Tour Jazz Artist Mathew V's Modern, Airy Apartment and Shop His Favorite Pieces

Musician Mathew V has a broad repertoire, from dance hits to classical ballads. But when he comes home to his Vancouver apartment it’s the complete opposite: minimal, neutral and clean. He says it fosters the best creative environment. “I find that my schedule is always very chaotic and very over-stimulating,” he said. “Coming home to a space that allows me to relax without commanding too much from me was vital.” If you’re a fellow creative and crave minimalism at home, you have to see the rest of this apartment.

Clean design is clearly working for Mathew V, a queer artist GLAAD says is, “not only leaning into his vocal jazz talent but is creating queer space in a musical genre that is not known for being queer.” His debut single “Tell Me Smooth” was on the top 40 Canadian Radio and Billboard Charts for 18 weeks. His debut album “The Fifth” charted in both Canada and the US. And Mathew V’s brand-new album “Anything Goes” just dropped this year with his debut jazz vocals.

But beyond his career, Mathew V is a huge interior design fan and has curated his Vancouver apartment with a mix of modern furniture, vintage family heirlooms and subtle music references such as a Lady Gaga book in the kitchen (instead of a cookbook). And true Swifties will notice the RED ring bauble on his vanity. The home is curated, but it’s uncluttered and calm.

Mathew V’s corner unit is about 1,000 square feet with an additional 200-square-foot balcony. “It’s north and east facing, taking in the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains. We have a view of downtown Vancouver, North Burnaby, North and West Vancouver as well as the Pacific Ocean out in White Rock.” And with the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows, those expansive views become the home’s backdrop. There’s a juxtaposition of nature and city and that same dynamic contrast is used throughout the apartment. Because white-on-white, while calming, can get stark fast. But Mathew V used textures and accent colors to keep the neutrals feeling cozy and warm. “I found that adding some contrast in the decor was important,” he says. “Some bold coffee table books, contrasting pillows and throws, as well as accent lighting was important to break up the beige. Also playing with different textures was important to add some depth but also provide a more interesting living experience.”

Another element that ensures this white apartment isn’t too stark is smell. Mathew V is obsessed with amber and the apartment is full of “anything and everything amber-scented,” from candles to reed diffusers. “The scent of amber is like catnip to me,” he says. “6th Scent Candle company is a Canadian company that I absolutely love. They make an amber and patchouli, candle which has made it impossible for me to go back to big brand candles.”

The apartment’s airy galley kitchen is where Mathew V bakes, especially his signature three-ingredient pie crust with flour, butter and sour cream. But you won’t find stacks of cookbooks here. Instead, he uses some of the shelves to display coffee table books on pop culture and design. It’s an intentional vignette that’s meant to be changed up and changed out with different decor. And that’s really been the blueprint for the whole apartment: It’s a clean canvas for rotating artwork, decor and treasures.

“I wanted a design that was going to age well with my changing tastes,” he says. “I’m someone that has a wandering eye with design and having a home that would move with me through my design flings was important. I have many aspects of the design that can pivot from a decorative standpoint, but they are grounded by pieces that will — I’d like to think — age well with those changes.”

One piece that will never change: His grandmother’s carved antique chest, which he calls his most prized possession. “I am so inspired by powerful women and the power of femininity. My femininity was used against me a lot as a kid, but powerful women always led the way, showing me that there was strength in that part of me.”