Go west - young shopper
By: William MacDonald - September 15th, 2007
In my constant desire to acquaint you with all that is hip and hot, I assembled, during a recent western jaunt, a master list to help you shop when you find yourself in Canada’s western gate.
Vancouver is a great shopping town! Every time I find myself there I manage to fill a day or two — and a bag or five — with great finds!
The city is divided into three shopping areas, Yaletown, South Granville or “South Gran” and Downtown. In each, you can find chic hotels from which to base your shopping sprees, from new-world boutiques to old- world palaces.
Me, I am way over stubbing my toes on boutique “futons” and prefer to kick it old school in a suite at the Hotel Vancouver — the grand old lady who lives downtown. Within the hotel, you’ll find the ultrachic and classic Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Tiffany’s is across the street. And from the hotel’s distinctive doors, you can see my personal favourite, Hermes.
Hermes
This Parisian luxury brand is available throughout the world. For me, though, the shop in Vancouver is lovely, light, open and friendly. I bought a lot. My favorite picks were the adorable leather bookmarks in the shapes of animals. I picked up many; an owl for my wise self and a monkey, horse and elephant as birthday gifts for friends. Luxurious and useful! I also bought a silk and cashmere blanket for home, plane and train. Get one!
Holt-Renfrew
Next stop on the downtown stroll is the new and magnificent Holt-Renfrew. Holt’s, as you may know, is a shrine to fashion and style, but this newly-renovated masterpiece of white marble and glass that sits like a pasha on a pillow in the centre of downtown should be visited by all those interested in design.
The materials used, the space planning, the light, the concepts and the merchandising techniques are an inspiration and can easily be translated into a domestic environment. Go there!
As if the store itself isn’t beautiful enough, I was able to snag a Prince of Wales check dressing gown of cashmere lined in silk, Prada jeans that actually fit me and a quartet of my new favourite, Richard James sox. So good!
From downtown, it’s an easy walk to Yaletown. This former semi-industrial area is now a collection of buildings now houses chic shops, cafés and bars.
It’s a designer’s dream. Not only is the precinct architecturally stupendous, the items on offer are authentic and original. Here are a few of the places I stopped — and shopped!
The Cross
Anchoring a corner in Yaletown, The Cross is filled with a diverse collection of great, gorgeous gear for living. Art, candles, linens, unique decorative pieces and books all come together to perform a sweet, smart and funny dance that’s appropriate for a ballroom or your great room. I picked up a bunch of small alabaster stag heads. Cool and quirky, my little herd will look great anywhere.
Unique Goods for home and kids.
I love this store! Small and precise and filled with wonderful pieces — especially for the kids in your life. Nouveau stuffed animals and hip kiddy clothes mix with more grown up accessories. I found a very cool “Bovist” (footstool) I love it! So practical and attractive, this little seat goes with everything and is perfectly comfortable.
Design House
This mod store has a lot of what people are loving. Simple, clean-lined easy pieces that will work in small and large spaces. My favourite piece is the Tord Boontje Icarus pendant light. Fly one over your dining table (but not too close).
From Yaletown, hop in a hired car and pop over the bridge to South Granville St. Start with a fortifying libation at Chow, my favourite drinkery. Then walk north along the street for best views of the mountains behind the city.
18 Karat
This store is perfect in the casually daring way it displays its wares. It has all you need from stylish contemporary vases and boxes to napkins and tablecloths. They also have great baskets, of which one can never have enough, as well as outdoor items for entertaining al fresco.
I bought so much I had to have it shipped. Speaking of shipping, when you are traveling, don’t forget to ask in store about shipping. It’s often free if you spend over a certain amount.
Country Furniture
This shop is a tasteful tumble of tartan and ticking. It has all the mainstays of country life. Milk-painted pine, tole lamps, tin trays and scatter rugs in ridiculous colour combos all mixed in with amusing cocktail napkins and vintage signage. Charming and cosy!
Decorative Homewear
This delicate small shop just off South Gran reminds me of Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Venice. Like the jewel box church tucked away on a side street it is small and lovely and filled with beautiful things.
I actually prayed upon entering. Prayed that I would not spend too much. My pleas fell on deaf ears. The sparkling collection of European-inspired objects blended with a good dash of Canadian humour is hard to resist. The Venetian mirror and Chinese pillows now look great in my bathroom!
MacKinnon’s Bakery
After all that work, the smell at MacKinnon’s Bakery will draw you in like a siren’s song. Florentines filled a bag that did not stay closed for long on the trip back to the hotel.
Well, there you have it — my first design hot spot list. Now toss it in your tote and use it!!
Later…..BM