I initially approached Stephanie with the idea of combining my original wedding ring with a ring inherited from my grandmother to create something new.

Stephanie was absolutely wonderful throughout our conversations. She took the time to listen to my ideas, explain the design process and offer thoughtful suggestions about how the two rings might come together.

Then, as sometimes happens during the creative process, I changed my mind entirely!

While we were discussing the possibilities, I spotted one of Stephanie’s newer designs and immediately fell in love with it. The unusual shape of the diamond, the simplicity of the design and the interesting setting were exactly what I wanted, even though I hadn’t known it when we started.

Although I didn’t end up following through with a fully custom piece, the experience left me with a tremendous appreciation for Stephanie’s creativity, expertise and thoughtful approach. I absolutely love my new ring and wear it every day. It is a beautiful reminder of a special milestone, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice.

Much like the pieces we select for our homes, I believe the things we wear and live with are even more meaningful when there is a personal story behind them.

While working on our PEI project, we were drawn to a piece of textile art by Mary Anne Donovan, owned by our clients (pictured above, right), and we have been looking for an opportunity to collaborate with her ever since.

Mary Anne is the talent behind House of Woolly Thyme, her textile studio in Nova Scotia. Embracing the soothing meditative rhythm of tapestry weaving, Mary Anne draws inspiration from nature and creates textured pieces depicting the beauty of her seaside town. 

A North Vancouver client of ours—and an avid seamstress—saw the piece amongst our project photos and loved the medium. She asked us to commission a piece for her that was inspired by the Alberni Valley on Vancouver Island where she grew up (pictured above), and we were thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with Mary Anne. 

We love Mary Anne’s work for being a modern take on textile art. She was wonderful to work with, sending us progress photos based on the inspiration images that we provided. The result is a delightful combination of colours and textures!

Not only does Mary Anne accept commissions and sell her own work, but she also offers curated tapestry weaving kits and supplies in hopes of instilling a love of textile art with budding fibre artists. Whether you’re hoping to purchase a unique piece for your home or you want to try your hand at a new art form, be sure to explore House of Woolly Thyme.

Her work is the conduit by which she highlights the long-lasting and harmful effects of these man-made changes. Along with our deep fascination for her compositions, we love her commitment to advocating for our oceans. 

Personally, I also have a history of swimming and an affinity for water, so it’s no wonder that Amelia’s work speaks to me. What intrigues me most, however, is how she adds reflection to give each piece depth and complexity. Up close, it’s abstract and intricate, but step back, and it looks like a photograph brought to life.

I encourage you to explore the beautiful work on her website. You may even be inspired to add her photorealistic art to your next home project!

We recently used MATT’s panels in the basement of our West Vancouver Project (pictured above), where the fireplace wall needed a simple, yet impactful treatment. Their textured surface added exactly the right balance – industrial yet refined, with a warmth that invites you into the space. It’s a beautiful example of how a thoughtfully chosen material can elevate a room without overwhelming it.

What I appreciate most about MATT is their commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability. Each panel is made by hand, and their lightweight overlays use only a fraction of the concrete typically required, which aligns with our belief in designing homes with intention and longevity.

If you are considering a feature wall or simply love discovering talented local makers, MATT Concrete is a wonderful place to start.

Combining traditional Japanese and Danish woodworking techniques, Enrique transforms locally collected wood slabs into stunning, exquisitely finished works of art that showcase the wood’s natural beauty.

Enrique’s pebble console table was the first piece to catch our eye at IDS a few years ago. We have since commissioned him to make a lovely console table shoe rack for our West Vancouver Mid-Century inspired project.

Photography from Propellor Studio

When our Prince Edward Island project demanded several large-scale yet lightweight fixtures in both the front entrance and dining room spaces, we knew that Propellor’s Cumulus series would be the perfect fit. Through their guidance, we selected the best shape and size for each fixture, and then they expertly packed and shipped them across the country. 

Photography from Prince Edward Island Project

Once installed, these artworks pay beautiful tribute to the breathtaking Canadian outdoors. If you are looking for Canadian-made, nature-inspired statement lighting for your home, exploring Propellor Studio’s work is a must.

Krista’s work focuses on the interplay of light and colour in the natural world. From realism to abstract, close-up perspectives to distant, her pieces evoke a variety of feelings, memories, and moods depending on the beholder.

We personally love her art for its ability to add a dose of bright colour and touch of nature to our clients’ interiors. I have also long admired her work and have a few of her pieces in my own personal collection.

You can find Krista’s art in the Ian Tan Art Gallery linked above, or reach out to us about incorporating her work into your project.

Her large-scale acrylic pieces serve as testaments to capturing the authentic narratives of human existence. Rich textures and soothing colour palettes weave through her artwork, radiating hope, positivity, and kindness. Each piece invites viewers to pause, reconnect, and find solace in the present moment.

There is much more to love about Donna than her artwork. Her sunny disposition and unwavering dedication shine through in every piece, infusing them with love and warmth. Her paintings serve as beacons of light, offering comfort and inspiration to all who encounter them.

To stay up to date with Donna’s exclusive creations and community events, I encourage you to join her mailing list. You will not be disappointed.

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Brothers Dressler places a strong emphasis on responsibly sourced materials, often utilizing reclaimed and salvaged wood, along with steel, repurposed waste streams, and found objects. Their approach not only yields stunning creations but also aligns with eco-conscious practices, contributing to waste reduction.

We sourced a custom branch light fixture for the study in our PEI project. Its unique, imperfect design, reminiscent of the natural world, adds an unexpected twist to an otherwise polished space.

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Our admiration for Brothers Dressler has remained, leading us to select a custom chandelier for the SHD office, a piece we are excited to showcase in more detail next month. If you are seeking distinctive, sustainable, and beautifully crafted pieces for your home, I highly recommend exploring Brothers Dressler’s offerings.

We love their commitment to comfortable and environmentally conscious goods — they are a distinguished member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council — and their simple, elegant designs with beautiful joinery. Their Phase Collection, shown above, is one of our favorites.

You can explore their beautiful product lines on their website, which you can purchase in Vancouver through us during your project or individually through Once A Tree Furniture. Enjoy!

Katie Napier is a self-taught abstract artist who creates evocative paintings that transport us to our misty West Coast shorelines. Katie’s style includes heavy texture with layers of acrylic paint, bringing a dreamy presence to the spaces her art calls home.

We have worked with Katie on a few projects recently, and it is always a pleasure to collaborate with her. If you’re searching for a captivating piece of art inspired by nature, be sure to take a look at Katie’s work or mention her during our next conversation about your project.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Lori Goldberg, a Vancouver based artist who has been creating inspirational works of art for more than 50 years. Her recent work is tied closely to nature, and she endeavours to use her art as an impetus for positive environmental changes.

I first met Lori a few years ago at the Eastside Culture Crawl, a wonderful event that takes place yearly in mid-November. I purchased one of her floral watercolour pieces on the spot, and it now hangs in a prominent place in my home where I enjoy it every day. When I decided to try my hand at watercolour painting earlier this year I signed up for one of Lori’s classes hosted at her East Vancouver studio. Learning from Lori was a great experience and I continue to be inspired by her creativity.