With Vancouver’s tight rental market, in which an overwhelming number of people are competing to nab a killer (or any) pad, a cool space to call one’s own has almost become a dream – and roomies are all but inevitable for the non-wealthy. When three creative individuals find each other and are able to co-exist in harmony, that seems lucky enough. Throw in a to-die-for, oversized heritage apartment in South Granville – complete with wood-burning fireplace and a separate dining room – and it might seem too good to be true.
Coffee connoisseur Eldric Kuzma, who plays a part in our city’s high-end bean culture with his Chinatown shop, Aubade Coffee (housed within The Longwalk Lodge, alongside Space Lab and Bootleg Barbers), is living the Vancouver housing dream in his charming, light-filled apartment. Alongside designer Déja Friesen and Marissa MacGregor, the trio have created a carefully curated yet enticingly inviting space. White walls, family heirlooms and lots of greenery make this pad one of my faves.
Occupants: Eldric Kuzma, owner of Aubade Coffee in Chinatown; lover of handmade things, up-cycling, history and minimalism. Déja Friesen, an interior designer at Riesco & Lapres and co-founder and designer at CÒMH A Creative Studio. Marissa MacGregor, project systems and quality coordinator for a healthcare IT company.
What is it?
Eldric: “Definitely a getaway from all the concrete and condos. A mixture of Manhattan and Paris – with a view of the mountains.”
Déja: “What I imagine living in Europe would feel like – Paris or Berlin. My escape from Vancouver.”
Marissa: “Home.”
Major selling feature:
Eldric: “The fact that it’s unchanged since the 1940s.”
Déja: “Ten-foot ceilings.”
Marissa: “The roommates.”
The first thing we changed:
Eldric: “I took the curtains down to let the light in.”
Déja: “Nothing.”
Marissa: “Not a thing.”
The feature we brag about:
All:“The wood-burning fireplace. And the Juliet windows. And the fire escape. But we try not to brag.”
That one conversation piece:
Eldric: “It’s a pet-friendly building! So rare.”
Déja: “People are wowed when they come in. We’re inviting people into a different time and a different place with the feel and history of the suite.”
Marissa: “The narrow bathroom. Seriously, I think it might win for narrowest in the city.”
The décor:
Eldric and Marissa: “Defer to Déja.”
Déja: “Modern, art deco, and back-alley finds. The mix of old and new within the heritage space is what sets the mood and creates the magically lived-in, inviting place we call home.”
The story behind the collectibles:
Déja: “The [emerald-green] couch set was my grandparents’, alongside the brass coat rack at the front entrance. The mirror above the record player was one of my first alley finds after moving to Vancouver. There are a lot of stories within the décor.”
Downsides:
Eldric: “There is zero-per-cent chance that I could afford to live here by myself, but that’s kind of an upside since I to get to live with cool roommates.”
Déja: “Our intersection is a noisy ambulance route.”
Marissa: “No en suite laundry.”
Neighbourhood haunts:
Eldric: “Bump n Grind, Dose Espresso Bar.”
Déja: “Grapes & Soda, Rangoli.”
Marissa: “Beaucoup Bakery & Café, Granville Island.”
Favourite apartment activity:
Eldric: “Finding random records in the laundry room’s ‘free books’ [box].”
Déja: “Having friends over [for] good conversation and good music.”
Marissa: “Brunch.”
