WORDS BY CHRIS TIESSEN; PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN, VALERIE WILCOX & ROBIN STUBBERT
Step inside Wills & Prior — a haven for all things home and design in the heart of Stratford — and it’s as if the world exhales. A calm breeziness infuses everything here: the lofty ceilings and pendant lights draped in oversized fabric shades; the reclaimed wood floors and towering windows that flood the two-storey space with natural light; the fresh floral arrangements and subtle signature scent; the staff — stylish, approachable, and genuinely helpful — gliding quietly through the space. And most of all, the thoughtfully curated selection: Canadian-crafted furniture, whimsical fine art, children’s treasures, luxurious bath and body products, and more.
‘We take an immense amount of pride in everything we do at the store,’ co-owner and Stratford native Sarah Smithers tells me as she leads my TOQUE partner Cai and me through the main floor — past a handsome off-white sofa crafted in British Columbia, original pottery and large-scale abstract paintings by Ingersoll native Shane Norrie (whose work is included in the permanent collection at the Canadian Embassy in Nagoya, Japan, as well as in the art collection of the Ontario government), and tables layered with the most tasteful baskets, throws, coffee table books, and candles. ‘I’ve never smelled a tomato-scented candle before,’ Cai remarks, lifting an ‘Heirloom Tomato’ candle by Linnea — featuring notes of ripe tomato, green stem, and soil — to her nose. She inhales, then grins. ‘Smells like tomato,’ she laughs incredulously. On the nose, then.
We pass through the charming children’s section where organic rompers by Canadian brand Parade share space with beautifully illustrated books (including Big Picture Press’s ‘Welcome to the Museum’ series), plush stuffies, and handcrafted wooden toys. ‘Almost everything we carry has been tested and loved in our own home with our family,’ Sarah explains. ‘It’s important to us that the collections we offer make as much sense functionally as they do aesthetically.’ She continues: ‘We also go to great lengths to ensure that most things we make available online are also in stock here in the store. That way customers — whether in person or online — can see, touch, and experience our products before purchasing.’ It’s this transparency and care that builds lasting relationships.
As Sarah leads us past a round table stocked with Canadian-made LOVEFRESH body products — washes, scrubs, creams, butters, and deodorants, all impossibly good-smelling — we ascend a period staircase to the second floor. Sarah points out original features her husband and co-owner David Gilhooly restored or custom built: railings, woodwork, refinished floors. Even the building’s incredible façade was restored by David. ‘We even had a company resuscitate the building’s original freight elevator,’ Sarah says with a smile. ‘It’s been a godsend for moving furniture.’
As if on cue, at the top of the stairs we’re greeted by a spacious loft-like second floor devoted almost entirely to furniture. ‘While Wills & Prior started with soft goods — pillows, linens, rugs — we’ve evolved, over time, into a full-spectrum home destination, with a strong focus on Canadian-made furniture,’ Sarah explains. This second-storey space is staged with side tables, dressers, pedestals, coffee tables, stools, bed frames, sofas, and more. While the upholstered pieces are crafted in British Columbia and shipped by rail, most of the solid wood pieces on display — white oak, maple, ash, walnut — are made right here in Stratford. ‘Walnut is definitely having a moment,’ Sarah notes, gesturing to a sleek bed frame made from the dreamy stuff. I can’t disagree — imagining how the wonderful frame would look in my own primary suite.
Wills & Prior’s growth has been intentional, shaped by Sarah and David’s reverence for quality, design, and authenticity. Design enthusiasts, visitors hunting for the perfect gift, or locals looking to elevate their space — all are sure to enjoy the serenity and inspiration evoked by this thoughtfully curated boutique.
W I L L S & P R I O R
9 4 O N T A R I O S T , S T R A T F O R D O N
willsandprior.com
