Jessica’s Gem in Kerrisdale

Name: Jessica
Location: Kerrisdale — Vancouver, BC

We found this gem of a character building in 2010, while hunting for a new, pet-friendly space and something to get us out of the suburbs and a little closer to work downtown…

The SO good!:

This building blew our minds, 1200 square feet, late 1920’s – early 1930’s character, built in glass door cabinet, wood floors, 10 foot ceilings, working fireplace, window seat, cat and dog friendly, above an amazing candy store (!!) AND we were given free rein to paint and decorate as how we saw fit. Pinch me!

The not-so-good-but-we-make-it-work!:

-The lack of working electrical outlets has posed a bit of a challenge! Lots of trickery involving extension cords happening here!
-No spot for a dinner table, we tried it and it was just awkward, so out it went!
-Typical character building: Drafty in the winter, boiling hot in the summer, lots of firewood stocked till March, few good fans for the summer!
-Location: Kerrisdale is a somewhat upper crust, wealthy neighborhood, not exactly our lifestyle (*AT ALL!*), but the place was too good to pass up, even if our friends complain about it being wayyy on the west side 🙂

Aside from the very few challenges, this place has been a dream and I still pinch myself when I look around, I actually cannot believe I get to live here. The charm it has built in, has really opened up a new creative outlet for me, and the things I love just happen to fit! Luckily my husband trusts my vision, even when he is skeptical of my projects.. ie: painting the coffee table turquoise, it works out in the end 🙂

My inspiration basically comes from thrift shop finds, flea markets, checking out other people’s apartments, old advertising and vintage posters and of course craigslist! I also really love the history this neighborhood has, and the fact that my dad grew up here and went to the school across the street from us, it all reminds me of family and I feel we were just meant to live here for some reason.

Thanks, Jessica!

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