Get Affordable Decorating Tips From the Designer of This Chic Vancouver Home

When a now-retired Vancouver woman bought this house in the city’s beachside Kitsilano neighborhood, she hired Gillian Segal — who also lives in the neighborhood — to help her create a vision for a home that would see her through to the next chapter of her life. After roughly two years of renovations and design work on this Craftsman-style home, Gillian walks us through a total redesign that places an emphasis on sculptural lighting.

These light fixtures from Pelle Designs — or light sculptures, as Gillian prefers to call them — are what started it all. Some design projects are inspired by one specific element and then the whole project unfolds around it, Gillian says, and this fixture is what anchored the design of this home. “I had recently come back from New York, visiting vendors and trade shows, and I had seen they [Pelle] had just released this lighting series,” Gillian says. “They were showing a sconce version of it and I absolutely fell in love with it, and the client did, too.” The arched entrances to the dining room were designed specifically to frame this fixture, Gillian says. To the left, the homeowner’s dog, Lexie, sits at the entrance to the kitchen.

Gillian and the homeowner worked together closely throughout the project to make sure it all came together perfectly. Throughout the home, you’ll see pieces of artwork that were specifically commissioned for this project, including these two paintings by Canadian artist Erin Armstrong. “I love supporting artists from everywhere, but when I can, I really love to support local, emerging and Canadian artists,” Gillian says. “The client knew what she wanted with this commission and they’re fantastic pieces.” Here, you can also see how the arch between the dining and living room perfectly frames the Pelle light fixtures.

“This room was such a study of shape,” Gillian says. From the pillows to the artwork to the light fixture, a recurring theme of circles ties this guest bedroom together. “We were really having fun playing with that.” She also loves the large window seat in this room. She says window seats can add an element of romance to a room.