With an instantly recognizable furniture line and abstract aesthetic, we consider Martha Sturdy a grande dame of Canadian design (and we're not the only ones, Architectural Digest loves her, too).

Her new, limited-edition line, Ink, is a marriage of craftsmanship and gravity. Black ink is poured onto linen resin molds and left to flow any which way nature pulls it. The result is a contemporary piece of usable art (or as us plebs call it, a bowl).

Like all of Sturdy's work, Ink is influenced by the elements and natural beauty, specifically the veins that run through West Coast stones. Each resin piece is made at a zero-waste Vancouver production facility, utilizing locally sourced products and technicians.

Consider us bowled over.

From $270, find stockists here: http://sturdyliving.com/contact

Sometimes all it takes is new lighting to brighten up a room.

The artisan pieces at Vancouver's Kozai Modern are, in true West Coast fashion, heavy on the wood, and in true modernist fashion: easy on the eyes. If we were to splurge, we’d go for the show-stopping Shattered Light made of western red cedar by designer Brent Comber ($8,000, top). But if we were looking for something a little more budget-friendly, the Crimean Pinecone Light by Pavel Eekra (at $770, bottom) looks like a steal.

Now that's a bright idea. —Kelsey Dundon

Kozai Modern, 1515 W. 6th Ave., Vancouver, 604-677-8166

http://kozaimodern.com

There was a time when your Strawberry Shortcake pencil case held the most coveted position on your desk.

But these days Her Royal Sweetness doesn’t exactly fit in with your minimalist décor. Adonde’s modular stationery boxes, on the other hand, do. The French company has designed these chic containers to fit your pens, your business cards and your paperclips. And the cardboard they’re made of? It’s recycled.

Originally from England, Russell Hackney is a local master ceramicist whose work is owned by the Queen herself.

While our homes are not as grand as Buckingham Palace, we too can have a little something fit royal quarters. Hackney’s elegant collection of porcelain tumblers, vases, jugs, and jars - featuring Canadiana motifs like antlers, bears, and owls - would sure make for an impressive table setting, Elizabeth-approved or not. —Anya Georgijevic

$80-150 at Walrus, 3408 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-874-9770, www.walrushome.com

Throws seem to fall into one of two categories: those in the neutral colours of a cityscape and those that look like they were plucked from the family cabin.

But what if you want, oh I don’t know, a throw with a little je ne sais quoi? Snuggle up to Barcelona’s Zuzunaga, a collection of pillows and throws inspired by pixels (so techy!) in bright colours (so unexpected!), now available at Provide. Woven of 100 per cent merino wool, they’re as cozy as a woodsy throw but much more modern.

Don’t let that throw you off. —Kelsey Dundon

From $215 at Provide, 529 Beatty St., Vancouver, http://providehome.com

Soon, reindeer hooves will be clicking up on the rooftops.

And you still haven’t checked everyone off your holiday list. What’s a gift-giver to do? Stop into Tiny Finery, a pintsized boutique that’s just moved to Hastings. Part shop, part workshop, its walls are lined with locally made jewelry, ceramics and nifty gifty things. Between that and the East Village Bakery next door, you’ll be able to pick up everything you need for the holiday party you’re dashing off to. —Kelsey Dundon

2162 E Hastings St. Vancouver, 604-569-2171, http://tinyfinery.ca

Ever wondered who's responsible for the modern, stylish decor in some of the most sought-after new developments?

Janine Wilson works exclusively as a designer for developers, but moved her studio into a North Vancouver retail space so she could sell some of the beautiful goods she encounters. 

The Mill is pretty much a family business, selling textiles made by her mother, metal pieces made by her father, and furniture made from reclaimed goods sourced by her sister. Featuring a mix of modern and vintage (let's call it rustic mid century), the store sells new or reconditioned furniture, home textiles, and housewares. Check out the cable knit ceramic bud vases ($9.90), teak measuring spoon set ($26.40) and the wool flannel, leather-trimmed stockings. All great Christmas presents, or to buy from me to me. That's usually our favourite person to shop for, anyway. —Alexanda Suhner Isenberg

The Mill, 163 East First St., North Vancouver, 604-770-1338, www.themill.ca

Christmas trees don’t have to be all about tinsel and that tacky angel that’s been in the family for twenty years. Actually, yes they do. But check out these fantastic ornaments to add some style to the old pine tree.

These gold, silver, or bronze finished ornaments are reminiscent of European sacred heart relics from the 1800s. Some even open up so you can put something inside (perhaps a piece of jewelry? Hint, hint.) $14.95-$34.95 at Blue Owl Home Boutique, 2308 West Broadway, Vancouver, 604-568-3610, www.blueowlhomeboutique.com

My mother always dreamed of having a Christmas tree with white decorations only. Instead she got old popcorn and glitter glue crafts, but for those aiming for a truly white Christmas, these Jonathon Adler animal ornaments are chic and simple. Lion decoration $25, at Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, 604-681-3121, www.holtrenfrew.com

Studio Bup’s candy cane, tree, and present decorations are for the minimalista’s tree. In fact, we’d love these strung as a wall garland for the home without a tree, because there’s nothing minimal about pine needles all over the floor. $15 each at Vancouver Special, 3612 Main Street, Vancouver, 604-568-3673, www.vanspecial.com

—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

As temperatures drop, we look for quiet evenings at home, hot cocoa, a good book, and a great throw to snuggle in.

Meet Pisolino (meaning “nap” in Italian), a new linen shop in Yaletown’s ever-growing home design strip on Homer Street. This gorgeous store is home to their in-house label’s luxurious faux fur throws ($425) and pillows ($100), which are so cuddly they could be mistaken for the real deal. You’ll also find the softest sheets ($190 for queen sheets and $380 for duvet), made here in Vancouver using Italian cottons, to give your bed a little seasonal makeover.

Winter is all about hibernating after all. —Anya Georgijevic

Pisolino Designs Inc., 1068 Homer St., Vancouver, 604-682-1688.

Wouldn't it be great to have a constant supply of fresh mint growing on your windowsill all winter? Hello mojitos!

Enter Patch, the new Vancouver-grown modern planter with both cool factor and a conscience. When you duck out to Palm Spring for the weekend, no worries about watering: fill the reservoir and the Patch will give herbs exactly the amount of water they need to meet you fresh and green upon your return.

Order one flat-packed ($39.95, a perfect dorm-warming gift) or fully-loaded ($59.95) and delivered free by Shift Urban Cargo bikes in Vancouver.

We love the new artist series (like the grey Ombré version pictured) because your herbs deserve as sleek a pad as you do, right?

Order and learn more at www.letspatch.com

Also available at Walrus, 3408 Cambie St. Vancouver, www.walrushome.com