Livingspace may have started in a modest 3,000 square feet in North Vancouver, but its heart and ambition have always stretched far beyond the walls of that first showroom. Today, it stands as more than just a furniture store香蕉视频直播攊t香蕉视频直播檚 a living, breathing testament to design, legacy and community. Its presence now spans a transformed 30,000-square-foot space in the Armoury District and a new Livingspace Outdoor showroom in Olympic Village.
Founded by Ross Bonetti in 1988, Livingspace has evolved into a place where world-class design meets a local touch, where family ties run deep and where even romance has bloomed: during a business trip Ross香蕉视频直播檚 eldest son, Quinn, who works in the business alongside his brother Matteo, met his now-wife.
香蕉视频直播淗e married an Italian woman he met at a trade show in Germany. They sat beside each other at dinner, and that was the start of their romance. Now, she lives in Vancouver and works at Livingspace too,香蕉视频直播� says Ross.
Livingspace is indeed a legacy not just of design, but of connection, love and the unexpected paths that bring people together.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e always been drawn to design in all its forms...if it was innovative, functional and beautiful, I was intrigued.香蕉视频直播�
Taking a step back, it香蕉视频直播檚 fascinating to get to know the man behind the business香蕉视频直播攁 humble, kind and philanthropic individual whose journey began long before Livingspace香蕉视频直播檚 doors opened.
Growing up in the shadow of North Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 Grouse Mountain, Ross was immersed in everything North Vancouver had to offer and surrounded by entrepreneurs, including his father, Barry. An Australian immigrant, Barry opened Combined Appliances on Marine Drive in 1957, where Ross spent his days learning the ins and outs of retail香蕉视频直播攚hether that meant pulling weeds or handling deliveries.
香蕉视频直播淚 lived and breathed retail from a young age,香蕉视频直播� Ross says. 香蕉视频直播淲hen my dad retired, the appliance business was strong, but we started seeing competition from big players who weren香蕉视频直播檛 in that space before. We ended up selling the business to long-time employees who had worked for my dad for 20-plus years.香蕉视频直播�
Though the appliance world was his first professional home, Ross香蕉视频直播檚 passion for design was always just beneath the surface. Growing up, his home was filled with the sleek lines of Danish modern furniture, a reflection of his English mother香蕉视频直播檚 refined taste. Her love for beautiful, well-crafted pieces had a lasting impact on him, shaping his appreciation for design from an early age.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e always been drawn to design in all its forms,香蕉视频直播� he reflects. 香蕉视频直播淚t didn香蕉视频直播檛 matter if it was furniture or hockey equipment香蕉视频直播攊f it was innovative, functional and beautiful, I was intrigued.香蕉视频直播�
In 1988, armed with a vision to bring modern European design to Vancouver, Ross opened the doors to Livingspace. His mission was clear: to offer Vancouverites access to European and Quebec-made furniture not found anywhere else in the city.
A pivotal moment came when Ross attended the Milan furniture fair, where he forged lasting relationships with iconic European brands like Ligne Roset from France and Minotti from Italy. Admittedly, the journey wasn香蕉视频直播檛 easy:
香蕉视频直播淚 had a 3,000-square-foot store in North Vancouver, and I was going to Milan trying to convince these iconic brands to let me represent them. They香蕉视频直播檇 look at me like, 香蕉视频直播榊eah, I don香蕉视频直播檛 think so.香蕉视频直播� But I was persistent and, over time, I built those relationships and grew in the market,香蕉视频直播� Ross reflects.
Livingspace quickly outgrew its first location on the North Shore, prompting Ross to open a second showroom in Yaletown. The business flourished, eventually expanding into a sprawling 12,000-square-foot space in the old Jantzen factory on Kingsway and Broadway.
As Vancouver evolved, so did Livingspace. By the 2010s, Ross knew the business needed more space to showcase its growing collection. He found the perfect home in the historic Mitchell Press building in Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 emerging Armoury design district. With its concrete bones and lofty ceilings, the building offered a dramatic canvas for Livingspace香蕉视频直播檚 ever-evolving aesthetic.
香蕉视频直播淲e wanted to create a space that was as dynamic and inspiring as the furniture we were selling,香蕉视频直播� Ross says. 香蕉视频直播淭he building香蕉视频直播檚 industrial vibe contrasted beautifully with the clean lines and modern elegance of our designs.香蕉视频直播�
Livingspace香蕉视频直播檚 expansion quickly extended beyond furniture. The company became renowned for its bespoke Italian kitchens, closets and lighting, allowing clients to curate their entire living space in one place. The next leap came with the addition of outdoor furniture, responding to the growing demand for luxurious outdoor living. This was further bolstered by this year香蕉视频直播檚 acquisition of two iconic Vancouver businesses: Brougham Outdoor and Kerrisdale Lumber香蕉视频直播檚 outdoor kitchen division, which gave rise to Livingspace Outdoor香蕉视频直播攁 destination for premium outdoor products.
香蕉视频直播淲hen Mark Panther of Brougham Interiors decided to retire, he wanted to ensure his staff was taken care of,香蕉视频直播� Ross explains. 香蕉视频直播淎round the same time, I saw an opportunity to bring Kerrisdale Lumber香蕉视频直播檚 outdoor kitchen business into the Livingspace fold. By merging these two well-established companies, we retained loyal clientele and staff while expanding our offerings. It香蕉视频直播檚 been a seamless transition, to be honest.香蕉视频直播�
The true heart of Livingspace, however, is not just the space香蕉视频直播攊t香蕉视频直播檚 the family. And that extends beyond blood relations to the employees who have been with the company for decades, the partnerships, the community and the clients.
Ross and his wife, Melissa, alongside their daughter and two sons, have always embraced a philanthropic spirit. They香蕉视频直播檝e been long-time supporters of the Cause We Care Foundation, which empowers single mothers in need by funding programs that improve their well-being, economic security and personal capacity. The family is often seen at events with sleeves rolled up香蕉视频直播攚hether it香蕉视频直播檚 hauling heavy boxes for care package drives or lending a helping hand in other ways.
And if you think Ross is slowing down any time soon, think again: he香蕉视频直播檚 as invested in his personal passions香蕉视频直播攑laying tennis three or four times a week and staying active on the hockey rink香蕉视频直播攁s he is in his business.
香蕉视频直播淚 always knew Livingspace was about more than just furniture香蕉视频直播攊t香蕉视频直播檚 about connection,香蕉视频直播� Ross reflects. 香蕉视频直播淲hether it香蕉视频直播檚 our long-time employees, the relationships we香蕉视频直播檝e built with clients or the things we sell, it香蕉视频直播檚 about creating something lasting.香蕉视频直播�
