My Houzz: Vintage Charm in Vancouver
Couple adds fashion flair, indie art and music accents to their 750-square-foot apartment
While Mount Pleasant is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhoods, it’s also one of the city’s most vibrant and desirable neighborhoods to live in. The pedestrian-friendly area includes shopping boutiques, eateries, and a high concentration of heritage buildings, including the 100-year-old Lee Building which is home to apartment dwellers Sandra Zovko and Simon Woodcock. As the first “skyscraper” outside of downtown Vancouver, the seven-story, Edwardian Commercial style building is considered one of Vancouver’s historical landmarks. While the building didn’t meet all of Sandra and Simon’s initial housing requirements including a balcony, parking, or ample storage, its character, prime location and stunning view superseded their want list.
The Mt. Pleasant neighborhood is a testament to the city’s Boom years, developed before the advent of automobiles. Its blocks are shorter than most, and its businesses diverse. With fast access to downtown via the Canada Line and SkyTrain rapid transit systems, every amenity Sandra and Simon could possibly need is within walking distance, helping to maintain a pleasant village-like feel.
The Mt. Pleasant neighborhood is a testament to the city’s Boom years, developed before the advent of automobiles. Its blocks are shorter than most, and its businesses diverse. With fast access to downtown via the Canada Line and SkyTrain rapid transit systems, every amenity Sandra and Simon could possibly need is within walking distance, helping to maintain a pleasant village-like feel.
Sandra says this is her favorite place in the house, where she likes to relax on the sofa chaise and watch the sunset. The "For Like Ever" print, in pink and bright red inks, was purchased online at Super Rural. The artwork is from Brooklyn based Design Studio Village.
The living room area boasts stunning views of the mountains and the city’s downtown core.
You can see the couple’s love for fashion in their mix of patterns, fabrics, magazines and artwork. Sandra found the bookends at a thrift store. They were originally black, but she made them her own with red-orange paint.
Framed images from famed fashion photographer Helmut Newton via Vogue Paris hang in the entry. Terry Richardson and Steven Klein are also featured.
Most of their other artwork comes from their friends. “This is what makes it feel more homey and special," Sandra says.
Illustration: Rebecca Fin Simonetti
Illustration: Rebecca Fin Simonetti
Sandra’s prized possessions include three hand-knit sweaters hanging front and center on the living room wall. This is a tribute to her late mother, who knit them in the 1980s. When Sandra is not proudly wearing them, they are displayed like works of art.
Avid cyclists, Simon and Sandra require bike storage, and what better a way to save space than to stack the bikes? Simon came across a bike rack which uses gravity to hold one or two bikes securely, with no drilling or permanent wall-mounted attachments required. The rack fuses design with storage, as it serves as a great showcase for their bikes.
Bike Rack: Delta Michelangelo Gravity Bike Storage Rack from MEC
Bike Rack: Delta Michelangelo Gravity Bike Storage Rack from MEC
The visible pipes on their 12-foot ceilings gives the space an edgy, industrial feel. To add their own special touch, the couple decided to paint the pipes teal. Sandra mentions the teal color was a compromise to her original choice of fuchsia, but in the end both were happy.
The teal color is used also as an accent in the kitchen, behind a set of prints by their friend Michael "Mikey" DePippo. The Toronto-based Illustrator and designer was inspired by vintage cereal boxes and created four cereal designs based around popular Michael Jackson songs and references, while also tapping into some of Jackson's most legendary looks. The teal coordinates with the bright colors of the art and looks great in the kitchen.
Table and chairs: IKEA
The teal color is used also as an accent in the kitchen, behind a set of prints by their friend Michael "Mikey" DePippo. The Toronto-based Illustrator and designer was inspired by vintage cereal boxes and created four cereal designs based around popular Michael Jackson songs and references, while also tapping into some of Jackson's most legendary looks. The teal coordinates with the bright colors of the art and looks great in the kitchen.
Table and chairs: IKEA
Small rooms like the kitchen leave very little space for storage or dining. To combat this they use white floating shelves for their display-worthy items such as the Turkish coffee maker collection and hand-painted cups by the artist Kyla Francis.
Shelves: IKEA
Shelves: IKEA
As soon as you enter the apartment, the pair's personalities shine through their décor. Music is a strong influence: guitars, amps, records and related art are seen throughout their home.
Simon purchased this Stereolab poster on eBay. The image is of an instrument called the Jenny Ondioline, a predecessor to the modern electronic synthesizer.
Simon purchased this Stereolab poster on eBay. The image is of an instrument called the Jenny Ondioline, a predecessor to the modern electronic synthesizer.
Simon maximized space in the living room area with modular cubed shelving units that help keep their records organized.
Rupalee Scissors
A small pair of scissors (made by Rupalee from much&little in downtown Vancouver) hangs on the living room wall.
On her blog, Superfora, Sandra writes, "Rupalee employs female artisans from villages in India and provides these women with fair compensation as well as education and training. The handmade apparel and accessories these talented women produce for Rupalee enable them to become financially-empowered, skilled artisans."
On her blog, Superfora, Sandra writes, "Rupalee employs female artisans from villages in India and provides these women with fair compensation as well as education and training. The handmade apparel and accessories these talented women produce for Rupalee enable them to become financially-empowered, skilled artisans."
Framed photographs Sandra and Simon took while traveling in Istanbul, Turkey and Normandy, France hang above twin wooden dressers. Their bedroom is the perfect blend of “his-and-hers” décor. The wood furniture is accessorized with an eclectic mix of masculine antiques like the reclaimed wood candleholders and iron lamp stand, counterpoint to the delicate feminine accents.
The couple chose bedding in a graphic mosaic print which gives the room a 1960s pop-art edge.
Bedding: Diane von Fürstenberg
Pillows: from Marimekko of Finland
Artwork above Bed: from the artist Gosia
Bedding: Diane von Fürstenberg
Pillows: from Marimekko of Finland
Artwork above Bed: from the artist Gosia
The Lee Building features one of the original elevators, unused today but visible from the main hall. Inside are gorgeous copper walls and an antique chandelier. The building's hallway, floors, walls and stairs are made of marble.
Who Lives Here: Sandra Zovko and Simon Woodcock
Location: Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, B.C.
Size: 750 square feet, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment