If you are heading north on Fir Street, down from Broadway towards Granville Island, you will happen upon a beautifully curated boutique: the Natural Eclectic by Heather Ross.

Ross – an artist, photographer, stylist and author – has been sharing her unique style with Vancouverites since 2001. The Natural Eclectic, Ross explains in her recently published book of the same name, is a design aesthetic inspired by nature.

Throughout her boutique, Ross creates beautiful vignettes that combine new and vintage. Crystal geodes, horned driftwood and gnarls of moss share space with rusted wrought iron, crisp linens, entangled necklaces, antique weigh scales and Ross’ own atmospheric paintings.

It’s a lovely stop with a clear point of view: ‘Heather Ross’ style.

When you’re finished there, you can take but a few steps next door to Beaucoup Bakery and Cafe. It’s a charming space with a few tables inside and a few more on the sidewalk in front. Open since the end of 2012, this popular spot is known for its crispy fresh croissants, its French-inspired pastries and its 49th Parallel Coffee.

Beaucoup was started by another creative entrepreneur, Jackie Kai Ellis, who stepped away from her graphic design firm to study French pastry making at Paris’ École Gastronomique Bellouet Conseil. If, twist your arm, you are up for some sweets, the Salted Chocolate Rosemary Cookies and Valrhona Chocolate Brownies are delicious.

If you are inspired to bring some of the Beaucoup stylishness home, here Ellis offers her dinner party styling tips.

Best to get to Beaucoup early in the day before devotees start raiding the pantry.

Written by Elizabeth Newton
www.creatorsvancouver.com