As I venture off to scour the streets of Morocco for inspiration, global goods and perhaps a little piece of myself, I can’t help but wonder what international visitors to Vancouver look for when they treasure hunt here. I’ve shopped through some of my favourite boutiques and artisans to see what we offer in terms of locally made décor that might just evoke the same thrill of the find for both our guests and ourselves as the pieces I seek while on my own journey. What are we selling that speaks to our West Coast style and skills? This week’s Five Finds is a spotlight on some of the best locally made decor offerings in the city.
Greybelle Tuumia White Stool
Available at Greybelle Designs, GreybelleDesigns.com. $425 each.
Made with distressed woods, leathers and felted wools these stools are the epitome of bohemian-meets-minimalist glamour. Greybelle Design is a Vancouver gem for beautifully rustic interpretations of high-end décor; with natural silhouettes and materials, each piece brings a sense of organic and natural warmth to any space. Versatile in their use, these stools are ideally sized to suit even the spatially challenged as additional seating, whether for the living room, dining table or entryway.
Salvaged and industrial finds
Available at Space Lab, 230 East Pender.
One of Vancouver’s most notable design trends is the ‘salvaged industrial’. For years, our local scene has been known internationally to incorporate elements of found objects with a diamond-in-the-rough appeal into decor, whether as an overall style or as an accent to a more contemporary vibe. For those in the know, Space Lab owner Clint Moroz is the go-to source for the best salvaged finds in the business; not only is his collection expansive, but his vision for how to interpret the pieces is unrivalled. Space Lab’s design team can turn even the most obscure salvage into an unexpected statement piece for your space. From unique custom lighting to straight up one-of-a-kind accessories, Space Lab pieces find their way into the homes of appreciative eyes worldwide.
E28 Main Bench
Available at Nineteen Ten Home, 4366 Main. Pricing available upon request.
This minimalist industrial bench is one of three pieces in the newly launched E28 furniture collection. The E28 grouping is a curated collaboration between Nineteen Ten Home – a Main street décor staple for modern, vintage and hand-made accessories (aptly located at the cross street of East 28th), and Pacific Design Lab – a Strathcona-based design studio focussing on West Coast inspired home goods. The line, created with reclaimed butcher block and stainless steel (available in powder-coated black or white, or in its natural finish), takes inspiration from its Vancouver heritage materials. The Main Bench is designed to directly reflect the Main Street representation of shared space between studio and shop; the E28 Collection is showcasing how design can memorialize a city within design.
Small batch candles
Available at various boutiques and VancouverCandleCo.com, prices start from $20.
For an approachable and literal shout out to our local decor, Vancouverites and visitors have created an impressive following for this small batch candle company. With various scents named after notable Vancouver neighbourhoods, combined with chic packaging, Vancouver Candle Co. has become a favourite for gifts and souvenir pieces for locals and tourists alike. Each candle is masterfully hand-poured, created from premium clean burning soy wax blended with perfume grade fragrance oils, and is signed and numbered in the Vancouver-based studio by the artist.
Emerald coffee table
Available at Sholto Design Studio, VancouverCustomFurniture.com. Pricing available upon request.
World-class quality within local design is the differentiating factor between the exquisite woodworking of Sholto Scruton and that of many others in his field. Scruton spent years designing for first-rate design houses and puts precision and fine craftsmanship as the paramount features behind each of his designs. His age affords him a young perspective, giving a sleek, contemporary edge to the traditional craft. Using local woods wherever possible (like the North American black walnut, combined with a parquet veneer for generations of durability, seen in the Emerald table), each piece is constructed by the designer in the Strathcona design studio, with commissions globally. What I love about this piece in particular is the hexagonal shape – the unique overall look blends the softer effect of a round coffee table with the angular strength of a traditional square or rectangle option. Due to its size and silhouette, this piece could easily double as a casual eating space for those without a formal dining room.
