Continuing on where I left off yesterday with a selection of Vancouver design stores... starting the tour in the east, on Main Street, before heading into the city of Vancouver.
If you
ever had a pen pal as a child, you will love The Regional Assembly of
Text! 12 year old me would have loved the button making station, or the
typewriters set up to type a letter to a friend. (Let's be honest,
grown up me thinks it's pretty neat as well!) There are quirky
postcards and original cards for sale, as well as a tiny nook for
reading tiny books. And yes, they have a letter writing club as well.
Adorable.
The Regional Assembly of Text
3934 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
www.assemblyoftext.com
Further
down Main Street is the adorable home store, Nineteen Ten. You will
find a mix of vintage, up-cycled, hand made and modern homewares here,
including purses made from vintage, iconic Hudson Bay blankets, timber
and marble chopping boards... plus it was exciting to see they stock Turnco Wood Goods made by some personal friends.
Nineteen Ten
4366 Main Street, Vancouver
www.nineteenten.ca
Also on
Main Street is my personal favourite, Vancouver Special. (The store
derives its name from home from the period of 1965-1985... basically a
two story rectangle box with a low pitched roof, balcony stretching
across the second level at the front, brick exterior on the lower level
and stucco exterior on the second.) Vancouver Special specialises in
contemporary furnishings including Muuto, Norman Copenhagen, Alessi.
They also have a wide range of design books which can be very dangerous
if you love design and books!
Vancouver Special
3612 Main Street, Vancouver
www.vanspecial.com
Love
eclectic cafes? Love window shopping for handmade items while you eat?
If so, then Le Marche St George is where you will want to be. A short
walk from the shops on Main Street, Le Marche St George is perched on
the corner of a residential neighbourhood. Pastries and other treats
are served up on silverware, just begging to be Instagrammed!
Le Marche St George
4393 St. George, Vancouver, BC
www.marchestgeorge.com
While waiting for a table at Catch 122 just next door, we popped into Stylegarage
on West Hastings. I loved the thread of Canadiana that runs through
their products; from their furniture being signature, made-to-order, to
the Prairie tables (yes, three individual tables in the shape of
Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, click here
to see them), to the stylish cushions by Nicole Tarasick. I don't know
why I walked out of the store without buying the YVR cushion, but have
since discovered that they are also available through Etsy
should you not be able to get to the store. I'm always on the look out
for beautiful table lamps, as I find them hard to come by... they stock
gorgeous ones by Caravan Pacific. Sadly, because of the voltage in Australia, I couldn't bring one home. :(
Stylegarage
124 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
www.stylegarage.com
This
trip I discovered that Gastown is undergoing a home renovation, quite
literally! Parliament is another homeware store in the area,
specialising in modern furniture and furniture for small spaces.
Parliament Interiors
115 Water Street, Vancouver, BC
www.parliamentinteriors.com
Saving
the best for last is the beautiful Old Faithful Shop, also in Gastown.
It occupies the space of a landmark building. Original industrial
detailings have been maintained and black and white photography of life
in 1900s Vancouver decorates the back wall. Enamelware, glassware and
pottery lining the wooden shelves with the brick wall as a backdrop is a
visual feast.
Old Faithful Shop
320 W Cordova St, Vancouver
www.oldfaithfulshop.com
After
all that shopping, you will need a pick me up! Revolver Coffee is just
around the block from the Old Faithful Shop. Though I don't know how
relaxing it is, because they are pretty serious about their coffee!
(How gorgeous is that mosaic tile... found on the floor as you enter the
toilets. Yes, design inspiration can be found anywhere!)
One
more store I wanted to mention, though I didn't get any photos of it is
The Cross... which is truly a destination for all things home, as well
as baby, cards, and they have a fabulous selection of ribbons.
The Cross Décor & Design1198 Homer Street
www.thecrossdesign.com