The streetlamps and cobblestones may give Gastown a yesteryear vibe (despite the fact that, ahem, these old-world aesthetic additions are actually from the ’70s), but the design shopping here is fresh, modern and downright playful, with plenty of international inspiration to be found.
The Best Home Decor Stores in Gastown
1. Sömn Home
Stocked with bedding, bath and sleepwear, Sömn is a haven for linen lovers. The m.o. here is luxe fabrics—uber-soft washed linens are a specialty—paired with a stripped-down modern design sense that lets the fibres sing.
28 Water St.
somnhome.com
2. Old Faithful Shop
Warm and inviting, Old Faithful hosts an assortment of minimalist lighting and Scandinavian accessories from Denmark-based Skagerak, Ferm Living and more. Look for coffee table books, thoughtfully designed home goods and an extensive Japanese craft collection—including Hard Strong glassware.
320 W Cordova St.
oldfaithfulshop.com
3. Fable Home
What started as an online-only dishware company is now a full-fledged home decor destination. Find beautiful, Portuguese-made ceramic plates, bowls and mugs in matte pastels or speckled white alongside ultra-durable glassware and feels-just-right premium cutlery.
205–332 Water St.
fable.com
4. Out and About
The shop may specialize in Japanese fashion, but you’ll find plenty of conversation-starting decor pieces here, too. Case in point: satisfyingly stackable mugs in cheery hues, arresting artworks, sumptuous herringbone twill face towels and quirky dog-shaped vases.
321 W Cordova St.
outnaboutboutique.com
7. Inform Interiors
It’s impossible to miss Inform: the family-owned design shop takes up practically the whole block. A walk through the sweeping, multi-level showroom is like a visit to a design museum—discover global brands like Herman Miller and Vitra alongside local heroes A-N-D lighting and Christian Woo. (A thoughtful selection of books and accessories make it a top-notch gift-sourcing spot, too.)
50 Water St.
informinteriors.com
8. Neighbour Objects
Sister store to Neighbour and Neighbour/Woman, Neighbour Objects carries the same quiet luxury into the home goods sphere. There are a few pieces of furniture here, but beyond the big bits, you’ll find everything you need to make a house a home, from coffee-geek-approved Moccamaster brewers to sculptural Nathalee Paolinelli candleholders to confetti-patterned Fredericks and Mae chopping boards.
51 Powell St.
shopneighbour.com
9. Resource Furniture
Step into the Resource showroom prepared for a magic show. The niche furniture design store specializes in modern, multifunctional and transforming furniture—bookshelves turn into queen-sized beds and compact desks expand into 12-seater dining tables. Condo dwellers, take note.
124 W Hastings St.
resourcefurniture.com
Where to Eat and Drink in the Gastown Design District
4. Nemesis Coffee
The espresso is strong; the croissant skills are even stronger. Grab a caffeine fix (and maybe a little sugar fix, too—snag a raspberry pavlova cruffin if you can) in Nemesis’s bright, Scandi-minimalist space to get your head in the design-hunting game before you hit Gastown’s cobblestone streets.
302 W Hastings St.
nemesis.coffee
5. Juice Bar
Cult-fave coffee shop The Birds and the Beets transforms at night into Juice Bar, an equally cool wine bar—so end your shopping day on the patio here with a glass of something small-batch and probably pét-nat. The bottle selection is constantly in flux, but you’re in good hands with passionate wine nerds Siön Iorwerth and Sarah Coxon.
54 Alexander St.
juicebaryvr.com
This story was originally published in the July/August 2023 print issue of Vancouver Magazine—find the digital issue here.
