This Prewar Vancouver Apartment Is Absolutely Packed with Striking Original Features

published Oct 10, 2024

This Prewar Vancouver Apartment Is Absolutely Packed with Striking Original Features

published Oct 10, 2024

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Home Type

Location

Style

Bedrooms

Square feet

785

Sq ft

785

“I live in a charming prewar apartment with my dog, and I was instantly smitten the moment I saw it,” begins Katey, who’s rented this 785-square-foot Vancouver place for three years. “My passion for traditional heritage and character buildings is perfectly reflected in this space. Originally built as a hotel in the 1920s, the building was later converted into residential apartments and retains many of its original features, including wood floors with a patterned inlay, antique glass doors with brass hardware, arched doorways, intricate moldings, cast iron radiators, and a mauve-tiled fireplace. As someone who is passionate about interior design, I’ve found decorating and sourcing items for this apartment to be an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience, seeing everything come together over time.”

Credit: Katey Harrison

Katey made a decorative candle holder from an old couch leg; it's on the mantel. And she says that the bubble floor lamp is an item in her home that "always draws attention. I discovered it at a thrift store for just $11! Made of solid wood; I suspect it was handmade. After giving it a fresh coat of paint and adding a new lampshade, it’s become a unique focal point. People often ask me, 'Where did you buy that?'"

“My identity is deeply reflected in my home through the art, color palettes, and accessories I choose,” Katey continues. “I’m drawn to pieces that are both unique and classic, and I believe that if you truly love a piece of furniture, it will remain relevant and authentic in your home regardless of the trends or eras. This philosophy guides my design style, which is characterized by a curated selection of items that I genuinely cherish and that hold sentimental value. About 90% of my apartment is secondhand, vintage, and DIY pieces that I’ve collected over time, each with its own story. This mirrors my appreciation for the apartment’s long history, considering the many people who have lived here over nearly a century.”

Credit: Katey Harrison

The mirror is from Eternity Modern.

“I was fortunate to inherit several pieces of furniture from my grandparents’ home, each holding special memories, like the many dinner parties held around the wooden dining table with all its leaves extended. I’m thrilled to continue this tradition in my own home and I’ve even started a new tradition where guests can sign the underside of the table. It’s fascinating to consider all the people who once gathered around my grandparents’ table and to imagine seeing their names recorded underneath over time would’ve been so neat!”

Credit: Katey Harrison

Katey shares her home with a cute Boston Terrier.

“My best advice is to select pieces that you genuinely adore. Use Google and Pinterest image searches to research the history of vintage items and see how others have styled similar pieces,” Katey advises. “Be patient and deliberate in curating your space — find items that truly speak to you, and if you come across something with potential, consider a DIY project to make it perfect for your space.”