WLCONDO Summer2018

WLSTYLE // title

LET THE LIGHT IN BRIGHT & AIRY

Inside a Gorgeous Yaletown Condo Filled with Sunlight

SWANKY STYLE

Vancouver’s Most Luxurious Penthouse

PATIO PARTY! The Season’s Hottest Outdoor Furniture

EFFORTLESS ENTERTAINING SUMMER 2018 $5.99 Display Until September 18, 2018

pm 400068973

Designer Sydney Carlaw infuses a white-on-white room with a hit of green.

How to Make a Big Splash in a Small Space

CATERING TO THE CREATIVE IN YOU

RICHMOND 3200 SWEDEN WAY (604) 248-2180

COQUITLAM 1539 UNITED BOULEVARD (604) 522-9855

LANGFORD 887 ATTREE AVENUE (250) 478-8387

A WONDERLAND OF HOME DECOR

MON-WED & FRI 10 - 7 | THURS 10 - 9 | SAT 10 - 6 | SUN 11 - 6 1275 W 6 AVE VANCOUVER | 604.730.1275 | INSPIRATIONFURNITURE.CA

*See store for details. Not all products shown are available.

Che c k o ut o ur new INs pi ra t i o nF ur ni tur e.ca

Cape Cod Mirror

Cap Cod Vanity

Design by Philippe Starck

www.robinsonlightingandbath.com

Beaches for miles, crystal clear water and untamed nature – Cape Cod features an unforgettable feel.

Bringing homes to life

Cape Cod Bathtub

Sofia Professional series embodies a contemporary design that is feminine and powerful, which inspires us to prepare dishes worthy of admiration.

The Meneghetti Family has presented us with a symbol of the ultimate expression of Italian excellence. Sofia line is available in 30”, 36” and 48” (coming fall 2018).

Explore the full Fulgor Milano line at www.fulgor-milano.com

Blomberg is proudly by distributed by Pacific Specialty Brands in Western Canada.

7595 Lowland Drive, Burnaby BC V5J 5L1

l

1-604-430-5253

l

www.pacificspecialtybrands.com

THANK YOU, VANCOUVER It takes a special community to feel welcomed.

And we have the West End to thank for receiving Mirabel so warmly. It’s an exciting time as construction begins this May, making Mirabel residents one of the first to move into a pre-sale development in this much-loved neighbourhood.

FINAL OPPORTUNITIES SUB PENTHOUSE

3 BED+FLEX

WNE + NSE VIEW

2132 SF + 374 SF BALCONY

FROM $5.35 M

PENTHOUSE

3 BEDROOM

WSE VIEW

2659 SF + 374 SF BALCONY + 1345 SF ROOF DECK

FROM $7.6 M

PENTHOUSE

3 BEDROOM

WNE VIEW

2659 SF + 502 SF BALCONY+ 1389 SF ROOF DECK

FROM $7.1 M

Presentation Centre & Display Home at 1283 Davie Street Open Daily Noon-5pm. Closed Friday or By Appointment • 604.681.8110

MIRABELBYMARCON.CA The developer reserves the right to make changes and modifications to the information contained herein without prior notice. E. & O.E. Marcon Davie (GP) Ltd.

ram to enter o tag ur

F

Follow

us o

land Giveawa y Is y bo at

n

s In

, Sit lie

o

rl ou ng e an

y way you

e li k

featured at

1400 Marine Drive North Vancouver | 604.988.2789 omgitssmall.com @omgitssmall

For modern luxury indoor & outdoor furnishings visit

1420 Fell Avenue North Vancouver | 604.988.7328 gingerjarfurniture.com @gingerjarfurniture

50 SUMMER 2018 | VOLUME 13 | NUMBER 2

42 20

IN THIS ISSUE 14 THE LOWDOWN

Expert party-planning advice, the ultimate car-share breakdown, perfect products for your condo-dwelling pup, and date night ideas to make the most of city living.

14

16 ESSENTIALS

Everything that’s on our design wish list right now: pretty patio lounge chairs to inspire a life of leisure, pendant lamps with natural charm, and chic coffee tables just right for stylish small spaces.

50 DESIGNER DIY PROJECT

Jamie Hamilton and Greer Nelson of Oliver Simon Design share their step-by-step guide to creating playful wall decor.

WLSTYLE // title

FEATURED CONDOS

LET THE LIGHT IN BRIGHT & AIRY

Inside a Gorgeous Yaletown Condo Filled With Sunlight

SWANKY STYLE

LIVING ROOM: ED WHITE; KITCHEN: EMA PETER; BEDROOM: TRACEY AYTON

Vancouver’s Most Luxurious Penthouse

24 THE NEST

PATIO PARTY! The Season’s Hottest Outdoor Furniture

From bachelor pad to pretty pied-à-terre, this Vancouver aerie designed by Sydney Carlaw sees a whole new lease on life.

EFFORTLESS ENTERTAINING Designer Sydney Carlaw infuses her space with a hit of green.

How to Make a Big Splash in a Small Space

32 TWO BECOME ONE

A pair of luxe condo units is transformed into a singular home with twice the sophistication.

ON THE COVER

Sydney Carlaw adds some greenery to the Yaletown space she designed. Story, page 24.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Janis Nicolay

42 WHITE OUT

32

A former 1970s hotel suite in downtown Victoria is redesigned to fade into the scenery, thanks to designer Bruce Wilkin’s deft touch.

SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

11

STACEY’S PICK THE STRIPE STUFF

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

Let the Light In My husband and I moved this past spring, an upheaval that took us an epic five blocks east of our old address. Though it may not be far, it somehow feels like a whole other world. While we once had to keep our shoes piled behind the door, we now have a real, honest-to-goodness front hall closet with (be still my heart) built-in shelving. A unique split-level design includes a mini-flight of stairs ( just three!) that takes us up to the living room. There’s even a wood-burning fireplace—a rarity in Vancouver that had us so delighted, we were stoking the flames well into May (and shopping for fire extinguishers).

But my favourite thing about our new home-sweet-home is much simpler: the abundance of natural light. It’s something our old place was severely lacking, thanks to a building across the alley that blocked the sun almost entirely. Even in the middle of summer, I would have to turn on every lamp in the house first thing in the morning.

My second task each day would then be to complain about how dark it was. It was a real time suck all around.

Now, though, all moved into our corner suite and out of another tower’s shadow, I see the light, and plenty of it. When I’m working at my desk I’m doing it in a sunbeam, and the light switch stays off until dusk. We even had to move our houseplants off the windowsill because they were starting to look a little crispy. (Do cacti need sunscreen?) For someone who lived in a veritable cave situation for four years (a cave with very little storage, to boot), it feels like paradise.

The featured homes in this issue may be a lot more luxurious than my humble residence—it’s hard to believe the stunning 4,000-square-foot Coal Harbour penthouse on page 40 is even on the same planet—but there is a commonality here: a love of light.

From wall-to-wall windows that let the waterfront views into an art-filled Victoria suite (page 32) to a sunlight-filled all-white Yaletown condo (page 24) to, yes, that super-sized space that makes the most of its sweeping city views, this issue is all about spotlighting inspiring condo design that lets the light in.

If you’ve got a light-filled space you love, I want to see it—drop me a line anytime.

I’ll be answering emails all summer, happily, from my little spot in the sun.

Stacey McLachlan, Editor

stacey.mclachlan@westernliving.ca

12 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

EDITOR Stacey McLachlan ART DIRECTOR Jenny Reed EDITORIAL INTERNS David Kitai, Sam Nar, Laryssa Vachon 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 Amanda Siegmann SENIOR MARKETING STRATEGIST Kaitlyn Lush MARKETING ASSISTANT Christine Beyleveldt TEL 604-877-7732 CUSTOMER SERVICE WEB westernliving.ca TEL 604-877-7732

VANCOUVER & VICTORIA OFFICE

ACCOUNT MANAGERS Trish Almeida, Jeff Leyland, Gabriella Sepúlveda Knuth, Julia Yudova SALES COORDINATOR Karina Platon 3rd Floor, 2025 Willingdon Ave., Burnaby, B.C. V5C 0J3 TEL 604-877-4843 EMAIL karina.platon@westernliving.ca

U.S. SALES REPRESENTATION, MEDIA-CORPS TEL 1-866-744-9890 EMAIL info@media-corps.com

NATIONAL MEDIA SALES REPRESENTATION, MEDIATIVE SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, NATIONAL SALES Ian Lederer TEL 416-626-4258 EMAIL ian.lederer@mediative.com

WESTERN MEDIA GROUP 3rd Floor, 2025 Willingdon Ave., Burnaby, B.C. V5C 0J3 TEL 604-877-7732

YELLOW PAGES DIGITAL & MEDIA SOLUTIONS LTD. VICE-PRESIDENT & CHIEF PUBLISHING OFFICER Caroline Andrews

PRIVACY POLICY On occasion, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened

organizations whose product or service might interest you. If you prefer that we not share your name and address (postal and/or email), you can easily remove your name from our mailing lists by reaching us at any of the listed contact points. You can review our complete Privacy Policy at westernliving.ca.

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 Ave., Burnaby, B.C. V5C 0J3. Distributed free in areas of Vancouver. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. All reproduction requests must be made to COPIBEC (paper reproductions), 800-717-2022, 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 and Current Affairs Database. ISSN 1920-0668.

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40068973.

PHOTO: ANDY FANG. SHOT AT LIVINGSPACE IN VANCOUVER.

My summer project? Outfitting a patio that actually (pinch me!) gets some morning sun. I’m loving this Tropez sofa ($1,519) from CB2: the bold black-and-white palette gives the cabana stripe a modern twist. cb2.ca

ANAGRAM THREE CUBE BOOKCASE

SOLID ROSEWOOD DESK (WITH CABLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)

LEATHER CHAIR

Sale $695

Sale $745

Sale $345

NATUZZI LEATHER SOFA

ROSEWOOD LIFT UP COFFEE TABLE

Sale $2995

Sale $895

400 W. Broadway, Vancouver 604-336-4277 www.exoticrosewood.com 0% Financing ~ Free Parking Mon-Sat 10 am – 7 pm | Sundays & Holidays 11 am – 5 pm

LIVING THE LOWDOWN

THE LOWDOWN Make the most of minimal square footage and then get out and enjoy the city with our expert tips for doing urban life right.

WRITER ALYSSA HIROSE

HOW TO THROW A GIANT DINNER PARTY IN A SMALL SPACE Do you have limited counter space? No dining table? Too many friends? Wedding and party planner Alicia Keats has the solutions you need to host a dazzling dinner party in your downtown digs.

BE OUR GUEST

TOWER POWER

A smaller party space means a smaller guest list, and Keats says being selective about who you invite is the first step to a successful soiree. “You want to make sure that everyone you have included is going to really add to the party vibe,” she says. Sorry, Boring Brian—maybe next year.

Keats suggests finding creative vessels to display food to keep clutter to a minimum. “Towers take up a smaller footprint on the counter but can be stacked high with food,” she shares. Be sure to get one that can be disassembled so you can store it away until your next extravaganza.

CLEAR THE WAY “The clearer the space, the more open and spacious it will seem,” says Keats.

Make sure your guests aren’t tripping over your flip flops or using your collection of Western Living magazines as coasters.

Stow away your bits and bobs for a clean, welcoming space.

ALTERNATIVE EATS If a sit-down dinner is impossible in your cozy crib, try having cocktails and canapés instead. “Be sure to include lots of hearty options that will fill your guests bellies,” advises Keats. Sliders or mini mac and cheeses will get the job done. Fondues are another great stand-up option—and you’ll get bonus points for foodie fun.

14 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

DIVIDE AND CONQUER “If possible, do not put all the food and drinks super-close together,” says Keats.

To avoid bottlenecking your guests at the table, try setting up separate areas for food and drinks. If you have a double sink, fill one side with ice and use it as a self-serve drink station.

Date Night in Gastown Come Friday night, it’s not just Gastown’s legendary clock that needs to let off some steam. Follow this guide for an evening of food, drinks and tunes that would make Gassy Jack jealous.

1 SASSY SIPPING Wet your whistle and impress your date with a specialty cocktail or two at the Diamond (6 Powell St., di6mond.com).

This not-so-hidden gem has floor-to-ceiling windows framed by exposed brick pillars, giving you front-row seats to a cocktail-fuelled sunset. Try the classic Vancouver (gin, Italian vermouth, Benedictine and orange bitters), a drink first poured in the ’50s and designed to evoke Prohibition-era naughtiness.

2 TASTING TIME Next, take the 10-minute stroll (left at the steam clock) to Cinara (350 W Pender St., cinara.ca) for some traditional European eats.

This decorated restaurant’s elegant menu emphasizes northern Italy and changes almost as often as the weather, but you can count on sharing a salted caramel tart with your sweetheart—or, you know, eating the whole thing yourself.

3 ROYAL RECEPTION Hunger satisfied, all hail a taxi to the regal Imperial Vancouver (319 Main St., imperialvancouver.com) for some edgy entertainment. From jazz soloists to black-metal bands to celeb meet-and-greets, you can count on awesome acoustics and neon nightlife in this underground-cool venue.

SHARING IS CARING

i i CAR2GO The Breakdown: From $0.32 per minute (plus a $1 per-trip fee), car2go.com Pros: No monthly fees and no parallel-

Gas prices, parking and harmful emissions can make city driving a nightmare—but local and international car- and bike-sharing services are changing the world of wheels. Sharing memberships allow you to use a vehicle only when you need it, saving your wallet (and the environment!) one grocery trip at a time.

j j EVO

j j MOBI BIKES

j j MODO

p p ZIPCAR

The Breakdown: From $0.41 per minute, evo.ca Pros: Evo’s Toyota Prius hybrid is easier on the environment and has built-in bike and ski racks. A membership also gets you discounts at local hot spots like Vij’s and Yyoga.

Cons: There’s a $35 registration fee, but hey, at least it’s local, right?

The Breakdown: $9.75 for a

The Breakdown: From $5 per hour,

24-hour pass, mobibikes.ca Pros: Biking is more eco-friendly than driving, helmets are provided, and you don’t have to worry about bike theft.

Cons: You can ride for only 30 minutes at a time; for longer trips, it’s cheaper to get your wheels from a bike rental shop.

modo.coop Pros: There are over 600 different vehicles to choose from, you don’t have to pay bridge tolls and you can travel across the U.S. border.

Cons: Modo charges by the hour, and if you end your trip early, you’re still charged half price for the remaining time. You’ve also got to return the car where you picked it up, so not a lot of room for spontenaeity here.

The Breakdown: From $7 per hour, zipcar.ca Pros: Zipcars are available all over the world—you can zip around in the U.S., France, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey with one membership.

Cons: You have to return the car from the same spot you got it from—no one-way trips.

Concrete Jungle Your condo cat or canine will love these fabulous finds.

COLLARED GREENS

IMPERIAL: MICHELLE BRUNET

parking panic—Car2Go’s signature Smart cars are only 8.8 feet long, making them easy to manoeuvre downtown. (Other Mercedes models are available to fit more passengers, if you’re rolling three-plus deep.).

Cons: There are only three kinds of vehicles to choose from, and if you travel more than 200 kilometres in one day, they’ll tack on $0.45 per extra kilometre.

Did we say WALK? The Dashing Dogs Vancouver dogwalking service (from $20, dashingdawgs.com) will ensure your West End woofer gets some fresh air and exercise while you work. Choose from “Adventure Run,” “Squirrel Chase” or “Potty Walk” options, depending on the size and energy level of your dog. They’ll even wipe off Rover’s feet before dropping him off (though that won’t stop him from drooling on your pillow until you get home).

FELINE GOOD This versatile piece will keep curious kitties captivated without cluttering up valuable floor space. The P.L.A.Y. Arty cat scratcher and lounge ($84, moonlightdogcafe.com) is two separate pieces that easily slide together—and not just for your cocktail party convenience.

The feline-first design of this product provides ultimate variety in scratching angles, keeping your cat’s nails sharp and brain sharper. Made of corrugated recycled paper, its inconspicuous design blends in to any space…purrfectly.

TABLE MANNERS If your bichon is too bougie to eat off the floor, the Bowsers double wood feeder (from $70, bonesps.com) is an elegant solution. The handcrafted rubberwood comes in bamboo, walnut and fossil finishes, and the modern square bowls are ceramic and dishwasher-safe.

Besides adding a certain amount of class to your dog’s dinner, this elevated feeder also prevents the bowls from sliding across the floor, so you can say goodbye to carpet kibble.

SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

15

ESSENTIALS PATIO SEATING

WRITER SALLY MICHAEL WHITE

1

2 3

6

5

LIFE OF LEISURE

4

Savour every moment of summer with these sleek outdoor loveseats and lounge chairs.

1

SUN SALUTATION With six adjustable angles and a lightweight material that makes it easy to pivot toward the best light, the Loll Designs Lollygagger chaise ($1,020) is a sun worshipper’s dream. vanspecial.com

2

LAY IT BACK The steel rod frame of Knoll’s 1966 adjustable chaise ($3,088) comes in white or onyx and is designed to stand up to even the most rigorous relaxing. informinteriors.com

16 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

3

MODERN EFFICIENCY The modular Rome Sofa collection (from $2,199) lets you build a contemporary oasis to fit any outdoor space. boconcept.com

4

POOLSIDE COMPANION Your signature summer cocktail will never be far from reach thanks to the Portside low chaise longue’s attached side table ($1,328). westelm.com

5

MODERN LOVE We are smitten with the striking yet simple lines of Bend’s wire loveseat ($3,500), made to order in your choice of colours. providehome.com

6

WORK THE ANGLES Whether indoors or out, the plush linenlike cushions of the Sunset teak lounge chair ($1,099) offer an appealing balance to its bold wooden angles. cb2.com

ESSENTIALS PENDANT LIGHTS

WRITER SALLY MICHAEL WHITE

1 4 2

3

5

NATURAL BEAUTIES

6

Rattan, paper, bamboo— pendant lights made from organic materials are having a moment.

1

INTERGALACTIC ALLURE The delightful flying saucer-esque silhouette of Fred Segal’s Love One Another pendant ($369) would add a pop of kitschy character to any room. cb2.com

2

COOL CONTRAST The Wagasa suspended lamp (price on request) blends the elegance of delicate Japanese paper with simple woven cane for a striking stylized fixture. informinteriors.com

18 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

3

LAYERS OF LIGHT The intricate Sen pendant ($1,380) is made of hundreds of strips of fine bamboo and crafted by traditional matcha whisk makers in Japan. kozaimodern.com

4

GLOWED UP Dutch design team Graypants craft their Scraplights disc pendant lights ($795) from precisioncut corrugated cardboard for a finished product that glows from within. fullhousemodern.com

5

OLD MEETS NEW Coloured rattan is interlaced with powdercoated steel in the Laika pendant ($689) for a look that’s more 21st century than 1950s tiki. designhouse.com

6

GOOD FORM Traditional weaving meets geometric precision in the handsome Antibes chandelier ($3,163). robinsonlightingand bath.com

homework, reinvented.

day ď ą night

Kali 120 Board Desk/Intermediate Bed/Storage Kali 90 Twin XL Bed/Storage

Reading, writing, arithmetic, sleepovers.

Change the way you use your space with Kali 120 Board and Kali 90, two of 60+ customizable, space-saving solutions that make every square foot work harder, Designed and made in Italy by : the global leader in transformable furniture design for over 50 years.

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

ESSENTIALS COFFEE TABLES

WRITER SALLY MICHAEL WHITE

2 1

4

3

6

DYNAMIC DESIGN

5

1

DOWN UNDER Take tabletop clutter down a notch with the Maggi table’s sunken vegan-leather shelf ($499). article.com

Simple lines create a bold impact with these quietly scene-stealing coffee tables.

2

CENTRED CALM We love the graceful concave curve of designer Jun Kamahara’s Ibiza square centre table ($4,400). kozaimodern.com

20 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

3

SURPRISE GUEST The Cristallo expanding table (from $4,190) takes adaptive design to a whole new dimension, easily transforming from a low coffee table to a dining table thanks to two self-storing leaves. resourcefurniture.com

4

PEARLY WHITE The idea for the lustrous white interior of the locally made Ostra coffee table (from $1,650) came about after a meal of fresh B.C. oysters. shipway.ca

5

STEP UP Linteloo’s stunning ceramic Terrace coffee table ($3,072) was inspired by the stepped levels of countryside fields. informinteriors.com

6

SPIN DOCTOR Let your room revolve around the Spin rotating coffee table ($1,299), which features both open shelving and drawers for concealed storage. cb2.com

LIVE CONNECTED TO VANCOUVER’S MOST DESIRABLE DESTINATIONS TIMELESS DESIGN • WORLD CLASS VIEWS • ELEGANT HOMES AT PACIFIC AND HORNBY IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

3 MIN. WALK TO FALSE CREEK SEAWALL & AQUABUS | 15 MIN. WALK TO YALETOWN 10 MIN. WALK TO SUNSET BEACH & PARK | 30 SEC. WALK TO GIARDINO RESTAURANT 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. Illustration: Pretty/Ugly Design

SPONSORED REPORT

SMALL SPACE, BIG IMPACT California Closets demonstrates how to yield maximum results and design-forward living in Vancouver’s smallest spaces

U

ndoubtedly, one of the most precious commodities in Vancouver real estate is space. With micro and mini becoming mainstays of Vancouverliving lexicon, maximizing every square inch of one’s home has never been more important.

Deirdre Milne loves her Yaletown townhome for the location, but was ready to update the now 18-year-old design of her main living space. Challenged by a long wall with a high ceiling in a narrow room, Milne wanted to ensure her space wasn’t taken over by a massive media unit.

Milne and her partner Lionel Tolan visited California Closets’ show room in Burnaby where they met with designer Sue Lashmore. As their consultation quickly evolved into a design meeting, both parties knew they were on the same page with the goal to create a modern, sleek and space-savvy design. After a few consultations, they were both ready to begin the transformation.

The installation was carried out meticulously. California Closets’ head installer engineer Tom Pacynski brought the design to life with his usual impeccable attention to detail. And once completed, Milne could not believe the result; “Every visitors’ first word on seeing our finished project is “Wow”!” she

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

said. The room is now a warm and inviting place for Milne to come home to or share with family and friends. The media unit displays Milne’s art pieces, manages to hide the TV in plain sight and balances out the narrow space. The colours connect to the kitchen and the high gloss black panel accentuates the room’s height while adding depth. The challenge of having no overhead lighting was overcome by adding ribbon lighting to lift the light in the room. LED puck lights on floating shelves showcase all of the items on display. The room now feels modern and functional while fitting seamlessly into the rest of her home.

Thanks to California Closets, Milne’s ‘great room’ concept has now become a ‘great room’ reality.

California Closets can transform any space to provide more functionality, storage and design.

Visit one of their showrooms today to see how they can make your renovation dreams a reality.

Sue Lashmore

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

WRITER AMANDA ROSS PHOTOGRAPHY JANIS NICOLAY

The Nest

From bachelor pad to pretty pied-à-terre, this Vancouver aerie sees a whole new lease on life.

In the 1990s, the economy may have been facing a downturn, but those buildings were still going up.

As those new developments settled into themselves over the following years, this homeowner (today president of a tech company) jumped at the opportunity to snap up the penthouse in one of them—its cityscape and walkability the right mix of ingredients for his perfect bachelor pad.

Before long, a girlfriend would move in and, soon, that girlfriend became a fiancée. When the happy couple married, they eventually decamped to the suburbs to raise a family—but never let go of their original nesting place. Throughout the years, their two-bedroom-and-den soldiered on as a rental and—when it wasn’t occupied—an occasional weekend stopover when they popped into the city.

Fast-forward almost 20 years and, while the couple’s children are now nearly grown, they themselves still haven’t outgrown their love for their little downtown perch. So, finding themselves with more time on their hands, they took the chance to breathe

24 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

SLIDING DOORS Designer Sydney Carlaw (pictured here) replaced a solid wall with a sliding glass one.

The black frame adds a dramatic element into the bright and airy space.

SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

25

DESIGN YALETOWN

Sydney Carlaw’s Design Tips new life into their old space. But years of renters’ paint, layers of wallpaper and a green bathtub had all taken a serious decorating toll. They turned to Sydney Carlaw of Purity Design to help reimagine the penthouse’s second act—and she immediately understood their connection to it. “They had so many cherished memories here, so they wanted the space to still reflect them,” she says. “But they also envisioned something that would be a wholesale difference from their large Craftsman home in the suburbs.” Her solution? A light and airy contemporary palette injected with warmth.

The home’s ceilings were low and there were a few too many walls chopping up the layout, but Carlaw immediately saw potential thanks to the hallmarks of the ’90s condo style—an abundance of space, in this case set over an expansive 1,600 square feet. “You really don’t see big condos anymore,” she says. So Carlaw immediately set about removing barriers to open up the floor plan. While it was tempting to eliminate a wall that separated a tiny nook off the kitchen, she knew that a flex space would add resale value. To help incorporate

26 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

PRETTY IN PAPER

Grey wallpaper features a subtle pattern to bring some visual texture into the sleek room. A wall-mounted lamp is a stylish alternative to a desk light.

1 Choose floors to fall in love with. “This is key because they’re one of the first things you’ll notice. With an open concept, you sense the floors right away and it will have such a gorgeous feel. Take the time so you can love your hardwood.”

2 Pick the right lighting to add wow factor. “For example, instead of a typical sconce, choose a ceiling pendant. Good lights don’t have to cost a lot of money—there are really cute ones from West Elm and CB2 that won’t break the bank.”

3 Don’t be afraid to tile a small space for added luxury.

“Tile can bring you over budget, but if you select wisely, the beauty of a floor-to-ceiling wall has such dramatic and luxurious impact.”

4 Use steel-framed glass doors. “They’re like art, yet they’re doors!” says Carlaw.

“Even doing a steel glass door in a shower is another beautiful place to install them.”

DESIGN YALETOWN

INSIDE OUT Guests enjoy the bright and sunny dining room (right), which is wrapped in 180 degrees of window; outside awaits the 1,000-square-foot deck.

It’s not the only room that artfully employs a crisp white palette: the kitchen (above) features custom cabinetry and a quartz Calacatta marble backsplash that stretches to the ceiling.

28 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

the bump-out off the great room, she replaced the solid wall with sliding black metal-framed glass doors. Now the multipurpose room can be closed off and used as a pint-sized sleeping space or opened up and enjoyed as a sunny nook visible from the kitchen. “People are drawn in here to read a book or, conversely, use it as a place to crash,” says Carlaw.

Additionally, two half walls that were dividing the living room came down, and the front entry was made wider for increased visual impact.

Other ways that lighten the palette and create an all-around airiness abound. Open shelving in the kitchen complements white cabinetry and quartz countertops for a crisp, streamlined space punctuated by a quartz Calacatta marble backsplash that stretches to the ceiling. Engineered oak floors throughout inject warmth and timelessness but add a contemporary vibe in a lighter shade. Another visual trick to create the illusion of space: the drop-down ceiling was removed to create one flush ceiling dotted with pot lights for an overall minimal aesthetic. It clears the visual clutter; “good lighting is always key,” says Carlaw.

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

Surrey Coquitlam Edmonton South Edmonton North

Abbotsford Saskatoon

smyler@coastappliances.com

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

www.coastappliances.com Vancouver Calgary North

General Manager, Vancouver

Victoria Regina

Nanaimo Winnipeg

Kelowna Vaughan

Calgary South Burlington

DESIGN YALETOWN

RAIL ON In the master bedroom, Carlaw installed chair rail on the wall behind the headboard in a rectangular pattern to add depth and texture.

HALL OVERHAUL Carlaw expanded the entryway to accommodate a new closet, which helps open up the space visually and provides much-needed storage to keep everything tidy.

The biggest eyesore in the space was an outdated corner fireplace. Carlaw removed the bulky unit and swapped it out for a linear floor-to-ceiling hearth “wall” clad in the same quartz Calacatta marble. It’s now a dramatic focal point that sets a sophisticated, elegant tone. “This couple is used to travelling and to beautiful things,” says Carlaw. The trick was finding materials that they would fall in love with, but the materials also couldn’t be over-the-top or precious as the space also needed to accommodate renters.

The light and airy palette weaves throughout and imbues the flat with a graceful, understated luxury.

Quartz Calacatta marble above the bar and on the master bath floor dovetails the elements together.

Neutral-toned herringbone tile in the first bath with black and gold accents lends a modern yet classic scheme, while textiles and furniture stay in a consistent thread of white and grey throughout. The newly opened-up floor plan—the beneficiary of copious amounts of sun—now welcomes a fresh new chapter.

Except the homeowners are so blissfully happy with their new-old place that any future renters might have a hard time booking in around them.

30 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

Hand-forged Platinum Emerald and Diamond Ring

2832 Granville Street, Vancouver 604.736.6016 | @mjjewellers mjjewellers.ca

WRITER STACEY McLACHLAN PHOTOGRAPHY ED WHITE

Two Become One A pair of luxe condo units is transformed into a singular home with twice the sophistication.

What’s better than a penthouse on the 62nd floor with sweeping views of Coal Harbour? Two penthouses, of course. Which is why one local entrepreneur, on the hunt for a new Vancouver home back in 2014, scooped up a duo of presale units with a plan to merge the suites into one dream condo.

Cobbled together, the double suite clocked in at 3,700 square feet, but there was a problem: even though the original suites were brand new, the layouts were poorly designed—the bedroom and office were shoved up against the window, blocking the amazing view—and in need of an overhaul before the homeowner even moved in.

Luckily, interior designer Franc Ranieri was in the right place at the right time. “I was introduced to him at the display centre as they were finalizing the deal, and I saw the plans and thought, ‘I can’t let this poor man live in something like this,’” laughs

32 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

TEXTURED TOUCH

Custom velvet sofas from WD Western Designers keep the vibe cozy in the sitting room. Wood panelling and an Aeon Stone backsplash add rugged appeal.

DESIGN COAL HARBOUR

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Two Lech Podgorski Design tables can be pushed together to accommodate a larger dinner party; the WD Western Designers chairs at each come in matching grey hues.

the Kreel Creative principal. “That same day, I came back to him with a sketch.” The homeowner hired Ranieri on the spot, and the designer set to work converting the problematic condos into one cohesive unit.

The homeowner’s passion for entertaining was the key driver for Ranieri’s new layout: he frequently hosts functions for charity, sometimes inviting as many as 120 people over at a time. “You’ve gotta have flow; you can’t have doors. You want to absorb the beautiful views—it’s like being in a plane up here,” Ranieri says. Dealing with the pre-existing infrastructure proved to be tricky—combining two units meant there were twice as many pipes, structural elements and wiring as there are in a typical renovation—but Ranieri found the natural flow around these obstacles. “I followed these things with my pencil, and as I drew, I found a vernacular of curves,” he says.

The designer describes the resulting condo as having “a sculptural feeling,” with gently curving walls naturally guiding guests throughout the space.

34 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

THE PERFECT COOKTOP. DESIGNED

BY COOKTOP. YOU. THE PERFECT

DESIGNED BY When is a cooktop more thanYOU. a cooktop? When it’s part of a customized space designed to meet your culinary needs. Choose between a single or double gas

When is aacooktop more than a cooktop?

When wok, it’s part of a customized space burner, chrome-infused griddle, an induction or an induction cooktop. designed meet yourofculinary needs.

Choosenobetween a single double gas And withtothe option downdraft ventilation, overhead hood isornecessary.

With powerful performance and aancoordinated design can be installed burner, a chrome-infused griddle, induction wok, or that an induction cooktop. seamlessly your countertop, theventilation, new Jenn-Air modular hood cooktops make a And with the inoption of downdraft no ®overhead is necessary. statement in any kitchen. Exactly you’ve come to expect frombeJenn-Air. With powerful performance and a what coordinated design that can installed

seamlessly in your countertop, the new Jenn-Air® modular cooktops make a statement in any kitchen. Exactly what you’ve come to expect from Jenn-Air. jennair.ca

®/™ ©2018 Jenn-Air. Used under license in Canada. All rights reserved. jennair.ca

®/™

Scott Myler 604-301-3427

16 Locations Across Canada ©2018 Jenn-Air. Used under license in Canada. All rights reserved.

In Vancouver: 8488 Main St.

Surrey Coquitlam Edmonton South Edmonton North

JA Print Ad_CA v2 proper bleed_FULL_PAGE.indd 1

Abbotsford Saskatoon

smyler@coastappliances.com

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

www.coastappliances.com Vancouver Calgary North

General Manager, Vancouver

Victoria Regina

Nanaimo Winnipeg

Kelowna Vaughan

Calgary South Burlington 12/12/2017 2:12:16 PM

DESIGN COAL HARBOUR

COUNTERTOP COOL

The onyx stone island from Aeon Stone Tile is a showstopper, flanked by custom-upholstered WD Western Designers stools.

And Ranieri built in plenty of areas to settle in and linger, too. The dining room (“the heart of the apartment,” according to Ranieri) seats 16 around a custom table and offers access to the condo’s most spectacular viewpoint. Should the homeowner want to share the sight with more people, he can simply bring in the matching table from the nook. (The chairs in both rooms are the same design but in different materials—some leather, some fabric—so the mismatched look remains polished.)

There’s also a coziness to be found in the den, situated right by the front door: paldao walnut panelling—which conceals built-in cabinetry—gives

36 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

the room a smoky cigar-room feel. “The homeowner’s partner had roots on the East Coast, so she’s all about New York,” says Ranieri. “There’s less glass and steel here, which gives it more of a lounge-y feel.” A trio of plush, grey velvet sofas (custom made

by WD Western Designers) create space for intimate conversations even during larger gatherings, but the star feature in this cozy room is the built-in bar.

A marble countertop prep station sits beneath a cabinet of glasses; to the right, a back-lit, glass-doored unit displays the homeowner’s collection of beautiful bottles. “I think that whole entryway sets the pace and tone: you hang your coat in the closet, get a

drink and settle right in to stay a while,” says Ranieri.

Though the master bedroom has a glass door, the room still feels private, thanks to textured glass and the room’s location at the far end of the apartment (the guest room, meanwhile, is located all the way on the other side of the floor plan). An upholstered wall behind the headboard and gorgeous custom drapery—both from Ravi Design—create a sense of intimacy. “The colours envelop,” says Ranieri. “It’s like big arms around you.”

A sophisticated palette of navy, charcoal and cream is quiet enough to let the almost-360-degree views take centre stage. Grey limestone flooring

EXPERIENCE MORE THAN

130 YEARS OF INNOVATION Blomberg products are in harmony with you because they try to make your life more enjoyable. From easy-to-use controls to reliable safety mechanisms, from unique technological innovations to practical solutions, they will exceed all expectations.

Blomberg is proudly by distributed by Pacific Specialty Brands in Western Canada.

7595 Lowland Drive, Burnaby BC V5J 5L1

l

1-604-430-5253

l

www.pacificspecialtybrands.com

DESIGN COAL HARBOUR

DRAMATIC DETAIL

The sprawling floor plan is peppered with intimate seating areas perfect for cozy conversation (above).

Feature Millwork added custom cabinetry and panelling in warm walnut throughout (bottom).

Franc Ranieri’s Design Tips 1 Pick materials that work for your lifestyle. Though the highly lacquered black flooring included in the home’s original design was quite elegant, it simply wasn’t durable enough for the homeowner’s high-traffic events.

Ranieri went with grey limestone tiles instead.

3 If you’re not using square footage in one place, reclaim it for something else. The homeowner rotates between just eight to 10 suits, so he wasn’t going to be using the walk-in closet to its full potential. Ranieri took back some square footage and used it to expand the ensuite.

2 Channel a sense of place with colour and texture. The homeowner’s partner has roots in New York, so the designer brought in some East Coast design elements to make her feel right at home. That meant walnut panelling and plenty of grey tones in the fabric to get a classic smoky-cigarroom vibe.

4 Don’t waste a great view.

The original layout blocked the amazing views of Coal Harbour, so Ranieri rearranged things to make sure every room was angled toward this star feature. That included moving the cooktop onto the kitchen island so that, even while prepping dinner, the homeowner can look up and soak in the scenery.

38 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

ENJOY THE FINEST SHOPPING AND SERVICES SURROUNDED BY THE STUNNING ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF SINCLAIR CENTRE INCLUDING: Gastown Photo | Leone | L2 | Phera Diamonds | Sinclair Travel Sinclair Wellness Centre | The Perfume Shoppe | The UPS Store Just steps from Waterfront Station 757 WEST HASTINGS STREET, VANCOUVER | Mon-Sat: 10am-5:30pm, Closed: Sunday and Holidays WWW.SINCLAIRCENTRE.COM

DESIGN COAL HARBOUR

COMFY COZY A custom bed by WD Western Designers features an upholstered headboard (top).

Luxe quilted wallpaper from Ravi Designs envelops the anteroom (below, left).

adds a stylish finish that’s also durable enough to handle hundreds of party guests, but Ranieri layered in elegant neutral custom carpets from Salari and East India Carpets for some soft texture. These finishes are low-key, making room for statement pieces like the “wow factor” onyx kitchen island, one of a few deluxe details that appear in surprising places inside this suite. The homeowner’s partner fell in love with a quilted ’70s-inspired fabric (something Ranieri describes laughingly as “atrociously expensive—we may as well have put gold on the walls”), and it’s on full display in the anteroom, paired with walnut panelling and a built-in vanity.

With a custom-designed space now at his disposal, the homeowner is entertaining more than ever. Because while it may have started out as two distinct units, Ranieri’s clever edits and additions have turned the space into something greater than the sum of its parts: a home.

40 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Homeowner Sylvie Rochette is the founder of Epicure, a purveyor of clean-eating ingredients and recipes, so there’s always something delicious up for grabs atop the beautiful Neolith porcelain countertop in her dreamy all-white kitchen.

42 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

WRITER ROSEMARY POOLE PHOTOGRAPHY EMA PETER FOOD STYLING JENNIFER DANTER ADDITIONAL STYLING WENDY NEWTON

White Out

A former 1970s hotel suite in downtown Victoria is redesigned to fade into the scenery.

Over his long career designing houses and condos in Victoria, Bruce Wilkin has embraced architectural periods ranging from Arts and Crafts to Classical Revival to Brutalism. His philosophy? Why limit yourself to just one? Every home has its own history and particularities, and there’s a rich, vast world of references from which to draw. And yet, for some projects the answer isn’t to reference but to simply carve away. Sometimes, paraphrasing Dieter Rams, the best design is as little design as possible.

When Wilkin accompanied long-time clients Sylvie Rochette and Bernard Delecroix to a showing of a two-storey condo in downtown Victoria, his immediate advice was to take everything out and start anew. What did it look like? Brief pause. “The opposite of this,” he says. There were wrinkled gold carpets, heavy valances, popcorn ceilings, awkwardly placed fireplaces and, visible from nearly

every angle, a bulky staircase with dark-stained oak spindles and a chunky newel post. “It was that late’80s look that had carried over into the ’90s,” says Wilkin. “All of it needed to go.”

The building has its own particularities indeed.

Built in 1981 both as a hotel and for residential use, it met with some controversy at the time for its modern look (a departure from the neighbouring century-old brick buildings) and its bold siting (it juts out into the city’s Inner Harbour like a blunted cruise ship, dark water lapping at its foundation).

The unit was often used as a grand hospitality suite; sometime later, it was connected to the unit below and redeveloped as a condo. It had also been damaged by a fire, which had prompted the extensive 1980s remodel. Rochette and Delecroix could see past all of it, zeroing in on the nearly 270-degree views created from its pinwheel floor plan, the large

SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

43

DESIGN VICTORIA

rooftop terrace accessible from multiple rooms and over 2,300 square feet of living space, gold carpeting and all.

“We did not keep one screw,” says Rochette, laughing. “And we didn’t add very much back in. I like monochromatic, restful, minimalist homes.”

Wilkin envisioned a highly polished pied-àterre reminiscent of the glamorous high-rises that line the shores of Miami Beach; an unencumbered vacation home in the heart of a government town.

To pull it off, he embarked on a “theme of concealment,” giving as much consideration to the invisible as to the visible. The heating and cooling systems and custom motorized blinds were tucked away in a complex network of plywood troughs installed in the ceiling before drywalling to prevent awkward bulkheads and drops from cluttering up sightlines.

Televisions were similarly recessed to minimize bulk, as were lights in the bathroom ceilings and mirrors. Virtually every element subsequently layered overtop—from the transparent Flos pendant lights used in the kitchen and dining room to the

44 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

ART WORKS A bold painting by Kwakwaka’wakw artist Rande Cook (Idle No More) is the focal point of the dining space, which is given a cozy, intimate feeling thanks to the woodpanelled ceiling that closes the otherwise open-concept area in. Transparent Flos pendant lamps illuminate the table at night without blocking the natural flow of sunlight during the day.

DESIGN VICTORIA

THE GATHERING PLACE

Photographs printed on acrylic by artist Susanna Lehtinen (Atopia 116 and 117) hang over Cassina sofas. The tables are a custom design by Bruce Wilkin, in collaboration with Gabriel Ross, using Hawaiian koa wood.

Bruce Wilkin’s Design Tips 1 Repeating materials creates cohesion. The entire space reads as one: walls and trim are painted in the aptly named All White by Farrow and Ball; the countertops and fireplace surrounds are a porcelain by Neolith; and all of the fittings are by Dornbracht in a soft platinum finish.

2 Use wraparound panelling to add definition to an open floor plan. In the dining area, Wilkin carried the wide-plank whiteoak flooring up to and across the ceiling to create “a cabin effect.”

Transparent glass lighting keeps the lines of the panelling visible from every vantage point.

3 Consider custom mechanized blinds in a space with an overabundance of natural light.

They add warmth and privacy, and reduce glare (that high-gloss cabinetry finish would be blinding without them).

4 Use a staircase as a focal point. The staircase couldn’t be moved or suspended, so it was stripped down to its most basic components, retreaded in white oak and framed in glass panels to carry the reflective surfaces up from the main floor. A Bocci 14 light fixture shimmers above.

5 Create a warm welcome.

A special niche was created in the front entrance for a Martha Sturdy console table and charger—a favourite vignette of Rochette’s: “Those pieces have followed me around over the past five years.”

46 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

Discover organic wines that tell the story of our land.

Home of Haywire and Narrative wines.

16576 Fosbery Road, Summerland, BC 250.494.4445 | okanagancrushpad.com Open year round; visit our website for seasonal hours.

DESIGN VICTORIA

BATHING BEAUTY In the master bathroom (above), Wilkin created shiplap panelling using Garry oak wood the couple had saved and stored on their property in Saanich for years. An illuminated niche behind the freestanding Toulouse tub

by Victoria and Albert doubles down on the sauna-like ambience.

48 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

glass-panelled staircase to the integrated Miele and Wolf appliances—vanishes into the all-white canvas, or else makes a point of reflecting the endless views outside. The kitchen cabinetry, for example, was finished in an ultra-high-gloss product sourced from Carrier Finishing in Quebec, a detail Rochette requested so she could see the surrounding buildings outlined on the door fronts. Even the boldest statement of all, the large-scale painting by local artist Rande Cook, was chosen for its broader connections. It references the unceded territory on which the building resides and was installed in the dining room to face the B.C. Legislature across the harbour. “It’s a little wink back,” says Rochette, “and a great conversation piece.”

In the evening, as the city lights play on the surface of the water and iconic buildings with their own colourful histories loom in the distance, the interior is practically enveloped by its surroundings—a disappearing act decades in the making.

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

DESIGN EXPERT ADVICE

DESIGNER DIY PROJECT

Jamie Hamilton and Greer Nelson, founders of interior design firm Oliver Simon, are no strangers to displaying art in unusual ways. They’ve mounted prints on repurposed corrugated metal, hung photos from vintage coat hangers…and even turned vintage bike handlebars into a sculptural, taxidermy-inspired feature wall, as they did for the downtown Vancouver bedroom pictured here. It’s a playful display that looks right at home in cycle-happy Vancouver, and it’s one that’s easy to replicate if you’ve got a good eye (and, more importantly, a good drill).

The first step? Hit the used-bike shop—one where you can buy parts—and collect interesting, sculptural handlebars and seats (Nelson and Hamilton recommend parts that feel vintage and neutral in colour, like black or old leather). Then, source appropriately sized wooden plaques from your local craft supply store and stain them the colour of your choice.

Drill holes into the plaques and into the handlebar posts, both large enough to allow a heavy wire to be threaded through. (Make sure you secure the handlebars before you drill so they don’t roll, and “safety glasses for good measure wouldn’t hurt, either,” suggests Hamilton.) Thread heavy wire to attach the seats beneath the handlebars—position them like a deer or moose head beneath handlebar “antlers”—and then wire firmly to the plaque backing.

Add a hanging mechanism on the back for wall display and show off your crafty creations.

50 SUMMER 2018 westernliving.ca/CONDO

TRACEY AYTON

Cheeky Handlebar “Taxidermy”

WELL- EQUIPPED FROM

$24,995*

IT’S AN SUV. BUT WITH A TRUNK. The 2018 Subaru Legacy.

The Sport Utility Sedan.

The versatility of All-Wheel Drive, impressive cargo space, but built lower to the ground for improved handling.

Some would call it impossible.

We call it the Sport Utility Sedan.

Learn more at subaru.ca/sus

*MSRP of $24,995 on 2018 Legacy 4dr Sdn 2.5i CVT (JA2 25). MSRP excludes Freight & PDI of $1,650. Taxes, license, registration and insurance are extra. $0 security deposit. Model shown is 2018 Legacy 4dr Sdn 2.5i Limited w/ Eyesight CVT (JA2 LPE) with an MSRP of $33,795. Dealers may sell for less or may have to order or trade. Prices may vary in Quebec.

Vehicle shown solely for purposes of illustration, and may not be equipped exactly as shown. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. See your local Subaru dealer for details. Legacy and Subaru are registered trademarks.