we're never more thrilled than when we can peek behind the curtains into the homes of some of our favourite designers, and Alda Pereira's Vancouver home was a highlight in our January/February 2014 issue. Our 2010 Interior Designer of the Year's townhome has evolved four or five times since she's moved in, and It's likely changed since we photographed it, too€”yet it feels fresh and current in these photos, a hallmark of Pereira's designs.

Credit: Martin Tessler/Western Living January 2014

Alda Pereira (centre), husband Jon Kelly and daughter Allegra Kelly in her Vancouver home.

Credit: Martin Tessler/Western Living January 2014

The avid collector€”of stools, books, vintage cappuccino cups and serving trays€”ensured that there was plenty of functional and beautiful storage in the space, including a sculptural, poppy red Cappellini storage unit. €œThe people and the dog stay, not the furniture,€ she told us with a laugh.

Credit: Martin Tessler/Western Living January 2014

To read about more great people, designs, homes and innovations that shaped Western Living, click here.

Alyssa Hirose

Alyssa Hirose

Alyssa Hirose is a Vancouver-based writer, editor, illustrator and comic artist. Her work has been featured in Vancouver magazine, Western Living, BCBusiness, Avenue, Serviette, Geist, BCLiving, Nuvo, Montecristo, The Georgia Straight and more. Her beats are food, travel, arts and culture, style, interior design and anything dog-related. She publishes a daily autobiographical comic on Instagram at @hialyssacomics.