Mark & Gillian’s Classic Meets Eclectic in Vancouver

Name: Gillian and Mark
Location: Vancouver, BC
Size: 800 square feet
Years lived in: 6 Months; Rented

Stepping into Mark and Gillian’s apartment felt like stepping into a quiet country home. Their home is just tucked away enough to escape the busy city life most people in Vancouver are used to. The building has an amazing view of the ocean and mountains, and their home is often filled with a wonderful sea breeze. The way their home looks and feels is important to them, as it reflects who they are at this time in their life. Each room is so calm and warm that you don’t want to leave the comfort of it. They say that this is a place for them to welcome new and old friends, making each person who comes through the door feel right at home, and it sure feels that way!

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Our Style: I would say that my style is pretty classic and a little bit eclectic. My husband has very similar style to mine, although he is a little more eclectic than I am. I really want our home to be a reflection of us both and what our style is together. It has been fun picking out pieces for our apartment that we both love, and creating a home that is truly ours. I love the idea of our home changing as we do, and reflecting who we are at each stage in our lives.

Inspiration: I would say that Britain is my biggest inspiration – as funny as that sounds. The English countryside, the industrial lofts and historical townhouses in London – I think that part of my heart exists there. My dream is to live in a restored English cottage by the sea!

Favorite Element: I have so many! But I suppose it would be the proximity to the ocean, and the fact that I see the mountains from our bedroom window as I am falling asleep – that’s pretty magical.

Biggest Challenge: I guess just some of the quirks that come with an old building, such as no screens on the windows so sometimes bees and wasps come and visit! We also don’t have a dishwasher, which isn’t ideal, but I’m pretty used to it now.

What Friends Say: That it feels spacious and welcoming – and that they want to move in to our building!

Biggest Embarrassment: There are always new furniture pieces that I would love, and I don’t think I will ever feel like everything is “perfect” – but that’s real life and I sort of like that.

Proudest DIY: The DIY wish list is pretty long right now. We just moved in so I’m not quite sure what we will tackle first – I’d love to give my workspace an update!

Biggest Indulgence: Flowers. Our home is usually full of fresh flowers- they make me really happy.

Best Advice: Take your time with things. When we first got married, we had no furniture so we quickly bought many pieces to fill the space, and now we’ve already gotten rid of almost all of it. It seems like a waste and I wish we had taken our time right from the beginning. But then, it also takes time to figure out what your style is and what you actually like. I guess my other advice (mostly to myself) is not to worry too much about making a space look “perfect.” Mess is part of life, and homes that look like their full of life are the prettiest.

Dream Sources: I wish I could fill a shipping crate with antique furniture from England and France and bring it all home!

LIVING ROOM

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*Re-edited from a tour previously published.