pillowWe have so many wonderful neighborhoods here on the North Shore.

Deep Cove, Edgemont Village, Dundarave Village and Horseshoe Bay are just a few of our unique and special areas. Each of these neighborhoods is distinct from each other in terms of their feel and what they offer. When you visit, you really experience the sense of their geographical location with their selection of coffee shops and retail stores.

Whether you are out for a shopping spree or perhaps are in the mood for a coffee and a stroll, these wonderful neighborhoods offer something for everyone of all ages.

Recently I was in the lovely outdoor shopping district of Edgemont Village, and came upon some items that I thought were worth mentioning.

Tartooful Design is a stylish and whimsical houseware/giftware store that offers objects that are both beautiful and functional. Located at 3183 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver. Everything from jewelry to beautiful accent throw cushions may be found within the walls of this store. What particularly caught my eye were the Avoca lambswool blankets. Avoca is a venerable tradition in Ireland. It is a family owned, woolen mill with a history that stretches back three centuries. These throws exhibit a very bright aesthetic with a cool, modern vibe. Look for the pure lambswool “circus” blanket. Perfect for picnics, on the patio or transitioning to the cooler evenings of autumn. Available in 56-inch or 72-inch for $220.

The Kolton Babych Pillows are edgy with beautiful designs. Emerging North Shore talent Kolton Babych calls North Vancouver home and finds inspiration in his West Coast upbringing. His most recent textile designs feature outrageous botanicals, including the Venus Fly Trap and Blue Peonies. Pillows are $95 each.

Another little gem is Giftworks Boutique, 3080 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver. Located in the heart of the village, this gift store offers customers truly unique home décor items as well as wonderful gift ideas. More than 50 per cent of their product line is Canadian-made and you will find everything from locally made pottery to gourmet foods. The RealLite candles caught my eye for the reason that they are child-safe, no drip and no mess. Essentially these are made from real wax and are battery operated.

The nice thing about these beauties is that they come with a “Smart Time” feature that allows you to set a time for the candle to illuminate and turn off five hours later. Available in three different sizes with prices ranging from $40 to $50.

You may want to check out Trims at 3151 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver. This store recently worked with Jillian Harris, host of W Network’s Love It Or List It, on the PNE Prize Home. They provided the most beautiful artificial flowers for the home. These plants and flowers are extremely realistic in their appearance and a very worthwhile investment. They are the perfect solution for those areas where you cannot grow a real plant. And of course you never have to worry about watering. When all else fails. .. fake it! Prices for artificial plants start at $7 and range up into the hundreds for larger items.

Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home decor, entertaining and floral design. barb@lunter.ca