Through careful, totally selfless research we’ve compiled the ultimate list of stores to help outfit your home with everything from on-trend lighting to statement seating.

Inform Interiors

Downtown

Bustling with bankers, bike couriers and shoppers seven days a week, the downtown core is full of life (and is a prime location for people watching while you hit the shops).Crate and Barrel’s condo-friendly cousin, CB2—only the second one in Canada—offers youthful, clever furnishings (lighting, rugs, furniture, dinnerware) that remind us of mod designer items, sans the steep price tag. 1277 Robson St., 604-669-9797, cb2.caCook Culture supplies much more than cookware: find brands—like All-Clad, KitchenAid and Staub—that run the gamut from bakeware and electronics to glassware and linens. While Le Creuset is an all-time favourite, do check out the equally colourful ceramic Silit products as well. 377 Howe St., 778-650-3092; also 1548 W Broadway, 604-731-1148; cookculture.caPop into Coal Harbour’s Lloyd Bruce Home Collections for high-end lines such as Roberto Cavalli and Giorgio Collection. While you’re there, look for their own leather furniture collection, designed by owner Robert Bruce McKay. 150–510 Nicola St., 604-677-4411, lloydbrucehome.comResource Furniture specializes in space-efficient Italian systems that transform the function of a room at the click of a button—beds that unfold from the wall, desks that become sofas, and tables that expand and contract in a snap. 124 W Hastings St., 604-899-8874, resourcefurniture.comIn each piece, the illustrious French furniture retailer Roche Bobois fuses stylish minimalism with true comfort. Look for the sleek European modular sofas that resulted from the company’s highly successful collaboration with Missoni. 716 W Hastings St., 604-633-5005, roche-bobois.comRoom in Order celebrates the beauty of organization with storage solutions for every room—think clever closet systems, colourful boxes and bins and high-tech recycling units. 1055 Davie St., 604-684-8884, roominorder.com; also in South CambieThe veteran design team at the Ultimate Kitchen guides customers through mod renos or new builds, working with leading brands like Miele, Gaggenau and Wolf. 1500 W Georgia St., 604-688-2020, theultimatekitchen.comRoom in Order Room in Order. Photo by Heather Merenda.

Chinatown

Among the city’s best dumpling restaurants and the lush and beautiful Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden, decor and fashion boutiques are popping up to take advantage of the neighbourhood’s low rent and plentiful character.Fontile is the exclusive provider of many European manufacturers of ceramic, porcelain, glass and stone tile—including Porcelanosa and Marazzi. Also: kitchen and bathroom cabinetry from Spain and Germany. 270 Terminal Ave., 604-683-9358, fontile.comVisit the showroom of Future Living for reno inspiration (flooring, appliances, window coverings and cabinetry are all on view), then chat with the company’s on-hand designers—full-service renovation and construction services are available. 914 Main St., 604-801-5720, futureliving.caThere’s no place in Vancouver quite like the Modern Bartender. In addition to bitters, syrups and mixers for a smart home bar, this shop offers tools, accessories and garnishes that cater to all drink enthusiasts. 28 E Pender St., 604-684-1747, themodernbartender.comThe showroom at Spencer Interiors houses leading luxury brands in furniture and lighting with an especially strong focus on Italian lines like Frigerio and Cecchini. 708 Main St., 604-736-1378, spencerinteriors.ca

Gastown

Skip past the Steam Clock gawkers and discover the hidden gems that populate Vancouver’s oldest ’hood—once overrun with tacky tourist traps, Gastown is now home to fashion-forward shops and the most exciting restaurants and bars in the city.Colourful, mid-century modern furniture abounds at Bloom: hot pink table lamps from Penta and neon yellow Pedrali chairs pair with modular seating and high-end furniture. 495 Railway St., 604-215-0051, bloomfurniturestudio.comKitchen dreams are born at Bulthaup, where some of the world’s finest (and most versatile) modern kitchen workspaces are on offer. 93 W Cordova St., 604-688-1881, vancouver.bulthaup.comThose seeking heavyweight lines like B&B Italia, Eames and Aalto should proceed directly to the 30,000-square-foot multilevel showcase that is Inform Interiors. Owner Niels Bendtsen’s own furniture line, Bensen, is a highlight. 50 and 97 Water St., 604-682-3868, informinteriors.comFind shabby-chic, beach-cottage and Parisian inspired pieces (new and vintage) at L’Atelier Home. The Evolve collection recycles previously loved items and materials into beautiful new treasures. 452 W Cordova St., 604-684-9933, latelierhome.comLightform is a mecca for the world’s finest lighting brands, like Flos and Foscarini, plus unusual designs like super-slim pendant lighting by acclaimed designer Jordi Vilardell. 2–425 Carrall St., 604-688-7022, lightform.caNewly opened Litchfield, presided over by owner (and former Martha Sturdy president) Jonathon Litchfield, is a high-ceilinged haven of meticulously curated products, from Japanese chef knives and Snow Peak outdoor gear to gender neutral, organic Fig and Yarrow skin care and bath products. 38 Water St., 604-428-5880, litchfieldtheshop.comAt Montauk Sofa, classic and modern furniture is made sustainably from reclaimed materials, though new materials can be used on request. Antique art objects are also available. 228 Abbott St., 604-331-2363, montauksofa.comThe charming Old Faithful, a modern-day version of a general store, features a wide selection of hand-crafted goods, including Staples and Sundries soaps, Faribault blankets and throws and Makr rucksacks. 320 W Cordova St., 778-327-9376, oldfaithfulshop.comSource exquisite Sandberg Tyg and Tapet wallpaper at Gastown’s Örling and Wu. Also on hand: a charming selection of Mateus dishware, designed in Sweden and handcrafted in Portugal. 28 Water St., 604-568-6718, orlingandwu.comWorking from concept to completion, Paradigm Kitchen Design provides complete renovations and installations for kitchens and bathrooms from a smart new showroom. Environmentally responsible custom cabinetry also provided. 720 Alexander St., 604-326-3000, paradigmkitchendesign.comParliament Interiors is a contemporary design shop that sticks almost exclusively to a palette of whites and greys, with occasional (and affordable) ventures into flashy accessories. A breezy room with row on row of whimsical gifts. 115 Water St., 604-689-0800, parliamentinteriors.comThe designers at Penner and Associates have branched into the retail market with P and A Furniture, a boutique outlet. Their tightly curated selection of linens, furnishings and gifts is always design-forward and sweetly simple. 201 – 1807 Fir St., 604-255-2049, pafurniture.caRobert Quinnell and David Keeler’s striking lifestyle store, Provide, features the finely curated creative products of many top-drawer design studios, including Loyal Loot, Missoni and Martha Sturdy. 529 Beatty St., 604-632-0095, providehome.comTrendsetters take note: fine, limited-quantity items from Canadian and international designers pop up at the ever-evolving Secret Location. This boutique celebrates products (fashion and decor) where craftsmanship and ingenuity are king. Sip and nibble at their seriously chic café and bar. 1 Water St., 604-685-0090, secretlocation.caZwada Home blends modern design with Old World pieces to create spaces that are contemporary and timeless. Ming-inspired Asian imports, for example, are offset by the gallery’s bespoke line of plush furnishings. Great florals, too. 814 – 525 Seymour St., 604-568-7677, zwadadesign.com

Yaletown

Brick warehouses in this former industrial zone have been converted to stylish lofts with glamorous shops and restaurants occupying former loading docks beneath.Since 1944, Banner Carpets has been a leading Canadian distributor of flooring. Hardwood and vinyl as well as green-friendly cork and bamboo are on offer, along with a broad selection of rugs. Open to the trade only. 1770 W. 3rd Ave., 604-734-1136, bannercarpets.caVisit Blu Bathworks’s exclusive showroom to find high-quality, contemporary products from bathtubs to faucets. Look for their signature blu-stone collection—it’s eco-friendly. 188 Smithe St., 604-299-0122, blubathworks.comThe Cross Decor and Design pays homage to Paris with its pastel-hued inventory of idiosyncratic vintage finds, original artwork and home furnishings and accessories. Custom upholstery services create one-of-a-kind pieces. 1198 Homer St., 604-689-2900, thecrossdesign.comDesignhouse’s wide range of furniture, lighting and accessories—including brands like Alessi and Kartell as well as their own Designhouse collection—will appeal to anyone searching for sleek, modern pieces at reasonable prices. Also find iconic Finnish graphics at the Marimekko concept store inside—all in the form of bags, bath towels, clothes and fabrics cut to order. 851 Homer St., 604-681-2800, designhouse.ca; 604-609-2881, marimekkovancouver.comEspace D is one of Yaletown’s smartest boutiques. Founded by French interior designer Pierre Derreumaux, the shop provides a global, luxe take on home furnishings, including Mumo pillows from the UK and candy-coloured Jielde table lamps. 1108 Richards St., 604-662-3008, espacedonline.comInstant Bedrooms specializes in compact, wall-mounted beds in both chic urban styles and more traditional designs. 1080 Mainland St., 604-669-2337, wallbeds.com; also in RichmondPisolino Designs, a gorgeous linen store that’s home to incredibly soft sheets and luxe faux-fur pillows, is aptly named: “pisolino” means nap in Italian. All bedroom products are made locally from fabric sourced from around the world. 1068 Homer St., 604-682-1688, pisolino.com The Cross Decor and Design The Cross Decor and Design. Photo by Christina Lehn.

The Armoury District

A concentrated collection of home decor storefronts has popped up around the historic Seaforth Armoury—it’s a stylish place to spend an afternoon shopping (or just dreaming).Bradford Hardware carries a large variety of high quality, custom hardware products (Baldwin, Smedbo, Hager and Rocky Mountain, to name a few). Also a key source for exterior hardware like custom house numbers and LED doorbell buttons. 101–1626 W 2nd Ave., 604-569-0783, bradfordhardware.comIn its 18,000-square-foot space, which hosts a wide range of modern luxury furnishings, Brougham Interiors has the newest line from Dedon, in addition to well-crafted pieces from Dellarobbia. Be sure to visit its dedicated Baker Gallery. 1855 Fir St., 604-736-8822, broughaminteriors.comCasa has a healthy stock of clean, contemporary furnishings, but the real draw is its bank of fine art prints (limited edition and open edition works). 1636 W 2nd Ave., 604-240-5958, casastore.caFor locally made contemporary wood furniture, built to order, pop into Creative Home Furnishings. Custom design services, light fixtures and accessories are also available. 1738 W 2nd Ave., 604-558-2625, creativehome.caEast India Carpets has been providing luxe, quality carpets in Vancouver for more than 60 years. Styles range from traditional colourful Jaipur silks to modern hand-knotted Missoni wool. 1606 W 2nd Ave., 604-736-5681, eastindiacarpets.comFullhouse Modern is one of the city’s strongest showrooms for vintage mid-century modern and Danish modern furnishings, with a focus on eras from the 1930s to 1960s. 1545 W 4th Ave., 604-733-7789, fullhousemodern.comLivingspace’s showroom hits just the right note in showcasing contemporary European furniture. With a superb in-house kitchen design studio, modern classic Eames and the newest offerings from Alessi and Ligne Roset, the store’s offerings make it a must for modernists. 1706 W 1st Ave., 604-683-1116, livingspace.comNearly 100 lines of lighting are on offer at Luminosa Light Design, covering interior, exterior and landscape fixtures. 1840 Fir St., 604-734-0829, luminosalight.comIn Mary Watson and Dana Coburn’s little store, Metropolitan Home, you’ll find mid-century modern vintage furnishings—especially of North American, Italian and Scandinavian descent. Each piece sports a label stating its age and name, where it’s been and any damage it has suffered. 1626 W 2nd Ave., 604-681-2313, metropolitanhome.caExquisite Italian design is collected at Room 8, a must-visit for kitchen and bath inspiration. Be sure to check out its 100-percent wood products by Effeti, which employ a centuries-old millwork technique on chestnut logs from Provence. Look for luxurious leather seating by Baxter, too. 110 – 1706 W 1st Ave., 604-734-1323, room8.caNot only does Stone Tile’s spacious showroom carry one of the city’s most expansive selections of tiles (in limestone, sandstone, marble, granite, porcelain, ceramic and glass), its staff can also set you up with pro cleaners and installers. 1775 Pine St., 604-731-9948, stone-tile.comGlimpse the past via Art Deco furniture, magnificent chandeliers and 18th-century paintings at William MacKinnon’s by-appointment-only antiques store, Three Centuries Shop. 1662 W 2nd Ave., 604-706-1587, fineantiquesstore.com

South Granville

Occupying prime real estate between Shaughnessy and downtown, South Granville is chockablock with elegant home-design stores, luxury clothing boutiques, private art galleries and some of the finest restaurants in town. An afternoon here is a date with the good life.18Karat is a Vancouver-based enterprise specializing in contemporary and glamorous interior design accessories and furniture. The vases are a staple for local interior designers. 3039 Granville St., 604-742-1880, 18karatstore.comThe folk vibe at Anthropologie includes antique-inspired homeware and bohemian vintage dresses. Be sure to check out the latest Made in Kind collections, featuring exclusive pieces from indie designers. 2912 Granville St., 604-734-2529, anthropologie.comFrench crystal from Baccarat, Lalique, Saint Louis and Daum fills the cabinets at Atkinson’s, where more than 300 patterns of china are also on display. Find silver from Ercuis and Puiforcat and luxurious Italian cotton linens from Pratesi. 1501 W 6th Ave., 604-736-3378, atkinsonsofvancouver.comFind Morihata towels, Emma Bridgewater dishware, cutlery from Sabre and shaving essentials from Kala at Bacci’s at Home. 2788 Granville St., 604-733-4933, baccis.caThe cutting-edge store turns electronics into art—Bang and Olufsen’s high design has even landed their products in the MoMA. We’ve got our eyes on the sleek and sculptural BeoVision 12 TV. 1565 W 7th Ave., 604-669-6011, bang-olufsen.caDanish furniture chain BoConcept puts modern pieces in reach with accessible price points and custom shapes and finishes. Home-furnishing software lets you map out your future space. 1275 W 6th Ave., 604-730-8111, boconcept.caSimple and affordable storage solutions are California Closets’s expertise. Find walk-in closet combinations, plus options for home offices, garage workspaces, media centres and pantries. 2421 Granville St., 604-320-6575, californiaclosets.com; also in BurnabyFor state-of-the-art home theatres (or an entire house controlled by a panel of buttons—including climate control, communications, video surveillance, security and fire integration) visit Commercial Electronics. 1565 W 7th Ave., 604-669-5525, commercialelectronics.caIf you’re feeling lost in a sea of modernist design, Country Furniture provides a breather with classic leather sofas, iron-framed beds and rustic dining tables. Lots of great accessories, too, like Pendleton woolens and Compagnie de Provence body care—perfect for a last-minute gift. 3097 Granville St., 604-738-6411, countryfurniture.net; also in West VancouverThe ever-expanding Winnipeg-based chain EQ3 stocks modern furnishings and accessories that are both on-trend and affordable. There are graphic bed linens, minimalist dishes and brightly coloured, square-armed sofas, alongside the EQ3+ line, which features modernist classics from Alessi and Herman Miller. 2536 Granville St., 604-681-5155, eq3.comAfter relocating and relaunching as Heather Ross (Natural Eclectic), the art salon/boutique now houses contemporary and vintage home accessories, textiles and antique finds handpicked from around the world. The space also serves as a gallery for the owner’s abstract paintings and photography. 2170 Fir St., 604-738-4284, heatherross.caHouse of Knives operates at the cutting edge of all things sharp. Nine locations around town are stocked with ooh-and-ahh gift items like the bright-coloured Komachi knives, and also serious blades like the Shun carving series. 2655 Granville St., 604-737-3663, houseofknives.ca; also in various Greater Vancouver locationsDecorative, room-pleasing, contemporary Canadian art—from emerging and established artists—is on offer at the Ian Tan Gallery. 2342 Granville St., 604-738-1077, iantangallery.comHone your home design vision in Inspiration Furniture’s 40,000 square feet of contemporary furnishings, lighting, rugs and accessories. In-house interior designers lend a hand with computer modelling. 1275 W 6th Ave., 604-730-1275, inspirationfurniture.caJordans offers a range of fine North American furniture, as well as services like drapery, reupholstery, floor covering and in-home interior design. It’s also the exclusive local retailer of the century-old Arts and Crafts legend Stickley. 1470 W Broadway, 604-733-1174, jordans.ca; also in CoquitlamWhat happens to old-growth trees downed by coastal storms? The lucky ones become furniture by Kozai Modern. Plus, owners Ron Cromie and Hideki Shimizu sell Aperture and Robusta dining tables from Western Living Furniture Designer of the Year Brent Comber. 1515 W 6th Ave., 604-677-8166, kozaimodern.comWhile the traditional and contemporary lines at Mavyan Carpets are selected from the top producers in the carpet world, the shop’s greatest draw is probably its carefully chosen antique collection: a series of rare, 19th-century examples from the Asian continent. 2229 Granville St., 604-733-3285, mavyan.comCustom wood and upholstered pieces to be handed down from generation to generation are the specialty of Once a Tree, who also stock selections from a variety of quality furniture makers, including American Leather and Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams. 750 SW Marine Dr., 604-324-2126, onceatreefurniture.comPottery Barn offers casual home furnishings along with all the basics for dining and entertaining. Just up the street, Pottery Barn Kids specializes in playful furniture, bedding and accessories for the 10 and under set. Pottery Barn, 2600 Granville St., 604-678-9897, potterybarn.ca; Pottery Barn Kids, 2935 Granville St., 604-638-7494, potterybarnkids.caThe distressed-leather sofas and hand-knotted rugs at Restoration Hardware give a home instant vintage appeal. But it’s the bath collections that keep us coming back—especially the towels big enough for two. 2555 Granville St., 604-731-3918, restorationhardware.comNot only does Uno Langmann Limited specialize in European and North American paintings from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, the gallery also features antique sculpture, lighting, textiles, furniture and ethnographic pieces. 2117 Granville St., 604-736-8825, langmann.comA go-to for clean lines and furniture basics, Urban Barn has multiple options for mix and match. We like the Cinderella custom chair, a high-backed number upholstered in any of hundreds of fabrics. 2354 Granville St., 604-731-9047, urbanbarn.comThe kitchen classics are extensive (check out the Vitamix juicers), but it’s the high-quality marinades, spice rubs and baking mixes that set Williams-Sonoma apart. 2903 Granville St., 778-330-2581, williams-sonoma.comFrom bentwood pendant lights to gold-plated flatware, West Elm is a shop for chic home decor at sane prices. West Elm Market is stocked with kitchen appliances and cookware, plus laundry room essentials—and even a coffee bar to keep you going. West Elm, 2947 Granville St., 604-733-6730; West Elm Market, 2915 Granville St., 604-734-9302, westelm.comWorld Mosaic’s tiles aren’t limited to the kitchen and bathroom—there’s recycled glass tile for the hall and hexagonal teak tiles that patinate beautifully with age. Exclusive distributor of Walker Zanger tile. 1665 W 7th Ave., 604-736-8158, worldmosaictile.comLusso Verde Lusso Verde. Photo by Heather Merenda.

Kitsilano

Ocean views and leafy residential streets make for a beautiful backdrop during shopping expeditions down busy Broadway or the boutique-lined Fourth Avenue.Warning: thread count is a moot point when you’re talking cotton muslin, which is what they use at Bed. Anyone who’s used the hand-dyed sheets can attest to the store’s claim: these are luxury-hotel soft and get better with every wash. 2907 W Broadway, 604-736-3482, bed-online.comThe award-winning kitchen and bathroom specialists at Lonetree provide custom cabinetry and full project management. 336 W 5th Ave., 604-739-1110, lonetreekitchens.caStepback is devoted to all things nostalgic. The inventory is a mix of vintage odds and sods (industrial furnishings, glassware, taxidermy, school maps) and unique new items with old-school flair. 2936 W Broadway, 604-731-7525, stepback.caThe Carriage House stocks consignment furniture of the William Switzer variety in its 12,000-square-foot warehouse. Find deals on what owner Cinde Stevens describes as this city’s “high-end cast-offs.” 1533 W 7th Ave., 604-215-0187, carriagehouseconsign.com

West Side

Sprinkled throughout Point Grey’s lushly landscaped blocks of multi-million-dollar homes and Kerrisdale’s family-friendly spaces are shops and services to make life a little more beautiful.Its handcrafted beds are designed in Sweden to support every point on the body. Duxiana is utopia for the sleep deprived. The cult-fave Dux beds use only cotton, natural latex, slow-growing pine and nearly 2.1 kilometres of steel in the coils. 2064 W4th Ave., 604-222-2623, duxiana.usStock up on cheeky vases by Rosenthal or anything wonderful by Georg Jensen at Enflux, a temple to modern home decor. We love the Punkt alarm clocks (analogue has never looked so smart) and PP Mobler furniture from Denmark. 1822 W 1st Ave., 604-222-9009, enflux.caFar more than just a hardware store, Kerrisdale Lumber is stocked with home accessories and a seriously impressive “barbecue room” with all the latest grills. 6191 W Boulevard, 604-261-4274, kerrisdalelumber.comRedecorating starts at Perry and Co., an official supplier of the well-loved Farrow and Ball paints and wallpapers. Its 100-plus colours represent the classic hues in deep flat tones that other brands can’t replicate. 6131 W Boulevard, 604-266-0022, perryandco.ca

South Cambie

After an interregnum brought on by the installation of the rapid transit Canada Line, South Cambie has settled back into its dozy ways. Or nearly. In-fill townhomes, a big-box zone and rumoured residential towers have added bustle to village life.Known for its affordable and stylish furniture, housewares and home accessories, Crate and Barrel offers a vision of relaxed, easy living. Designer-made 50th anniversary teapots, charcoal bed collections and marble fruit bowls are just a few of this store’s must-have items. Oakridge Centre, 650 W 41st Ave., 604-269-4300, crateandbarrel.comThe refined selection at Edmonds Fine Appliances is a showcase of top performing brands—think Sub-Zero, Wolf, GE Monogram, Miele, and the condo-sized 24.60 line—in a sleek and modern showroom. 459 W 2nd Ave., 604-874-0022,