GASTOWN GASTOWN

The streetlamps and cobblestones may give Gastown a yesteryear vibe (despite the fact that, ahem, these old-world aesthetic additions are actually from the ’70s), but the design shopping here is fresh, modern and downright playful, with plenty of international inspiration to be found.

Old Faithful Shop

320 W Cordova St.

Warm and inviting, Old Faithful hosts an assortment of minimalist lighting and Scandinavian accessories from Denmark-based Skagerak, Ferm Living and more. Look for coffee table books, thoughtfully designed home goods and an extensive Japanese craft collection— including Hard Strong glassware. oldfaithfulshop.com

4.

Nemesis Coffee

302 W Hastings St.

The espresso is strong; the croissant skills are even stronger. Grab a caffeine fix (and maybe a little sugar fix, too—snag a raspberry pavlova cruffin if you can) in Nemesis’s bright, Scandi-minimalist space to get your head in the design-hunting game before you hit Gastown’s cobblestone streets.

nemesis.coffee

Juice Bar

54 Alexander St.

Cult-fave coffee shop

S Mn Home

28 Water St.

For The Linen Lovers

Stocked with bedding, bath and sleepwear, Sömn is a haven for linen lovers. The m.o. here is luxe fabrics—ubersoft washed linens are a specialty—paired with a stripped-down modern design sense that lets the fibres sing. somnhome.com

A KNICK-KNACK PARADISE

Out And About

321 W Cordova St.

Fable Home

205–332 Water St.

What started as an onlineonly dishware company now a full-fledged home decor destination. Find beautiful, Portuguese-made ceramic plates, bowls and in matte pastels or speckled white alongside ultra-durable glassware and feels-just-right premium cutlery. fable.com

The Birds and the Beets transforms at night into Juice Bar, an equally cool wine bar—so end your shopping day on the patio here with a glass of something small-batch