Lauren & Geoff Gather at Home
My favourite things in our home are things I’ve found. I always imagine where they might have come from and the stories they would have to tell. I believe that the value of something is entirely perceived. - Lauren
Lauren and her husband, Geoff, came across their home by chance. They had been to multiple open houses over the last few years and nothing seemed quite right - either they were tear downs or were far too expensive. They had been looking with no luck until this one popped up. Lauren knew immediately that it was everything she and Geoff had imagined and more. The house originally had an accepted offer to someone who they thought might tear it down. But it didn’t stop them. They put in a back up offer on the off chance they might get it - and so, they did.
Their Renfrew home is a beautiful mix of modern and character that sits on a corner lot, raised above ground with a southeast view out towards where the end of the North Shore mountains meet Deep Cove. The house didn’t need a lot after they purchased it. Built in the 1920’s, they wanted to maintain as much of the character as possible because so much of the charm could not be recreated. They gutted the kitchen and built an oversized island. Then they painted the entire house bright white, re-did the fireplace and a made a few small, aesthetic changes. All this, while living and working in the basement until it was complete.
When I asked what they love most about their home, Geoff warmly remarks that it makes for great sunrises from the kitchen windows. Lauren likes to cozy up in the living room with the wood burning fireplace. With really great curved ceilings and crown moulding details, they’re glad to give this house a new life, new stories and great moments for their kids, family and friends to gather and enjoy.
Home is sanctuary and shelter from the storm.
It’s anywhere I can hang my hat and where my family is. - Geoff
When their family first moved in, Lauren ran a very successful, online resale business from home. She used the white walls to take photographs and the business spread to all rooms of the house. She originally thought she’d love to work and live within the same space but she opened the doors to Gather last spring in its current Mount Pleasant location.
How did Gather come to be?
I have always loved vintage clothing and furniture. I didn’t really get into thrifting until I had my son four years ago. I bought almost all of his stuff second-hand. That was really the inspiration behind creating Gather. I became more conscious about consumerism and the way in which stuff is made and the environmental impact it has. I wanted to create a space for curated kids vintage and I couldn’t really find that anywhere else. Now I have kids, womens and home goods.
What's your favourite thing to source and why?
I love collecting unique home decor whether it be mid-century furniture or vintage glassware. A lot of the things in our home are found objects.
What's the thing(s) you've thrifted for the store but knew it felt better within your own home?
I have found a lot of great things over the past few years. I have some original oil paintings I’ve thrifted that hang on our walls and an antique wooden doll house for my kids that is really special. I recently scored a vintage Franco Albini rocking horse for them to play with. I’m not very sentimental about things I source though. I can’t wait for my kids to enjoy them but I always think about selling or gifting them down the road.
The store is in Mount Pleasant. Do you have a daily must stop in between home and work?
I love living near Commercial Drive but Mount Pleasant was my dream area for my business. It has such a great mix of vintage shops and great restaurants. There’s no where like it in Vancouver. My favourite place near the shop is Fabrique St George for a post work glass of wine.
Does your home and your shop have anything in common design wise?
Not really. I wanted to keep my shop bright and airy. The clothing I carry is contemporary and minimalistic so I wanted the shop to reflect that with no specific time period in design. My home is more Scandi, I would say, with black focal points and warm wood.
109 East Broadway, Thursday - Sunday
Online, Always
Photos by Nicole Carter Photography
