How design transformed bland to beautiful.

Journal entry No. 13

I first worked with Emily and Gary on the show Love it or List it Vancouver. Their then East Vancouver home had a quiet historical charm about it and the clients and I shared a common love for colour, wallpaper and incorporating vintage pieces. Though they loved their East Vancouver home, the long work commute became too much and a need for more space encouraged the purchase of this spacious town home close to work and school in the University District. They now had the room but they were missing the charm…

Built 20 years ago, the town home was a series of non-descriptive boxy spaces. Hard lines lacking in architectural detail, rooms felt void of life but full of track lighting - the horror! (see carousel of before photos). Creating interest through custom millwork, wall panelling, a coffered ceiling and layering in beautiful light fixtures was fundamental to creating room identity. We also worked with some of the existing finishes: opting to retain the dark wood flooring throughout, resurfacing cabinetry and painting the fireplace mantle in the living room. This lessened the impact of the renovation on many levels: budget, timeline and environment.

The completed living room with custom pieces and layers of family story.

Emily and Gary were interested in creating spaces that felt approachable for their friends and family to enjoy and reflective of their family’s story and lifestyle. In the living room, we started by assessing personal items, many brought over from their East Vancouver home, and created a design in support of these mementos. Vacant niches on either side of the fireplace were transformed with bespoke millwork design for storage and display. Shelves were populated with items that spoke to their travels and interests and even one of my sketches! Emily loved it so much I had it framed for her.

Concept sketch and final photo of corner with bespoke millwork, drapery and arm chair.

Working with CF Interiors we selected pieces that would last such as the custom sofa with a generous single seat cushion and custom chairs that we had made slightly larger to be more comfortable. Area rug, coffee tables and wood side table were also through CF Interiors. Custom drapery in an unlined with sunny yellow embroidery lets in the filtered light and frames the view to the private front yard.

Custom sofa with pops of the client’s love of orange. Collected artwork reflective of the client’s travel and family history as well as newly sourced pieces.

There was a lot about the entry we had to keep but the walls were up for grabs and this gorgeous abstracted floral on a gold background steals the show. Black and white family photos provide a great first impression.

Custom table through CF Interiors and Canadian-made bentwood chairs ground the dining area. Sourced mid-century vintage hutch provides storage as well as a patina that only vintage pieces can do.

The family room off the kitchen was quite dark and lacked personality. The ceiling lent itself well for the addition of a coffered detail which goes a long way to add charm into an otherwise box-shaped room. Discreet recessed fixtures are only one of the 3 layers of lighting in this room: a handsome central fixture and sconces on either side of the fireplace provide the client with flexibility. We created a new fireplace surround using dusty blue mosaic tile which picks up on the blues from the living room

Cabinets were kept and refaced, floating shelves added in one corner to balance out the corner of windows and customized solid wood hardware designed and created by a local craftsperson. Symmetry isn’t always possible but balance should always be achieved.

The most comfortable sofa…there is no luxury without comfort after all! A last minute pop of yellow in the passage from dining to family room is inviting and leads the eye to adjoining spaces.

The kitchen cabinets were a dark cherry veneer but otherwise in good shape. We opted to have them re-veneered in a flat white with an ash accent for the cubbies and added in contemporary black hardware. Gorgeous textured tile plays into the client’s love of Japanese ceramics.

Resurfaced cabinetry, new countertop, hardware and textured backsplash tile lighten the space and provide nuance.

To add texture and focus to the primary bedroom we had wall panelling installed as a greater headboard to the client’s walnut bed frame. Further texture is achieved through the bespoke window treatments in a pale blush tone to compliment the creamy white walls. The central ceiling fixture is a stunner, it was the first piece selected for the space to create a tranquil retreat for clients with busy lives.

New wall treatment, lighting and window coverings created the first layer of interest while sourced pieces, both vintage and new, artwork and bedding finished the serene pace.

The client loves house plants - and so do I! In an open connecting space, Emily wished for a place to read books with her son, do yoga and be surrounded by plants. I sourced the largest Fiddle Leaf fig I could find (over 7’ tall) and other plants that would be happy in the light levels and conditions of the room. Reusing the client’s shelving and cabinet, we paired a soft boucle loveseat with lively decor and contemporary wall sconces offering overhead lighting.

Their son’s room called for colour. We worked with an existing grey upholstered headboard and complimented this with a dusty blue shade painted half way up the walls. Designing corner shelving for his books and toys, we sourced lively artwork and pillows to create vivacity. This room also has a secret south-facing patio with planter boxes bursting with produce!

Creating homes that are reflective of the individual is always a pleasure. Emily and Gary were open to letting their home speak to who they are and how they live, honestly and without filter and this, above all else, makes for personal spaces designed for a life well lived.

Carousel of the before photos:

All final photography by Janis Nicolay.