House Tour: Inside the Charming Strathcona Home of the Birds and the Beets’ Sean Cunningham and Matt Senecal-Junkeer

Rumour has it that this used to be a brothel. And a hideout for the Vancouver Communist Party. And the highest home in Strathcona, when it was first built in 1908. But while we can’t confirm that these theories from the realtor are true, here’s what we do know for sure: Matt Senecal-Junkeer and Sean Cunningham, co-owners of Gastown coffee spot The Birds and the Beets, have created a home here that’s something special.

They’ve lived in the homey heritage house since 2014, slowly adding and shuffling around new pieces over the years: a rug spontaneously acquired on a vacation to the Island; the wallpaper they always wanted for the restaurant; artwork from friends; a side table allegedly rescued from the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s reject pile. “I don’t know a word for it other than eclectic,” says Cunningham. “We like things that you wouldn’t expect together.” It’s forever evolving—Cunningham skims Facebook Marketplace almost every day for treasures—but always warm and welcoming to a revolving door of guests. (The two love to entertain, and impromptu after-work dinner parties are constant.)

With a baby on the way for the couple, the design will have to continue to evolve. “The sofa used to be for hosting 15 friends and 20 bottles of wine, but it’ll also be good for a family,” says Cunningham. She looks around at the home with consideration, eyes landing on the more delicate pieces lovingly displayed in the wood-and-brick-lined space: shelves stacked with handmade pottery from friends; the heavy chain of cheeky brass monkeys hanging from the ceiling. “We’re excited, but I really like my adult things.”

Wall Flowers

When Sean Cunning­ham (left) and Matt Senecal-Junkeer built The Birds and the Beets, they fell in love with a high-end wallpaper… then were heartbroken to realize that it wouldn’t stand up to the wear-and-tear of restaurant life. “But for our house, we knew we could get the really nice one,” says Cunningham. This vintage-inspired pattern is from Sandberg.

Family Finds

The wooden dining table (did you spot the carved gargoyle feet?) belonged to Cunningham’s grandparents; ditto the vintage floral light fixture that hangs above it.

Nestled Vessels

The teak buffet is another Marketplace find. It holds a collection of Japanese glassware and ceramics from friends like Leigh Elliott. “She used to work for us a long time ago so we’ve collected her stuff over the years,” says Cunningham. “We have early stuff that she’s embarrassed about, but I love it.”

Dry, Dry Again

Nassi Soofi, co-founder of cult-fave floral shop Wild Bunch, gave the couple a bouquet (which they’ve since dried) in this Nathalee Paolinelli vase.

Crash Pad

The oversized modular sofa with a striped, woven pattern is allegedly a custom model from Inform; the couple scored it for $200 off of Marketplace. “We almost got divorced trying to move it in, though,” says Cunningham. Now, friends are always piled on it, “lying down and drinking wine.”

Grid of Glory

Cunningham was on a trip to Victoria when she happened to see a listing for a Ligne Roset rug in Oak Bay on Marketplace. (“You’re obsessed,” says Senecal-Junkeer to his wife.) She changed her ferry reservation to get it and it barely fit in the car. Now, she can’t imagine the house without it.

Cool It Down

The house came with a standard-sized fridge that jutted out into the hallway, so they searched high and low to find something that would fit in the awkward nook—this mint-hued number from a brand called Unique did the trick (and adds to the space’s retro charm).

Monkey Business

Vancouver artist Robert Chaplin made these brass monkeys. “He’s a friend and regular of ours,” says Senecal-Junkeer. “He did a mould of the Barrel of Monkeys monkeys and made them anatomically correct.”

Brass Act

Cunningham found the brass lamp and side tables at the Union Gospel Mission thrift store. Both apparently had previous lives as accessories at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. A knit trivet sits beneath the lamp, crafted by Cunningham’s grandmother.

Where Sean and Matt Like to Shop

Neighbour

The beautifully curated fashion boutique is right next to The Birds and the Beets, so Cunningham and Senecal-Junkeer find themselves there constantly.

Itsumo

All the Japanese homewares here are top-notch, but Senecal-Junkeer is a fan of the glassware, specifically.

Gourmet Warehouse

The pair snags their kitchen tools from this legendary East Van shop. They always have the best peelers, and never the most expensive ones—just ones that work.

Tin Lee Market

Cunningham and Senecal-Junkeer are fruit hounds, and regulars at Chinatown’s Tin Lee Market. You’ll get the most perfect passionfruit here.