Editor’s Diary: Home Goodies at The Bay

The minute I finished my degree in Fashion Design & Technology (have I mentioned that I intended to be a fashion designer?) I became obsessed with all things Interior Design. And I mean OBSESSED! I couldn’t get enough of all the shows on HGTV.ca, and devoured home decor books, magazines, and blogs like my life depended on it – well, it kind of felt like my happiness depended on having a beautifully designed living space. I even contemplated switching going back to school and switching career paths… (I know, I know, I had barely gotten both feet out the school’s doors!) It’s safe to say that my student digs and a mishmash of hand-me-down and Ikea furniture with no clear design direction weren’t cutting it.

Needless to say, my growing and expensive decor tastes couldn’t really be satisfied on a fresh-out-of-university-and-working-in-retail budget. Two years later and while my life has changed dramatically, I still haven’t replaced most of said furniture. (It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint, some carefully curated accessories, an inexpensive sisal rug, and a new-to-me couch and chair found for $200 on Craigslist can do for a space…) It paints a pretty different picture from my newly graduated days, but it’s a good fit for right now.

Throughout my ongoing decor obsession, The Bay wasn’t really on my radar as a destination for interior goods. That completely changed last Friday with the unveiling of The Bay Downtown’s newly renovated 5th floor, an entire floor dedicated to all things HOME. Fully stocked with amazing furniture, tableware, linens, appliances, kitchen accessories, and more, Vancouver’s downtown Bay location might just be the new one-stop mecca for accessible home products. The fact that they carry brands I’ve yet to see in a brick and mortar store in this city (Kate Spade, Villeroy & Boch, and Vera Wang tableware come to mind), is a surefire way to stand out amongst the competition.

Another brand that has really elevated this floor is Dwell Studio. With beautiful, chic furniture and accessories at competitive price points, I know where I’ll be shopping for my next sofa purchase… and okay, maybe some side tables, a new bed frame, and a dining table!