Ma Zone Home Decor 473A Church, 416-934-9400, www.ma-zone.com
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Since Ma Zone‘s grand opening in May of 98, Armin Martiros‘s home decor enterprise located in a restored brownstone in the heart of the gaybourhood has grown from a single storey to three, with the third floor dedicated exclusively to spa and skin care products. From imported art glass to occasional furniture, from garden items to won’t-disappoint giftware and the store’s own metrosexual skin care line, 4V00 (franglais for “for vous”), Martiros has a keen eye for must-have items. No wonder design-savvy A-listers like Brian Gluckstein, the Designer Guys and Queer As Folk’s Peter Page are repeat customers. Every item Martiros stocks on Ma Zone’s shelves is something he’d put on his own shelves at home. This is a shopping destination not to be missed.
Martiros’ Picks : Techno-coloured martini glasses, $18/pair Galaxy Balls snow globes by Teresa McPherson, $185 and freezer-to-oven dishware by Love Plates, $14-$60.
Look for : Garden decor in the second-storey Zen Room the launch of the fall/winter collection, and the natural-based 4V00 skin care line.
Hours : Monday and Tuesday 11 am to 7 pm, Wednesday 11 am to 8 pm, Thursday 11 am to 9 pm, Friday 11 am to 11 pm, Saturday 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday 10 am to 2 pm.
