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—it’s 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’s eldest son, Quinn, who works in the business alongside his brother Matteo, met his now-wife.
“He 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,” says Ross.
Livingspace is indeed a legacy not just of design, but of connection, love and the unexpected paths that bring people together.
“I’ve always been drawn to design in all its forms...if it was innovative, functional and beautiful, I was intrigued.”
Taking a step back, it’s fascinating to get to know the man behind the business—a humble, kind and philanthropic individual whose journey began long before Livingspace’s doors opened.
Growing up in the shadow of North Vancouver’s 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—whether that meant pulling weeds or handling deliveries.
“I lived and breathed retail from a young age,” Ross says. “When my dad retired, the appliance business was strong, but we started seeing competition from big players who weren’t in that space before. We ended up selling the business to long-time employees who had worked for my dad for 20-plus years.”
Though the appliance world was his first professional home, Ross’s 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’s refined taste. Her love for beautiful, well-crafted pieces had a lasting impact on him, shaping his appreciation for design from an early age.
“I’ve always been drawn to design in all its forms,” he reflects. “It didn’t matter if it was furniture or hockey equipment—if it was innovative, functional and beautiful, I was intrigued.”
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’t easy:
“I 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’d look at me like, ‘Yeah, I don’t think so.’ But I was persistent and, over time, I built those relationships and grew in the market,” 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’s emerging Armoury design district. With its concrete bones and lofty ceilings, the building offered a dramatic canvas for Livingspace’s ever-evolving aesthetic.
“We wanted to create a space that was as dynamic and inspiring as the furniture we were selling,” Ross says. “The building’s industrial vibe contrasted beautifully with the clean lines and modern elegance of our designs.”
Livingspace’s 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’s acquisition of two iconic Vancouver businesses: Brougham Outdoor and Kerrisdale Lumber’s outdoor kitchen division, which gave rise to Livingspace Outdoor—a destination for premium outdoor products.
“When Mark Panther of Brougham Interiors decided to retire, he wanted to ensure his staff was taken care of,” Ross explains. “Around the same time, I saw an opportunity to bring Kerrisdale Lumber’s 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’s been a seamless transition, to be honest.”
The true heart of Livingspace, however, is not just the space—it’s 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’ve 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—whether it’s 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’s as invested in his personal passions—playing tennis three or four times a week and staying active on the hockey rink—as he is in his business.
“I always knew Livingspace was about more than just furniture—it’s about connection,” Ross reflects. “Whether it’s our long-time employees, the relationships we’ve built with clients or the things we sell, it’s about creating something lasting.”
