This Prewar Vancouver Apartment Is Absolutely Packed with Striking Features
Credit: Katey Harrison Credit: Katey Harrison
ABOUT THIS TOUR
HOME TYPE: Apartment
LOCATION: Vancouver, Canada
STYLE: Art Deco, Contemporary, Minimal
BEDROOMS: 1
SQUARE FEET: 785
“I live in a charming prewar apartment with my dog, and I was instantly smitten the moment I saw it,” begins Katey, who’s rented this 785-square-foot Vancouver place for three years. “My passion for traditional heritage and character buildings is perfectly reflected in this space. Originally built as a hotel in the 1920s, the building was later converted into residential apartments and retains many of its original features, including wood floors with a patterned inlay, antique glass doors with brass hardware, arched doorways, intricate moldings, cast iron radiators, and a mauve-tiled fireplace. As someone who is passionate about interior design, I’ve found decorating and sourcing items for this apartment to be an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience, seeing everything come together over time.”
“My identity is deeply reflected in my home through the art, color palettes, and accessories I choose,” Katey continues. “I’m drawn to pieces that are both unique and classic, and I believe that if you truly love a piece of furniture, it will remain relevant and authentic in your home regardless of the trends or eras. This philosophy guides my design style, which is characterized by a curated selection of items that I genuinely cherish and that hold sentimental value. About 90% of my apartment is secondhand, vintage, and DIY pieces that I’ve collected over time, each with its own story. This mirrors my appreciation for the apartment’s long history, considering the many people who have lived here over nearly a century.”
“I was fortunate to inherit several pieces of furniture from my grandparents’ home, each holding special memories, like the many dinner parties held around the wooden dining table with all its leaves extended. I’m thrilled to continue this tradition in my own home and I’ve even started a new tradition where guests can sign the underside of the table. It’s fascinating to consider all the people who once gathered around my grandparents’ table and to imagine seeing their names recorded underneath over time would’ve been so neat!”
“My best advice is to select pieces that you genuinely adore. Use Google and Pinterest image searches to research the history of vintage items and see how others have styled similar pieces,” Katey advises. “Be patient and deliberate in curating your space — find items that truly speak to you, and if you come across something with potential, consider a DIY project to make it perfect for your space.”
Resources
LIVING ROOM
Wassily Chair — Vintage
Floor Lamp — Thrifted
Candle Holder — DIY
Mirror — Facebook Marketplace
Coffee Table — Thrifted
Credenza — Vintage
Art — Vintage
Record Player — Facebook Marketplace
DINING ROOM
Table — Vintage
Chairs — Facebook Marketplace
Light — IKEA
Art — DIY
Floor Lamp — Thrifted
HALLWAY
Mirror — Eternity Modern
BEDROOM
Pillow — Etsy
Light — IKEA
Table Lamps — HomeSense
Bedside Tables — Vintage
Thanks, Katey!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
