This Prewar Vancouver Apartment Is Absolutely Packed with Striking Features

Adrienne Breaux
·6 min read
White couch in front of glass coffee table and black leather chair on white rug
Glass coffee table next to black leather chair and white fireplace
Leafy plant in white pot in front of white curtains
Dog standing on black leather chair with white floor lamp against white wall
Wood dresser with record player on top and speakers on either side on the floor
white stone table lamp on white side table with heater against white wall in background
White vintage chairs at wood dining table with white pendant lamp hanging over
Wood table with white vintage chairs and round pendant lamp hanging over
Bed with white covers and striped red blue pillow
Bed with white bedding and striped red blue pillow and white table lamp next to it
Bed with white bedding and striped red blue pillow and white table lamp next to it
Floorplan of the Vancouver residence

ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Apartment

LOCATION: Vancouver, Canada

STYLE: Art Deco, Contemporary, Minimal

BEDROOMS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 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.”

Dog standing on black leather chair with white floor lamp against white wall

“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.”

Light pink floor lamp against white wall

“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!”

Dog laying on bed in front of open window with white curtains

“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.”

Resources

neutral living room with clear coffee table
Credit: Katey Credit: Katey

LIVING ROOM

  • Wassily Chair — Vintage

  • Floor Lamp — Thrifted

  • Candle Holder — DIY

  • Mirror — Facebook Marketplace

  • Coffee Table — Thrifted

  • Credenza — Vintage

  • Art — Vintage

  • Record Player — Facebook Marketplace

Wood table with white vintage chairs and round pendant lamp hanging over

DINING ROOM

  • Table — Vintage

  • Chairs — Facebook Marketplace

  • Light — IKEA

  • Art — DIY

  • Floor Lamp — Thrifted

Hallway with curved archways and wood dresser in distance

HALLWAY

  • Mirror — Eternity Modern

Bed with white covers and striped red blue pillow

BEDROOM

  • Pillow — Etsy

  • Light — IKEA

  • Table Lamps — HomeSense

  • Bedside Tables — Vintage

Thanks, Katey!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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Further Reading

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We Asked 5 Contractors Which Kitchen Reno Trend Homeowners Regret Most, and They Basically All Agreed

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