Decorating Around the World: Hip and Trendy Vancouver
Natural beauty gets a cosmopolitan edge in this Canadian city that keeps its eye firmly on design style
Laura Gaskill
March 9, 2012
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
From the lush mountains ringing the city to the charming shops and hip restaurants downtown, Vancouver, in Canada's British Columbia, is a stunning mix of natural beauty and cosmopolitan style. The area has become a popular filming location for movies and TV shows (The X Files and Juno, for example), earning Vancouver the nickname "Hollywood North" and infusing the city with a trendy vibe. Interiors here are up on all of the latest trends, from antlers and black walls to cutting-edge green design.
Rich color and texture work in harmony in this Vancouver home, from the nubby denim-blue wallpaper and thick woolly cushions in teal and charcoal to the fluffy cream rug. The simple lines of the midcentury chairs, along with the fun lamp and colorful glass vases, create a look that is fashionably eclectic.
See more of this home's interior
See more of this home's interior
This trendy abode pulls in a lot of current design obsessions. Cool antler sculpture, chevrons, black walls? Check, check and check. Simple white sofas, a sleek coffee table and a classic gourd lamp keep things feeling polished and mean that the look can be easily changed with a few accessories swaps when the mood strikes.
Calling to mind posh Hollywood sets, this bedroom strikes a luxurious note with its serene palette of cream, white and dove gray. A headboard upholstered in a trellis print and pair of X benches with nailhead trim complete the look.
This space uses the high contrast of black floors and white walls to set up a dramatic look. Colorful cushions and a rug with an oversize floral print keep things feeling hip and fun rather than stark.
This adorable living room makes excellent use of the space with glass nesting tables, a petite sofa and a silver leather pouf. Glossy white, soft cream, silver and a bit of plum make for a modern feminine palette.
The Locker
A collection of globes adds a vintage flavor to this eclectic home office. Subtle stripes on the walls, along with a natural fiber rug and baskets, add textural interest to this neutral space.
This unique staircase was painted to appear to be made of recycled vintage wooden crates. A wonderful addition to an eclectic home, this embellishment could be easily customized to suit your personal style.
Ultramodern Ligne Roset sofas in tomato red, plus sleek finishes and an open floor plan, prove that green can be chic in this ecofriendly home. A low coffee table that invites lounging is a perfect match for this polished yet relaxed interior.
Looking outside the same home, we see a green roof blanketed with wildflowers. Not only does this ecofriendly feature conserve energy, but it adds beauty.
That brings this week's virtual tour to a close, and now we would love to hear from you.
Tell us: Have you visited Vancouver? Any travel tips or design observations to share? Did you spy any ideas to steal for your own home?
More:
British Columbia Townhome
Vintage Charm in Vancouver
Contemporary Nest in Vancouver
Tell us: Have you visited Vancouver? Any travel tips or design observations to share? Did you spy any ideas to steal for your own home?
More:
British Columbia Townhome
Vintage Charm in Vancouver
Contemporary Nest in Vancouver
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@gknee, janobrien, & spearsa - Sounds like many of the same pluses and minuses one finds in any larger city! I myself lived in San Francisco for several years and you could say many of the same things about SF...gorgeous, yes, and super expensive if you want to live in the heart of things.
@lizinmarkham - Yes, Lily is correct to say these images are pulled from an assortment of homes in the Vancouver area, not just one home.
Houzz article idea: "Westcoast Modernism: Hello Vancouver" or "Vancouver Modernism: Is that wood or are you just happy to see me"