A beautiful house deserves furniture to match. Vancouver has a small group of design showrooms carrying the great European and American houses, from Italian sofas and kitchens to modernist classics. Here’s where to find them, from the showrooms’ and brands’ own information.
Inform, Gastown
Inform is family-owned and has been selling authentic design since 1963. Its showroom is on Water Street in Gastown. It carries international brands such as Cassina.
Livingspace, Kitsilano
Livingspace’s showroom at 1706 West 1st Avenue carries a broad range of European design. Its own brand list includes:
- Furniture: Minotti, Molteni&C, Living Divani, Baxter, Gallotti&Radice, Porro, Paola Lenti, Ligne Roset, Knoll and Herman Miller.
- Lighting: Flos, Artemide, Bocci, Louis Poulsen and Vibia.
- Kitchens and appliances: Dada and Arclinea kitchens, and Gaggenau, Miele and Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances.
Poliform, downtown
Poliform’s Vancouver showroom, at 779 West Pender Street, covers two floors with the full Poliform collection: kitchens, closets and wardrobes, sofas, bedroom furniture and outdoor pieces.
Roche Bobois, downtown
The French house’s Vancouver showroom is at 716 West Hastings Street.
Buying well
- Allow time. Made-to-order European pieces are often built after you order. Ask for a realistic delivery date before you sign, especially if you’re timing it with a move.
- Work with a designer. Most showrooms work closely with interior designers and architects. A designer can bring the pieces together, and handle measurements, finishes and coordination.
- Measure the house, not just the room. Check doorways, stairs and elevators before you order large pieces, particularly in a condo or an older home.
- Kitchens and closets are custom projects. Bring floor plans early in a renovation or new build.
Luxury shopping in Vancouver · The lifestyle guides
General information, current as of publication, from each showroom’s and brand’s own website. Brands and locations change; check with each showroom before visiting.