‘ By Design Modern’
changed my way of decorating at home
October 25, 2010
August 15, 2010
August 9, 2010
SHOPS
As a retailer myself, I am a bit jaded when it comes to browsing/shopping in general. But, here is a list of a few businesses that I would have wished I had known about if I was visiting Vancouver! Most are quirky, independent entrepreneurs who deserve your support.
SALMAGUNDI WEST
321 Cordova Street
Vancouver (GASTOWN)
(604)681-4648 call for hours
The original eccentric treasure trove store in Vancouver.
I remember going here when I was in still in school !
A wonderful shop, crammed with wacky and semi-normal stuff,
all displayed with a curator’s eye.
Plastic body parts and skeletons, old toys and memories…..
A visit to the basement is a must !!
BY DESIGN MODERN
4512 Main St.
Vancouver
(604) 876-5234 call for hours
I never thought I would like mid-century Danish furniture until I went here.
A crammed basement of consoles,desks,chairs,bookcases,bars…..
I have purchased several pieces here .(I like the rosewood the best)
We forget how beautiful real wood can be !
Selection and quality seems to vary….
New shipments are constantly arriving.
They also sell on Ebay under ‘Northern Treasures’.
BAKER’S DOZEN
3520 Main Street
Vancouver
(604)879-3348
The other ‘treasure trove’ store in Vancouver.
They have now expanded to three connected retail shops in a row.
Eye-popping showcases and vignettes of nostalgic toys,
religious artifacts, wacky scale models and movie props….. you name it.
I bought three huge canvas circus banners from the 1930′s here.
Someone beat me to the one that said ‘This Way To The Giant Rat’.
Rats !!!
ZONDA NELLIS
2203 Granville St.
Vancouver
(604)736-5668
Neiman Marcus sells her women’s clothes,
but I love her in-house-made cut velvet cushions.
Gorgeous Venetian-inspired pillows in special colours
and dazzling patterns…..very ‘Fortuny’ without the trip to Venice.
HOBBS
2129 West 41st Ave
Vancouver
(604)261-5998 Mon-Sat 9:30 – 6 PM Sundays 11-5PM
I have to include my own store !
Opened in 1989 in a funky old Chinese grocery store
in the upscale ‘Kerrisdale’ neighbourhood, HOBBS has survived !
VIETRI dishes (at the best prices in town), tasteful and tasteless books,
furniture, mirrors, gift items and stuff not found elsewhere
fills the shop and the ‘museum’ courtyard behind.
Come in and see our hair helicopter !
RESTORATION HOUSE
3444 Dunbar Street
Vancouver, BC
(604)644-8735
Nothing to do with Restoration Hardware.
This unique shop features lots of restored chandeliers,
real Provencal French antiques and found items.
A few of Vancouver’s top collectors and antique dealers
put their pieces here when redecorating…..yum.
ANTIQUE MARKET
1324 Franklin Ave.
Vancouver
(604)875-1434
A big warehouse full of stuff, but I (only) like
the thousands of pieces of antique wrought iron from Egypt.
Huge gates, grills, fences etc are priced incredibly cheaply.
BRING A VAN ! If you have seen any Egyptian wrought iron
for sale anywhere else in North america, it probably came from here.
Check-out their industrial antiques from India as well !
JOE BLOW
1191 Parker St.
Vancouver, BC.
(604)215-2569
Glassblower Jeff Burnette makes lots of cool stuff,
but it is his each-one-is-unique RAYGUNS that I love.
Very collectable works of art (NASA bought some !)
Remember not to take it home in your carry-on !
SCOTT LANDON ANTIQUES
2349 Granville St.
Vancouver
(604)731-2576
This is the kind of store I look for in every city I go to.
Well-chosen industrial antiques, Canadiana pine,
old signage and barber poles, medical cabinets
and just plain cool stuff is displayed gallery style.
Pieces sell quickly here, so don’t doddle.
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January 9, 2010
Places to eat
Vancouver really is a restaurant town. There are countless choices,
but not many I really like. If only I liked seafood…or Chinese food…
or deafening noise…or watered- down Gin and Tonics….
GO FISH
1505 West 1st Ave.
Vancouver
(604)730-5040
Walking distance to Granville Island
Even though I don’t like seafood, I and everyone else
love this place’s Fish & Chips ! It is a real Vancouver experience
to go down to the government fisheries wharf and wait in line
to order from their outdoor trailer. The french fries are
the freshest in the world. HUGE WARNING : Be sure to get there by 5:30 PM
to order, as they close at 6PM sharp. Begging does not work.
LES FAUX BOURGEOIS
663 E. 15th Ave.
Vancouver, B.C.
604-873-9733
There is a well-deserved buzz about town for this relatively new bistro.
The no-man’s land Kingsway/Fraser intersection area now hosts
one of the best deals ever on delicious French food.
Absolutely packed at all times, so make a reservation for sure.
My ‘steak frittes’ was just what I hoped it would be, and was under $20.00.
The Red Onion
2028 W.41st Ave
Vancouver
(604)263-0833
A short walk from my Kerrisdale store, this burger joint
is considered to be the best in town. I agree. You can watch
as they flame grill every hot dog (“double dogs” are exceptional)
and burgers arrive in a wicker basket. Just walk in.
Il Giardino
1382 Hornby St.
Vancouver
(604)669-2422
More than a dinner out, this place is a scene I always enjoy.
Glamazons, Mr and Mrs Howell types, unusually muscular men
and Vancouver’s own ‘Who’s Who’ come for the great service
as well as the fabulous rustic Italian food. Keep an eye open
for in-town movie stars. Lunch on the courtyard patio in summer
is a memorable treat. Worth the $$$.
Cactus Club
various locations
around town….
incl: 1530 West Broadway (604)733-0434
Yaletown, 357 Davie St. (604)685-8070
and others….like right on English Bay beach !
A very successful chain, with excellent food.
Hip interiors (I wonder who does them?), and
menu guidance by Vancouver food superstar
Rob Feenie . Beautiful wait staff are also always
surprisingly nice. Casual and addictive.
Caffe Artigiano
740 W.Hastings St.
Vancouver
(604)915-7200
COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE !
Seattle, Portland, Vancouver each
have a local chain that ‘the locals’ prefer….
this is ours -
With branches popping up all over town,
this is by FAR the best coffee in a coffee-crazy
city. Only this Hastings St. location has a full
kitchen, and it is the BREAKFAST you must go for.
I love the pan-seared French toast, served with
warm pear slices,syrup and filled with something
white and creamy…. see you there every Sunday
morning around 9-ish….
Domaine de Chaberton Winery’s ‘Bacchus Bistro’
1064 216th St.
Langley,B.C.
V2Z 1R3
(604)530-9694
Open for lunch Wed.-Sun. 11:30-3:00
Open for dinner Fri. & Sat. only, 5:30-9:30
Reservations are practically essential – you’ll know why !
Nestled in the prettiest part of South Langley,
this working winery also has a great restaurant!
Lucky for me, as I am now residing part-time nearby ! !
The food is (to me, anyway) country French,
casual and delicious. Portions are generous and nobody leaves hungry!
I also LOVE their Canoe Cove Shiraz -
be sure to buy some in the wine shop on your way out.
I wish you could get food like this in Vancouver.
Here is a picture of my warm ‘Onion Tart’ appetizer !
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November 27, 2009
Florists
Many people associate the name Thomas Hobbs with floristry, ordering flowers etc.
The reality is that Thomas Hobbs sold his well-known Vancouver florist shop long ago,
and has absolutely nothing to do with it anymore.
Here are some very talented florists in Vancouver that Thomas knows personally, and highly recommends:
Quince Fine Florals
4870 MacKenzie St.
Vancouver, BC
V6L 2R6
(604)263.0202
quincefineflorals.com
Owner Jessica Clark used to work for me, as a very young girl.
Her talent was obvious at age fourteen ! Quince creates refined
bouquets with a modern/editorial twist. Because they’re new,
they really value every order and aim to please, not just
fill an order .
Hilary Miles
1-1854 W 1st Ave
Vancouver, BC
V6J 1G5
(604)737.2782
hilarymiles.com
Uber-Chic and luxe arrangements by the reigning Queen of
Vancouver’s florists. Terrific uni-colour or punch-in-the-face drama
for those who don’t mind spending !
Get Fresh Flowers
1688 Davie st.
Vancouver, B.C.
V6G 1V9
(604)685-3500
www.getfreshflowers@telus.ca
Located in Vancouver’s West End (downtown), this hip flower shop uses lots of clear
glass cylinders and bold stems of orchids, anthuriums etc in a stylish ‘go anywhere’ look.
They deliver anywhere , and are close to the hotel district.
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