WLCONDO Spring2018

MAIN STREET MODERN Space-Saving Techniques Maximize a Gorgeous Designer Condo

SMALL WONDER

A Compact Downtown Home Channels NYC Style in a Big Way

20+ HOT NEW PRODUCTS Perfect for Cool Vancouver Spaces

SPRING 2018 $5.99

KITCHEN TRENDS YOU’LL LOVE

Three Beautiful Open-Concept Layouts to Inspire

ITA LI AN | WE S T C OAST L IF EST Y L E

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Photo Michel Gibert: image for advertising purposes only. Special thanks: Forstpavillon - TASCHEN. *Conditions apply, ask your store for more details.

French Art de Vivre

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Cercle. Rug, design Eric Gizard.

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VISIT THE SHOWROOM TODAY | 1050 HOMER STREET IN YALETOWN 604.227.3542 | GrosvenorPacific.com Pricing subject to change without notice. Rendering is an artist’s interpretation only and may not be accurate. E&OE.

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OMG IT’S SMALL!

3

Furniture for small spaces 2

1

4

5

OMG it’s small by Ginger Jar, your destination for big style in small spaces; featuring multifunctional collections; trendy, fun accessories like Sid Dickens’ tiles and Fatboy beanbags; and amazing pendant lighting. Purchase from the showroom and take it home today or custom order your ‘perfect’ piece.

Celebrating 39 years as a local, family owned and operated company, Ginger Jar Furniture is the North Shore’s largest showroom of modern luxury indoor and outdoor furnishings.

In their 20,000 square foot showroom, discover fashion forward European designs for your home, with brands like Rolf Benz, Gamma, Thayer Coggin, Cierre, Manutti, Gloster, Calligaris, Bontempi, Fiam, Lloyd Flanders, Draenert, Vondom, and Stressless. They are also recognized for their contract services in designing show suites, hotel foyers and pool sides, lounges, and dining areas.

1. Spencer Loft Bisectional: Designed for city living, this compact sectional is only 84” wide. The chaise can be configured on the left, the right, or as standalone seating. Finish and fabric customizable.

2. Urban Recliner: With modern design and technology but inspired by over 70 years of ancient Norwegian traditions and history, this motion chair addresses our needs for rest and movement that make your everyday life better and easier. Manual and motorized versions available.

3. Dylan Pendant: Features 8 round white-glass shades, radiating outward from a simple, cylindrical stem presenting an elegant contemporary European bistro inspired aesthetic. Available in matte black or matte gold.

4. Cream Extendable Wood Dining Table: This simple Scandinavian style with the rounded-corner rectangular top and oval wooden legs will easily fit in to any décor. Just slide 2 top leaves outwards and lift out the central butterfly extension to extend from 35” to 51” in length, adding two extra place settings in next to no time! Variety of shapes and sizes available. Finish customizable.

5. Erika Sleeper: Features a full range of bed sizes including single, full, and king size sleepers. With a slim arm profile and wooden leg, the Erika collection is light and elegant in appearance but maintains the sturdy construction you can expect. Made in Finland. Finish and fabric customizable.

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SPRING 2018 | VOLUME 13 | NUMBER 1

38

52

42

25

LIVING 18 THE LOWDOWN

MAIN STREET MODERN Space-Saving Techniques Maximize a Gorgeous Designer Condo

To help you navigate the ins and outs of small-space living, we’re asking the experts and taking stock of the best downtown offerings.

DESIGN

20 NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE

36 ESSENTIALS

SMALL WONDER

A Compact Downtown Home Channels NYC Style in a Big Way

20+ HOT NEW PRODUCTS

Perfect for Cool Vancouver Spaces

S P R I N G 2 018

TEA: JANIS NICOLAY; BED: JACKIE BROWN; GALIANO: SARAH L TWEEDALE

58

SPRING 2018 $5.99

KITCHEN TRENDS YOU’LL LOVE

Three Beautiful Open-Concept Layouts to Inspire

pm 400068973

ON THE COVER

Designer Kelly Deck has created an elegant grey-on-grey suite we love.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Barry Calhoun

The best places to eat, shop and play in Vancouver’s own Yaletown ’hood.

25 RETURN OF THE TEA PARTY

Entertaining is effortlessly elegant when you embrace the magic of high tea.

58 THE GETAWAY GUIDE

Hop a ferry to Galiano Island, where great hikes, destination dining and the massage of your dreams await.

The hottest furniture and accessories on the market right now: sleek floor lamps, beautiful bar stools, designer daybeds and chic sideboards.

44 TREND ALERT

Three new Lower Mainland condo developments demonstrate how one standard kitchen layout, with the right design elements, can take on endless fresh looks.

FEATURED CONDOS 46 ENTERTAINMENT VALUE

Luxury-home designer Kelly Deck brings her signature upscale style (and sophisticated space-saving tricks) to a compact Mount Pleasant condo.

52 A LITTLE MORE

A pared-back palette of exposed brick, timber accents and cool neutrals makes this petite downtown Vancouver condo feel like an airy Manhattan loft.

SPRING 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

13

STACEY’S PICK Penelope mini desk $420, available at West Elm, westelm.ca

For more of Stacey’s picks, visit westernliving.ca

Move It! It’s official: I’m in full-on nesting mode.

My husband and I may be another month away from moving to our new place, but the premature instinct for homemaking is irresistible. So now there are piles of clothes and books and George Foreman grills (why do we have more than one?!) all over the living room, thanks to fits of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up-inspired purging and the confidence that someone from Craigslist is going to want my collection of Pushing Daisies DVDs if I just wait long enough.

As soon as Max turns his back, I plan to burn our patio furniture so I have an excuse to buy new outdoor seating (rattan is back and I have never cared more).

For many people, of course, moving can be a stressful experience, but in my line of work, all I do all day is look at beautiful, inspiring spaces, and I suspect it’s changed my perspective for the better: who has time to worry about the logistics of movers and internet service and dealing with the strata council when you’re so excited to get started creating a dream home of your very own?

Luckily for you, the other part of my job is sharing my favourite daydream-worthy spaces with the world. This issue, we’re spotlighting an ultra-compact downtown suite with vintage flair that makes for a stunning investment property (page 52), and a chic and modern Mount Pleasant one-bedroom that uses clever sliding doors to make the most of every square inch (page 46).

Though these real Vancouver condos run the gamut in terms of style and square footage, they’re sure to soothe any pre-moving day panic or renovation jitters—and maybe even spark some inspiration for your next scary-but-exciting home evolution.

And speaking of renovations, this very magazine got a little makeover of its own for 2018.

In addition to beautiful Vancouver designs, you’ll now find recommendations for the best urban conveniences in our new “Lowdown” section on page 18 (with intel on everything from urban meal-prep services to home herb garden hacks). And when you’re ready to stretch those legs, just step outside armed with our Yaletown neighbourhood guide (page 20) or Galiano weekend itinerary (page 58). Because whether you’re happily nesting like me or itching to get out and explore, WL Condo is here to help you make the most of small-space life in the big city.

GENERAL MANAGER | PUBLISHER Dee Dhaliwal EDITOR Stacey McLachlan ART DIRECTOR Jenny Reed EDITORIAL INTERNS Alyssa Hirose, Jessica Palacio, Allie Turner EMAIL mail@westernliving.ca

WESTERNLIVING.CA

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, WESTERN LIVING Anicka Quin ONLINE EDITOR Kaitlyn Funk ONLINE COORDINATOR Theresa Tran PRODUCTION MANAGER Lee Tidsbury DESIGNER Swin Nung Chai SENIOR MARKETING STRATEGIST Kaitlyn Lush TEL 604-877-7732 CUSTOMER SERVICE WEB westernliving.ca TEL 604-877-7732

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Stacey McLachlan, Editor

stacey.mclachlan@westernliving.ca

14 SPRING 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

WESTERN LIVING CONDO MAGAZINE is published four times a year by 9778748 Canada Inc. Copyright 2018. Printed in Canada by TC • Transcontinental, LGM-Coronet, 737 Moray St., Winnipeg, Man. R3J 3S9. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept., 3rd Floor, 2025 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5C 0J3. Distributed free in areas of Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and Edmonton. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. All reproduction requests must be made to COPIBEC (paper reproductions), 800717-2022, or CEDROM-SNi (electronic reproductions), 800-563-5665. The publisher cannot be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. This publication is indexed in the Canadian Magazine Index and the Canadian Periodical Index, and is available online in the Canadian Business & Current Affairs Database. ISSN 1920-0668 (British Columbia edition), ISSN 1920-065X (Alberta). Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40068973.

PHOTO: ANDY FANG. SHOT AT LIVINGSPACE IN VANCOUVER.

The marble top and teak finish of this mini-desk are both on trend and timeless, but it’s the compact shape (which still manages to fit a deep drawer) that makes this one a perfect fit for the modern condo.

CARVER & 180 COLLECTIONS BY HENRIK PEDERSEN

EXCEPTIONAL INDOOR & OUTDOOR FURNISHINGS

Furniture Showrooms: 1855/1880 Fir Street Armoury District Vancouver 604.736.8822 Mon - Sat 10 -5:30 pm broughaminteriors.com

…your home – inspired by you – designed by maison…

118 West 2nd Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Y 1C2 T: 604.484.4030

maisondetre.ca

LIVING

EXPERT ADVICE // THE BEST OF YALETOWN // EFFORTLESS ENTERTAINING

GO FOR GREEN

MYTHJA

It might feel intimidating to downsize to condo life, but fear not: your lifestyle never has to be limited by your square footage. Those with a green thumb, for instance, can still enjoy some quality time watching their garden grow with a well-designed herb box and expert advice, like that of pro gardener Conor Preston, found on the next page. Plus, living in the city, you’ve got easy access to everything—big convenience, even when you’re living small.

SPRING 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

17

LIVING THE LOWDOWN

THE LOWDOWN The best part of condo life? Making the most of every square inch—and then stepping outside to embrace all that the city has to offer. To help you navigate the ins and outs of small-space living, we’re asking the experts and taking stock of the best downtown offerings. WRITER MAIA ODEGAARD

HOW TO GROW A HERB GARDEN

Conor Preston from Figaro’s Garden knows all the tricks for making your indoor garden grow—so your mojitos will never have to suffer again.

A PLACE IN THE SUN “Some plants, like parsley and cilantro, can tolerate lower light levels, but for the most part herbs will put on poor, spindly growth if they don’t get enough sun,” says Preston—so get those planters in as much sunlight as possible.

WITH THE SEASONS Winter can be a tough time for some perennial herbs due to the combination of low light, dry air and low air circulation, so keep harvesting to a minimum. (But through the summer, freeze your bounty so you’ve got plenty extra.)

HOME SWEET HOME

For a stylish piece that does double duty, the cabinet pet house (from $499, modernistcat.com) does the trick: these mid-century-modern end tables are fitted for small-pet comfort—some even function as a kitty litter hideaway—all without sacrificing your decor dreams.

SALAD YEARS “Annual and biennial herbs often grow much more quickly than their perennial counterparts,” advises Preston, so do your homework before you go on a seed shopping spree. Basil, parsley and cilantro can all be grown quite quickly and easily from seed, but after planting perennials like rosemary or thyme from seed, it may be a couple of years before the plant is big enough for you to harvest any for cooking.

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY Using a water-soluble organic fertilizer during the growing season will really improve your harvest. Preston recommends fertilizing only when “plants are in active growth—and don’t exceed the recommended concentration or frequency of fertilization.” Also, be sure to use a free-draining potting mix—many culinary herbs appreciate a potting mix that doesn’t stay too wet between waterings.

CHOP CHOP While Preston doesn’t recommend picking more than a third of the plant at a time, don’t be afraid to cut back individual stems relatively close to the base of the plant—if you cut just the very tips off, you’ll be left with a plant that is straggly and top-heavy. “Cut back a little harder,” says Preston, “and you’ll be rewarded with a plant that is bushier and more manageable.”

18 SPRING 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Urban essentials for your furriest friends.

FRESH LOOK Leave bath time to the professionals at the Spaw at Barking Babies (from $12, 1188 Homer St., barkingbabies.com).

This full-service dog boutique has an in-house spa to tackle everything from nail trimming to a cut and blow dry—bow included.

THESE MEALS HAVE WHEELS

The savvy city dweller knows how to outsource—and with a new wave of meal-prep services that deliver pre-portioned ingredients and recipes to your home or office, it’s easy to make dinner planning and grocery shopping someone else’s problem.

Hello Fresh

The Breakdown: From $10.83 per meal, hellofresh.ca Sample Dinner Recipe: Sage-Butter Pork Chops Pros: Free delivery, and plenty of kid-friendly menu items if you’re feeding little ones. Nice, clear recipe cards.

Cons: Oddly, they charge a fair bit more for vegetarian meal plans, and the recipes skew a little more family friendly (read: simple).

Fresh Prep

The Breakdown: From $9 per meal, freshprep.ca Sample Dinner Recipe: Chickpea Shakshuka Pros: If you’re looking for local, try the Vancouverbased Fresh Prep, which sources the majority of their ingredients from purveyors in the area and hand-delivers meals in a reusable freezer bag. They’ll also take back the packaging to recycle at their facility—a nice touch if you’re worried about waste.

Cons: They don’t deliver to the burbs, so if you’re out of town, you’re out of luck.

Chef’s Plate

Fuud

BAY LEAVES ILLUSTRATION: ELENA PIMONOVA; POTTED BASIL: LILYANA VYNOGRADOVA; KISSA TANTO: JENNILEE MARIGOMEN

The Breakdown: From $9.75 per meal, chefsplate.com Sample Dinner Recipe: Sesame Sweet Potato Poke Bowl Pros: Chef’s Plate boasts high production value for their recipe cards with step-by-step photos, along with the largest selection of dishes to choose from each week.

Cons: They’ll tack on a $6 weekly fee if you want only a couple of two-person meals each week.

FEAST ON THE EASTSIDE

Need some date-night inspo?

We’ve got you covered with this paint-the-town red itinerary.

1 HAPPY HOUR Start your evening with a little bit of old Vegas charm and a few properly crafted cocktails in the lounge at the Emerald (555 Gore Ave., emeraldsupperclub.com). Cozy up to your companion—or break with Vancouver convention and try talking to the other patrons sharing your couch—and order that second negroni.

The Breakdown: From $10.95 per meal, fuud.ca Sample Dinner Recipe: Cardamom and Cod Curry Pros: There’s a level of elevation to these menu items: think spicy tofu with sweet-and-sour shiitake mushrooms. Gluten-free and veg-only packages are available for special diets, and ingredients are organic whenever possible.

Cons: The recipe difficulty (and price point) is a little higher, and there’s no free or discounted trial, like the others—but high risk yields high rewards.

2 ITALIAN TWIST Next, take a stroll around the corner to Chinatown’s Kissa Tanto (263 E Pender St., kissatanto.com). The Japanese-Italian menu is chockablock with inventive dishes like gnocco fritto (olive oil crackers, kombu dashi, braised onions and ricotta salata) and sesame marjoram potatoes with roasted cauliflower and charred escarole.

3 NIGHTCAP Post-feast, grab a taxi to Guilt and Company (1 Alexander St., guiltandcompany.com), for whatever live performance might be on that night: burlesque dancers, soul trios or stand-up comedians are equally likely to take the stage.

SE YMOUR ST.

NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE YALETOWN

5

RICHARDS ST.

2

6

NEL SON ST.

HELMCKEN ST.

DAVIE ST.

DR AKE ST. HA MILTON ST.

HOMER ST.

4

M AINL AND ST.

The Best of

3

YALETOWN

CAM

Yaletown was once home to one of the first railway stations in the city, but today historic red-brick warehouses and railroad platforms serve as stylish boutiques and sunny patios for the nü yuppies who populate the neighbourhood. The offerings here reflect the trend-loving population, with dog boutiques, nail salons and luxe design shops peppering the narrow streets.

By day, the seawall and coffee shops are packed; come night, the plentiful bars and cocktail clubs are bumping.

1

T. BIE S

BE AT T Y ST. M ARINASIDE CRES.

WRITER ANDREA GARZA

EAT HERE

1 Mainland Street is home to many luxury clothing and gift shops, and Fine Finds Boutique (1014 Mainland St., finefindsboutique.com) is one of our favourites. Think one-of-a-kind jackets, vegan leather bags and backpacks, and Vancouver-sourced handmade soy candles. It’s chic and trendy—and undeniably Yaletown.

2 The Cross Decor and Design (1198 Homer St., thecrossdesign.com) has become a staple in the Vancouver design scene, known for its playful, feminine style. Here, find unique handwoven textiles, original art pieces, whimsical paper products and custom-designed furniture.

3 Have a sweet tooth? Head to chic candy shop Karameller (30–1020 Mainland St., karameller.com), based on the Swedish tradition of Saturday sweets given to children. Its sophisticated white-on-white decor, as Scandinavian as the products, ensures the colourful candy really pops—from licorice to fizzy rainbow rolls.

20 SPRING 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

5 Already well known and well loved around the city, Nuba (508 Davie St., nuba.ca) has finally opened a muchanticipated spot in Yaletown. Its lively decor mixes pastels with pops of brightly coloured tile, and pointed archways add the finishing touch to its sunny Middle Eastern look. It offers lunch and dinner service and new, daily rotating specials, along with classic hummus, falafel and all the staple favourites.

6 If you’re craving pie, head to The Parlour (1011 Hamilton St., theparlourrestaurants.com) and order the Goldmember: caramelized onions, mushrooms duxelle and Yukon Gold potatoes drizzled with truffle oil. If you’re going to commit to pizza then you might as well put potatoes on it, right?

KARAMELLER: EMA PETER; MISTER: FAHIM KASSAM; NUBA: JOANN PAI; THE PARLOUR: MAKITO INOMATA

SHOP HERE

4 What’s cooler than cool? Turns out it’s liquid nitrogen ice cream, a dessert trend that Mister (1141 Mainland St., madebymister.com) ice cream parlour may have perfected. Rotating artisanal flavours like avocado, double Oreo and crème brûlée can come in cone, cup or sandwich form. Add the shop’s sleek geometric design and constant waves of liquid nitrogen fog, and it’s an experience that borders on the ethereal.

1706 WEST 1ST AVE ARMOURY DISTRICT VANCOUVER 604 683 1116 LIVINGSPACE.COM

NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE YALETOWN

Warehouses in Yaletown cica 1915.

GET OUTSIDE

A LITTLE HISTORY

The seawall, Yaletown’s southern boundary, makes a lovely spot for a sunny waterfront stroll, with its lush neighbouring city parks and beautiful views of False Creek. Afterward, grab a coffee at a close-by café, or take a self-guided walking tour of the many heritage sites in the area.

Yaletown owes much of its heritage to the railroad, but in 1907 it also saw the opening of Canada’s first gas station. Gasoline was hand-transferred to cars from a large wooden barrel with the help of a single attendant— and several bucketloads.

ARCHIVAL YALETOWN: CITY OF VANCOUVER ARCHIVES

Murchies Building at 1216 Homer Street in 1928.

LOCAL PICKS

What do you love about this neighbourhood?

“It’s beautiful, it’s scene-y and it’s close to the seawall, so it’s a coveted place to live in the city. There’s a misconception about Yaletown being a little snobby, but it’s actually the opposite. The glitterati are here, definitely, but it’s vibrant, friendly and fun, too.”—Jewel Staite

22 SPRING 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

BEST WINE LIST Cioppino’s “Cioppino’s has the best wine list in town and probably always will.

It’s an institution.”

1133 Hamilton St., cioppinosyaletown.com

BEST PATIO Provence Marinaside “It’s right on the water, so it’s got a beautiful view, plus the people-watching is great. I’m obsessed with their happy hour and small plates like the trio of smoked fish or the saffron risotto balls. Their wine bar next door has lots of local wines on tap, too, and great specials.”

1177 Marinaside Cres., provencemarinaside.ca

BEST COFFEE SHOP Small Victory “It’s all white marble and brass and wood—just the right amount of hipster with really high-quality coffee and tea.”

1088 Homer St., smallvictory.ca

PROVENCE: EMRYS HORTON; CIOPPINO’S: ERICH SAIDE

Jewel Staite Actress, Serenity

BEST BRUNCH Le Petit Belge or the Distillery “You can’t go wrong with Le Petit Belge. They hardly ever have a wait, and the waffles and pastries are amazing. I also love the Distillery for brunch. They’ve got a menu item called ‘yesterday’s lasagna,’ which is exactly what it sounds like, and it’s fabulous. I love their Gorgonzola omelette, too.”

Le Petit Belge, 340 Robson St., lepetitbelge.ca; Distillery, 1131 Mainland St., mjg.ca/distillery-bar-and-kitchen

East India Carpets D I S T I N C T I V E D E S I G N S S I N C E 19 4 8

1606 West 2nd at Fir Armoury District Vancouver Mon-Sat 10-5:30 604 736 5681 eastindiacarpets.com C ARPE T C L E ANING A N D RE S TOR ATION SE RVICE S AVA IL ABLE PHOTOGRAPHY: BARRY CALHOUN PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES: PROVIDE HOME

Chairs by Nika Zupanc for SĂŠ Collection III Dining Table and Library by Hagit Pincovici Drape 9 Pendant light from SkLO

Photo Credit: Ema Peter Photography

Rug: Space from Jan Kath

1725 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver | 604.736.3020 | showroom@switzercultcreative.com | switzercultcreative.com

The Return of the

Tea Party

FRESH SCONES, FINGER SANDWICHES AND A HOT CUPPA— HIGH TEA IS ELEGANT ENTERTAINING MADE EFFORTLESS.

RECIPES JULIE VAN ROSENDAAL PHOTOGRAPHY JANIS NICOLAY / STYLING LAWREN MONETA

SPRING 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

25

LIVING TEA PART Y

Tip for the kiddos

Mix up a pitcher of real iced tea: steep caffeine-free tea and sweeten with honey, then add lemon and orange slices or fresh berries and chill.

Don’t think of high tea as a stuffy, proper affair.

It’s become a perfect casual mid-afternoon gathering, an easier (and more memorable) alternative to the classic cocktail party—and a simpler option if you don’t want to commit to a sit-down meal.

A traditional high tea includes sweet (wee tarts, cakes and cookies), savoury (think finger sandwiches and petite quiches) and scones, all arranged on a tiered serving tray with jam and clotted cream. But you’re not limited to one of each, and if you think small, anything goes.

There’s no requirement to serve egg salad with watercress or cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off (though they’re lovely); instead, try bite-sized sausage rolls, sliders, thick curries served in toast cups, spanakopita triangles or cold cubed frittata. Any type of pie can be made into tarts by cutting rounds of pastry and pressing them into mini-muffin cups to bake and fill (or fill and bake), or make small portions of panna cotta or crème brûlée in Chinese soup spoons.

The key is to make it a mini-celebration—the dishes don’t need to be complicated, just tiny and pretty.

TEA PRIMER

WRITER ALISON O’NEILL

Beloved the world over, the humble cup of tea has evolved from its original medicinal origins in China into the comforting brew we know and love today.

Here, four of its most familiar types.

BLACK The most common tea in the West, black tea is withered, fermented and dried to produce the deep amber-coloured drink that has become synonymous with tea time. This full-bodied tea can be compared to red wine: it pairs well with richly flavoured foods, including meat, curries and desserts (especially chocolate).

Think: English breakfast, orange pekoe, Earl Grey, Darjeeling

GREEN Green tea skips the fermentation step to produce a tea that is more delicate in taste and lighter in colour. If black tea is similar to red wine, then green tea is more like white— better suited to pairing with seafood and salads, in addition to unsweetened pastries like croissants.

Think: Matcha, sencha, gunpowder, Maghrebi mint, jasmine

HERBAL Technically

ROOIBOS Rooibos,

not a tea, as it is made from an infusion of various fruits, herbs and/or spices (and not leaves from the tea plant), herbal tea is a caffeine-free beverage.

Herbal teas can often have pronounced flavours that may compete with many foods, so they are best served after eating or with a food pairing in the same flavour family (e.g., blueberry tea with a blueberry-based dessert).

which derives its name from the red bush plant it comes from, is another caffeine-free drink often considered a tea. Grown in South Africa, it undergoes a fermentation process that enhances its flavour and produces the distinctive reddishbrown colour it’s known for. Its natural hint of sweetness pairs nicely with pastries, chocolate and fruit.

Think: Chamomile, peppermint, licorice

26 SPRING 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

Think: Red bush chai, green rooibos

SECTIONAL EVENT

604•879•4878

2331 ALBERTA STREET

VANCOUVER

SOFASOGOOD.CA

LIVING TEA PART Y

FINGER SANDWICH 101 Simple Finger Sandwich Combos Smoked salmon + watercress + lemon Cucumber + cream cheese + radish Thinly sliced ham + butter Egg salad + pea shoots Trim brecrusts with a sharp serrated knife, then cut each sandwich into four pieces—either squares, rectangles or triangles.

CURRIED COCONUT CHICKEN PUFFS Puff pastry can be easily filled with all kinds of sweet or savoury ingredients, then baked until golden to serve at a tea party—most pastries are just as delicious cold or at room temperature as they are served warm.

Easy Petits Fours Petits fours can be made out of any store-bought pound cake—just cut it into small squares or rounds. To coat with an easy faux fondant, set the squares on a wire rack, heat a container of store-bought frosting in the microwave (about 30 seconds should do), stir and pour over top, then let cool until set.

Decorate with icing from a pastry bag fitted with a small tip, or add small flowers or silver dragées.

To find the recipe for this Mini Pavlova with Lemon Curd, visit westernliving.ca/recipes

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1 package puff pastry, thawed Canola oil, for cooking 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger 1 tbsp curry paste 2 cups chopped cooked chicken ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro ½ 14-oz. can coconut milk ¼ cup mango chutney Salt, to taste On a lightly floured surface, roll puff pastry out into a 12-inch square; place on a baking sheet and refrigerate while you make the filling. Preheat oven to 400°F. In a heavy skillet set over medium-high heat, sauté the onion in a drizzle of oil for 3–4 minutes or until soft. Add ginger and curry paste and cook for another minute or two.

Add chicken, cilantro, coconut milk and chutney and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring often and seasoning with salt, until mixture has thickened.

Set aside to cool.

Cut pastry into 3 strips in both directions. Press each square into a muffin cup and fill with a spoonful of chicken mixture. Fold each corner down so that they meet in the middle, covering the filling. (There’s no need to seal them completely.)

Bake for 25–30 minutes or until puffed and golden.

Let cool for about 10 minutes, then run a thin knife around the edges to loosen and pop them out.

Serve warm, or cool on a wire rack before serving.

Makes 9 curried chicken puffs.

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Scott Myler 604-301-3427 16 Locations Across Canada In Vancouver: 8488 Main St.

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smyler@coastappliances.com

Susan Ford 778-386-7122 Designer & Multi-Family Sales sford@coastappliances.com

LIVING TEA PART Y

WILD BLUEBERRY OAT SCONES Good scones are a must at any tea party.

These nubbly oat scones are a perfect vehicle for fresh or frozen berries; white or dark chocolate chunks are always a welcome addition to the dough, or leave them perfectly plain to serve with jam and clotted cream.

1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup old-fashioned or quick oats 2 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt ½ cup cold butter, cut into bits ¾ cup half and half ½–1 cup fresh or frozen wild blueberries (don’t thaw if frozen) ½ cup white chocolate chunks (optional) Extra cream and coarse sugar, for brushing and sprinkling (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt until well blended.

Add butter and pulse again just until mixture is coarse, with lumps of butter no bigger than a pea.

Transfer mixture to a bowl and add cream; stir for a few strokes, then add berries (and white chocolate chunks, if using) and stir just until combined.

Pat dough into a circle on the baking sheet and, if you like, brush with extra cream and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cut into 8 wedges with a knife and pull them apart on the sheet to give them space. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until golden. Makes about 8 scones.

To find the recipes for Simple Strawberry Jam and DIY Crème Fraîche, visit westernliving.ca/recipes

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SOUTH VANCOUVER STARTS HERE 3 6 3 CIT Y H OM E S | S H O P S | DAYC AR E | PAR K This new mixed-use community development brings new life and action to Fraser and Southeast Marine Drive, with smart city homes, generous green space, a daycare and neighbourly shops. With homes starting from $439,900, this is where South Vancouver begins. And it’s clearly moving up from here.

A NEW VISION FROM SERRACAN Find out more about this change-making community.

COMING MARCH. REGISTER TODAY.

frasercommons.com

CITY LIVING

This is not an offering for sale. Any such offering can only be made with a disclosure statement. The developer reserves the right to make changes and modifications. Illustration is representational only and may not be accurate. E&OE

SPONSORED REPORT

A DESIGN OF EPIC PROPORTIONS How California Closets transformed an entire room with one big, multifunctional design

D

imitris and Nicole came to California Closets with a serious challenge.

After living in their 1960’s era apartment for quite some time, they were ready to completely renovate their main living space. The goal was to create a wall unit that would synthesize their living room into one beautiful, convenient and organized place. In order to do this, the wall unit would have to be a book case, a media center and bar/buffet in one.

With budget and ideas ready, Dimitris and Nicole met with California Closets designer Emma Beaty to discuss their vision. Emma’s challenge was to create a unit that was large and multi-functional but would not overwhelm the room. Dimitris knew he wanted a clean, modern design and for the unit to be white so his books would pop on display. The rest was up to Emma.

After two consultations, the design was solidified, and the California Closets team was ready to get to work. Once installation day arrived, Dimitris and Nicole watched as their space was completely transformed in two days.

The stunning, 20-foot wall unit is a beautiful yet functional addition to Dimitris and Nicole’s living space. Emma created a balanced asymmetrical

Created by the Western Living advertising department in partnership with California Closets

design through the reverse L-shaped cabinetry and differing cabinet depths to fulfill Dimitris’ request for a clean and modern look. Lighting was used for multiple key purposes in the unit; as a feature to draw the eye upward and make the room appear larger, and to add ambiance to the room through a dimmer switch. This modern and expansive wall unit is everything Dimitris and Nicole had hoped for as their oncefractured living space is now in one sleek and organized cohesive space.

California Closets brings functionality and order to any room in your home. Contact them today to make your design dreams a reality.

Emma Beaty

604.320.6575 californiaclosets.ca/vancouver VANCOUVER 2421 Granville Street | BURNABY 5049 Still Creek Avenue

life, reinvented.

day  night

Wally Wall-Mounted Home Office Kali Sofa/Twin XL Wall Bed/Library Altea Book Intermediate Wall Bed/Library

Studio apartment, pied–à–terre, family room, den.

Change the way you use your space with Kali Sofa and Altea Book, two of 60+ customizable solutions that maximize any room, : the global leader in transformable furniture design for over 50 years. large or small. Designed and made in Italy by Lifetime warranty on all Clei mechanisms. Exclusively from Resource Furniture. Many items available for immediate delivery.

124 West Hastings Street | Vancouver BC 604.899.8874 resourcefurniture.com New York | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Washington, D.C. | Toronto | Vancouver | Calgary | Montreal | Mexico City

DESIGN

INSPIRING SPACES // FURNITURE WE LOVE // EXPERT ADVICE // HOT DESIGN TRENDS

JACKIE BROWN

SMALL WONDER Not everyone would be able to squeeze Manhattan-penthouse style into a sub-600-square-foot space, but costume designer Tina Wilson proves that it’s more than possible: in fact, looking at her renovated, open-plan space, complete with exposed wood and brick, a fresh white kitchen and plenty of cozy touches, small-space living has never looked dreamier. See the full home starting on page 52.

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DESIGN ESSENTIALS

WRITER SALLY MICHAEL WHITE

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SLEEP ON IT These stylish daybeds move easily from daytime seating to cozy nap spot.

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LUXE DREAMS Deep-green velvet and rich mahogany make the Sven daybed ($1,349) a sophisticated place to rest your head. article.com

2

TRUE CLASSIC Unmodified in its design since 1925, the Classicon daybed (from $8,695) maintains Eileen Gray’s iconic lines, suited for both seating and sleeping. informinteriors.com

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3

WINGING IT Easily change the Zeal convertible daybed ($995) from day to night with a simple adjustment of its winged armrests. inspirationfurniture.ca

4

ULTRA VIOLET Embrace 2018’s colour of the year with the Fusion daybed ($5,319). boconcept-vancouver.ca

5

GO WITH THE FLOW Reinvent your sleeping environment in a flash with Flex (from $5,300), the innovative piece designed to adapt to your needs. resourcefurniture.com

6

GREEN LIVING Turn the Copp 3-P daybed (from $2,350) from a bold statement sofa into a cozy double bed in seconds with a cleverly designed lift mechanism. vanspecial.com

The West Lives Here

(and Tweets, Instagrams, Facebooks, Pins, Wins) Daily stories that connect you to the best of Western Canadian designs. Fresh, local topics that keep you in the know. Plus the Western Living Recipe Finder, with hundreds of our best recipes that you’ve come to expect from Western Canada’s lifestyle source—as gorgeous on your phone as it is on desktop.

But that’s just the beginning. See more at WesternLiving.ca. The West lives here. Daily.

PHOTO BY

Joshua Lawrence

ADVERTISE WITH US!

The hottest shop picks.

DESIGN ESSENTIALS

WRITER SALLY MICHAEL WHITE

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LEADING LIGHTS

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Bring a contemporary gallery feel to your home with the striking lines and bold silhouettes of sculptural floor lamps.

1

DEFYING GRAVITY Designed to look like a suspended ball of light, the Classicon lantern light (from $3,300) glows from within. informinteriors.com

2

SPACE ODDITY Roche Bobois’s statuesque Planetarium floor lamp (price available on request) radiates light like stars from its three blown-glass spheres. roche-bobois.com

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3

MADE IN THE SHADES The Kopra standing lamp ($16,975) by David Weeks Studio is a marvel of lighting design, with 10 steel shades in three sizes that can swivel independently up to 320 degrees. spencerinteriors.ca

4

UPWARD MOBILITY Marset’s Copérnica lamp (price available on request) brings to mind the delicate and ever-changing mobiles of American sculptor Alexander Calder. lightform.ca

5

RAY OF LIGHT What’s the difference between a lamp and a light source? That’s the question that inspired the Filigree floor lamp ($3,580), which diffuses light through a translucent screen to create an ideal glow. livingspace.com

6

PIVOT POINT Minimal lines and a cantilevered base make the Seesaw floor lamp ($580) an understated beauty. latelierhome.com

modernforms.com

VORTEX | Ultra-quiet, sleek and sculptural. Designed to make an ultra-Iuxe modern statement. Use with the Modern Forms app for a fulI complement of smart controls.

• Syncs with Modern Forms app to control fan speed and luminaire and adapt to your schedule • Integrates with smart home devices you already own, for voice command and energy savings

MODERN FORMS APP

The shift to more automated lifestyles means homeowners can custominze their living experience like never before.

Today’s home integration products are designed to make day to day tasks easier. They can provide reminders, answer inquiries, adjust heating & cooling, manage your security, and control your lighting with the touch of a button or through voice commands.

4600 East Hastings Street, Burnaby, B.C. 604.299.0666 norburnlightingandbath.com

DESIGN ESSENTIALS

WRITER SALLY MICHAEL WHITE

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ROOM ON THE SIDE

3

Measuring in at 60 inches or less, these modern credenzas offer maximum storage for minimal spaces.

1

DOUBLE DUTY With both open shelving and closed cabinets, you can display your favourite pieces in the Andrej sideboard ($1,495) while containing the rest. roveconcepts.com

2

PERFORATED PERFECTION Form meets function with the stackable Kabino sideboard ($1,600) from Danish designer Simon Legald. vanspecial.com

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3

NATURAL BEAUTY The textural contrast of Satwariya marble and natural hardwood creates stunning visual appeal with the Mateo marble credenza ($1,616). cb2.ca

4

SIDE HUSTLE Whether housing fine china or hiding clutter, the Lugano sideboard ($3,399) is a sleek storage solution. boconcept-vancouver.ca

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TALKING PIECE In a pop of orange or a more neutral finish, the playful design of the Lap 2 Door credenza ($2,759) is full of personality. designhouse.com

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EBONY & IVORY The black and white sliding doors of the Sly Oak sideboard ($1,455) are a clean and contemporary take on a traditional credenza. fullhousemodern.com

DESIGN ESSENTIALS

WRITER SALLY MICHAEL WHITE

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BACK IN THE GAME

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Elevate your counters with the latest full-backed bar stools.

1

BACK TO COOL Inspired by the standard bentwood design of elementary school chairs across the world, Gus Modern’s Lecture stool ($400) will have you staying late after class. fullhousemodern.com

2

WARM WELCOME We love the way the shapely arms of the brass-framed Strike bar stool (from $930) wrap around us like a hug at the end of a long day. resourcefurniture.com

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3

SWIVEL THOSE HIPS The Canadian-made Olivia Swivel bar stool ($430) is fully customizable with more than 100 upholstery options and 22 finishes. creativehome.ca

4

CLEAN CURVES Sit back in style with the sculptured curves of the Adelaide bar stool ($499). boconcept-vancouver.ca

5

LOW PROFILE The low-backed design of the Sede bar stool ($299) lets you tuck it neatly away but still gives plenty of support. article.com

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PHOTO FINNISH Named after the Finnish word for food, the Rouka grey upholstered bar stool ($549) is a flawless addition to any kitchen. cb2.ca

Pacific Platform for all Things Design

Surface and Depth

Interior Sept 20-23 Design 2018 Show Vancouver IDSVancouver.com Produced by

SHOWROOM TRENDS KITCHENS

One kitchen layout done three unique ways.

For micro-suites and larger-than-life penthouses alike, right now it’s all about that open concept: floor plans that blur the line between kitchen, dining and living areas to bring people together. It’s why we’re seeing such similar layouts in the latest condo developments; but, still, all kitchens are not created equal. Material choices—countertops, backsplashes, cabinetry—can totally transform the look and feel of a space. Just look at any show suite on the condo market, and you’ll see how this on-trend set-up can be customized and transformed by a designer’s choice of finishes.

WRITER STACEY MCLACHLAN

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The Look: WEST COAST SCANDINAVIAN Where You’ll See It: Mirabel, West End Designer Alda Pereira added in a marble tile backsplash for a hit of natural patterning amid the minimalist white-and-wood cabinetry, which keeps a compact space feeling light and bright.

JOHN SINAL

ISLAND TIME

The Look: EURO-CL ASSIC Where You’ll See It: Foster Martin, White Rock A waterfall countertop of grey-and-white marble in this kitchen—along with dark wood-grain cabinets—adds some upscale elegance to the space.

The Look: MODERN MONOCHROME Where You’ll See It: Elenore on Fifth, Mount Pleasant

FOSTER MARTIN: PROVOKE STUDIOS

This sleek kitchen space is all about clean lines and sophisticated black-and-white finishes, from the white-laminate cabinets and matching solidquartz backsplash to the black built-in pantry.

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DESIGN MOUNT PLEASANT

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WRITER HALEY CAMERON PHOTOGRAPHY BARRY CALHOUN

Entertainment Value Luxury-home designer Kelly Deck brings her signature upscale style to a compact Mount Pleasant condo.

SNUGGLE UP A rug from East India Carpets goes almost wall to wall; the cozy, deep-seated sofa from Livingspace and sheepskin chair from Inform Interiors add even more texture.

Kelly Deck doesn’t typically design condos. “Most of our work is the opposite,” says the designer, whose namesake firm specializes in 6,000-plussquare-foot luxury homes. But the task at hand for this one-bedroom redesign was to increase the functionality of just 600 square feet, and Deck’s personal philosophy guided the Mount Pleasant project: “If you can comfortably entertain six people, then you’re not sacrificing anything by living in a condo.”

Deck knew that the initial layout didn’t do the suite justice. She convinced the contractor to open up a huge section of the wall that divided bedroom from living area and stripped the kitchen down to bare bones. That left a harsh frame to work from.

“The whole building is concrete; the floors, the walls—it looked like a bunker,” says Deck.

Kentwood flooring was the first thing to go in, leading a transition the designer describes as “hard and industrial to airy and enveloping.” Boundaries redefined and floors installed, the bedroom she

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DESIGN MOUNT PLEASANT

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WESTERN LIVING CONDO SPRING 2018

SCREEN TIME Wooden slats were painted white and mounted onto a powder coated aluminum frame to create a privacy screen separating the bedroom from the living area.

“We live in a city where people are paying a premium per square foot; you have to make every inch work.”

had once described as “ridiculously large” was now an open-concept living area that spilled naturally out of the kitchen. But some sense of privacy was still needed between the bedroom and living room.

“We finally came up with the idea of huge sliding screens,” she says. A custom powder coated aluminum frame was hoisted into the second-floor unit off the patio, and the simple doors—made of painted one-inch-by-two-inch slats—were built on-site.

Deck finally had a floor plan fit for a host, which meant setting her sights on the kitchen. The first priority, of course, was a table that sat six. Tucked in behind is a custom-built bench that faces the living room sofa to frame the far half of the unit. “The whole idea is that the spaces could work together or separately,” explains Deck. A clever wall panel hides a 60-inch smart TV mounted on the wall above— admittedly the most technical feature. “We had to get a television in a sealed closet and keep the overall dimension of the bench in line with the kitchen

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DESIGN MOUNT PLEASANT

Kelly Deck’s Small-Space Tips THE HIDEAWAY A custom JMV Woodworks bench is topped with cushions from Provide. Behind it, a television—aligned to face the sofa opposite—is mounted (and easily hidden away with sliding panels).

1. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Consider the logistics before getting too far with your plans. Will your materials fit in the elevator? Through the door? Do you have enough space to build inside?

2. Add subtle shelving.

Deck incorporated shelving into the sliding door track for the bedroom closet, adding space for decorative pieces that would be on display but out of the way.

3. Consider ergonomics.

There’s no official desk space in this one-bedroom suite, so the dining room table had to serve double duty. “It’s perfect to work

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at,” says Deck, explaining that dimensions were chosen carefully for this very reason.

4. Question the rules.

“Developers often miss an opportunity with floor plans,” says Deck, who took out a door and more than half of a wall to drastically open up the space and maximize its function.

5. Harmony above all else. “Focal points are tricky in a small space because you rarely get back from anything more than a few feet,” says Deck. Instead, she focused on general harmony so that everything felt unified from any angle or perspective.

millwork,” she recounts. “We just kept saying, ‘It’s got to be possible.’”

In the heart of the kitchen floats a seven-foot island, where two Arper bar stools add even more seating and large drawers house each and every pot and pan—a surprisingly efficient use of space. In fact, storage isn’t an issue in the small suite, though Deck admits that “it wouldn’t be great for someone with 200 pairs of shoes.” Handle-free cupboards climb the length of two kitchen walls, opposed by a floor-to-ceiling closet used for seasonal clothes and luggage. “You just have to be willing to get on a step ladder to get some things down,” Deck says. She even converted a flex space—to the right off the entryway—into a walk-in closet. “We live in a city where

people are paying a premium per square foot; you have to make every inch work.”

A smooth JMV Woodworks hood vent makes an undeniably strong first impression, and the eye wanders comfortably with thoughtful decorative touches—like Janaki Larsen ceramics and Provide pillows—subtly guiding your gaze.

As the project neared completion, Deck felt they may actually have been too successful in softening the space—it was missing a healthy tension. And so final accents were added (like an angular Livingspace floor lamp) to add structure, punctuation, even interruption. “It’s a blank canvas with some defined black lines,” says Deck. And the best part?

Plenty of room for guests.

COZY KITCHEN A duo of grey Arper stools tuck neatly into the kitchen island inset. The custom hood vent by JMV Woodworks matches the island cabinetry.

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DESIGN DOWNTOWN

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WRITER ALISSA JENKINS PHOTOGRAPHY JACKIE BROWN

A Little More A pared-back palette of exposed brick, timber accents and cool neutrals, combined with crafty devices to maximize space, makes this petite downtown Vancouver condo feel like an airy Manhattan loft.

OLD SCHOOL

The mid-centuryinspired furniture, sourced from Wayfair, works beautifully with the vintage-y exposedbrick and timber elements.

While the adage that good things come in small packages is seldom applied to real estate, Tina Wilson’s condo in downtown Vancouver is testament to the potential of compact spaces. Covering a cozy 562 square feet on one of the city’s busiest streets, this one-bedroom abode neatly packages a careful combination of natural materials, neutral furnishings and contemporary touches that belies its modest size. But if you walked into the 1914 property just one year ago, the design wouldn’t have been quite so forgiving.

“It was an ’80s renovation with green walls and dark rooms. It just wasn’t a functional space and felt quite claustrophobic,” recalls Wilson, who bought the condo back in 2014 with plans to transform it into an investment property. “But I saw the potential; I loved the exposed brick and original fir flooring, which lent itself to the kind of high-end investment property we were looking to create for short-term tenants.”

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DESIGN DOWNTOWN

“We tried to create a space that’s not particularly masculine or feminine but still feels warm and homey.”

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SMALL WONDER

An upholstered sliding door (this page) adds a tailored touch to the rugged space.

Warm acacia wood floors flow throughout. A wall of Ikea mirrors (opposite, top left and right) helps visually expand the square footage.

Drawing on her creative talents as a costume designer, as well as her husband’s practical experience as a welder and the expertise of general contractor Brent Stephenson from Summit Renovations, Wilson designed a space that felt more light, modern and, above all, spacious. Starting in the bathroom, she replaced a bulky bathtub with a sleek walk-in shower and substituted wall-mounted designs for the toilet and sink. Outdated shower surfacing was refreshed with new white marble walls and modern black hexagonal tiling.

In the kitchen, she opened up a cumbersome U-shaped layout, making way for an industrial rolling island bench, which now complements matte black pendant lights overhead. New white cabinetry supports a sense of spaciousness, while oversized appliances were replaced with space-saving alternatives. But perhaps the greatest addition to the kitchen was the discovery of the timber ceiling.

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DESIGN DOWNTOWN

WHAT’S COOKING

A rolling CB2 island, paired with industrial-cool Ikea Dalfred stools, offers stylish flexibility. The white-on-white kitchen pops against the warm wood details.

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“In typical ’80s fashion, when the last renovations were done, everything got boxed in with drywall which hid these beautiful historic features,” explains Wilson. “One day, we were taking off the drywall in the hallway when we discovered a little piece of timber underneath. My husband automatically fell in love with it and was adamant about exposing the ceiling timber in the kitchen, which I thought was impossible at the time. It took three weeks straight of sanding.”

Continuing their quest in the lounge room to make the condo feel light and airy, Wilson painted the walls white, replaced trim with lighter stained fir and installed an inviting window seat, which now doubles as a storage compartment.

Mindful of a decor that would appeal to a wide variety of future tenants, the couple decided on an understated palette of neutrals, punctuated by subtle hints of blues and greens.

“We tried to create a space that’s not particularly masculine or feminine but still feels warm and homey. As a lover of colour myself, it was a challenge,” admits Wilson, who also works in surface pattern design.

Though the modernized property has taken on a decidedly more industrial feel, it has been softened with a tasteful selection of potted plants, textured fabrics and vintage-inspired details throughout.

Whatever this stylish condo lacks in size, it makes up for in ingenious design and luxurious finishes.

Tina Wilson’s Small-Space Tips 1. Choose furnishings that direct eyes upward. “We wanted to keep everything off the floor where possible to make it feel as though there were more room,” says Wilson, who strategically placed furnishings and chose fittings that encouraged a sightline.

“In the lounge room, for instance, it’s the white moulded plastic chair with wire legs and the white rug on the window seat that catch your eye first, which are both elevated pieces.

Similarly, in the bathroom, we went for wall-mounted options with the toilet and sink to save on space and lift eyes off the floor.”

2. Downsize on appliances. Bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to buying kitchen appliances—the homeowners chose models that fit the space to help create a sense of

spaciousness. “There was this huge double-door refrigerator wedged into the corner of the kitchen that just didn’t make sense in a one-bedroom condo, especially for short-term tenants,” recalls Wilson. “We replaced it with a narrower design, which gave us so much more room to work with.”

3. Use mirrors to reflect light and create space. Coupling white surfaces with a selection of mirrors and mirrored cabinets throughout the whole home proved a simple yet effective way to make the condo feel bigger. “It really was a costefficient way to create the illusion of more space,” says Wilson. “It worked really well with painting the walls with white gloss paint, which also helped to bounce the light around and make the condo feel airy.”

PHOTO FINISH

Wilson DIYed the bedroom art (above) by making a blueprint-quality print of a photograph and hanging it with two pieces of trim from Home Depot and a piece of string.

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LIVING GETAWAY GUIDE

WRITER STACEY McLACHLAN

10:00 A.M. HIKE

MONTAGUE HARBOUR PROVINCIAL PARK

ISLAND TIME

The white-shell beaches here date back more than 3,000 years, but they aren’t the only striking feature of this sprawling peninsula park.

Take your time hiking the easy Gray Peninsula loop trail, stopping to watch for the 130-plus species of birds that flock here and take a quick dip in the surprisingly warm water that some call the Mediterranean of the North.

Hop on a ferry to Galiano for a day trip that’s a world away.

12:00 P.M. LUNCH

9:00 A.M.

The surf shack vibe of this casual-cool marina restaurant (closed through the winter) draws in plenty of locals, who linger all afternoon on the sunny patio drinking pints of B.C. beer, listening to live music and sharing platters of inventive tacos— curried cauliflower topped with green pea hummus, “herbes de Galiano” ling cod and sockeye salmon with slaw among them.

CHECK IN

GALIANO INN

Drop your bags in your suite (and clock the patio Jacuzzi for later use), because your first order of business is to hit the resort’s Madrona del Mar spa immediately—a massage out in the oceanfront cabana, all sea breezes and flowy white curtains, is island chill at its indulgent peak.

2:00 P.M. SHOP

CEDAR GROVE GALLERY

7:00 P.M. FEAST

PILGRIMME

The hyper-local, hyper-whimsical gourmet restaurant in the woods is a foodie destination (a pilgrimage, if you will) since being named one of enRoute’s Best New Restaurants a few years back. Make a reservation to make sure you get a chance to taste chef Jesse McCleery’s wildly inventive fare: think fermented barley grits with duck egg and beef heart tartare on foraged sea lettuce.

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Galiano is lousy with artists for whatever reason, but Sandra Dolph’s personal gallery is a standout. Built within the hollow walls of an ancient cedar tree, the outdoor display is a work of art in itself; the fact that her ceramics, influenced by traditional Japanese pottery and her coastal locale in equal measure, are beautiful too is a bonus.

GALIANO INN: GREG EYMUNDSON; MONTAGUE PARK: SARAH L. TWEEDALE; TUNA TACO: JOE MALO; PILGRIMME: EVAAN KHERAJ.

THE CRANE AND ROBIN

The stunning Designer Collection is a mix of stylish contemporary and transitional designs. Starting at $598

VANCOUVER | NORTH SHORE | COQUITLAM | LANGLEY | SURREY | JORDANSFLOORING.CA