Sustainable Chic: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Decor Shops in BC

Obakki

Those who want a story behind each carefully considered decor element in their home will fall in love with Vancouver-based lifestyle brand Obakki. The brand works hand-in-hand with artisans the world over, ensuring their craft is fairly compensated so they can continue to make beautiful pieces using generations-old methods. Case in point: the gorgeous hand-poured candles made by Doña Viviana—a family craft handed down for 300 years. She works from her studio in Mexico, hand-pouring and shaping each petal and layer of her delicate, long-burning works of art. And that’s just one of many artisans Obakki partners with. The wares are all different—from wall hangings and baskets to pottery and blankets—but a few things always stay the same: all are handcrafted in small batches, with an eye on local materials and sustainable supply chains. 

 

Casa Modelo Studio 

If you like thrift, resale and secondhand shopping, here’s your chance to feel (just a little) smug about your environmental footprint. Buying used furniture and decor is a great way to support the circular economy, keep waste out of landfills, and save carbon emissions. Plus, it’s also the best way to snag better quality for less. And the vintage-retro designs are oh-so covetable. Convinced? Then consider visiting Casa Modelo Studio in Kelowna for its roundup of vintage pieces curated by owner Carolina Valdez. Find everything from vintage coasters and candlesticks to eye-catching furniture pieces—all unique, and with pieces to suit any style. It’s retail therapy, without the guilt.

 

Indaba

Handwoven, handprinted, handmade. Everything at Indaba in Parksville has been meticulously crafted by artisans from around the globe, with a focus on pieces from India. According to the website, founder Irene Held immigrated from South Africa and started Indaba based on the belief that “life is better when you surround yourself with meaningful things.” Today, she and her daughter Alison travel in search of the beautiful items they sell in their shop. Find everything from blown glass and ceramics to textiles and rugs, and everything in-between. All handmade by artisans from around the globe, who are supported by the sale of their craft. The pieces are unique, small-batch and ethical—the opposite of mass produced. Exactly the sort of thing you want to surround yourself with. 

 

Far & Wide 

Tucked inside this cute Kamloops-based shop, there are over 100 small brands. Many of them are local, but all are handpicked by owner Calli Duncan. The brands she chooses are small and independent, and increasingly focus on women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ owners. Some pieces are handmade, others are locally produced—many are both. But all are hosted in an inclusive space, that is also a community hub of pop-up events, collabs, and markets. Besides, who doesn’t want candles shaped like asparagus? Or a cowboy hat–shaped incense holder? (There are plenty of serious items too, like gorgeous linens, ceramics, drinking vessels, and more.) They specialize in plants, including an array of planters, pots, accessories, and books devoted to their upkeep and care—which might be our favourite way to reduce our carbon footprint.

 

Faire Living

What’s in a name? In this case, everything. This gorgeous shop in Qualicum Beach believes in fairness: fair wages for artisans, fair prices for shoppers, and fair environmental practices. Their philosophy, according to their website, is that “the best goods are the ones that don’t harm our environment or the people who make them.” We couldn’t agree more. Which is why we would be delighted to display their beautiful Japanese stoneware, West African textiles or a brass sconce hand-formed in India. Each item is carefully considered by the mother-daughter duo, who have decades of experience in fashion, bridal and interior design. Have a few pennies left over? Don’t hesitate to take a peek at the collection of clothing and accessories.

 

That Funky Corner Shop 

Reduce, reuse, recycle—it’s Sustainability 101. Which is why vintage furniture and decor will always be the more sustainable option. That’s where That Funky Corner Shop, located in Victoria, comes in. They find vintage diamonds in the rough, shine them up, and then find them families to love them. And who can resist an 1960s teak-and-tile table? Or cute-as-a-button bookends featuring terriers? The quality is better and it keeps trash (let’s be honest: treasure) out of the landfill. After all, what would you rather have in your home: teak or particle board? The shop is online only, but if you’re in the neighbourhood, it’s possible to book an appointment for an in-person look before buying. That’s not all: they also use compostable mailers and carbon-offset shipping, to ensure they are being as kind to the environment as possible. 

 

Reforest Design

Made-to-order furniture is about as sustainable as it gets, but the folks at Reforest Design on Salt Spring Island have outdone themselves. Not only is every sleek Japanese-meets-Midcentury design made on request, but they also use more sustainable bamboo (which is a grass, not a tree—who knew?), and finish their pieces with a plant-based finish. All the materials are high-quality and can be replaced, if necessary, to extend their life. Basically, these beautiful pieces of furniture are designed to last, keeping them out of landfills. Even leftover wood scraps and packaging has been carefully considered to cut down on waste. Now that’s the kind of furniture we can get behind—and sit on.