******* 3.5 STARS*******…read more sigh ya, i'm totally one of those people that laughed at the pretentious and WAY overpriced goods in this store (i'm pretty sure there was a dust pan and horsehair bristles - WTF!?!?) only to drop some serious cash (in my books) on a great coffee table/seat this weekend. i'll admit it. i'm now officially part of the problem. but let me defend myself. i've been looking for a coffee table/ottoman type thing for several years and could never find anything that was functional and a bit more modern. also, i'm a bit over Ikea. after quite a bit of searching i also found that funky, well made furniture is kinda expensive anywhere you look whether it be the jewel of mid-century goods at Refind or higher end modern in Gastown/Yaletown. at least Vancouver Special is in my hood! so i hummed and hawed but i really loved this piece so i sucked it up and bought it. i found service to be "ok" in the sense that it took awhile for the woman to ask me if i needed help (there was no one else in the store and i probably looked pretty confused) but not a huge deal for me because both staffers were helpful once they did reach me and i kinda like to look around undisturbed. so 3.5 stars mainly because the sale items aren't assembled in one place (there are some but they are hard to find!), it is VERY pricey (although certain things are priced fairly) and it makes me feel a bit douchey to shop here.

I can't say I'd ever spend a few hundred dollars on an alarm clock, or have the need for a paper…read morehouse making kit, but I like to know I have the option. If you're one of those impossible people to buy gifts for, your loved ones might want to have a peak inside the white walls here. Don't feel shameful over your lust for the finer things: if I were oozing cash, I might just refit my home in swank new accessories too, but for now, I'll continue to make this a dreamy little pit stop on my way up or down Main.

While the main inventory at Pretty Up reads rather monotonously (plastic beads, glass beads, metal…read morebeads, and stone beads) curious shoppers will find many other cute items. There is a nice collection of gel candles (priced at around $10) that suspend miniature scenes within them. I found a good gift of an ocean-themed candle here. The large beading section is a bit haphazard, but offers a different variety than available at Country Beads. I'd go to Country Beads to create classy, lasting jewelry and to Pretty Up for fun, cheaper jewelry. That's not to say you can't find something to meet your style at either. And when you're done creating your treasures, you can check out the adorable jewelry boxes available too.

Pretty up beads has a nice collection of beads, from metallic, plastic and other fabrics and…read morecharms to all the colours of the rainbow. It's a cluttered, busy-and-beady environment, I really like it though. I don't make beads or wear beads, but I think for crafty people it could be really great. And the kids love it. The best part is that it's in a trendy part of town, so you can go out after and eat, drink and be merry.

Another bustling home decor boutique store, along this Gastown stretch, beside the parkade…read more Quality and fashionable products here, home and kitchen, with the headboards at the front, and a bit of kitchen ware by the store front window, a glass holder for butter, though not sure if I'd leave this on the table at room temperature but I digress. Some dishware sets, teapots... What did piqued my eye are these measuring spoons in the shape of a heart, a set for $28, and you bet it's stainless steel, so a nice fun secondary gift to get in time for Valentine's ;), and especially for a great cook. Friendly service, offered a few suggestions.

The comfortable and warm service in this cozy establishment is always such a joy for my shopping…read moreexperience. The selection of vintage and vintage-inspired goods is wide-ranging, from tea cup candles, to metal furniture, to quaint decor like phrenology hands and puppy dog tail hooks. It's always a pleasure to pass by to see whether they have anything new in store! They also have a website in which you can browse through their collection and later ring them to hold for you (as they understandably don't hold everything in-store). And the other useful services they offer are upcycling your used furniture and a finding service in which you can submit photographs of what you're looking for and have the store help you in your search. Very nifty! Overall, L'Atelier offers extensive services and a remarkable array of home decor, and the people have never failed to provide excellent hospitality. This is definitely one of my favourite shops in the area for all these reasons!

Nothing too wow. But its interesting to look at. I mean its modern to go inside. But unless you…read morereally need to redesign your house then yeah maybe it would make sense to shop here. The product is ok, I mean I do find it does feel like going into a gift shop. Not sure I want to have the kind of stuff they sell in my house or maybe I am not too trendy. its nice artwork to look at.

I've walked by here so many times, but for some reason had never gone in. Yesterday my mom was…read morevisiting and wanted to check it out. Glad we did! Lots of cute and unique housewares and art. Friendly customer service too!

While sauntering along Main Street this weekend I came upon this little gem. Nineteen Ten is a…read moreboutique filled with many unique and interesting items for the home. These include, but are not limited to, cards, rugs, workshop cage lights, wooden stools, cardboard house kits, prints and cushions from local designers, welcome signs, and various other useful and beautiful items. So the next time I am desperate for a gift for the person that has almost everything I think I will head back here. Plus they carry a small assortment of Christmas ornaments (my kryptonite) that I can ogle.

Nineteen ten just opened where Legends used to be. It's a very cute space, the size of Much and…read moreLittle but more like Old Faithful with its rustic brushed metal dining chairs and lighting fixtures. The lights are definitely the main focus, right now anyhow, and they are gorgeously unique, not over the top expensive. The service is quietly friendly and thoughtful. My favourite item was a bird smoke alarm in a wooden frame that would look great on any book or kitchen shelf for 80 dollars. It is definitely a welcome addition to the reiley park area with its gaudy antique shops and stupid expensive "Scandinavian" one (you want how much for that uncomfortable old chair?). They are currently having 10% off first purchase sale, so hurry on over! (13 of 30))

This shop is really really really cool. It is a great place to buy someone a gift. Everything here…read moreis like Japanese themed. They have a lot of stuff good for a home. This place is definitely expensive, would not recommend if you're broke, I'm not though. But yea I bought a soap shaped as a fish. I thought this was the coolest thing ever, I've never seen that before. Yea I paid $50 CAD for a soap. Yea that's absolutely ridiculous and yes you can call me stupid BUT at least it's cool though, amirite. Also, it smells good. But yea it's a gift, however I think I need to come back here and buy one for me. I think this is one of the coolest shops in gastown, this isn't a place you're going to read a review for and go, you just kinda walk into it like I did. Also, this place has really good books, I ended up buying the same book I saw here on amazon for half the price. But hey, at least I bought that fish soap.

Old Faithful is one of those shops that is merchandised so well where if you remove something off…read moreof a shelf someone else could tell exactly what you moved. I have been to the Old Faithful shop many times and it hasn't disappointed. It is very true to their theme of artisan, home-made or well-crafted-and-the-woodsy-bent items, which speaks to a particular customer. Some may love this shop and others may find it expensive and too specific to integrate into their personal style. I appreciate the care in the selection of the goods and the kindness of the employees. The first time I was in the shop (being overwhelmed by the visuals) I just bought several journals. When I got home, I realized that I wanted more and ordered them by phone because they don't use their website for special orders. They were very nice and when the package arrived, it was beautiful. Brown paper package, tied up with string... no kidding. This time I bought a huge wool blanket that I thought I could fit in my luggage (I couldn't) and it made a perfect gift. The thing about the blanket purchase was how much banter I had the the employees while I was purchasing it. While we were talking, THEY referenced that I had bought the journals the previous year. What memory. Their attention to detail gets me every time. I will always go back to Old Faithful when I am in Vancouver... whether or not I can fit what I buy into my luggage.

DaVinci's Home provided excellent service and their understanding our desired needs in home…read moredecorating was superb. The experience was so rewarding that I have no hesitation in recommending DaVinci's Home to my friends and business associates. I am fully confident that the service and selection will be outstanding and be a positive memorable event. Their pricing is extremely fair and the merchandise lines that they carry are high quality along with their beautiful unique items.

Da Vinci Home has beautiful, well-curated home decor. The service was great and the pair of light…read moresconces which I purchased are fabulous! I highly recommend this store!!

Small indoor craft market with many different small business venders. It's just a few yards from…read morethe big Granville Island Public Market. If you have the time, it's worth a walk through. Open everyday and closed at 6pm.

In the window of Circle Craft stood a stunning green satine silk gown with unique details and just…read morea hint of whimsy. If this sight isn't enough to get you through the doors of Circle Craft, I don't know what is! The beautiful fashion design is just the beginning of the Circle Craft co-op, offering up, at any time, 200 local artisans works, for sale and show. You may be aware of Circle Craft for their November Christmas Craft Show at the Convention Centre in Vancouver and the store is also a showcase for many of the artists that you will find there. From pottery, fashion design, jewellery, sculpture, stonework and glass-work from very talented local artisans, you are bound to find something new and interesting at Circle Craft. Currently, artist Michelle Matias' "Things of Omen" pieces are showing and her unique and transfixing glass shard black ravens and felines are something to behold!