Home decor has always been a part of Emily Sissons life. Her grandparents bought McArthur Furniture more than 70 years ago and her father later took over as owner. Even when she was really young, Sissons was constantly rearranging her bedroom. Years later, after finishing her bachelor’s degree in interior design, she joined her father and her brother in opening Domaine Furnishings & Design. Domaine carries investment pieces for every room from furniture makers across the world and also offers design services. As Domaine’s director of design and sales, Sissons says, “it’s about making people comfortable in their own homes.”
Here are 10 of her favourite things in the city.
Succulents from Plant
“The staff are amazing and walked me through which succulents would thrive in which areas of my house. Going there on a rainy day is like a breath of fresh air, the greenery lifts your spirits.”
Children’s Activities at Signal Hill Library
“I love reading and I always bring my daughter here. They have activity stations set up for kids, so it’s great for parents to engage with their kids or enjoy a coffee and browse the bookshelves.”
Tortellini Romanoff from Il Centro
“My family has been going to this mom-and-pop shop for years, and the tortellini Romanoff is the one thing we order every time. It’s delicious and the ingredients are so fresh.”
Kananaskis Nordic Spa Outdoor Pools
“I could spend a whole day sitting in those pools. They’re outdoors, but it’s secluded, and you get a beautiful robe and an exfoliating scrub with essential oils. You just feel like jelly after.”
Gifts from Steeling Home
“This store has a great mixture of items [such as the Zoku stainless steel pocket straw pictured here], so you can shop for your whole family. I always find an item that practically screams the name of the person I’m shopping for.”
Sproutz & U-Turn Consignment
“I’ve been trying to Marie Kondo my life, so consignment is a frequent thing. They have an adult section and tons of great stuff for kids. It’s perfect for those seasonal items that kids grow out of lightning-fast.”
Wine Tasting and Pairing Nights at Truvé Wines
“I recently went to Truvé for a tasting of French wines paired with macarons for a friend’s birthday, and it was such a nice find. It was so authentic and engaging, and the interior is beautiful.”
Glamorgan Bakery’s Cheese Buns
“These cheese buns are amazing, and definitely a go-to in our household if we want to have a stick-to-your-ribs dinner. And just the smell walking in there! It’s the smell of heaven to me.”
Stampede City Stamps
“It’s dorky, I’ll admit, but I really enjoy collecting postage stamps, and this is such a cool place. It smells like an old book and they have stamps from all places and every decade.”
Running the Signal Hill Stairs
“It’s where I go for a good glute-and-leg burn, and the fresh air and view from the top is incredible. I go to clear my head — and get some really great exercise.”