Habitat by Aeon

Hard not to love.

When being toured through the new Habitat by Aeon showroom, the word “wow” will be uttered so often that a visitor may start to feel like a broken record. But really, there is so much here that is worthy of awe.

The team behind Aeon Stone & Tile—long-time importers and distributors of luxury natural stone slabs and tiles, with a resume that includes the likes of the Fairmont Pacific Rim—has branched out with Habitat by Aeon, a showroom and design centre specializing in fine kitchens. “The goal was to bring quality, well-made, high-design to Vancouver,” says Habitat kitchen designer Maya Tincombe, while walking through the shiny space. “We wanted to do what no one else is doing.”

Most impressive are the Aster (United States) and Minotticucine (Italy) displays; Habitat is the only distributor in Canada for both brands. Many Aster variations are set up in the showroom, demonstrating the company’s breadth of customization options. Want leather-lined cutlery drawers? How about solid glass counter tops? Maybe a minimalist marble design is in order, or an industrial vibe with contemporary pipe shelving? The top edge of beautiful stone drawers can be cut on a 45-degree angle for silent closing, and the storage options are seemingly endless—one display even has Greek-inspired columns that pull out to reveal secret drawers.

In the special enclosed Minotticucine room, true innovation is at the forefront; a middle island that, at first glance, looks like a simple counter for food prep has its top layer pushed back to reveal a sink and stove. Behind that, sleek cabinets hide an oven and plenty of pantry space. “These are the Bugatti or Lamborghini of kitchens,” Tincombe says, pulling the sleek wooden panels back over the cabinetry.

Also included in the showroom is Lasvit crystal lighting from the Czech Republic; Lualdi doors from Italy; and Presotto closets from Italy (“If I won the lottery and had my dream home, they would be making my closet,” Tincombe says). Indeed, simple but brilliant features such as a leather-lined drawers with compartments for jewellery and snaking geometric shelves will cause anyone to swoon.

Habitat lives in the former storage locker space of beloved Vancouver designer Robert Ledingham, who died in 2013. “Lots of interior designers got their start with him,” Tincombe explains. It is nice, then, that the Mount Pleasant location is staying in the design family, helping locals achieve what Ledingham held so dear: beautiful spaces.


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June 28, 2017