The top paint stores in Toronto carry a range of brands, as well as the necessary supplies like brushes, primer, and tarps. Since painting involves both technical aspects - what type of product for which job - as well as artistic ones - what colours work with the space - knowledgeable staff is a must.

Remember to factor in time when budgeting for the project: a cheaper paint usually means having to do several coats, but if you splurge on a more expensive brand, you may be able to save hours of work.

Here are my picks for the top paint stores in Toronto.

Farrow and Ball, 1054 Yonge St.
This old English brand - which is said to adorn the Queen's own walls - has been a long-time favourite of high-end designers and renovators alike. While some question whether the big price tag (approx. $100 per gallon) is worth it, there's no denying they offer a high-quality product with an impressive selection of colours.

Terminal DĂŠcor, 1554 Dundas St. West
The family-run interior design store has a solid, no-fuss paint department downstairs. Frequented by local contractors, Benjamin Moore is their top-seller. Ask for Marina, she runs the place and is as experienced as she is friendly, and look out for Lucky, the in-house black cat.

Maple Paints and Wallpaper, 635 St. Clair Avenue West
This Wychwood store carries Para Paints and Benjamin Moore in addition to other less well known brands, as well as wallpaper and paint supplies. The friendly staff are particularly proud of their custom colour match services.

Metro Hardware, 72 Martin Ross Avenue
Frequented by professional house painters in the know, this no frills store often has excellent discounts. With knowledgeable staff and a full-range of related supplies, it's a good place to start if you're budget-conscious and doing a big job.

The Zero Point, 209 Queen St. East
Specializing in eco-friendly building products, The Zero Point attracts customers who are environmentally conscious and/or with chemical sensitivities alike. If you're looking for a high quality yet non-toxic and environmentally sustainable choice, they have a few paint lines to choose from including their top seller AFM Safecoat.

Homestead House, 95 Niagara St.
Home of milk paint, an organic, biodegradable, and zero VOC product that doesn't sacrifice in quality and can be used for virtually any surface. The store is in the process of moving to a new location, opening in Etobicoke this spring, but in the meantime, you can still browse their selection of natural, eco-friendly paints online.

Pro Glo Paints, 943 Queen St. East
Owned and operated by the DeLellis family for 25 years, Pro Glo Paints has three locations across the GTA. They offer full kitchen refinishing services and the Queen E. store is frequented by film and television scene departments.

West Toronto Paint & Wallpaper, 2975 Dundas St. West
The Junction business has been around since 1909 and is currently located in the historic James Hall building at the corner of Dundas and Pacific Avenue. While Benjamin Moore continues to be their top seller, West Toronto Paints also has an expanding collection of wallpaper. They offer in-home consultations and many of their staff have an artistic background.

Paint Store, 107 Baldwin St.
Started in 1929 by an Eastern European immigrant, Paint Store has been family owned for three generations. Selling popular brands like Benjamin Moore, CIL, and Aura, the store has supplied paint for many of the hospitals and hotels in the area. The friendly shop gets much of its business through word of mouth and has many loyal customers, including a few who have been shopping there for 35 years!

Paint Depot, 914 Queen St. East
With 20-odd years at their Leslieville location and a new store on O'Connor, which is popular with tradespeople, Paint Depot looks to carry brands with quality and value rolled into one. They have larger painted canvasses on display allowing you to get a real sense of the colour and texture, rather than trying to work-off a small sample.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions for top paint stores in the comments.