Bringing a digital-first brand to life on Robson Street

Overview

When Cozey set out to open their second permanent retail store - and their first in Vancouver - the goal wasn’t just to build a showroom. It was to create a space that felt as thoughtful, flexible, and welcoming as their furniture.

Located on Robson Street, the 4,000-square-foot flagship needed to translate Cozey’s online experience into something people could walk through, touch, and spend time in. And it all had to be ready before Black Friday.

We worked closely with the Cozey team and consultant partners to bring the space together on a tight four-month timeline, making design decisions in real time as materials were tested, adjusted, and refined along the way.

The Opportunity

Partway through construction, it became clear that several of the original finishes weren’t landing the way everyone had hoped once they were seen in person.

Rather than pushing forward with something that felt “close enough,” the team paused and reset. Together, we revisited flooring, wall finishes, lighting integration, and key millwork elements to better match the calm, soft atmosphere Cozey was aiming for - without losing momentum toward the opening date.

It was the kind of collaborative pivot that only works when everyone is aligned around the same outcome.

Our Approach

As the material direction evolved, so did the build strategy.

We introduced limewash plaster to bring warmth and texture to the walls, shifted the flooring to microcement for a cleaner and more continuous feel underfoot, and updated the signature ring-cap millwork elements from PLA to painted lacquered MDF to improve durability over time.

One of the most distinctive features of the store - the sculptural cushion installation spanning the storefront walls, floor, and ceiling - also needed a rethink. Our millwork team developed a new approach using carved foam forms with removable covers. The result was cleaner, more durable, and easier to maintain — and has since informed how future stores are being designed.

Behind the scenes, integrated lighting within the ring elements required precise coordination early in fabrication. With the comprehensive 3D models developed by The Shop at Pacific, the team confirmed dimensions before installation began so lighting components could be ordered accurately and arrive ready to fit.

The Outcome

The store opened ahead of Black Friday, exactly when it needed to.

More importantly, it set a new direction for Cozey’s physical retail environments. Since completing the Vancouver flagship:

• our millwork team has supported subsequent store roll-outs across the country;

• and we’ve been invited to continue working with the team on upcoming locations

Projects like this are always about more than timelines and finishes. They’re about building something that feels right for the brand - and making sure it works just as well in real life as it did on paper.