As the creative director for Vancouver’s most sought after décor boutique and design firm – The Cross – Stephanie Vogler clearly has a penchant for all things stylish. The approachably chic aesthetic upon which the brand has been built transitions beautifully into Stephanie’s personal space and as we tour her family home, she shares with us the insider scoop on creating a stylish, designer-approved décor for the holidays.
What is it? A 1200-sq. ft. southwest-facing condo in Yaletown overlooking Granville Street Bridge; two bedroom, two bath with den.
Occupant (brief bio): I’m the creative director for The Cross Décor and Design, my husband is the assistant treasurer at SFU and our kids are seven and nine years old.
Major selling feature: The fantastic layout and the prime location.
First thing I changed: We added proper built-in closets. It makes all the difference in the world and allowed for a ton of extra storage (aka, more clothes shopping!).
Feature I brag about: The light. Even on the darkest Vancouver day, our condo is flooded with light.
That one conversation piece: Outside: the view of the bridge is very architectural and the flow of traffic is actually quite soothing. Inside: the kids’ bunk beds. We splurged and got the nicest beds from Restoration Hardware. Worth every penny.
The décor: It’s constantly changing. I love a beachy, relaxed vibe, but I’m also very influenced by European décor. I stick to a neutral palette, which allows me to add in a colour depending on the season or my mood.
The story behind the art/antiques/collectibles: As a buyer, I’m always on the hunt to source things that others will love. With art, I’m able to find things that I can enjoy and treasure all to myself. Therefore, my art collection is quite large. I have work from many local artist friends. I cherish those pieces the most. My vintage collection is mostly made up of Limoges dishes. I love delicate, pretty dishes paired with rustic table linens. Linens are another obsession...
Downsides: We really need another bedroom. Although currently our kids love sharing a room, the writing is on the wall... we need more space.
Neighbourhood haunts: So many! We have lived here for nine years and this truly is our community. As a family, we love going for pizza at Bella Gelateria and to Homer St. Cafe for brunch... Banana Nutella French toast! When John and I get a date night, we love Rodney’s or Minami. When I’m at work I often grab a juice from Krokodile Pear or a salad from Living Produce Aisle or hold lunch meetings at The Flying Pig. Girls night splurge? Blue Water Café.
How would you describe your holiday décor style? My holiday style is a mash up of childhood nostalgia, German tradition, and the newest trends in décor. I insist on having a real tree and our decorating revolves around our enormous collection of ornaments. I bring home at least a dozen or more of my favourites from each season at The Cross, so after 12 years in business you can imagine the abundance! Currently I am loving our woodland themed, felted and whimsical ornaments that the kids love. I’m also loving the copper and rose gold trend in décor, and I’ve worked in into my Christmas decorating as well. It blends in really nicely with gold and silver and gives the room a lovely, soft glow.
What tips can you share for integrating holiday décor into your usual design aesthetic? I usually clear all my usual surfaces before adding in my décor. Put your everyday things away, then put your holiday décor out. It’s a process but it allows for a fresh and clean display. If you are a modern minimalist, I love the idea of a pile of twinkle lights on the floor, or simply draped over a mirror. If you’re more of a maximalist, keep the colour palette simple; I prefer one feature colour with lots of metallics and natural elements. Be true to what you love. Decorating is a personal process and the holidays are no exception to this rule.
What item are you most excited about (décor-wise) for your holiday style? I’m fairly particular about our tree and always want the biggest one possible. This year it’s taken over the living room and I’m pretty happy about it. My favourite part about trimming the tree is the garlands. I’m obsessed with garlands. The other thing I get excited about is my collection of vintage tableware. I love pulling out all my old favourites and I really enjoy setting the table for Christmas dinner.
