When people tear into walls or redo a home around Ottawa and the Valley, they sometimes come across little reminders of Bond’s Decor. An old ad behind drywall. A stamp under a dining table. A label on a piece of furniture that’s been around longer than the house itself. It’s a quiet sign that for nearly 100 years, Bond’s has been part of people’s homes, even when they didn’t realize it.
Today, Bonds Decor is a family run commercial and retail business specializing in paint, lacquers, and solid wood furniture, serving homeowners and contractors alike. People come in for Benjamin Moore and Pittsburgh paints, stains, finishes and laquers, as well as solid hardwood furniture built by Amish and Mennonite craftsmen. Just as important, they come in for straight answers and practical advice on how to get the job done right. With three locations across Ottawa’s central, west, and east communities, it’s less of a showroom and more of a place you can count on.
Bonds started back in 1927 when W.A. Bond opened up shop on Bank Street. In those early days, it wasn’t a retail store the way people think of today; it was a working supply shop. Homeowners and tradespeople came in for what they needed to fix, build, and maintain their spaces, and the people behind the counter knew what they were talking about because they’d done the work themselves.
“It wasn’t just about selling paint. It was about rolling up your sleeves and getting the job done,” says Steve Bond, the fourth generation of his family to co-lead the company.
Tim Bond and his daughter Megan represent two generations working together at Bonds Decor.
Like any business that’s been around this long, there were bumps along the way, including a fire that wiped out one of the early locations. But the family rebuilt and kept going, setting the tone for what Bond’s would always be: steady, reliable, and not going anywhere.
Tim and Steve have been part of the business for more than 40 years, getting their start the same way generations before them did—on the floor, doing whatever needed to be done. Tim and Steve both learned the business from Barb and Danny, Tim’s parents and Steve’s aunt and uncle, and that influence still shows in how they run things today.
Nick Bond works alongside his father in the family business, supporting contractors and assisting customers.
“We started like most family members do—as teenagers, doing a bit of everything and figuring it out as we went,” they say.
Today, you’ll still find two generations working side by side. Steve’s son Nick works closely with contractors and helps out across locations. Tim’s daughter Meaghan is a familiar face in Stittsville and the east end, carrying on that same hands-on approach with customers. Steve’s daughter Taylor supports marketing and admin work but jumps in on the floor when needed. And while Danny is technically retired and spending more time travelling, chances are you’ll still see him in the store when he’s back in Ottawa for the summer.
Our job is to protect what’s been built over nearly 100 years while continuing to earn our place in the community every day,” they say. “This business has always been about more than products. It’s about being a trusted part of people’s homes and lives.”
Steve Bond, President of Bonds Decor, represents the fourth generation of the Bond family to lead the Ottawa home store founded by his great grandfather in 1927.
As Ottawa has grown, Bonds has grown with it. The business now has locations in central Ottawa, the west end, and the east end, making it easier for customers to get what they need without driving across the city.
The east end store is run by Richard, who’s been with Bond’s for more than 40 years. He’s not family by name, but in every way that matters, he’s part of it. He’s been a constant for customers and staff alike, helping keep things consistent and making sure people are taken care of the way they always have been.
“We know people are busy,” Steve says. “Renovations are already stressful enough. Getting the right advice and the right product shouldn’t make it harder.”
Paint still anchors everything today, especially through their long relationship with Benjamin Moore and Pittsburgh Paints and a deep knowledge of stains, lacquers, and specialty coatings.
“Paint has been at the heart of Bonds from day one,” Steve says. “We don’t just sell it, we help people understand it so they feel confident using it.”
Furniture has become a big part of the business as well, especially solid wood pieces made by Amish and Mennonite craftsmen in Canada. These aren’t throwaway items, they’re built from real hardwood and made to last for decades.
Solid wood furniture crafted by Amish and Mennonite makers is a key part of Bonds Decor’s offering, with pieces built from real hardwood and designed to last for generations.
“We’ve always believed in quality over quantity,” Steve says. “People aren’t just buying furniture here. They’re buying something that’s meant to stick around.”
In 2027, Bond’s Decor will celebrate its 100th anniversary, something not many independent businesses can say. It’s a milestone the family doesn’t take lightly.
“We’re proud of it, no question,” he says. “But more than anything, we’re grateful. Not many businesses get to this point.”
Little things like that are a reminder that Bonds has been part of everyday life in this region for generations.
Heading into its second century, not much has changed about what Bonds stands for. It’s still a family-run place where people go for good products, honest advice, and work that lasts. And if history is any indication, a lot of what leaves the store today will still be around for someone else to discover years down the road.