You’d Never Have to Say Goodbye to Summer If You Lived in This Serene, Beach-Themed Apartment
Name: Amy McCallion and one small rabbit named Nigel
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Size: 795 square feet
Type of home? Apartment
Years lived in: 4.5 years, renting
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: It’s a sweet little 1930s walk up apartment in Vancouver, BC, that I share with my bunny rabbit, Nigel (he’s a rescue, 6 years old). A lot of the original features have been preserved over the years, and I love the charm that they give it. I found it in a pretty kismet way when I had to move unexpectedly a few years ago (the lease expired and the landlord decided to sell the place I was living in) and now I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
It’s a two-minute walk to a giant outdoor saltwater pool and the beach, which makes it amazing in the summer and even in the dead of winter, it’s a sunny, cozy refuge and my favorite place to be. It also feels a bit magic, at all times. No idea why, but I’m into it.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Modern Glinda the Good Witch.
What is your favorite room and why? The living room, it gets amazing natural light all day long because it faces southwest. I was very careful about the furniture I chose for it as I wanted it to be visually soothing, super comfortable, and fit the character of the room without being old-fashioned. My favorite two places to be on earth are either in the middle of a crowded dance floor with a bunch of friends, or sitting quietly on my big navy velvet couch in my living room with some tea and a good book.
If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? I wish it had en-suite laundry, but when I have to go down three flights of stairs to use the coin-operated machines, I just try to pretend that I live in a mansion and that’s how far it would be.
Which fictional character would be most at home in your place? Glinda the Good Witch, I think. Maybe also Amelie, if she was more of a beach gal.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? A small, round, pale blue ottoman!
Any advice for creating a home you love? Don’t fill it with stuff too quickly! I have a rule that I more or less follow that for me to acquire something for my place, I have to love it and want to see it every day. And don’t be afraid to purge every so often either—that really helps. Also if you have a small place, less is always more. Leave lots of blank space to make it feel as big as possible.
This submission has been edited for length and clarity.