New Space

After spending the summer in my beautiful hometown, I made the move back down to Vancouver in September to continue growing in the design and trade community, and enjoy a quicker pace of life. I lucked out and found a great apartment in the heart of downtown, a location I have coveted for years. The dynamic, urban lifestyle with the mountains in the background is quintessential Vancouver to me. It’s such an exciting place to be a design enthusiast, and there is nothing more exciting and inspiring than a blank canvas. I was very excited to have a new space to design and put together.

I’ve spent the past few weeks revisiting some of my favourite neighbourhoods, while also exploring different spots. Gastown in particular is somewhere I’ve been going back to week after week, for the classic design elements and deep-Vancouver roots it has to offer. There is always something new to see; a fascinating architectural feature, a curated local shop, or an aromatic coffee place. Not to mention the beauty and elegance of the brick-lined streets and ornate lampposts that are Gastown staples. 

Since travelling to Europe, I’ve fallen for more traditional elements and styles, which has only been encouraged by my visits to historic neighbourhoods in the city. I wanted to incorporate those elements and styles into the design of my bedroom. My goal for the overall feel of the space was to be cozy, yet elegant, and feature more colour and detail than I have used in the past. I tried to feature bolder colours like dark brown and purples, and create a space that I looked forward to getting back to at the end of the day.

In the past when I have moved into a new place, I start buying and decorating right away with pieces I hadn’t really thought through, and that maybe didn’t work together, just for the sake of buying something and getting the settling in part over with. This time around, I wanted to work slower and be more patient and intentional with the things I purchased, making sure to not hastily pick something that I may tire of in a year or two. I spent time making mood and inspiration precedence boards, curating a concept I felt could fit into my small space and budget. I wanted to work like an inspiring designer would; patient, thoughtful and with an eye for cohesion.

Not having a big budget also has to come with some flexibility and patience. I could look forever at beautiful pieces from West Elm, Rove Concepts, or Sundays, but the price tags are not yet attainable. So I started my search on places like Facebook Marketplace, Karot and second-hand stores to not only find a deal, but to also give something a second life and reduce waste. I wanted to find things that fit in my design, but also worked keeping an open mind to new styles and pieces I may not have considered before seeing them.

I found a great deal on an IKEA Rast dresser. This dresser itself is a plain, unstained pine with matching knobs. I loved the grain and organic nature of the wood, so I didn’t add a stain or paint, but I did want to give it a little something. I opted to change the drawer knobs; a simple, cost-effective change that went a long way. Wanting to incorporate gold accents into my space, I picked up these gorgeous brushed gold knobs that added the little detail I was looking for at a reasonable price. 

For the bedding, I kept the base simple; a tan duvet set and greige sheets. I wanted the pop of colour to come from throw pillows and blankets. The great thing about bedding is it’s flexible and easy to change, so down the road I might look for a darker duvet set. I found a great brown and white spotted throw pillow at HomeSense, and a warm purple throw blanket to compliment.

My favourite thing I found was my bedside table lamp. A soft, glass shade on a brushed gold stand fit into my space well. It felt like a nice blend of modern and traditional design, mixing the brushed gold with the glass.

I’m still in the process of decorating and adding little details, but I feel settled in and like I’ve carved out a cozy, comforting little space for myself amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown. It was a great exercise in patience and restraint, and trying to be more mindful with the things and pieces I bring into my life.