Everyone needs a creative outlet, including doctors, which is exactly why Vancouver resident Monika Hibbs started her blog The Doctor’s Closet. What began as a means to take a mental break from medicine has turned into a growing career. After blogging about all things fashion, home decor and beauty for the past few years, Monika has now launched her own online shop. With the spirit of a pop-up shop, SHOPbymonika rotates her favourite items – from decor accessories to organic beauty products to clothing and more – and includes specially designed collaborations from her favourite Canadian brands. Learn more about this powerhouse of a woman as she dishes on her favourite designer, home renovations and decor accessory.


Photography by Jamie Hodge of Jamie Lauren Photography

1 What motivated you to start your blog/shop?
Monika Hibbs Honestly, I needed a creative outlet, a time when I could get away from “everything medicine”, while I was still practicing medicine. One hour a day, that’s what I gave myself. All thanks to my husband’s advice and great big push, my blog was created!

2 If you could shadow any designer for a day, who would it be?
MH I love Jillian Harris. We’ve become such social media buddies! Spending the day with a friend like Jillian and working alongside one another is always on my fun radar. Follow her on Instagram and you’ll understand why!

3 Where do you look for an obscure source of inspiration?
MH Pinterest! Type in anything your heart desires and it’s there! Obscure included!

4 Favourite restaurant?
MH Black and Blue in Vancouver. The food and design is unreal.


Lead image by Melissa Skoda.
Photography by Ellen Ho of Hong Photography

5 What’s your favourite room to decorate?
MH My living/ family room. I’m a big pillow lover, which means lots throw pillows on our couches! I change them up quite often, which makes the room feel up to date.

6 What’s your current paint colour obsession?
MH White! Dove white, Simply white, cloud white! White everything!

7 If one song could be the soundtrack to your life, what would it be?
MH Wow, that’s a hard one! I don’t have one favourite! I would say it’s constantly changing!

8 What’s the one store you could spend hours browsing?
MH For the home, it would be The Cross Design in Vancouver. For fashion, it’s Zara, J. Crew, Tory Burch.
Photography by Ellen Ho of Hong Photography

9 London, Paris or New York?
MH All three! I love them all equally!

10 If money were no object, what one thing would you buy?
MH A Celine purse.  Such a beauty, she is. And lot and lots (and lots!) of Designer’s Guild wallpaper.
 
11 Favourite movie?
MH Only You.
 
12 What’s your favourite movie interior?
MH Sex and the City (the movie). All that wallpaper was eye candy!
Photography by Ellen Ho of Hong Photography

13 What do you think is the easiest way to update a room?
MH Pillows! Pillows and more pillows! A gorgeous new rug wouldn’t hurt either!

14 Best coffee table book?
MH Domino: The Book of Decorating.

15 What’s your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
MH Going for a walk downtown with my family with a Starbucks in hand, no matter what season, and with a little window-shopping of course.

16 Do you like to be the entertainer or be entertained?
MH Entertainer.
Photography by Ellen Ho of Hong Photography

17 What do you think is the best renovation you can do to your home?
MH The kitchen. Everyone woman loves a gorgeous, fresh, up-to-date kitchen, am I right?

18 What is your favourite space that you’ve designed?
MH Our new home! It was so fun to be creative and start from scratch!

19 What’s the biggest design faux pas?
MH Carpet in the bathroom! I’ve never understood that.

20 Marilyn, Audrey or Jackie?
MH Audrey and Jackie.