We have been avid followers of Annie since she and her husband, Spencer, changed the little stretch of 15th Ave between Fraser and Kingsway in Vancouver forever. As the owners of Matchstick, Annie and Spencer build amazing communities in those neighbourhoods across the city that are lucky enough to have them, while also keeping us well caffeinated. When Annie started documenting their family's home renovations via her personal Instagram, we took notice. Below, we are thrilled to have Annie give us a more detailed glimpse into that labour of love.
Front Door: The first time we walked into this 1960’s townhouse, I knew I loved it. It was absolutely from another era. Every wall was covered in floral wall paper and the floors were either layers of linoleum or Brady Bunch style psychedelic carpet. It was the farthest thing from move in ready we had seen, yet somehow its warmth and cozy nooks spoke to me. We decided to buy this old place and renovate it ourselves. Each floorboard was hammered into place by my husband and his father and walls were painted by my Dad. Every penny tile laid like stitches into a family heirloom quilt - getting worn in and more loved by the day. I still feel the same spark of joy every time I walk in the front door.
Kitchen Corner: This little corner of our kitchen is my favourite. The wood floor is probably the most worn here. It is where the dough gets rolled and spaghetti sauced prepped. It’s where my children sit on the counter and chatter away endlessly while I try to prepare dinner. We knew we wanted a clean and fresh space that simultaneously felt like an old country kitchen. We decided to buy a paint sprayer and paint these classic shaker doors a dark forest green and I love how it turned out.
Family Room Nook: This corner of our house was everything I had hoped for in a home. A wood burning fireplace that hums and crackles most days over the winter and old built in shelves that house my thrifted treasures. It is where I nurse my new-born in the early morning hours and watch my husband and big kids drink their milk and coffee on the couch across the room. It’s the spot I pore over cookbooks and dream up things I’d like to cook in the kitchen. It is the place that family and friends gather to share food and clink glasses. I love the mixed textures of wood, wool and brick. To me it says, “Come, sit down and stay awhile”.
Dinner Table: We are firm believers in eating meals together. Most of my most treasured memories as a child are ones sitting around the dinner table. It is a sacred place to break bread with the ones we love the most. Our table and chair set belonged to my husbands grandparents and has probably had more wear and tear in the last 10 years with us then it’s whole lifetime before. I’d like to think his grandparents would be happy it’s being loved and used. Our mid century hutch was a value village find and is the home for a million crayons and art supplies. I am lucky to have an painter as a father and our home is filled with his beautiful artwork.
Heidi’s Room: Heidi’s room used to be a sort of catch all. An office/storage room that often had the door closed. When I found out I was pregnant with our rainbow baby, I secretly started collecting treasures. Vintage artwork and trinkets filled a box in my closet and it has been such a joy to bring them out and set up her little nursery. It is filled with cozy sheepskins, soft linens and a perfect corner for book reading and nursing. Her Flax sheet and blanket are getting broken in quickly. I love wrapping her up in her rosy quilt after a bath and can imagine her using this blanket until she is far too big for it. It’s the kind of item that gets used and loved and then carefully put away in a box to show grandchildren decades later.
