Bordered by Chinatown to the west, and Clark Drive to the east, Strathcona is Vancouver’s oldest and most diverse commercial and residential neighbourhood. 

Many people immediately think ‘Downtown Eastside’ when they think ‘Strathcona’. While it’s true that most of the Downtown Eastside lies within Strathcona, this up-and-coming neighbourhood is very popular with millennials. Strathcona is home to many craft breweries, trendy restaurants, street art, and small businesses (including us!).

We want to take this opportunity to show you the real Strathcona — our Strathcona.

Here are the top 7 places you must check out when visiting this historical neighbourhood:

1. Strathcona Beer Company

 Photo Credit: Vancouver Brewery Tours

As we mentioned, there are plenty of craft breweries in Strathcona. Strathcona Beer gets a special shout out because they’re literally 3 doors down from us! Try their Beach Radler (a light, citrus-y beer that’s perfect for the summer), any of their IPA’s, or one of their delicious pizzas (prosciutto & arugula is our go to)!

Still thirsty? Check out these other breweries: Strange Fellows Brewing / Powell Brewery / Off The Rails Brewing / Bomber Brewing / Storm Brewing / Callister Brewing Co / Andina Brewing Co

Strathcona Beer

895 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3Y1

2. The Garden Strathcona

 

Photo Credit: Scout Magazine

The Garden is another cool place that’s super close to us (this one’s right across the street from Flow)! The Garden is a cafe, bakery, and shop. Go grab a cup of their Equinox Espresso blend (a partnership with Agro Roasters, another Strathcona neighbour), sample one of their yummy pastries (baked in-house), and just enjoy the beautiful, enchanted atmosphere.

The Garden Strathcona

868 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R6

3. La Casa Gelato

Photo Credit: Daily Hive

Looking for some Instagram inspiration? La Casa Gelato is a Strathcona staple that’s been been around since 1982. Not only is the entire building pink, they also have 238+ gelato flavours in store! It may sound overwhelming, but you get to taste as many flavours as you want before making your decision (just buy a token at the counter when you enter the store). They have classic flavours like vanilla and chocolate for the purists, but we recommend tasting some of their more adventurous flavours too, like wasabi or garlic!

La Casa Gelato

1033 Venables St, Vancouver, BC V6A 3R9

4. The Gourmet Warehouse

 

 

Photo Credit: The Gourmet Warehouse

If you’re an aspiring master chef, you’ll love The Gourmet Warehouse. Started in 1998, The Gourmet Warehouse is a 19,000 sq.ft. warehouse that carries specialty ingredients and cookware essentials. Looking white truffle butter, a tagine, or want to dabble into molecular gastronomy? The Gourmet Warehouse is the place to go.

The Gourmet Warehouse

1340 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V5L 1S3

5. les amis du FROMAGE

Photo Credit: Vancouver Sun

Voted “Best Cheese Shop” by readers of The Georgia Straight, The Westender, and The Courier, les amis du FROMAGE is a family owned and operated specialty cheese store. Their original store is in Kitsilano, but luckily for us, their second location is literally a 15 second walk from our office. Want to impress your friends at the next gathering? les amis du FROMAGE offers high quality local and imported cheeses (cut to order), charcuterie and antipasto platters, and cheese wedding cakes. Yes, you heard us — a cheese wedding cake! How amazing does that sound?

les amis du FROMAGE

843 East Hastings St. Vancouver, BC

6. The Heatley

Photo Credit: Scout Magazine

With local rotating craft beers and wine on tap, The Heatley is a bar, eatery, and just an all-around cool spot to hang out at. More of a cocktail person? Try their Apparition cocktail (tequila, rosemary syrup, fresh cut cucumber, lime juice, tonic, and a sprig of rosemary to garnish). The Heatley also hosts DJ’s and live music almost every night of the week. You know where to find us after work!

The Heatley

696 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R1

7. Flow Furniture Lounge

 

 

 

 

 

 

We couldn’t end this list without mentioning our very own Furniture Lounge. Located right next to our office, we sell some of our gently used staging furniture for half of the retail price! Open 3 days a week, Flow brings in new pieces whenever another one’s sold (unlike other staging companies who do annual furniture sales). Because of this, you can always expect something new when you come to our Furniture Lounge.

Flow Furniture Lounge 

Wednesday 9:30am-2:30pm

Thursday/Friday 12pm-5pm

873 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8

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Anyone else love Strathcona as much as we do? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

Are you thinking about adding an accent wall to a room? Whether light and bright, or dark and dramatic, an accent wall is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to add a pop of colour, highlight a focal point, or to make a room feel more spacious and inviting.

Choosing your accent wall.

First, consider if there’s a focal point you want to accentuate (a fireplace, shelving, etc). The best wall to highlight is typically the “cleanest”, meaning it is the least amount of distractions.

Are paint or wallpaper my best options?

While paint and wallpaper are the most common ways to create an accent wall, there are plenty of other options. Decals, wall panelling, upholstered walls, accent lighting, and gallery walls also produce stunning results. In the end of the day, it really depends on your personal style, budget, and preferences.

Love the idea of an accent wall, but DIY’s not your thing? 

We can help! Give us a call at 604-674-8884 or email hello@flowsmartliving.com today. Get Started Now

You may have built the perfect condo/duplex/single family home with the most amazing features and finishes, but if your potential buyers can’t see themselves living in the space, it’s just another house — even if it’s the most beautiful home.

This is where we come in. Our Home Staging Specialists will draw upontheir combined expertise in design and staging to recognize the style of each property, choosing the best combination of furniture and accessories to enhance existing design features. From reviewing floor plans to decorating, we make sure even the smallest details are absolutely perfect.

Check out these show homes we staged for Realstar Management:

Studio Apartment

1 Bedroom Apartment

 Well staged homes attract serious buyers, because the home represents a lifestyle that they want (even if it’s not the lifestyle they currently lead). Allow us to help your property reach its full potential — one your clients will want to call home. Give us a call at 604-674-8884 or email hello@flowsmartliving.com to get started.

You’ve read our latest blog post on the 10 Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer, but still have more questions about contractors, logistics, and more? We’ve got you covered!

On Wednesday, February 27, 2019 from 5-7pm, we’ll be hosting a FREE information session right here at the Flow office (873 E Hastings St). If you’re planning a renovation but have no idea where to start, we encourage you to drop by.

Don’t worry – this will be a casual get-together (aka no boring PowerPoints). Elisa Fox, Flow’s interior designer, and Phil Van Drunen from Van Drunen Construction will be here to answer any questions you may have.

What are you waiting for? Click here to RSVP now! Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

If you’re reading this, you (or someone you know) are probably thinking about refreshing your space. Congratulations, you are one step closer to your dream home! That being said, selecting the perfect interior designer to bring your vision to life can be daunting… especially if you’ve never worked with an interior designer before. No worries — we’re here to help! Here are the 10 Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer.

1. What is your signature style?

It’s important to do your own research ahead of time, and figure out what you want and don’t want. Browse though different designers’ portfolios and decide on which design styles you like before you even begin to “interview” designers. Your space will be a reflection of your unique style, so make sure you and your designer feel right together. 

2. What do you specialize in?

When meeting designers, describe briefly what your needs are and see how the designer can help. Some designers specialize in the construction part of design, such as permit drawings, selection of finishes, etc., while others are excellent at styling.

3. Do you have professional certifications?

Whether you choose to go with an up-and-coming interior designer, or one with extensive experience, it doesn’t hurt to ask about their professional certifications. Do they have a college degree with a major in Interior Design? Are they skilled in computer-aided-design (CAD) programs? These answers can help give you peace of mind.

4. What should I expect for the design process?

After initial contact (whether it’s over the phone, by email, etc.), most interior designers start the design process with a consultation. During the consultation, the interior designer will gather information, gather your wish list, and provide feedback and ideas on what you’re looking for. Design consultations are 1-2 hours long, and cost from $250-500 depending on the firm.

5. Can you work within my budget?

This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s important to understand and be comfortable with your designer’s fees from the start. That way, you won’t run into any surprises down the road. As a general rule of thumb, design work is typically 10% of your overall cost for larger projects. Also, keep in mind that some designers charge a flat fee, while others charge by the hour.

6. Do you have a contract?

A contract is there to show you the proper steps and expectations, showcasing exactly what the designers can do for you. It’s all about being honest and transparent. Your interior designer (and other contractors) are working for you, so you should know exactly what’s going on with your project.

7. What does the timeline look like?

Consider a timeframe and time of year you’d like for project completion. Typically, your designer will present you with a scope of work after the initial consultation to highlight how they can help achieve your design goals. Make sure you both agree on the timeline so you’re not rushing your designer, and they know exactly what you expect from them. Design is a process — it takes time!

8. How involved should/will I be during the design process?

Some people prefer to have their interior designer take care of everything, while others like to be very involved. Discussing this with your designer upfront will help eliminate potential hurdles along the way.

9. Are there multiple ways to contact you?

This may sound silly, but how often they respond to phone calls or emails immediately, if they follow up on missed calls in a timely manner, etc., allows you to see your designer’s professionalism ahead of time. That being said, setting boundaries on when to be reached is also important for both parties.

10.  Do I have to find my own contractors, or are there contractors you prefer working with?

A part of your designer’s job is to help you understand how to interview and select a contractor. Most designers already have go-to contractors that they have established relationships with, but professional interior designers should be able to work with any certified contractors.

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These 10 questions should provide you with a good understanding of what to ask and expect from a potential interior designer. It’s important to know what your designers can do for you, and that he/she meets your needs. We recommend making your decisions based on the overall value, rather than just looking at their hourly rate. At the end of the day, good customer service is key to a positive, long-lasting relationship.

Still have questions, concerns, or want to learn more about Flow’s interior design services?

Give us a call at (604) 674-8884, or email hello@flowsmartliving.com.

As it gets closer to the holiday season, I want to invite you to join me in helping some of Vancouver’s most at-risk kids.  I am donating on behalf of Flow this year to the Vancouver Firefighter Charities’ “Snacks for Kids Program” which helps feed the one in five Vancouver students who live in poverty and face food insecurities. 

Vancouver Firefighters not only work this program ensuring that healthy snacks get to these kids every school day but they support it financially with their voluntary payroll deductions.  Their program now serves over 2,000 needy kids in 40 Vancouver schools including my daughter’s school.  Since Snacks for Kids is volunteer driven, the overhead is very low which means more money is spent where it is needed – feeding hungry kids.

Over the winter break, Vancouver Firefighters put together care packages to make sure there is food on the table when the kids are away from their school programs. We, at Flow decided to help and you can too!

$100 will supply two families with take home groceries for the holidays. But there is no minimum amount, anything will help! I am asking my friends, family, colleagues, and clients to join me by pitching in with a donation to the Snacks for Kids Program.  It is easy to do.  Just go to www.snacksforkids.ca and click the “Donate” button on the upper right hand corner and add Anne-Hebert where it says “campaign”, or you can mail a cheque to the Vancouver Firefighter Charities head office at #2 – 6515 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5H 3E8.  (Be sure and put it is for the Snacks for Kids Program in the memo line of your cheque).

Please help me make a big difference to Vancouver families who are struggling.  It will make you feel good. All the best to you and yours!

Isabelle

Choosing to hire an interior designer to take your ideas and paint a cohesive picture for you is, ultimately, an investment with long-term returns. During the interior design process, our team works with you to determine the direction of your project and create a plan that is individualized to your specific needs.

One of the most important tools during the interior design process are mood boards. These are compositions that the designer creates to present concepts to the client. A mood board helps them to visualize an specific concept, but also understand the overall design process.

Our designers create different layouts on these mood boards, using their ideas and recommendations. In this way, the client can see how different elements will look together. This will help to make the interior design process smoother and more enjoyable for the client.

These are a few samples of the mood boards that our team put together for one of our most recent interior design projects.

Artwork Mood Board – Presentation 1

Artwork Mood Board – Presentation 2

Artwork Mood Board – Presentation 3

Benefits of using mood boards

Establish the basics – Mood boards help to establish all of the baselines that will eventually compose the final result: color palettes, layouts, finishes… They are a great tool to make these clear and help the interior design process run smoothly.

Conversations are easier – Mood boards make communication with clients easier and reduce wasted design time. If designer and client are on the same page and have a clear idea of the direction, the process will be much easier and enjoyable for both.

Do you have an idea in mind to re-design your home? We can help! Contact us today to discuss your upcoming renovation or design project. We would be delighted to work together to make your space a place you call home! Give us a call today at (604) 674-8884 or email us at hello@flowsmartliving.com

Our favorite season is finally here! Sunshine, longer days, bright colors… This is the perfect time (or excuse!) to update and incorporate the latest summer decorating trends to your home. A few accessories here and there or a completely new and stunning outdoor dining set will make a huge difference in order to prepare your house for the warmest season.

Do you want to know more?

Read all about our favorite summer decorating trends!

#1 – Macrame is back!

YES! This bohemian-style has been popular for quite some time now. Macrame is the perfect summer decorating trend to add nice texture and naturalness to any space. Plus handmade items always bring a cozy feel to your home. You can give a fresh touch to your bedroom or living room by adding macrame and woven wall hangings. You can also create a small composition and combine it with framed art.

#2 – Add some outdoor layers

The easiest way to bring colors and textures to your patio or backyard! To rock this summer decorating trend, you can use neutral tones for your outdoor seating and cushions, and be more creative when choosing your outdoors rug. Mosaic patterns, lines, colors… which one is your favourite?

#3 – Tropical prints are a must!

Give your house a fresh new feeling for the summer! A follow-up from last year, this summer decorating trend is still going strong. You can use leafy green plants to decorate your living room, or decorative pillows in splashy green garden prints. Leaf art prints, oversized bugs, exotic birds… mix them with natural elements for a calming, comfortable feel. Or combine them with gold and brass for a touch of luxury.

#4 – Artisan textures

Texture is a huge trend this season! Materials such rattan, straw and wicker will be your perfect allies to add a natural handmade feel to your home. So much can be achieved by simply playing with textures and materials. Don’t underestimate the power of embracing and combining different textures!

Which one is your favorite summer decorating trend?

Do you have an idea in mind to re-design your home? We can help! Contact us today to discuss your upcoming renovation or design project. We would be delighted to work together to make your space a place you call home! Give us a call today at (604)674-8884 or email us at hello@flowsmartliving.com

We love coffee table styling! It is one of our favorite parts when we stage an empty property. Coffee tables are an important part of a living room. We could say that it is a bit of an art! When styling your coffee table, it is important that they look good, but they also have be functional. The display needs to be attractive without disrupting the flow of the space.

What steps do I need to follow to style my coffee table?

Our staging team brought you some useful and practical tips to help you style your coffee table, let’s get started!

#1 – Create a composition

This step is key when styling your coffee table. Imagine a few items in a little vignette and make them work as a unit. You need to find a way to connect all of them. To do this, you could use a color, shapes, a theme, sizes, a particular style, color shades… Getting a balanced composition takes time. You can play around with all the items, set different vignettes and finally decide which one feels right to you.

#2 – Use proportional sizes

Play around with different height and scale of objects to give structure and proportion to your composition. It will make it more dynamic and will add a visual interest to your coffee table. But be careful not to have anything so tall that could obstructs the view of people sitting on either side of the table.

#3 – Less is more

We know. Sometimes is hard to say no to all the nice accessories that we see around. However, it is really important not to overcrowd and keep the functionality of your coffee table. You can stack or group objects together to avoid a cluttered look, while keeping enough space for whatever you might need.

#4 – Natural elements

A little plant, a vase with some flowers, nature-inspired accessories, some dried leaves… you name it! Incorporating natural elements is one of the biggest interior design trends at this moment. Try different color combinations to create your own personal style. Our favorites? Warm neutrals and off-whites! They are a great option to create a timeless and flexible natural palette.

#5 – Include a conversation starter

Your coffee table need that one standout piece! It could be a personal item that is dear to you, a statement piece with a unique shape or finish or any other item that has a good story waiting to be told! Like any other room, your living room can benefit from having a focal point. And a coffee table display could help to create this visual point.

#6 – Textures and shapes

Coffee table styling is all about experimenting to create the perfect style for you. Don’t be afraid to mix shapes and finishes to create interest and dimension on your display. Texture accents, a touch of high-gloss, lines vs. curves… It is time to unleash our imagination and have fun!

We hope you liked our coffee table styling tips!

Have an idea in mind to re-design your home? We can help! Contact us today to discuss your upcoming renovation or design project. We would be delighted to work together to make your space a place you call home! Give us a call today at (604) 674-8884 or email us at hello@flowsmartliving.com 

Do you want to know how to showcase your property and appeal to the largest number of potential buyers?

When selling your property, it’s important to make sure your it shows its absolute maximum potential. For many home buyers, the outdoor area of a home is just as important as the interior. Staging your patio will definitely help you increase your chances of selling your property, specially now that spring is finally in Vancouver!

Here are a few tips for staging an outdoor area that will help you sell your home faster and for more money!

#1 – Keep it simple

You can get amazing results by adding a minimal amount of outdoor furniture, to make sure there is an easy traffic flow through the space. If you have a large outdoor area, you can set multiple areas, such dining area, living area or even an outdoor kitchen. This way, buyers will be able to see the possibilities of this space. However, keep it as much simple as possible. Too much furniture may have the opposite of the desired effect and make it seem small and overdo.

#2 – Give a little TLC

Cleaning up dead leaves and bugs, trimming trees and bushes, pressure-washing decks or floors, making some minor repairs, freshening up flower beds… You’d be surprised the difference that a nice little revamp can make to the outside! It will help to make the space look brand new and inviting.

#3 – Add an color accent

It’s the time to move all the toys, lawn ornaments, pet supplies and other stuff that you can have outdoor to the storage room and save them for your next home. Keep your largest furniture pieces neutral and color accent them by adding a few items such as potted plants, outdoor rugs, colorful pillows, and props such as refreshment trays.

Need more help to stage your property? If you are considering listing your home and are curious about staging, feel free to give the Flow Team a call at (604) 674-8884 or email us at hello@flowsmartliving.com. We’d be happy to answer your questions!