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CONTENTS
38
Editor’s Message
Home
8
32
DESIGNER PROFILE
Kelly Deck on striking the right
CELEBRATING THE COLOURS OF SPRING
colour balance
First and Foremost
14
SPRING MUST HAVES
38
AWARDING DESIGN EXCELLENCE
Let the accessories add the colour pop to your outfit
NKBA’s Designer of the Year and our
Editor’s Pick for best renovation
16 INFLUENCER
42
FEATURE HOME
The nautical design of this penthouse makes
it a mariner’s paradise
49
GET THE LOOK
Check out the blues and florals of Spring
21
ARTIST PROFILE
Landscape artist Cori Creed’s narrative of nature
24
ON THE TOWN WITH FRED LEE
LIVINGMAG.CA 4
Step philanthropist and art collector Bruce Munro Wright’s home for a tour of his collection
SPRING 2020
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CONTENTS
56
26 Fashion
26
FRENCH KISS
Matlo Atelier returns with a new line and a new look
Epicure
52 EPICURE
Tracing the history of West Vancouver’s iconic Beach House restaurant
Travel
56
EPIC EGYPT
On the Cover
Exploring the iconic destination
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living | Editor’s message
CELEBRATING THE COLOURS OF SPRING A s w e s h a k e o f f t h e c o b w e b s o f w i n t e r a n d e n t e r the new season, the theme we see most emerging in our Spring Vancouver Living design issue is a kaleidoscope of colour. Explore tropes of colour with top Vancouver designers Kelly Deck, founder of Kelly Deck design, and Jason Matlo, founder and creative director of Matlo Atelier. Deck explains the deep contrasts in black and white and provides tips on how to layer shades of ivory to optimize the appearance of your interior, while Matlo embraces rich reds and golds in his breakout comeback fashion line, French Kiss. Our fabulous feature condo brings the beauty and depth of the blue
AMANDA STUTT EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Amanda@livingmag.ca @VancouverLivingMagazine
ocean indoors, and we emulate the aesthetic in our Get the Look section with striking blues and florals. West Vancouver landscape artist Cori Creed brings nature to life on the canvases of her recent exhibition, Narrative, and philanthropist and art collector Bruce Munro Wright opens the door to his Arthur Erikson designed west side home to give us a tour of his private art collection, in which renowned, recently passed Vancouver artist Gordon Smith, and the great Andy Warhol make appearances. We also proudly bring you the innovative, NKBA award-winning kitchen and bathroom designs of Negar Rehani of Space Harmony Interiors, and Reisa Pollard of Beyond Beige. Here on our pages, we hope you find inspiration in our stories, and find the colours that look and feel right for you, because as the legendary Coco Chanel said, “the best colour in the whole
8
Amanda ALEX WABER
LIVINGMAG.CA
world is the one that looks good on you.”
SPRING 2020
LIVINGMAG.CA
SPRING 2020
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VANCOUVER
Publisher
Peter Kvarnstrom Associate Publisher
Julie Hamilton sales & Marketing Director
Vicki Magnison editorial director
Amanda Stutt Art Director
Shelley Ackerman Graphic Designer
Birgit Brunner ProDuction Manager
Tannis Hendriks Contributing Writers
Laura Goldstein, Bianca Solterbeck, Fred Lee, Lucas Aykroyd, Michelle Hopkins, Tony Whitney Photographers
Ema Peter, Colin Perry, Amanda Oster, Kevin Clark, Jamie Mann, Jesse Laver, Sarah Jane Photography, Alex Waber, West Vancouver Memorial Library
Hand-carved artistry from Stittgen
Vancouver Living magazine, a division of Glacier Media, is delivered five times a year to select areas using Glacier Media Group’s CCAB audit-approved newspaper distribution. Entire contents © 2020 LMP Publication Limited Partnership. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any article, photograph or artwork without written permission of the publisher is strictly forbidden. The publisher can assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Enquiries can be addressed to: Vancouver Living Magazine 116-980 West First St. North Vancouver, B.C. V7P 3N4 Tel. 604-998-3510 PRINTED IN CANADA TO SUBSCRIBE, visit livingmag.ca/subscribe Rate: One Year/5 Issues $20 (Tax is included; special rate is for Canadian addresses only) Or send name, address and payment to the address above. Follow us!
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SPRING 2020
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Contributors LAURA GOLDSTEIN ARTS Laura was an arts publicist and writer in Toronto for 22 years before moving to Vancouver. She’s a frequent contributor to the Globe and Mail’s design section, Westcoast Homes & Design and Canadian House & Home. A highlight of her career was covering the Royal Tour in Vancouver in 2016. lauragoldsteinwriter.com TONY WHITNEY RIDE Tony Whitney is a veteran B.C.-based writer who has specialized in the luxury products market in recent years. In addition to fine watches and haute horlogerie in general, he covers luxury automobiles, SUVs and motorcycles, luxury yachts, business jets and all things that epitomize the luxury lifestyle. He’s fortunate enough to have had “hands-on” experience in all these areas over many years of worldwide travel.
LIVINGMAG.CA
BIANCA SOLTERBECK DESIGN Bianca Solterbeck has spent the last decade working in entertainment and lifestyle television for Shaw TV Vancouver, cutting her teeth as the Olympic reporter in the lead-up to the 2010 Games. The Leo Awardnominated writer is best known for producing, writing and hosting the luxury real estate series, Dream Homes, which ran for three seasons across Western Canada. In her spare time, the Carleton University grad and boat nerd can be found enjoying the West Coast from the water. @biancasolterbeck
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SPRING 2020
FRED LEE ON THE TOWN A society columnist for the past 15 years, Fred covers Metro Vancouver’s vibrant and everchanging social landscape. The social butterfly joins Stephen Quinn every Monday morning on CBC Radio One’s The Early Edition to share all of Vanhattan’s A-list happenings, red carpet parties, must-attend galas and fabulous fundraisers. When not gala-vanting or globetrotting, Fred is the director of alumni engagement at the University of British Columbia, among other philanthropic roles. @fredabouttown
LUCAS AYKROYD TRAVEL Lucas Aykroyd is an award-winning journalist and public speaker who specializes in travel and sports. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, Vancouver Sun, and others. As a travel writer, his adventures include viewing polar bears in Nunavut, gorillas in Uganda, and elephants in Sri Lanka, and he has toured Petra, Machu Picchu, and the Red Square. Lucas also writes about women’s issues for Ms. Magazine, The Globe and Mail, the Canadian Women’s Foundation, and the Women’s Sports Foundation. In 2017, he founded the Irene Adler Prize, an annual $1,000 scholarship for women writers.
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#SPRING MUST HAVES
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Spring is upon us, so shake off the raincoat and boots, step into a classic coat with clean lines ideal for the new season, and add some bling with these sweet fashion finds that let accessories add the colour pop to your outfit.
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SPRING 2020
royal blue is versatile,
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SPRING 2020
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LIVINGMAG.CA
FIRST AND FOREMOST
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BRUCE MUNRO WRIGHT’S ECLECTIC ART COLLECTION INCLUDES A HARPSICHORD WHICH IS AN EXACT REPLICA OF A 1792 TASKER INSTRUMENT
SPRING 2020
INFLUENCER: BRUCE MUNRO WRIGHT STEP INSIDE THE PHILANTHROPIST’S INTRIGUING PRIVATE ART GALLERY STORY | LAURA GOLDSTEIN PHOTOGRAPHY | KEVIN CLARK
P
eering
through
the
heavy
glass-and-steel front doors of Bruce Munro Wright’s west side Vancouver home, it’s understandable that passersby often mis-
take it for an intriguing art gallery – curiously, one with no signage or hours of operation. His Arthur Erickson designed home, known as The Chokolit Townhouse, is one of three built in 2005 across from the original Purdy’s Chocolate Company. It’s a theatrical 2,793-square-foot stage from which to experience Wright’s eclectic collection of 160 paintings, photographs, sculptures, Murano glass and Wright is an unpretentious renaissance man – a master of the humorous anecdote and blessed with an encyclopedic memory. He’s passionate about all the arts and although collecting has become, in his own words, “a serial obsession,” philanthropy is what drives Wright, not profit.
>
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fascinating ephemera.
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“ A s m u c h a s I l o v e a r t , I t h i n k o f m y s e l f as a temporary custodian. I don’t get attached to stuff,” he smiles. “Only to the people and specific organizations I feel strongly about and frankly, that’s how it should be.” One of those organizations is Arts Umbrella, and their annual Splash Gala at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, for which he is not only an avid bidder at their auction, but also on their Board of Directors and has co-chaired the event for three years. “We raised over one million dollars at the recent 2019 October event in which over 100 pieces of donated art by emerging and well-known artists and photographers like Jeff Wall, Edward Burtynsky, Dana Claxton and Douglas Coupland were auctioned,” Munro says. “Arts Umbrella supports our community’s youth through funding, bursaries and scholarships in dance, music, theatre, visual and applied arts. Their new facility opening in late 2020 on Granville Island will be spectacular,” he enthuses. Wright, who recently retired after a long career as managing partner of the law firm Goodmans LLP doesn’t just attend meetings, but truly immerses himself in the arts he supports. His four-level home, designed like a boxy layer cake, is topped by an expansive landscaped terrace overlooking False Creek, making his home the perfect setting for his monthly fundraisers on behalf of an astounding array of arts and charitable organizations. From his vantage point, Munro Wright was able to watch Bjarke Ingels’ fantastic Vancouver House unfold every step of its build. In summer, dancers from Ballet BC have leaped across the rooftop oasis, and concert performers, whether singing operetta or belting out showtunes, have gathered around the grand piano on the ground-floor level in aid of Health Arts Society’s Concerts in Care. The latter organization, for which Wright is the B.C. board chair, has performed over 14,000 LIVINGMAG.CA
professional concerts in care facilities across Canada.
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An impassioned opera buff, Wright is a past chair of the Vancouver Opera and tries to attend Europe’s most dazzling summer opera festivals each year. The harpsichord on the second level of Wright’s home is hand-made by Vancouver’s Craig Tomlinson. SPRING 2020
he even used wood from the Black Forest,” Wright explains.
friend. Together, they travelled to England for the opening of Canada House in 2015 and met Queen Elizabeth II.
“I had the custom artwork painted on the lid’s underside
In the lower level’s powder room is one of Andy Warhol’s
by South American artist Marco Tulio. It’s a scene from
Pop-art Reigning Queens portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.
Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, the first opera I saw as a teen-
Wright is the current chair of the Vancouver Art Gallery
ager,” confides Wright.
Foundation and chair of the Architect Selection Committee
He is currently on the board of Opera Canada and was recently awarded the Opera Director Emeritus Award at the Opera America Forum in New York City.
for the new building. “When I was chair of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Prince
WRIGHT’S COLLECTION ALSO FEATURES MURANO GLASS, VANCOUVER’S OWN GORDON SMITH’S ODE TO MONET’S GIVERNY (AB0VE), AND ANDY WARHOL’S PORTRAIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II (LEFT)
Edward and Sophie visited British Columbia in 2014,”
Wright’s kitchen is also a showcase for his eclectic art.
Munro recounts. “One of the curators and I took Prince
He loves cooking and entertaining for small gatherings
Edward on a tour and I happened to mention that I had
there, surrounded by his collection of Murano glass and
the portrait of his mother in the loo. He’s a really
Vancouver’s Gordon Smith’s ode to Monet’s Giverny, painted
charming and funny guy and he just rolled his eyes,”
in 1996. Smith, recently passed, was a long-time family
laughs Wright.
LIVINGMAG.CA
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FIRST AND FOREMOST
ARTIST CORI CREED IN HER WEST VANCOUVER STUDIO
THE NARRATIVE OF NATURE ARTIST CORI CREED CAPTURES THE EVOCATIVE SPIRIT OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST LANDSCAPE STORY | LAURA GOLDSTEIN
by weather’s unpredictability and
Columbia coastline and lush rainforests, Vancouver-based artist Cori Creed
ever- changing light.
immerses herself in the spontaneity and unpredictability of nature.
“I’m really drawn to the textured
“I love to be outdoors hiking and climbing, then try to recapture on canvas that emo-
patterning of trees and bark and the
tional place I’m experiencing by drawing the viewer into that illusion of space to tell a story,”
graphic elements of the process,”
she says from her light-filled home studio on the North Shore.
says Creed. “If it’s an arbutus then it’s
These are not the dark, ominous forests of fairy tales. Creed’s exploration of woods,
the figurative and lyrical; birch trees
marshy ponds and tangled undergrowth in her recent exhibition, Narrative, at the Bau-Xi
have so much texture and layering
Gallery, are inviting, joyous and vibrantly hued.
in their bark. I’ve always been really
Creed’s sweeping reach bestows her towering paintings with a physical grandeur that
drawn to seeing all the drafting marks
befits her reverence for trees: Arbutus, douglas fir and birch are cherished favourites. Her
left behind in Impressionist paintings
subjects are never still. Branches bow and logs collide under thick three-dimensional impas-
and I love playing with intentional
to-applied layers of oil paints. Ethereal clouds swirl and sweep across the surface affected
accidents when I paint.
>
SPRING 2020
LIVINGMAG.CA
SARAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY
L
i k e p a i n t e r E m i l y Ca r r ’ s v e n e r a t i o n o f t h e r u g g e d B r i t i s h
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FIRST AND FOREMOST
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RIGHT: ‘BY CHANCE’ LANDSCAPE WATERCOLOUR FROM CREED’S NARRATIVE COLLECTION
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“ I d o n ' t e m p l o y t h e c a r e f u l a p p l i c a t i o n s
begins by creating an illusion of space and depth with
that some painters do. Instead, I prefer to try to harness
markings on her canvas.
some spontaneity at times and also let gravity and the
“Sometimes I’ll do a small piece as a study first, then
medium dictate some marks, splashes and drips. Then I’ll
blow it up to the 54” X 54” or even larger canvases.” Later,
go back in and curate the marks.”
thick meringue-like peaks of tactile pigment applied with
Creed doesn’t paint en plein air, but instead takes
knives and brushes are juxtaposed with thinning strokes
detailed photographs while exploring the landscape, often
of spray paint, scraped and combed so that the viewer’s
with her three children in tow. “If I have time, I’ll do some
perception is constantly shifting back and forth from 3D to
quick sketches, but I’m usually running to catch up to
a more flattened two-dimensional surface.
them,” she laughs.
SPRING 2020
“I’ve been playing with abstraction more and more over
Then, back in her studio, where the vast cement floor
the past 20 years with something called ‘disruptive realism.’
is strewn like confetti with drips of paint, and usually while
It’s a technique that’s very challenging, but I think brings
listening to music, (or more recently, audio books,) she
more emotion and depth to a subject,” Creed confides.
“I DON'T EMPLOY THE CAREFUL APPLICATIONS THAT SOME PAINTERS DO. I PREFER TO HARNESS SOME SPONTANEITY AT TIMES AND ALSO LET GRAVITY AND THE MEDIUM DICTATE.” — CORI CREED
The physicality of painting is also important to Creed: while some strokes are made with speed and imperfection with wet brushes, others need a slower, dry brush approach. “It’s always the human storytelling that I’m after in the end,” she says. Dwarfed by floor-to-ceiling stacks of vertically filed canvases in various states of completion and shelves of contemporary art and psychology books, a small framed photograph of Creed’s late grandfather, Aubrey, watches over her progress from the corner of the studio. Originally from South Africa, he bought an apple orchard in the Okanagan when he immigrated to Canada. “He was an artist and I still use his paint palette,” Creed smiles, proudly pointing to the well-worn tool, dappled and smeared with hundreds of colourful concoctions. Born in Vancouver, she studied fine arts at Simon Fraser University and design at Capilano College, then embarked on a career as an illustrator and art director at an advertising agency before taking the leap-of-faith to
CORI CREED
ABOVE: ‘MAGIC REALISM’ IN THE ARTIST’S HOME FROM CREED’S NARRATIVE COLLECTION
Creed and her family travel every other weekend on field trips to their cottage in Kaleden near Skaha Lake, where she can be fully immersed in nature. And, never lacking in imagination when it comes to capturing a mood in her paintings, she has been known to go out late at night carting lights to create a staging in the forest.
SPRING 2020
LIVINGMAG.CA
work full-time as an artist. TOP: ‘WATER SPRITE’ LANDSCAPE WATERCOLOUR FROM CREED’S NARRATIVE COLLECTION
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FIRST AND FOREMOST
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On the Town
WITH
FRED LEE
@FredAboutTown
REAL SPARKLERS
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6
Record numbers were raised at this season’s charity events
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SOCIAL DIARY
Have an upcoming event to share with Fred? yvrflee@hotmail.com Mar 6 Kidney Gala A Roaring 20s party awaits 400 partygoers who will convene at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel for the 8th annual Kidney Gala. A sumptuous meal, heartfelt stories from transplant families and Speakeasy After-Party will ensure party guests shimmying all night long! Kidney.ca/BritishColumbia
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RECORD SALES
Athena Bax was one of 100 artists who
4 Three-time chair Jennifer Johnston and her
Arts Umbrella’s Splash Gala had its most
put forward their best works in support of
husband Scott Warren welcomed well-heeled
successful night in the event’s 37-year
Arts Umbrella.
guests to the 33rd Crystal Ball. 5 Presenting
history. For the first time ever, the annual art auction benefit surpassed the $1 million mark. Held at the Hotel Vancouver and led by Christie Garofalo and Bruce Munro Wright, the three-time party chairs rallied 100 artists to put forward their best work in support of the country’s preeminent visual and
A REAL SPARKLER The Crystal Ball, Vanhattan’s preeminent must-attend charity event founded by Isabelle Diamond in 1986, continues to be a bright light on the charity circuit. Led once again by Jennifer Johnston, this year’s
sponsor Nicola Wealth’s David Sung and his wife Tassan flanked fellow gala-goer and BC Children’s Hospital patron Patty Nielsen. 6 Patient family Collin and Jennie Forbes credits BC Children’s Hospital for identifying their boy’s very rare condition.
33rd staging was bittersweet, as it would
CELEBRATING TIME
be the last Crystal Ball to be held at the
Swiss luxury watchmaker Omega hosted
Four Seasons Hotel. The iconic property
its annual holiday mixer at its flagship shop
shut its doors at the end of January. Going
at the Hotel Vancouver. The party came on
out in style and with an impressive bang,
the heels of the firm’s New York unveiling
partygoers Mike and Lisa Hudson, Rick and
of its newest James Bond watch, the new
Lauren Ilich and Lisa Greczmiel had everyone
Seamaster Diver 300m 007 Edition made
on their feet early with gifts of $500,000
from Grade 2 Titanium – tough enough to
each to get the fundraising party started.
survive any Bond assignment. Spirits were
The dinner and auction would eventually
high as guests – watch enthusiasts – attired
Music further fuelled party spirits.
raise an impressive $3.8 million for BC
in their Bond-best celebrated the 25th
1 Chairs Christie Garofalo and Bruce Munro
Children’s Hospital, one of the largest tallies
anniversary of Omega’s partnership with the
Wright. 2 Director of Development Heather
in the history of the storied soiree. Since its
James Bond film series. Le beau monde
Altas, CEO Paul Larocque and patron Robert
inception, more than $38 million has been
enjoyed a red carpet welcome, bespoke
Lemon. 3 Accompanied by Ken Fitzgerald,
raised from the black-tie affair.
cocktails and classic tunes while perusing
performing arts school for young children, founded by Carol Henriquez. Senior artist Hank Bull conducted the 33-lot live auction with more than 80 per cent selling at or above appraised value, signalling a historic night. A $2 million gift from Robert Lemon in memory of his partner, interior designer Bob Ledingham, earmarked for Arts Umbrella’s new building and the School of Theatre and
The MoonPearl Series A CONTEMPORARY RENDITION OF A CLASSIC
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A CONTEMPORARY RENDITION OF A CLASSIC
the many luxe timepieces on display. The
bustling, storied Vancouver neighbourhood.
unveiling of the collector’s watch and holiday
Led by heavyweights Sam Feldman and
soiree was timed with the release of the first
Darlene Poole, and an equally impressive
trailer for the latest Bond film, No Time To Die
supporting cast that included business titans
scheduled for spring release.
Jake Kerr, Phil Lind and Ben Yeung, the party
7 James Bond actor Daniel Craig at the New York unveiling of Omega’s new timepiece. 8 Celebrity photographer Dennis Gocer of The Collective You captured everyone’s red carpet arrival. 9 CBC’s Lien Yeung and Coleen Christie from Global TV were among le beau monde that attended. 10 Looking their Bond best at the Omega reception were manager Jorge Luna and Pacific Gateway Hotel’s Gladys Escoto. 11 Vancouver Living Magazine columnist Bianca Solterbeck and editorial director Amanda Stutt took in the posh party. MAJOR GIVING
The MoonPearl Series
ballroom was transformed into pure gold, encouraging attendees to give generously. And they did, with four lead gifts of $1 million, including one from Carol’s mom Lily. The starry night also paid tribute to Lee’s ailing father, renowned community builder and philanthropist Bob Lee. 12 Singer songwriter Sarah McLachlan was among the notables that joined Carol Lee for her annual gala.13 Business titans Jake Kerr and Phil Lind will lead the efforts to build 230 social housing units at 58 West Hastings as part of Chinatown’s revitalization efforts.
Businesswoman and entrepreneur Carol Lee
14 Event emcee Gloria Macarenko and gala
pulled off the province’s biggest fundraiser
co-chair Sam Feldman saw a jaw-dropping
of the year. Drawing big names and even
$5.5 million raised. 15 Powerhouses
bigger spenders, her fourth annual Chinatown
Leslie Diamond and Joy McPhail lent their
Foundation Gala would raise $5.5 million for
support to efforts to bring the once-bustling
her foundation’s efforts to revitalize the once-
neighbourhood back to life.
LIVINGMAG.CA
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living | fashion
TRUE COLOURS AFTER RETURNING TO ITS ROOTS, MATLO ATELIER INTRODUCES A NEW LINE, AND FINDS A NEW BALANCE STORY | AMANDA STUTT PHOTOGRAPHY | JAMIE MANN
E
n t e r i n g t h e a r t i s t ’ s studio, the first thing that catches the eye is the massive bookshelf on the left wall. An eclectic mix of design, history, culinary, pop culture books and autobiographical
novels line its shelves. He doesn’t read fiction. Matlo is most interested in reading about people’s stories – their journeys. In the hall, his black and white sketches of
ABOVE, JASON MATLO, FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MATLO ATELIER WITH RIGHT HAND, WEN-CHEE LUI
LIVINGMAG.CA
FAR RIGHT: THIS GOLDEN GOWN FROM MATLO’S FRENCH KISS LINE CAN BE DISASSEMBLED AND WORN THREE DIFFERENT WAYS
26
Hollywood stars Madonna and Barbara Streisand are framed, and museum-worthy. The striking shape of Streisand’s famous profile, and the contours of her nose, are captured perfectly. Jason Matlo, founder and creative director of Vancouver design house, Matlo Atelier, can get lost drawing for hours. In the workshop, Matlo’s long-time assistant and right hand, Wen-Chee Liu, has a sewing machine buzzing. Clothing in various degrees of completion adorn the mannequins, while fabrics yet to be cut are on the table.
SPRING 2020
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LIVINGMAG.CA
SPRING 2020
27
living | Fashion
ABOVE: ROSE GOLD AND BLACK SEQUIN JERSEY GOWNS WITH JEWEL WAIST DETAIL
After some wanderings
in France, and went on to represent
“If we didn’t do a collection and a
and soul-searching as a youth, Matlo
Canada at the international finals in
show – it was like the public thought it
completed a rigorous nine-month
Berlin. Matlo was the winner of the
was something we were denying them.”
FAR RIGHT: AFTER A PERIOD OF SELF-CONFESSED ‘BLACKAHOLISM,” MATLO FOUND INSPIRATION IN ‘TRUE RED’
program at Helen Lefeaux School of
Life Network reality television show
“And at the end, I just went to my
Fashion Design, a boutique agency,
Making It Big, and his designs have
bottom line and decided that there
and the only one of its kind at the time
been displayed at Saks Fifth Avenue.
wasn’t enough money in wholesaling
in Vancouver in 1997. Lefeaux, who
Matlo launched his first commer-
for the amount of hours we were
has since passed, taught Matlo the
cially available collection in 2005.
putting in. “And we were getting away
couture techniques he still employs
He started doing fashion shows and
from what I wanted to do, which was
today. They spent hours pouring
became renowned for his glamorous
more bespoke, made to measure,”
over couture books together, and a
red carpet gowns, while he travelled
he says.
big regret he has is not co-writing
the world and dressed celebrities.
the book she was trying to incubate LIVINGMAG.CA
him into.
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he had built a following of West
and wound up retailing throughout
Vancouver, North Vancouver and
was
Canada and the United States. But
Shaunessy-based women who looked
invited to compete in the Smirnoff
almost a decade after launching his
to him for made-to-measure clothing.
Fashion Awards competition in New
clothing line, Matlo hit burn-out.
After
SPRING 2020
Before Matlo went into retail,
Matlo’s designs were in demand,
graduating,
Matlo
He remembers clients liking the
York, where he was awarded top
“It was non-stop. All we did was
process where they could be involved
designer of the year. He then trained
work, 18 hours a day,” he remembers.
in the design, and he wanted to get
back to what mattered to him – a better work-life balance, and face-toface interaction with clients. He also wanted to get back to the educational aspect of the business. Matlo started teaching a couple of days a week at the College of Visual
“WE ARE BESPOKE. YOU COME IN, AND WE CREATE FOR YOU — MADE TO MEASURE. THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT CLOTHING THAT IS CUSTOM CUT TO FIT YOUR BODY THAT MAKES YOU NOT WANT TO TAKE IT OFF.” — JASON MATLO
Art and Design and at Vancouver You come in, and we create for you –
and neutrals, is embracing colour more.
After a few years on the down-low
made to measure,” says Matlo. There’s
“A colour can become the essence
and going back to his roots, Matlo
something about clothing that is
of the design,” he says. The French
Atelier returned with a fall fashion
custom cut to fit your body that makes
Kiss line is marked by colour; rich gold,
show, titled French Kiss, a nod to his
you not want to take it off.”
deep green, and what Matlo refers to
training and influence from France,
“The phone started to ring, and the
showing to a packed audience at
clients were [saying] I can’t find you
His designs most remarkably rem-
Fairmont Pacific Rim in November
anymore anywhere – would you do a
inise old Hollywood glamour. “There is
2019. It was his first show since 2014.
dress for me?”
this workmanship that happened that
Matlo Atelier is back, but not in
Today, the former admitted “black-
the retail market. “We are bespoke.
aholic,” who designed mostly in black
as “true red.”
LIVINGMAG.CA
Community College. He still does.
has just been lost on the younger generation,” he says.
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SPRING 2020
29
living | fashion
ABOVE AND BELOW: THE CHIC, CLASSY CONTOURS OF MATLO’S FRENCH KISS COLLECTION DEBUTED AT THE FAIRMONT PACIFIC RIM
Ma t l o b e s t l i k e s t o d e s i g n
Matlo’s mother also didn’t hesitate to
for fashion-savvy, bold, confident,
pick up a tool to help her husband’s
strong women.
business if needed, and she eventually
Growing up in Calgary in the 1970s,
forged her own career in real estate,
Matlo’s original muse was his beautiful
saying it was because it is the only
mother, Bernadette. He would watch
industry that pays women the same
her get dressed up to go to dinners and
amount as men.
parties with his dad, who was in the recreational vehicle business.
LIVINGMAG.CA
“My first exposure to fashion was
30
the concept existed,” he says.
my mum. She was very glamorous. I’d
Matlo’s muse still calls him for
see her in sequins and fur and sparkly
fashion advice, most recently when an
jewelry, high-heeled shoes and blown
airline lost her luggage, and she needed
out Farah Fawcett hair – they were my
to dress on the fly for a posh dinner on
first images of fashion. I thought all
the road. Sticking to the classics, Matlo
women dressed like that.”
told her, “black caftan, low ponytail, red
While she was a local fashion icon, SPRING 2020
“My mum was smashing through glass ceilings before she even knew
lip. You’ll be great.”
Timeless Elegance
Five generations of tradition in jewelry design and gold craftsmanship. SINCE 1880
604 281 3886
1380 MARINE DRIVE, WEST VANCOUVER
REZASAATCHI.COM
living | Design
EBONY AND IVORY
LIVINGMAG.CA
VANCOUVER DESIGNER KELLY DECK STRIKES THE RIGHT COLOUR BALANCE
32
STORY | AMANDA STUTT PHOTOGRAPHY | EMA PETER SPRING 2020
LEFT: THE EBONY SHADES IN THE MAIN FLOOR OFFICE ARE STRIKINGLY OPULENT AND ORNATE
SPRING 2020
LIVINGMAG.CA
ABOVE: FINDING THE RIGHT WHITE IS SPECIFIC TO THE LIGHT, AND LAYERING WHITES IS WHAT MAKES AN INTERIOR HAVE DEPTH
33
living | Design
LIVINGMAG.CA
G 34
rowing up in A l b erta , Ke l l y De ck
She has authored a design column in The Globe and Mail, and her HGTV
always knew she wanted to live a creative
series, Take It Outside, has garnered industry attention and accolades.
life. She was lured to the West Coast in her
Deck executes a disciplined design process, and has a strict, “never go
early twenties by the ocean, and by the
shopping with clients” rule. She says it is because a client will enter a store
space and diversity here.
or showroom with an “everything is a possibility” mentality, while the vet-
“There’s a broad-mindedness and a more liberal perspective,” she says.
she goes shopping, narrowed them down to a very few.
Powerhouse Vancouver interior designer
“There are so many options out there – if we don’t establish what the
Deck has been championing West Coast
parameters are of what you are creating, then one could get so distracted
design since 2002, when she opened an
and carried away. And the problem with that, is that if you actually end up
interior décor boutique on Vancouver's
executing within those distracted elements – there’s something that feels
Main Street. As a young design student,
discoordinate, something that feels wrong.”
she had an idea about opening a store that
“You have to stay in the vessel,” she says, and by that she means elim-
could create ceramics and homeware, and
inating the clutter and playing within the spaces you’ve decided to play.
when the right retail space became available,
“It keeps clients on focus. Give them a story – they don’t know what the
she took a leap of faith, ditched school and
story is yet,” she says.
rented the space.
SPRING 2020
eran designer has already vetted numerous options, and has, by the time
Deck’s recent West Vancouver project stands out as an example of
The bet paid off. Since then, she has
her efficient approach. It was a British Properties project, the client was
become the director of Kelly Deck Design,
a developer, and they wanted the property designed for the luxury market,
specializing in high-end custom homes.
with a classic interior.
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LIVINGMAG.CA
LEFT: THE AIM WAS A CLASSIC INTERIOR, AND DECK EXECUTED A DISCIPLINED DESIGN APPROACH THROUGHOUT ABOVE: THIS CLASSIC SOAKER TUB IS THE FOCAL POINT OF THE ROOM
SPRING 2020
35
living | design
RIGHT: TO CREATE A COMBINATION OF HIGH CONTRAST ELEMENTS, THE INTERIOR IS A BEAUTIFUL IVORY AND BLACK BELOW: INTERIOR DESIGNER KELLY DECK
“They wanted a combination of high contrast,
much of the home features shades of white,
home was oak, and the majority of the furnish-
graphic, contemporary elements, so by and large
which can be tricky. Deck says finding the right
ings were from Brougham Interiors.
the interior is a beautiful ivory and black,” Deck
white is very specific to the light, and that lay-
The arrival of a daughter three years ago
remembers. “It definitely got a lot more detail, but
ering on whites is what makes an interior have
upped Deck’s game, because she knew her
hopefully is perceived as classic and timeless. We
depth, as many whites have colour hues.
clients would expect the same level of attention
furnished it in a very spare way that’s sort of bring-
“On any of our homes, we do boards and
and energy, and that would be a challenge with a
ing a more contemporary approach, as opposed
test them in the light. One location differs from
new baby. Deck delegates her energy and atten-
to a ton of layering. Each piece really matters.”
another — even on the West Coast,” she says.
tion accordingly to manage client expectations.
The main floor office is particularly striking,
LIVINGMAG.CA
specifically the high ceiling.
36
“The West Coast needs a cooler white than Alberta, because the lighting is very cool,” Deck
“There is an intensity to life now that is unprecedented,” she relates.
“It’s about bringing the eye up and creating
says. “People always think that you can coun-
But the savvy designer is tops at creating
a sultry elegance,” Deck says. “It had beautiful
teract that, but you don’t counteract it – you go
beautiful spaces, and knows that beauty is
moldings everywhere, simple, elegant lighting,
with what it is, because then it seems to come to
exactly what the discerning are in pursuit of.
that wasn’t too ornate. All the ornate qualities
life in our light. If you try to do a yellow white on
“I always say, people with bad taste don’t hire
were in the finishing carpentry.”
the West Coast, it tends to look like a sick colour.
interior designers. Its people who value beauty –
Measuring in at over 10,000 square feet, the
Layering white is very important if you have an
who hold it as one of their highest values. They
home’s foyer has a graphic pattern at the front
all-white interior. Layer two or three whites, espe-
have this innate knowing of their aesthetic and
entry as a focal point.
cially on your walls and your furnishings.”
what’s important to them in their interior, but my
In contrast to the ebony shades in the office, SPRING 2020
The main material used for this stunning
job is to have the discipline to execute it.”
A H R
@REDUXWOODWEST
R EDUX WO O D.CO M
SHOWROOM BY APPOINTMENT: +1.778.340.7522
SPRING 2020
LIVINGMAG.CA
G T E
A Natural Gathering Place
37
living | Renovation
AWARDING DESIGN EXCELLENCE
E
very year, the best and brightest talents in interior design contend for the coveted NKBA design excellence awards. Here, we showcase our editor’s pick: A contemporary kitchen renovation by Space Harmony interiors,
and a traditional bathroom by Beyond Beige. We love the colours and textures, lighting and
>
KITCHEN RENOVATION BY SPACE HARMONY.
SPRING 2020
LIVINGMAG.CA
layers of these rooms – designs that impact and improve the daily rituals of life.
39
living | Renovation
THE GATHERING PLACE DESIGNER NARRATIVE | NEGAR REIHANI PHOTOGRAPHY | COLIN PERRY
T
he challenge was to transform a small and dated kitchen into an elegant and functional one that meets the needs of a busy family with lots of cooking, baking and entertaining.
British Columbia Chapter
WINNER: EDITOR’S PICK: NEGAR REIHANI, British Columbia SPACEChapter HARMONY
The first order of work was to change the layout from what used to be a “typical” kitchen 40 years ago to
what is needed for today’s lifestyle. The wall separating the kitchen from the rest of the house was partially
opened and the dining area was moved from inside the kitchen to its new location. With the dining room gone, the kitchen was extended to accommodate a generous-sized cooking station by the windows in a tucked-away corner, where the dining area used to be. This is great for everyday cooking as the mess is not visible from the rest of the house and the smell is perfectly exhausted through the double windows and the large hood. The extra-large island provides an ideal prep area, while there is still tonnes of space left for daily family use. Different types of storage are provided throughout the kitchen to accommodate different needs and also to provide a
British Columbia Chapter
visual balance. All small appliances are housed inside a cabinet with pull-out shelves so they can be used while being kept there. With the new open layout, double-high ceilings and an abundance of natural light, we had to do something unique when it came to selecting the color scheme and finishes, so we aimed for a caviar-black cabinet color.
LIVINGMAG.CA
The black kitchen is bold and unexpected and it truly anchors the space. The brushed gold accents soften the space
40
while connecting with light oak floors throughout. While a black and gold combination has a traditional / formal vibe, a touch of white subway tile and reeded-glass pantry doors injects some casual air to the space. The Volakas marble island and its soft cream, gray and gold veining adds an understated elegance to the space while pulling everything else together. The parameter countertops are kept in white quartz for practicality. The kitchen is a sophisticated mix of farmhouse meets modern glamour. SPRING 2020
WINNER: British Columbia Chapter
DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: REISA POLLARD, BEYOND BEIGE
A RETURN TO TRADITION British Columbia Chapter
DESIGNER NARRATIVE | REISA POLLARD PHOTOGRAPHY | AMANDA OSTER, PROVOKE STUDIOS
T
h e c l i e n t ’ s b u s y l i v e s d r e w t h e m tBritish o tColumbia he idea Chapter
a stone mason that could clad the wall in an authentic old European style
the hustle and bustle. The master bathroom was to be a key
We clad the opposite wall in reclaimed barn wood. The horizontal lines
part of the experience, a place of serenity, a zen-like environ-
draw the eye down to the French doors that lead to a private patio. The
of living on a farm. They wanted a sanctuary, their retreat from
ment with a connection to the outdoors.
of installation and integrate the plumbing fixtures.
long, floating vanity is a dramatic feature at over 18’ long and grounds
They wanted ample storage so that nothing normally left on a counter
the space while leaving the floor space open underneath. The mirror was
would be an issue; everything was to be put away so that time spent in the
custom made to match the length of the vanity with horizontal LED panels
bathroom, whether an extended shower or a bubble bath, could be focused
to properly light up the face.
on the beauty around them.
Lots of ceiling lighting was required to light the space adequately. Then
The space was long and narrow with a soaring ceiling, making it chal-
we added lighting under the vanity for mood or night lighting and a pretty
lenging to design a space that felt warm and intimate. The original design
chandelier dropped over the tub. The concrete is warm underfoot with radi-
had a wall between the water closet and the shower. This was convenient
ant heat and provided for a curbless shower. The wall textures provide warmth and interest without taking away
enclosures. We were able to move the plumbing to the outside wall by fur-
from the view. All black fixtures stand out against the soft coloured back-
ring out the wall for proper insulation. We then had the challenge of finding
drop and tie in the windows.
LIVINGMAG.CA
for the plumbing but took away the “lightness” and simplicity of only glass
SPRING 2020
41
living | Home
A MARINER’S PARADISE
VANCOUVER
THIS PENTHOUSE IN THE SKY CAPTURES THE FEELING OF BEING ON AN OCEAN LINER
SLOPED GLASS CONNECTS THE TWO FLOORS OF THIS DAZZLING HOME IN THE SKY
living | home
STORY | BIANCA SOLTERBECK PHOTOGRAPHY | JESSE LAVER, LAVER CREATIVE
LEFT: A HELICAL ROSEWOOD FLOATING STAIRCASE WAS A CHALLENGE FROM THE START, BUT TURNED OUT TO BE A WORK OF ART
I
m a g i n e s t a n d i n g o n t h e b r i d g e o f a l u x u r y o c e a n l i n e r staring out at the vast expanse, to where the sea meets the sky. That feeling can be captured through the windows of this downtown Vancouver penthouse.
The secret is glass, and plenty of it. Virtually the only thing connecting two full floors of this dazzling home in the sky is sloped glass. The mezzanine inside has 20-foot ceilings, making it the perfect spot to enjoy 360 degree views of the North Shore mountains, Gulf Islands and Mount Baker. But while you feel like you’re on top of the world, you won’t feel the wind in your hair. For that, you’ll need to visit one of the homes’ eight spacious balconies.
Interior designer Sharon Halpin is behind the design concept for this Harwood Street stunner, and
did a complete overhaul of the 4,800-square-foot unit, taking it down to the studs. The owner of Fruition Design has been at the helm of every renovation for this penthouse since 2006. From the perennial bachelor to the young family to the venture capitalist, Halpin has helped make this space a home for every new owner. “The penthouse has been a labor of love for me and my firm. I know every square inch of it. I think I may have spent more time in this residence than in my own,” she laughs. The veteran designer got to flex her design muscles when she was given carte blanche by the owner to make her vision for the home come to life.
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SPRING 2020
LIVINGMAG.CA
ABOVE: THE KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS ARE DARK AND DRAMATIC, MADE FROM VOLCANIC BRECCIA, A NATURALLY OCCURRING STONE SOURCED FROM NORWAY
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living | home
“ I r e a l l y w a n t e d t o d e s i g n something that made your jaw drop when you walked in,” explains Halpin. She delivered with a helical rosewood floating staircase, a work of art. Halpin admits it was a challenge from the start, from anticipated build challenges to an unanticipated rosewood dust allergy. The interior steel structure of the staircase was constructed in sections offsite, and then welded together in the unit. “From the structural engineers, to the highly skilled millworkers who book-matched the rosewood and painstakingly glued it by hand to the substrate, we all created this sculpture,” says Halpin. The home’s owner commissioned an art installation by graffiti artist Jonathan Wakuda Fischer for the living room. The Seattle-based artist spray-painted his interpretation of the Japanese Ukiyo-e master Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa onto an 18-foot-long canvas. Fischer, who remembers the stunning sunsets from the week he spent in the penthouse, completed the entire installation onsite. “I used spray paint and stencils to build up a complex texture of color and form. I like how the art LIVINGMAG.CA
gives you a proper feeling of being right
46
on the ocean's shore,” says Fischer. Halpin adds, “it was designed that the wave would continue off the canvas and onto the walls directly, wrapping around the space.” To complement SPRING 2020
the high ceilings, the European-born designer sourced two Allegro Assai pendants by Foscarini; both are over six feet high and almost five feet wide. The geometric silhouettes of the rods make a splash in the space, without impeding the view. In contrast to the rosewood, the kitchen countertops are dark and dramatic, made from Volcanic Breccia, a naturally occurring stone that is quarried at Vaerlandet Island in Norway. “The stone was formed more than 425 million years ago and contains a mixture of chlorite, hematite, and carbonate along with rose quartz and volcanic deposits,” she says. Halpin infused elements of formality and sophistication throughout the space, but was intent on celebrating the relaxed West Coast lifestyle. The lighting in the dining room and powder room was locally sourced from Bocci, a Vancouver-based company specializing
FAR LEFT: THESE STUNNING LIGHT INSTALLATIONS ARE ALLEGRO ASSAI PENDANTS BY FOSCARINI; BOTH ARE OVER SIX FEET HIGH AND ALMOST FIVE FEET WIDE ABOVE RIGHT: THE DARK HARDWOOD IS A STRIKING JUXTAPOSITION TO THE CLEAN WHITE WALLS AND BEDDING BELOW RIGHT: THE LIGHTING IN THE POWDER ROOM WAS LOCALLY SOURCED FROM BOCCI
in sculptural lighting and large lighting installations. “The copper suspension lights are designed to be twisted and curved to the client’s taste, so each light looks unique,” says Halpin. As the sun sets on another renovation, she is unsure whether she’ll return to the penthouse for a quick update or to LIVINGMAG.CA
give it a completely new look. If history repeats itself, it will be their fifth meeting, ensuring the unlikely design story of Sharon Halpin and the Harwood penthouse has yet another chapter. This condo is currently on the market.
SPRING 2020
47
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living | Home
GET THE LOOK FOR SPRING!
A
CCORDING TO PANTONE COLOR INSTITUTE
color experts, colors for Spring/Summer 2020 express our desire for a sense of the familiar. Friendly and relatable, a palette of colors that convey a sense of ease. Because it is in your home you should feel the most comfortable.
BLUE BLOSSOMS This vintage textile wall art is sure to brighten up any space – we see it adorning hallways, bedrooms, even bathrooms. Available at Ethan Allen
MACROTROPIC WALLPAPER Let the bold colours of this feature wallpaper design brighten up your space. Available at Wallpepper
SMEG MIXER BY DOLCE AND GABANNA Add some designer colour and flair to your next batch style and pizzazz. Available at Euroline
LIVINGMAG.CA
of baked goods! We’ve never seen a mixer with this much
>
SPRING 2020
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living | Home
SILVIA CHAIR Whether you chose to position this earthy beauty inside or outside, this chair invokes an inviting warmth that will likely see it the first seat chosen. Available at Muse & Merchant
HORIZON VASES From Le Grand Bleu collection, dominant deep blues and a touch of Asian poetry characterize these bold vases, designed by Jean Christope Clair. Available at Roche Bobois
DANIKA SOFA This sofa in rich royal blue has intricate stitching detail that will undoubtedly be admired across the room. But cosying up for an evening in, you’ll realize this is also one of the most comfortable models on the market.
LIVINGMAG.CA
Available at Muse & Merchant
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SPRING 2020
PORTER & CHARLES REFRIGERATOR Let the fridge be the focal point of your dining space and enjoy the fruits of your culinary labours in style. Available at Euroline
MENDOCINO FREESTANDING TUB BY NATIVE TRAILS The rich earthy tones and contours of this soaker tub call out for some aromatherapy candles, scented bubble bath, a good book, and a glass of wine. Schedule at least an hour. Available at Cantu
For Project conversation. 101-2168 marine Drive, West Vancouver t: 604.281.2232 www.paramaxhomes.com
SPRING 2020
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Design/BuilD Custom Homes
51
living | Epicure
BEACH HOUSE WEST VANCOUVER TRACING THE BUILDING’S STORIED PAST BACK TO 1913
STORY | MICHELLE HOPKINS
T
h e N o r t h S h o r e w a s o n c e h o m e t o g r a n d o l d a r c h i t e c t u r a l dames, but many of those stately homes were torn down to make room for more contemporary mansions. One building that avoided demolition is the former Clachan, built in 1912 for Scottish
immigrants Jessie and Helen Stevenson. Until their deaths in the 1940s, the sisters ran the Edwardianera style residence as a tea room, which soon became the epicentre for social gatherings and soirees one-storey residence. Nestled in Dundarave Park, the iconic landmark was reinvented as The Breakers, and the St. Mawes hotel, before becoming Peppi’s By-The-Sea in 1964. In 2010, Earls Restaurants assumed the lease of the storied building and last year, the company set out to restore it to its former glory. Embarking upon a total renovation took longer and cost more than anticipated. However, the finale is classically timeless, paying homage to its location and significant heritage. Today, the Beach House is at once elegant yet unpretentious, a neighbourhood destination that celebrates good food and offers cozy atmosphere and great conversation. Earl’s Elly Chronakis, creative director of design, along with senior interior designer Kimberley Hume, were tasked with honouring the integrity of the building while giving it a more open, airy West Coast feel.
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SPRING 2020
LIVINGMAG.CA
RIGHT: TODAY’S BEACH HOUSE SERVED AS A TEA ROOM IN THE 1920s.
PROVIDED BY BEACH HOUSE, WEST VANCOUVER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
for West Vancouver’s elite. Then, in 1944, the District of West Vancouver purchased the wood-framed,
53
living | Epicure
TOP, LEFT AND RIGHT: TODAY, THE BEACH HOUSE IS ELEGANT AND UNPRETENTIOUS, A NEIGHBOURHOOD DESTINATION CELEBRATING GOOD FOOD AND SHOWCASING GREAT WORKS OF LOCAL ARTISTS
“ W e w a n t e d t o s t a y t r u e t o i t s E d w a r d i a n architecture, while taking inspiration from the colours and textures of the coastline, including the driftwood, rocks, shells and shades of the sand,” says Chronakis, adding they chose tiles for the floors, to give it a more durable yet warm beach look. “We design a lot of custom furniture pieces in-house, and used natural fabrics, such as leather for the seating and dark-stained white oak for the furniture and wood beams,” said Hume. The design features a mix of new and old accents, like locally sourced antiques and a contemporary collection by local BC artists. Some of the featured artists include West Vancouver's Gordon Smith, Musqueam Coast Salish artist Susan Point, who was commissioned to create Spindle World, the carved circular wood piece at the reception, as well as works in collaboration with the West Vancouver Art Museum, North Van Arts, and the Silk Purse Arts Centre. Throughout the main dining room, or almost any other part of the former tea house, charcoal-hued walls are adorned with vintage black and white photographs harkening to days gone by. The rooms have an inviting, understated atmosphere with an air
LIVINGMAG.CA
of comfortable elegance. Some restoration was required, like the back
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bar of the former restaurant, which was removed and replaced by an island bar with seating. The upper level was extended to offer an event space aptly dubbed The Landing, with French doors leading to a deck featuring sweeping mountain, ocean and cityscape views.
SPRING 2020
ITAL IAN C AMP O™ Authentically Crafted in Italy
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The nearly six-month hiatus gave executive chef David Wong and his culinary team ample time to brainstorm and create an entirely new seafood-centric menu with a strong focus on fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. “I saw the initial renderings of the sophisticated-yet-casual new look, and it opened up so many layers of inspiration to design the new menus,” notes the former executive chef of the Fairmont Hotel chain, where in 2010 he crafted the food program for the new Fairmont Pacific Rim. “At the Beach House, we are serious about our
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food, but casual in our approach. We want our guests to experience a variety of flavours and bold dishes, in an approachable way.” Wong’s philosophy is to “emphasize simplicity in the execution of the dishes – creating fare that is contemporary and well-executed.” The dishes showcase that bright creativity that is so appealing. Some standouts are its signature seafood tower, prawn and scallop spaghettini, or the grilled octopus with chorizo, basil, rustic croutons, and charred tomato fondue. Their carte du jour is complemented by a wine program designed martinis fronted by Earl’s beverage director, sommelier
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PROVIDED BY BEACH HOUSE
boasting new and old-world, along with a host of meticulously Cam Bogue. From the renewal of the exterior facade to the reimagined bright and airy interiors, the Beach House is an inspiring design and epicure update for our cosmopolitan city.
www.theensui tenorthvanc ou ver.com NO RTH VA NCO U V ER #122 - 930 W. 1 Street l 604-903-4056
SPRING 2020
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living | Travel
EPIC THRILLS IN EGYPT
THE LEGENDS, ARCHITECTURE AND SYMBOLISM OF AN ICONIC TRAVEL DESTINATION, UNPACKED
F
“
ROM THE HEIGHTS OF THESE PYRAMIDS, FORTY
centuries look down on us.” I’m not usually moved by the words of dead French autocrats, but as I look up awestruck at the Great Pyramid of Giza, Napoleon’s 1798 speech to his troops comes, irresistibly, to mind. Camel drivers, selfie-snapping tourists, and even the vast Sahara Desert outside Egypt’s capital, Cairo, all seem to fade away. What I’m experiencing hits me like the 5.75-million-ton bulk of Cheops’ tomb.
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STORY | LUCAS AYKROYD PHOTOGRAPHY | G ADVENTURES
THE GREAT SIMBEL RAMSES STATUE UP CLOSE
SPRING 2020
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living | Travel
THE TEMPLES WERE MIRACULOUSLY RELOCATED IN 1968 BY UNESCO TO ENSURE THEY WOULDN’T BE SUBMERGED AFTER THE ASWAN HIGH DAM OPENED.
I’ve waited my entire life to see the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (built in 2560 BC). Fantastic imagery ranging from Cigars of the Pharaoh, the 1934 Tintin comic album by Hergé, to Powerslave, Iron Maiden’s landmark 1984 heavy metal record, has fueled my obsession. The G Adventures “Egypt Upgraded” itinerary enables a view of ancient monuments in style, while engaging with locals in authentic settings. Egypt’s 100 million population is 85 percent Sunni Muslim and 15 percent Coptic Christian. In the city of Aswan, an hour and a half south of Cairo by plane, I find myself on the rooftop of a Nubian Muslim home for an evening feast. Our 14-person group has taken a ride on a traditional wooden felucca boat on the Nile, Africa’s longest river at 6,650 km, to Elephantine Island. On an early-morning drive to Abu Simbel, the ABOVE: PROFILE OF THE LEGENDARY SPHINX RIGHT: KARNAK HOPSTYLE HALL
colossal temples of Ramses II, sandstone carvings of the legendary New Kingdom pharaoh, who ruled for 67 years, tower next to man-made Lake Nasser. The temples were miraculously relocated in 1968 by UNESCO to ensure they wouldn’t be submerged after the Aswan High Dam opened. The main temple is beneath a facade of baboons praising Ra, the sun god. Inside, an aura of mystery pervades. Dramatic wall carvings depict everything from Ramses’ military victories to the afterlife reck-
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oning with ominous deities like the hawk-headed
58
Horus and Osiris, Lord of the Underworld. Reemerging into the 30°C weather, I exalt as if I’d just defeated the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh. This tour is already an enormous win. Yet there’s more to come as we cruise down the Nile. SPRING 2020
ABOVE: THE COLOURFUL CHARACTERS OF CAIRO’S MARKETS ABOVE LEFT: CAMEL RIDING IN THE NORTH AFRICAN DESERT LEFT: THE SPICE SOUK (MARKET) IN CAIRO
On a morning visit to the Philae island
songs. I check out the Great Hypostyle Hall,
WHERE TO STAY:
temple complex, the melding of Pharaonic,
built more than 3,000 years ago by Seti I.
Fairmont Nile City Cairo: Celebrating its 10th anni-
Ptolemaic, and Roman architecture brings
Near the shimmering Sacred Lake stands
versary in 2020, this 504-room hotel features 24-hour
a charming lightness, honouring Isis, the
a magnificent granite obelisk, dedicated to
concierge service, Arabian cuisine at Bab El Nil, and
goddess of love. At night, we delve into
Hatshepsut, the first female pharaoh.
the Willow Stream Spa.
The tour also includes a visit to
above hauntingly lit ruins, and stunningly
Hatshepsut’s
and
discovery of King Tut’s tomb was announced and
preserved crocodile mummies bear mute
King Tutankahmun’s tomb in the Valley
where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile. Stroll
tribute to Sobek, the crocodile god.
of the K ings. T he Me dit e r r a ne a n
through the former Egyptian royal gardens and sleep
metropolis
luxuriously in a Magnifique Suite.
In Luxor, we stroll along the river-
mortuary
of
temple
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor: It’s where the
Alexandria
offers
a
front marble sidewalk and shop at the
refreshing change of pace, from its glass-
Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh: This top-
1909-founded Aboudi Bookstore. Yet amid
paneled, $220-million library to fresh-
flight Red Sea property offers nearly 80 dive sites.
the crowds at Karnak, I’m right back to
caught shrimp and gray mullet at the Fish
From a Bedouin-style beach feast to sunset cocktails
humming grandiose 1980s heavy-metal
Market restaurant.
at the Citadel Lounge, relaxation options abound.
SPRING 2020
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the menace of Kom Ombo. Bats swoop
59
living | RIDE
BMW’S PREMIUM EVS AND HYBRIDS EXCITEMENT AT BOTH ENDS OF THE PRICE SPECTRUM
I
STORY | TONY WHITNEY
t i s a n e x c i t i n g t i m e i n t h e w o r l d o f e l e c t r i c v e h i c l e s ( EV s ) and hybrids, with automakers worldwide working to bring to the market new models at every possible price point. Activity has been especially frantic at the premium end of the industry, with
megalux nameplates like Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Ferrari and others all busy developing new models to meet expected demand.
We look at two new premium models at diverse price points, one of which is on the
market, and the other to be unveiled soon. The all-electric Mini Cooper SE combines compact size with an approachable price tag, while the BMW Vision M NEXT hybrid ticks all the boxes for sports supercar buyers, and will be priced accordingly. The Mini was a brilliant re-creation of a sixties icon and a huge success from the start. After many spin-offs, an EV variant was inevitable, and it is arriving this year with an under $40,000 price tag — quite accessible given its place at the premium end of the small car market. Like other EVs, it’s eligible for federal and provincial zero-emission vehicle grants.
THE BMW VISION M NEXT HYBRID MODEL WOULD SURELY GET A NOD FROM JAMES BOND HIMSELF
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“OPENING THE SCISSOR DOORS AND CLIMBING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A BMW VISION M NEXT IS GOING TO BE A VERY SPECIAL EXPERIENCE AND FEW SUPERCARS WILL BE MORE EAGERLY AWAITED.”
SPRING 2020
61
living | RIDE
MINI HAS NOT SKIMPED ON EQUIPMENT LEVELS FOR THIS MODEL AND THE LIST OF STANDARD GOODIES IS SO LONG IT EASILY PLACES THE CAR IN THE “COMPACT LUXURY” SEGMENT.
T h e M i n i SE i s p o w e r e d b y
who like the idea of an EV, but are daunted
an electric motor of 184-horsepower and
by range anxiety. The Vision M does have
given the impressive torque characteristics
an all-electric range of around 100 km – all
of EVs, it promises owners a satisfyingly
most people need for a day of local driving.
sporty experience.
When pure EV capability begins to fade, the
A
lithium-ion
high-voltage
battery
endows the car with an excellent range of
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THE ALL-ELECTRIC MINI COOPER SE SOOTHES RANGE ANXIETY: THE LITHIUM- ION HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY HAS A 230-270 KILOMETRE RANGE
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and charging.
between 234-km to 270-km. The Mini SE
This radical new BMW was shown at
can handle all four of the generally available
Monterey Car Week in 2019, and although
charging levels, including the 35-minute
BMW wasn’t saying much, most insiders
Level 3 fast charger.
note that 2023 would see the first cars
Mini has not skimped on equipment
roll off the production line. As might be
levels for this model and the list of stan-
expected, much of the Vision bodywork
dard goodies is so long it easily places the
is carbon fibre. Lightness is an important
car in the “compact luxury” segment.
factor in any hybrid or EV to optimize power.
The upcoming 2023 BMW Vision M
The opulent cockpit is packed with intrigu-
Next is, in contrast, a luxury hybrid super-
ing tech features, but you wouldn’t know it
car that might well signal the last of cars
because it’s a very clean design. The key dash
in this class with whopping 6-litre V-12s
feature is a screen that seems to wrap around
under their hoods. Now at the prototype
the area ahead of the steering wheel.
stage, the car boasts a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder
Opening the scissor doors and climbing
turbo for power, but aided by a couple
behind the wheel of a BMW Vision M NEXT
of electric motors, it delivers a stirring
is going to be a very special experience and
600-horsepower to two or four wheels.
few supercars will be more eagerly awaited.
This exciting new BMW is a plug-in
No pricing has yet been announced.
hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and it is
Judging by the interest already gener-
spearheading the direction in which BMW
ated by these new models, expect to see
plans to go over in the coming years.
increased competition from global compet-
PHEVs are a smart choice for buyers SPRING 2020
gas engine is there to take over for mobility
itors at both ends of the price spectrum.
better living | e d g e m o n t v i l l a g e
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SPRING 2020
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We thrive on neglect!
63
living | MY Favourite Room
WAY BEYOND BEIGE
EXPLORING THE THE MULTI-LAYERED HUES OF NKBA DESIGNER OF THE YEAR REISA POLLARD’S FAVOURITE SPACE
N
O M I N A T E D F O R 1 6 D E S I G N A WA R D S I N 2 0 1 9 , I T ’ S FA I R T O S A Y R E I S A P O L L A R D
made the right call when switching careers from economics to interior design. Her company, Beyond Beige, recently transformed an older West Vancouver house into
a modern, happily-ever-after home for newlyweds. “This project began as a renovation for a young family, and things got interesting fast when the couple needed the project completed by their wedding date. The pressure was on. We wanted the living room space to be used by everyone. It sounds ridiculous, but so many formal living rooms are just for viewing. You might as well hang a velvet rope across the entryway! I personally love the fireplace because it makes me feel like I’m in an old-world European Hotel, where the mantles are as tall as I am. We added a huge mirror above the fireplace to open up the space and reflect the lighting fixture. We didn’t want to cover
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make a room appear larger, but they need to be used correctly. Reflecting a wall doesn’t do much for the space. Another great option is using the largest furniture pieces possible. It does the reverse of what you might expect. My advice for switching careers? If the economics don’t add up, be persistent, keep going, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s too competitive.” — As told to Bianca Solterbeck. SPRING 2020
PROVOKE STUDIOS
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the windows so we opted to feature them using stationary drapery panels. Mirrors can be a great trick to
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