate? And, based on your vision and budget, does it make more sense to renovate or build new?⁠
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For homeowners who aren’t yet sure of the best path forward, our Vision Study is designed to provide clarity before committing to the full architectural design process.⁠
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Through property analysis, zoning research, and conceptual design, we help uncover your property’s potential, identify challenges early, and create a roadmap for moving forward with confidence.⁠
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Swipe through to learn what a Vision Study includes, or read the full blog through the link in our bio.⁠
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Most homeowners begin their custom home journey with a vision.⁠⁠The next step is understanding what’s possible.⁠⁠Every p...
07/31/2026

Most homeowners begin their custom home journey with a vision.⁠
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The next step is understanding what’s possible.⁠
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Every property comes with its own opportunities and constraints—from zoning regulations and site conditions to construction budgets and municipal approvals.⁠
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That doesn’t mean your vision can’t become reality. It means the best projects begin by understanding these factors early, giving you the time to explore creative solutions and make informed decisions before construction timelines become a priority.⁠
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At David Small Designs, one of our most important roles is helping homeowners align their vision with what’s possible—creating homes that are thoughtful, buildable, and uniquely tailored to both the property and the people who will live there.⁠
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Learn more in our latest blog, link in bio.⁠

Construction: Reign Custom Builders | Toronto & GTA
Photography: Craft Architecture Media
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Thinking about building a custom home, but wondering if now is the right time to begin?⁠⁠One of the biggest misconceptio...
07/28/2026

Thinking about building a custom home, but wondering if now is the right time to begin?⁠
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One of the biggest misconceptions we see is that starting the design process means you’re committing to construction right away.⁠
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It doesn’t.⁠
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Beginning your project early simply gives you something incredibly valuable: time.⁠
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Time to explore ideas.⁠
Time to refine the design.⁠
Time to understand your budget.⁠
Time to navigate permits and approvals.⁠
Time to have meaningful conversations a builder.⁠
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The result isn’t just a better timeline—it’s a more informed and enjoyable design journey.⁠
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If a custom home is on your horizon, even if it’s a year or two away, now may be the perfect time to start planning.⁠
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Read our latest blog to learn why starting sooner can set your project up for success.⁠

Link in bio.⁠

Photography: Jason Hartog Photography
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davidsmalldesign

One of the biggest misconceptions about custom home design is that the work is finished once you’ve signed off on the de...
07/13/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about custom home design is that the work is finished once you’ve signed off on the design.⁠
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In reality, that’s when another important phase begins.⁠
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As your project moves through permits, consultant coordination, and technical development, our team continues working behind the scenes to ensure every decision supports the overall vision for your home.⁠
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Structural engineers. HVAC designers. Grading and servicing consultants. Arborists. Municipal reviewers.⁠
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Each plays an important role—but someone also needs to coordinate their work, while maintaining the integrity of the design.⁠
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It’s one reason our projects are supported by a collaborative team of architectural designers, technical designers, interior designers, and project coordinators. Every stage benefits from the right expertise at the right time.⁠
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The finished home may be what people notice, but it’s the planning, coordination, and collaboration behind the scenes that help bring it to life.⁠
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If you’re considering a custom home, our latest blog takes a closer look at the process behind every David Small Designs project. Link in bio.⁠

Construction: Profile Custom Homes
Photography: Jason Hartog Photography
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When most homeowners begin searching for a custom home designer, they naturally focus on the portfolio.⁠⁠Does the work r...
07/10/2026

When most homeowners begin searching for a custom home designer, they naturally focus on the portfolio.⁠
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Does the work reflect the style they’re looking for? Can the designer create a home that feels timeless?⁠
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Those questions are important—but they’re only part of the story.⁠
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The success of a custom home project depends on far more than beautiful renderings or striking architecture. It depends on thoughtful planning, technical expertise, seamless coordination, and countless decisions that happen long before construction begins.⁠
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At David Small Designs, we believe the homes we’re most proud of aren’t defined solely by how they look—they’re defined by how well they’re planned, coordinated, and executed.⁠
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From integrated architectural and interior design, to technical drawings, permit coordination, zoning, and efficient floor planning, every step plays a role in creating a home that’s not only beautiful, but functional, buildable, and designed to stand the test of time.⁠
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This is the work that often happens behind the scenes—but it’s also what makes the biggest difference.⁠
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Read our latest blog to learn more about what goes into every David Small Designs custom home project.⁠

Construction: Profile Custom Homes
Photography: Jason Hartog Photography
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From Rendering to Reality…It’s rewarding to see the architectural vision of this transitional design in Oakville coming ...
07/08/2026

From Rendering to Reality…

It’s rewarding to see the architectural vision of this transitional design in Oakville coming to life.⁠
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A strong sense of symmetry anchors the composition, while carefully proportioned massing creates a timeless presence. The central entry establishes a formal arrival, framed by slender columns and a classic pediment that draws the eye to the front entrance.⁠
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The rhythm of the arched main-floor windows contrasts with the taller rectangular windows above, creating depth and elegance across the façade. Three sculptural dormers punctuate the roofline, while the combination of natural stone, smooth cast stone detailing, and expansive glazing adds richness, texture, and refinement.⁠
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One of the most satisfying parts of the construction process is seeing the architectural vision come to life from rendering to reality. Even before the final finishes are in place, the home’s proportions, detailing, and composition are already beginning to tell the story envisioned from the start.⁠
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DSD Through the Decades⁠⁠Designed more than 20 years ago, this was likely one of our first modern-leaning custom homes.⁠...
07/03/2026

DSD Through the Decades⁠
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Designed more than 20 years ago, this was likely one of our first modern-leaning custom homes.⁠
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At the time, its clean lines, expansive glazing, layered rooflines, and simple massing felt like a departure from the more traditional homes we were known for.⁠
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Looking back, what stands out isn’t how different it was—it’s how familiar it feels.⁠
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The principles that shaped this home still guide our work today: natural materials, strong connections to the landscape, thoughtful proportions, and architecture that responds to its site.⁠
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More than two decades later, this home continues to reflect a core belief at David Small Designs: any architectural style, when executed thoughtfully and with discipline, can be timeless.⁠
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When people hear Net Zero, they often think of solar panels.⁠⁠In reality, Net Zero starts much earlier—with thoughtful a...
06/30/2026

When people hear Net Zero, they often think of solar panels.⁠
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In reality, Net Zero starts much earlier—with thoughtful architectural design.⁠
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A high-performance home is designed to reduce energy demand first through better insulation, airtight construction, high-performance windows, and efficient mechanical systems. Renewable energy systems are only one part of the equation.⁠
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The good news? You don’t have to achieve full Net Zero to benefit from these principles. Whether your project is Net Zero, Net Zero Ready, or simply focused on better building performance, designing with efficiency in mind can create a home that’s more comfortable, durable, and healthier to live in.⁠
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The Rise of Traditional Design⁠⁠For years, modern architecture dominated design conversations. Clean lines, expansive gl...
06/26/2026

The Rise of Traditional Design⁠
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For years, modern architecture dominated design conversations. Clean lines, expansive glass, and minimalist detailing became synonymous with luxury residential design.⁠
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Today, more homeowners are gravitating toward traditional architecture—not because they want something old-fashioned, but because they’re looking for something familiar, comfortable, and enduring.⁠
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Perhaps it’s nostalgia.⁠
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Perhaps it’s a desire for homes that feel grounded in their surroundings.⁠
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Or perhaps it’s simply that traditional architecture offers qualities many people are craving today: warmth, character, and a sense of belonging.⁠
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At David Small Designs, we don’t believe one architectural style is inherently better than another.⁠
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A modern home can be timeless.⁠
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A traditional home can be timeless.⁠
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A transitional home can be timeless.⁠
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The common thread isn’t style. It’s discipline, consistency, and a commitment to the principles of that architectural language.⁠
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When a home is thoughtfully designed and executed with care, it doesn’t matter whether it’s traditional or modern.⁠
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It simply feels right.⁠
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DavidSmallDesigns⁠
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Photos 1 & 5: Craft Architecture Media
Photos 2-4, 6: Jason Hartog Photography

DSD THROUGH THE DECADES⁠⁠This home was designed in 2004.⁠⁠More than 20 years later, it still reflects a principle that r...
06/23/2026

DSD THROUGH THE DECADES⁠
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This home was designed in 2004.⁠
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More than 20 years later, it still reflects a principle that remains central to our work today.⁠
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Design is about bringing order to chaos. Every project begins with a complex set of conditions: property nuances, zoning regulations, a client’s program, budget, buildability, and countless competing priorities. That challenge becomes even greater when working with an existing structure.⁠
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This home began as a modest raised bungalow. The goal was not simply to make it larger, but to completely reimagine its architectural character while respecting the constraints of the original building.⁠
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The transformation introduced a new hierarchy of forms, replacing a low horizontal roofline with a composition of gables that creates presence, scale, and visual interest. Stone detailing grounds the home at its base, while shingle cladding, deep overhangs, substantial trim, and carefully proportioned windows establish a timeless Craftsman-inspired character.⁠
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The garage was integrated seamlessly into the overall composition rather than reading as an addition. Layered roof forms, articulated massing, and a welcoming front porch create depth and shadow, giving the home a richness that evolves throughout the day.⁠
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What appears effortless in the finished result required years of experience to see through the complexity of the existing structure and imagine what it could become.⁠
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The best renovations aren’t about erasing what was there before.⁠
They’re about seeing the potential hidden within it and bringing clarity, order, and beauty to the challenges that already exist.

Address

4-1405 Cornwall Road
Mississauga, ON
L6J7T5

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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