By Catherine Dunwoody
I spent some time back in my hometown of Edmonton recently. Even though I’ve always been a softie for this city – here’s my unbiased update on how the ‘Chuk (for all you who don't know, 'Chuk is short for 'Edmonchuk', a nickname referring to Edmonton's large Ukrainian population) is keeping up with other cosmopolitan capitals when it comes to décor trends and contemporary style.
As of late, the most current checklist for any style-setting city goes something like this: is there a cool boutique hotel? Yep. An art gallery boutique that may not be quite the MOMA, but with objects you covet? Yes indeed. And with the lean towards all-things-eco, how about a ‘green décor’ store? You betcha.
Union Bank Inn
Catherine's Paris-inspired room
Let’s start with Edmonton’s Union Bank Inn, located right in the heart of the city, on Jasper Avenue. Built in 1911, the building operated as the Union Bank of Canada, until years later when it became the perfect hotel conversion. Original owner, Diane Buchanan, saw a little European grandeur in its "modern renaissance" style, blending restoration with contemporary design to achieve the quintessential boutique feel. Fourteen elaborate guestrooms -- all different -- in the heritage wing show off the talents of local and national interior designers, like Chintz and Co. I had the pleasure of staying in a Chintz designed Paris-inspired room with a red, black and white colour scheme among other fabulous nods to the city of lights.
Rooms start at $199, and include breakfast in Madison’s Grill, plus an evening delivery of wine and cheese. So civilized!
Art Gallery of Alberta
Flavour Design Noodle Bowls
Art Gallery of Alberta just opened in late January, and like any self-respecting big-city gallery, has a beautiful boutique. Shop AGA is where you’ll find home décor must-haves like Canada’s own Chive Glassware’s new "caterpillar" modular table vases and Vancouver’s Flavour Design Noodle Bowls in 9 great colors. Also to be on the lookout for -- Wabnitz Editions award-winning designers like Karim Rashid and Christian Ghion are doing a line of teapots, coffee cups and decanters that are super-chic.
Carbon Environmental Boutique
Mythic Paints at Carbon Boutique
Carbon Environmental Boutique is set up like a mini-department store, filling the niches in our lives with eco-must-haves. In need of a home reno? Mythic Paints have zero VOC and no carcinogens, starting at $55.95 per can, and Eco Timber flooring is a sustainable, smart alternative. Carbon carries the complete line (lowest prices in town!) of Nature Clean products, a Canadian brand of household cleaners, $3.60 – $24.95, plus NYC’s The Laundress, an eco-chic collection of lovely laundry and clothing care goodies, $7.50-22.95.
Union Bank Inn
10053 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB
(780) 423-3600
Shop AGA
2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton AB
(780) 422-6223
Carbon Environmental Boutique
10184 104 Street, Edmonton, AB
780) 498-1900
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Alberta in a larger map
Ever been to any of these? How does your city or town measure up to the above list of cosmopolitan credentials?
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