Home tour | A minimalist apartment in Vancouver

Today we’re heading over to Vancouver for a look around an apartment which exemplifies minimalist Scandinavian style. It’s the home of Kevin Chen, whose blog, Nordic Entrance, and associated Instagram feed always inspire with their beautiful imagery and useful design tips.

Kevin’s grey and white decor is my idea of interiors perfection – calm, considered and uncluttered, with lots of texture for warmth and cosiness. I also love the way he mixes contemporary design icons with more affordable pieces from places like IKEA, and uses accessories to showcase his personality. Keen to find out more, I chatted to Kevin about his style, his favourite spaces and where he finds inspiration for his home…

Hi Kevin! Please can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and what you do?

“I’m originally from Taiwan and my family immigrated to Canada when I was seven. We first settled in Toronto, but within a few years we moved to Vancouver and that’s where I’ve been ever since. I’m now 27 and work as a financial advisor at an international bank, but my core hobby is interior design and that’s definitely where my passion lies.”

Where’s home, and how long have you lived there?

“Home is a two-bedroom apartment where I live with my boyfriend. It was my first home purchase and I was super excited because it was a new building. My parents moved back to Taiwan after I graduated, but when they visit Canada they stay in the spare bedroom. I moved in during the summer of 2016 so not too long ago, but I’m already thinking about what my next home might look like!”

How would you describe your interiors style?

“I would say that it’s Scandinavian and driven by minimalism. My parents are very keen on tidiness and cleanliness, and they raised me to be afraid of clutter. I tend to think a lot before I commit to a purchase, especially when it comes to decor. I love having quality pieces that serve a purpose in my home.”

The master bedroom is a soothing, simply furnished sanctuary. The wall prints are by UK-based Melissa Selmin (one of my own favourite artists), and the stool is Skagerak’s Japanese-influenced ‘Georg’ design. 

Where do you find inspiration for your home?

“I find inspiration in many ways, but mainly from Instagram, interiors blogs and interiors magazines. I could spend hours scrolling through Instagram! My favourite magazines are My Residence and RUM — they’re both fantastic for fuelling ideas.”

What’s your favourite part of the apartment and why?

“It would have to be the living room. It’s surrounded by large windows that overlook the forest across from my building. It’s incredible to wake up to. I do most of my reading and lounging in the living room, and I love that I can enjoy the space alone or with my loved ones.”

&tradition’s stunning ‘Formakami’ pendant light creates an eye-catching focal point in the living room. Skagerak’s ‘Norr’ magazine holder – one of Kevin’s favourite pieces – sits above an IKEA sofa, and the coffee table is by HAY. 

And your favourite pieces of furniture…?

“My favourites change from time to time, but at the moment they’re my ‘YPPERLIG’ shelving unit from the IKEA x HAY collaboration and my ‘Norr’ magazine holder from Skagerak. These two pieces are basically an outlet for expressing my mood and style, while displaying my favourite accessories — plus it’s like therapy for me to move things around whenever I want to create a new look! That’s why you’ll see a ‘shelfie’ post every week on my Instagram grid.”

Where do you like to source items for your home – any favourite brands or shops?

“Many of the pieces that I would like to have in my home have proven hard to find here in Canada. I mostly buy online through sites like finnishdesignshop.com and themodernshop.com — the shipping cost is usually my biggest concern. There are many brands that I love, but my top favourites would have to be HAY, Menu, Skagerak, Ferm Living and Muuto.”

Kevin loves using the ‘YPPERLIG’ shelving unit in the dining area to express his mood. The light above the table is the ‘Ambit’ pendant by Muuto. The kitchen already has a minimalist feel, but Kevin and his boyfriend are keen to add more of their own style over the coming months. 

Do you have any future plans for the apartment?

“I would like to focus on our kitchen and guest bedroom, as we haven’t paid much attention to them since we moved in. I like minimalism, but the guest room is actually a little too bare at the moment!

“I would also like to work on our balcony, because right now it has nothing except a cabinet. I would love to have a place for us to lounge outside in the summer.”

Finally, what’s your top interior-design tip?

“It’s important to understand the relationship between how big your space is and the amount of things that will fit into it. Keeping it simple helps to keep clutter away so that your style can shine through.”

Thanks Kevin!

See more of Kevin’s beautiful home on his Instagram feed and blog. 

All photography by Kevin Chen