Inside Jewellery Designer Melanie Auld’s Chic Dunbar Home

Unsurprisingly, jewellery designer Melanie Auld’s bright and chic Dunbar home is all about the details. She brings the same honed vision that helps her craft her elegant-enough-for-a-gala-but-timeless-enough-for-everyday jewellery into her personal space.

After purchasing the love-at-first-sight home in 2020 and prior to any of those earthy-yet-elegant touches being hashed out, the designer knew that “a little love and updating” was in order. “The soul of our home is what led most of our design choices,” Auld says, referencing the two-year reno that transformed the original 1906 build into what it is today.

“I’ve always wanted to renovate an older home. I’ve watched so many beautiful homes in our city be torn down and replaced, and I just wanted to save one and make it my own,” Auld explains. Which is why she turned to interior designer Gillian Segal, who ran with Auld’s self-described “pared down” taste (a vibe that feels more intentional than sparse) and, says Auld, captured “exactly what I envisioned, but on another level and with details I would never have thought of.”

From artisan-crafted pottery (sourced from Etsy and beyond) to a Tacchini sofa with tons of texture—each curated piece has gravitational pull, along with a story to tell (yes, that is an authentic Parisienne mantel, circa 1910). But the airy functionality of the space lends a sense of zen that provides enough breathing room to truly appreciate those choices.

Namely: there’s no clutter here. Instead, intentionally sourced pieces from female artisans are peppered throughout the built-in shelving, bringing an utterly chic vibe to the space—or, as Auld succinctly puts it: “it’s important to have meaningful items in your home and not just things for the sake of things.”

La Dolce Vita

The Sesann sofa by Tacchini was custom-ordered from Vancouver’s Bloom Furniture. “It was so easy to work with them,” says the designer, seen here with dog Louie. “I loved the curve of the Sesann sofa; being of Italian heritage, it felt right to have a piece in our home that was designed and created there.”

Treasure Trove

“I like to support local and small artisans,” says Auld… like the wooden bowl (pictured here) by North Vancouver-based Alexis Dodd of Steel Wood Designs.

Terracotta Warrior

Auld’s self-proclaimed “obsession” with natural stone comes through loud and clear in the stunning veining of the marble fireplace that was sourced here in Vancouver by Scott Landon Antiques. “I’m really drawn to the terracotta colour,” the designer explains. “We have it in our store, too.”

Light Bright

Auld explains that she “held out” for the coral version of this Louis Poulsen lamp. The iconic piece adds a pop of colour to the otherwise tranquil, stone-toned living room.

Where Melanie Auld Likes to Shop

Etsy

Auld scours the online marketplace for both art and homewares—she focuses on pieces by female artisans, like Elena Savina (Echo Studio).

1stDibs

Known for its Parisian flea-market vibe, the website has been a source for some special pieces in the designer’s home, like her Gubi lamp.

Rackets and Runners

Auld spends her free time on the courts, and her favourite spot for tennis gear in Vancouver is Oak Street’s Rackets and Runners.

Soho Home

When there’s a beautiful piece from the international design house, like her sideboard, Auld is willing to travel across the border to pick it up.

Granville Island

Auld and her family head to the public market for fresh fish and veggies when they have time to wander.