VC08 - South Granville

Williams-Sonoma (#1) The selection of kitchen essentials from Cuisinart, KitchenAid, and Calphalon is extensive, but it’s the high-quality marinades, spice rubs, and baking mixes (including cupcake mixes from Sprinkles, the Beverly Hills–based cupcakery) that set it apart. 2903 Granville St., 778-330-2581.

Eighteen Karat (#2) The flagship store of the B.C. housewares wholesaler is a mecca for the design-conscious. Look for oversize vessels, balcony-friendly stone planters, and beautifully textured throws — all simple and graphic. 3039 Granville St., 604-742-1880.

Chow (#3) This sleek one-year-old restaurant has a smart, local, and organic menu, and inventive cocktails. (Try the Bittercup — Campari, cranberry and grapefruit juices, Fernet-Branca, and prosecco, $10.) There’s a fabulous prix fixe menu ($38) on offer from 5 to 6 p.m. 3121 Granville St., 604-608-2469.

T (#4) Linger over a foamy “lattea” in the modern tearoom or browse the line of more than 100 loose and bagged teas, and the beautiful collection of teapots and cups from Asian and European designers. 1568 W. Broadway, 604-730-8390.

A departure from the contemporary-design aesthetic that dominates this city, the 1500 to 3000 blocks of Granville Street (yellow area on map below) are lined with furniture stores for those who prefer traditional interiors, among them K Interiors, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, and Country Furniture. Visit Yves Delorme for beautiful French bed linens, and Bacci’s at Home for Claus Porto hand soaps and wool and cashmere throws from Designers Guild.

REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE

1804 W. 14th Ave.
$669,000
{Maintenance Fee} $200
{Specs} 1,121 sq. ft., two-bedroom townhouse, steps from Granville Park and the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club.