Shops We Love: Pure Design Shoppe Celebrates Artisans With A New Retail Concept

Last fall, Interior Designer Ami McKay carved out floor space within her Vancouver design studio to launch her new retail concept Pure Design Shoppe, which offers a selection of home accessories and artwork that she’s been using in her projects for years.

“It’s really important to me to celebrate artisans and help shine a light on them,” says Ami.

The Strathcona-based shop offers textile art by local talent Julie Pongrac, whom Ami discovered in the city’s Eastside Culture Crawl years ago, traditional Japanese-style ceramics by Mimoko, and charming pom-pom throw pillows sourced from Mexico (and featured in many House & Home stories!).

Step inside the shop below!

Each pillow takes 10 weeks to make and provides a livelihood for two families — one harvests the wool; the other, the cotton. The rest of the inventory is similarly story-driven, says Ami, sourced with the goal of highlighting a craft and supporting a community.

Assorted throw pillows, from $58/each PURE Design Shoppe Baskets (on floor), from $53/each PURE Design Shoppe

A popular shop staple are the Escobeta Root brushes. “These are so effective at cleaning dishes,” says Ami.

Escobeta Root Brush, $4/eachPURE Design Shoppe

Her eye for tactile, approachable pieces is, of course, part of her own story. “The warmth of my interiors always comes from the natural elements. These are pieces that turn a house into a home,” says Ami.

Raven, On the Wing Wall Hanging by Julie Pongrac, $6,200PURE Design Shoppe, Boyd Plates (wood, centre of the table), $28 PURE Design Shoppe, Found Wood Pedestals from India (stacked on table), $56/each PURE Design Shoppe, Green Onyx Bowls, $75/eachPURE Design Shoppe, Throws (in baskets), from $137/each PURE Design Shoppe

One of a series of porcelain vessels from Vancouver’s Mimoko.

Small Nook planter, $58/each PURE Design Shoppe

Pure Design Shoppe is located at 711 East Hastings St., Vancouver.