David Small Designs
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David launched David Small Designs in 1996. Initially it was a one-man, home-based operation. 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 traditional to modern, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional and timeless custom homes and renovations.
06/26/2026
The Rise of Traditional Design
For years, modern architecture dominated design conversations. Clean lines, expansive glass, and minimalist detailing became synonymous with luxury residential design.
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.
Perhaps it’s nostalgia.
Perhaps it’s a desire for homes that feel grounded in their surroundings.
Or perhaps it’s simply that traditional architecture offers qualities many people are craving today: warmth, character, and a sense of belonging.
At David Small Designs, we don’t believe one architectural style is inherently better than another.
A modern home can be timeless.
A traditional home can be timeless.
A transitional home can be timeless.
The common thread isn’t style. It’s discipline, consistency, and a commitment to the principles of that architectural language.
When a home is thoughtfully designed and executed with care, it doesn’t matter whether it’s traditional or modern.
It simply feels right.
DavidSmallDesigns
Photos 1 & 5: Craft Architecture Media
Photos 2-4, 6: Jason Hartog Photography
06/05/2026
DSD THROUGH THE DECADES
This home was designed in 1996.
30 years later it still represents a core principle that guides our work today.
The property presented a significant challenge: dramatic grade changes and a steeply sloping site. Rather than imposing the architecture on the land, the design was carefully shaped to work with the existing topography.
The garage is tucked into the slope. The living spaces step naturally with the grade. From the rear yard, the home feels grounded within the landscape rather than elevated above it.
At David Small Designs, we often say:
“A home should feel rooted in its environment, like you watered the ground and a building sprouted up, rather than a spaceship crashing down and looking completely out of place.”
The best homes don’t compete with the landscape.
They become part of it.
06/02/2026
Designing for a rural property is about much more than designing a house.
Rural properties offer opportunities—and constraints—that can significantly influence the design. Views, topography, sun orientation, servicing requirements, outdoor amenities, and future growth all need to be considered before the first floor plan is drawn.
The most successful rural homes are shaped by the land, not simply placed upon it.
Read the full article ‘Designing a Rural Property: What to Think About Before You Build’ through the link in our bio.
Photos 1, 2, 5:
Photos 3, 4:
05/26/2026
The Manor House
Set within an expansive rural landscape in Milton, this residence was designed around a simple principle — architecture should feel rooted in the land.
From the formal arrival sequence to the integrated pool, pavilion, and terraces, every element was carefully positioned to strengthen the connection between architecture and site.
The expansive façade, anchored by a symmetrical front entry feature, creates a timeless focal point upon arrival, while the rear of the home opens into layered outdoor living spaces designed for gathering, entertaining, and connection to nature.
A home defined by balance, permanence, and thoughtful site integration.
Currently listed for sale. Contact to learn more.
05/05/2026
The rear elevation is where this home reveals itself.
Three levels of living space on display—expansive glazing and a deep connection to the nuance and beauty of the property.
This home is a strong example of creative design on an expansive rural site shaped by complex conditions—an existing heritage home at the front of the property that needed to be preserved, and a 3-car garage that established the starting point for the site strategy.
The result is a thoughtfully integrated, dynamic home—an opportunity to respond to a remarkable property with equally considered design.
Construction:
Photography:
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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 |
