About Us
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OUR History
Rousseau’s was founded in 1929 by Louis Rousseau, an upholsterer and French Polisher. His first shop was on Brock Street in Downtown Whitby, moving to our current location on Mary Street in the 1940s.
In the 1960s, Rousseau’s was passed on to Louis’ daughter Marcella and her husband Hugh Polson, who ran the business together until their daughter Peggy Polson-Gillis joined the team and brought with her a focus on design and decor after her studies at Ryerson School of Interior Design (now Toronto Metropolitan University.) Peggy’s daughter Alex Gillis came aboard in 2012 and is now the 4th generation family involved in the business.
Over the years, Rousseau’s has become a destination for shoppers and design enthusiasts all over Durham Region, GTA, Northumberland and beyond.
WHO ARE WE?
Rousseau’s is a boutique design shop in downtown Whitby, Ontario. We carry many exclusive brands of furniture, lighting, rugs, artwork, and decor from a blend of local and global sources. Wherever possible, we aim to buy from Canadian sources and support local trades. We have a dedicated and experienced team of designers, decorators and home furnishings experts to guide you on your journey to a home that feels like you. At Rousseau’s, we believe everyone should love the space they live in!
Our design philosophy revolves around the belief that design is intensely personal, with your home being a reflection of your unique journey, lifestyle, and taste. It is our job to help you uncover the layers of your personal style… not to impose our vision upon you.
In addition to having a large retail showroom in our Main Building, we house an extensive fabric, wallpaper, and rug library in our Design Studio (also known as the Carriage House) on the North side of the property (you’ll find this in our lovely back courtyard and garden along with our Warehouse.)
how can we help you?
Whether you are on the hunt for a new sofa or looking to redesign an entire room, we have the resources to provide you with hands on, personalized service with the signature “Rousseau’s touch”.
We offer the following services:
- In Home Design Consultations
- Full Service Decorating
- Space Planning
- Bespoke Furniture
- Custom Window Treatments
- Reupholstery
