|
The wall that sections off the living area continues outside to the front and rear of the
home, connecting indoors and out.
THEY HAD TRIED TO MOVE ON. The homeowners had been in their 2,700-square-foot bungalow in Vancouver’s Dunbar neighbourhood for six years, but it wasn’t meeting their needs. The dark and boxy rooms that carved up the space made it nearly impossible to entertain, and their growing art collection-including originals from Gordon Smith and Bratsa Bonifacho-wasn’t given the presentation space it deserved.
But nothing else they found on the market was quite right either: the master bedroom was too large, or the entertaining area too small. So, after a year of dragging friend and designer Céline Pitre to homes all over the city, Pitre took matters into her own hands: over Christmas, she and her husband, design architect Alan Endall, sketched out a plan for a renovation. The homeowners loved it-and the timing was perfect. The two were off for a sabbatical to Australia. Pitre and Endall could tackle the overhaul while they were away.
Two years later, the gallery-like space is now made for entertaining. Light floods the main floor thanks to clerestory windows just under the roofline-achieved by lifting the roof off and adding a couple of feet in height. The now-grand entrance is tiled in basalt and wood-impressioned ceramic, leading the eye through to glass bifold doors at the back of the house. In the summer months the doors slide out of sight, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection between the kitchen and al fresco dining on the deck.
The kitchen itself needed more elbow room, which Pitre created by nixing the bathtub in the neighbouring bathroom. (It’s now a powder room with a custom wallcovering of a bold poppy, crafted by Toronto artist Miriam Grenville.) Floor-to-ceiling wenge cabinetry includes a shallow space dedicated to the couple’s extensive wine glass collection. "We wanted the kitchen to be open plan, but we didn’t want guests to be looking directly into any mess or food prep," says the homeowner. Pitre’s solution: a Martha Sturdy vase embedded at the end of the island, lit from beneath. "It just glows," says Pitre, "and it effectively stops the eye from travelling beyond and into the kitchen."
In an open-concept space such as this one, the television can be a distraction at best, and an eyesore at worst.
Here’s a clever cover-up in the form of a painting by Bratsa Bonifacho, hung on wires to slide to the side
when the TV is in use.
The neighbouring living room is now dramatically flanked in travertine on one wall and wenge built-ins on the opposite. Here a painting by Bonifacho is given both a place of honour and thoughtful functionality, too: by means of a sliding system, it conceals the television hidden behind it. Though the space is large, Pitre keeps it warm and cozy by creating two conversation zones-flexible furniture arrangement and area rugs accommodate parties of any size.
The master bedroom is now below ground, but dugout terraces on both ends of the room allow for floor-to-ceiling windows. A reflecting pool on one side brings morning light deep into the room, while the other is lushly planted with evergreens and native plants. In the master bathroom, the homeowner didn’t want to choose between a roomy shower or a bathtub, so Pitre installed both. A Japanese soaker takes up less room but still offers a post-workout, head-to-toe soak for the athletic couple. Sparkling one-inch bronze glass wall tiles add a touch of glamour to the space.
Pitre has achieved a fine balance between public and private spaces. And that original sketch, shared over Christmas a few years ago, now holds a place of honour in the reimagined home: it hangs in the living area, which now perfectly suits the homeowners.
SOURCES
ROOM TO MOVE
PAGES 34-38
Architect, Endall Elliott Associates, Vancouver, 604-687-3008
Designers, Céline Interiors, Vancouver, 604-687-7883, celineinteriors.com
General Contractor, Davidson Walker Construction, Vancouver, 604-877-1284
PAGE 34 EXTERIOR:
Coro Shot square dinner table with odum wood slats, SB chairs and S stacking chairs, Livingspace, Vancouver, 604-683-1116, livingspace.com
PAGE 35 DINING AREA:
Bensen Slider table, Inform Interiors, Vancouver, 604-682-3868, informinteriors.com; House Brand, Calgary, 403-229-4330, housebrand.ca; Kesay Furniture Studios, Winnipeg, 204-925-2226, kesay.com
Poltrona Frau dining chairs, poltronafrau.it, Inform Interiors, Vancouver, 604-682-3868, informinteriors.com
Bensen Index bookcase, Inform Interiors, Vancouver, 604-682-3868, informinteriors.com; House Brand, Calgary, 403-229-4330, housebrand.ca; Kesay Furniture Studios, Winnipeg, 204-925-2226, kesay.com
Roost bowls (on bookcase), Bernstein & Gold, Victoria, 250-384-7899, bernsteinandgold.com; Heather Ross [in house], Vancouver, 604-738-4284, heatherrossinhouse.com; Steeling Home, Calgary, 403-245-0777, steelinghomestore.com; Eden Lilly, Edmonton, 780-758-6991, edenlilly.com; Willow Studio, Regina, 306-522-9226, willowstudio.ca; Blossoms Florist, Saskatoon, 306-955-3355, blossomsflorists.com; Kesay Furniture Studios, Winnipeg, 204-925-2226, kesay.com
Rectangular ceramic vase (on bookcase), Heather Ross, Vancouver, 604-738-4284, heatherrossinhouse.com
Rex Abisko wood look porcelain floor tiles, Pacific Stone Tile, Vancouver, 604-731-9948, stone-tile.com; Stone Tile West, Calgary, 403-234-7274, stone-tile.com; Centura, Edmonton, 780-454-8591, centura.ca
Basalt floor tiles in Verona, Pacific Stone Tile, Vancouver, 604-731-9948, stone-tile.com; Stone Tile West, Calgary, 403-234-7274, stone-tile.com
PAGE 36 LIVING ROOM:
Tibet Rug Company Papavero Nepalese wool rug, East India Carpets, 604-736-5681, eastindiacarpets.com
Rex Abisko wood look porcelain floor tiles, Pacific Stone Tile, Vancouver, 604-731-9948, stone-tile.com; Stone Tile West, Calgary, 403-234-7274, stone-tile.com; Centura, Edmonton, 780-454-8591, centura.ca
Basalt floor tiles in Verona, Pacific Stone Tile, Vancouver, 604-731-9948, stone-tile.com; Stone Tile West, Calgary, 403-234-7274, stone-tile.com
Kristalia Rotor occasional table, Inform Interiors, Vancouver, 604-682-3868, informinteriors.com
Roost white ceramic platter,, Bernstein & Gold, Victoria, 250-384-7899, bernsteinandgold.com; Heather Ross [in house], Vancouver, 604-738-4284, heatherrossinhouse.com; Steeling Home, Calgary, 403-245-0777, steelinghomestore.com; Eden Lilly, Edmonton, 780-758-6991, edenlilly.com; Willow Studio, Regina, 306-522-9226, willowstudio.ca; Blossoms Florist, Saskatoon, 306-955-3355, blossomsflorists.com; Kesay Furniture Studios, Winnipeg, 204-925-2226, kesay.com
Honed and filled 30x90 cm travertine wall paneling in Mare Blu, Pacific Stone Tile, Vancouver, 604-731-9948, stone-tile.com; Stone Tile West, Calgary, 403-234-7274, stone-tile.com
Concrete fireplace, custom designed by Céline Interiors, custom built by Solus Décor, Vancouver, 604-255-2472, solusdecor.com
Concrete hearth, custom designed by Céline Interiors, custom built by Solus Décor, Vancouver, 604-255-2472, solusdecor.com
Lightolier Lytecaster pot lights, lightolier.com, CD/M2 Lightworks, Victoria, 250-893-7721; Vancouver, 604-215-7721, cdm2lightworks.com; Christie Lites, Calgary, 403-243-2688; Edmonton, 780-488-4825, christielites.com; Eecol Electric, Regina, 306-525-2317; Saskatoon, 306-933-3030; Winnipeg, 204-774-2800, eecol.com
PAGE 37 LIVING ROOM:
Roost crushed stone bowl, Bernstein & Gold, Victoria, 250-384-7899, bernsteinandgold.com; Heather Ross, Vancouver, 604-738-4284, heatherrossinhouse.com; Steeling Home, Calgary, 403-245-0777, steelinghomestore.com; Eden Lilly, Edmonton, 780-758-6991, edenlilly.com; Willow Studio, Regina, 306-522-9226, willowstudio.ca; Blossoms Florist, Saskatoon, 306-955-3355, blossomsflorists.com; Kesay Furniture Studios, Winnipeg, 204-925-2226, kesay.com
AXO Light Clavius 60 Suspension pendant light in tobacco, LightForm, Vancouver, 604-688-7022; Calgary, 403-508-9980; Edmonton, 780-413-9898, lightform.ca
Bratsa Bonifacho "Symphonica Domestica" painting, Bau-Xi Gallery, Vancouver, 604-733-7011, www.bau-xi.com; Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, 403-228-4889, herringerkissgallery.com
Sofa, custom designed by Céline Interiors, custom built by Carmel Furniture Designs, Vancouver, 604-215-0051, carmeldesigns.net
Sofa Cushions, custom designed by Céline Interiors, custom built by Carmel Furniture Designs, Vancouver, 604-215-0051, carmeldesigns.net
Sony Bravia television, Future Shop locations across Western Canada, 1-800-663-2275, futureshop.ca
PAGE 37 BEDROOM:
Colin Campbell Doral II wool carpeting, Colin Campbell, Vancouver, 604-734-1512, colincampbell.ca
Travertine wall panels in Portbou, Pacific Stone Tile, Vancouver, 604-731-9948, stone-tile.com; Stone Tile West, Calgary, 403-234-7274, stone-tile.com
Concrete fireplace, custom designed by Céline Interiors, custom built by Solus Décor, Vancouver, 604-255-2472, solusdecor.com
White lamb pillow, Heather Ross [in house], Vancouver, 604-738-4284, heatherrossinhouse.com
Mohair throw, Heather Ross [in house], Vancouver, 604-738-4284, heatherrossinhouse.com
PAGE 38 BATH:
Americh oval bathtub, Cantu Bathrooms & Hardware, Victoria, 250-382-1252; Vancouver, 604-688-1252, cantubathrooms.com
Hansgrohe Axor Starck chrome tub spout, Cantu Bathrooms & Hardware Ltd., Vancouver, 604-688-1252; Victoria, 250-382-1252, cantubathrooms.com; Bartle & Gibson, Calgary, 403-291-1099; Edmonton, 780-483-1411, bartlegibson.com; Jones Goodridge, Regina, 306-585-2854; B.A. Express, Saskatoon, 306-664-2389, barobinson.com; Dynasty Bathrooms, Winnipeg, 204-947-0986, dynastybath.com
18Karat oak table with light soap wash finish, 18Karat, Vancouver, 604-742-1880, eighteenkarat.com
Oceanside Glasstile mosaic field Muse collection in Iridescent Bronze, World Mosaic, Vancouver, 604-736-8158; worldmosaictile.com; Empire Kitchen & Bath Ltd., Calgary, 403-252-2458, empirekitchenandbath.com; Atmosphere Interior Design, Saskatoon, 306-373-3004, atmosphereinteriordesign.net
Grenville Design Dots&Poppies wall covering (not pictured), grenvilledesign.com
Lightolier Lytecaster pot lights, CD/M2 Lightworks, Victoria, 250-893-7721; Vancouver, 604-215-7721, cdm2lightworks.com; Christie Lites, Calgary, 403-243-2688; Edmonton, 780-488-4825, christielites.com; Eecol Electric, Regina, 306-525-2317; Saskatoon, 306-933-3030; Winnipeg, 204-774-2800, eecol.com
Limestone flooring in Seine, Pacific Stone Tile, Vancouver, 604-731-9948, stone-tile.com; Stone Tile West, Calgary, 403-234-7274, stone-tile.com
PAGE 38 KITCHEN:
CaesarStone Shaded White countertops, Colonial Countertops, Victoria, 250-383-1926, colonialcountertops.com; Eurocan Marble & Granite, Vancouver, 604-540-7670; Alberta Marble & Tile, Calgary, 403-287-0944; Kitchen Craft, Edmonton, 780-465-6531; Cabtec Manufacturing, Regina, 306-721-554, cabtecmfg.com; Tait Kitchen Centre, Saskatoon, 306-668-6177, taitkitchens.com; Flo-Form Industries, Winnipeg, 204-474-2334, floform.com
Cabinetry, custom designed by Céline Interiors, custom millwork by Excel Woodworking, Vancouver, 604-207-2499
Duhber Stretch handles and draw pulls, Cantu Bathrooms & Hardware, Victoria, 250-382-1252; Vancouver, 604-688-1252, cantubathrooms.com; The Art of Hardware, Calgary, 403-244-4960, artofhardware.com; Expressions Home Interiors, Edmonton, 780-441-9944, expressionshomeinteriors.com
Viking 6-burner gas rangetop, Lalani’s Appliance Centre, Victoria, 250-475-1511; Midland Appliance, Vancouver, 604-608-0600, midlandappliance.com; Calgary Home Appliance, Calgary, 403-269-3600, calgaryhomeappliance.com; Trail Appliances, Edmonton, 780-434-9414, trailappliances.com; Saskatoon Appliance, Saskatoon, 306-955-1444, saskatoonappliance.com; Midland Appliance World, Winnipeg, 204-989-2701, midlandappliance.ca
Dacor Preference microwave in stainless steel, Coast Wholesale Appliances, Victoria, 250-475-0277, coastappliances.com; Colony Warehouse, Vancouver, 604-985-8738, colonywarehouse.com; Empire Kitchens, Calgary, 403-252-2458, empirekitchenandbath.com; Coast Wholesale Appliances, Edmonton, 780-451-6095, coastappliances.com; Rick’s Carpentry, Regina, 306-352-6044; Coast Wholesale Appliances, Saskatoon, 306-933-4993, coastappliances.com
Dacor Epicure wall oven, Coast Wholesale Appliances, Victoria, 250-475-0277, coastappliances.com; Colony Warehouse, Vancouver, 604-985-8738, colonywarehouse.com; Empire Kitchens, Calgary, 403-252-2458, empirekitchenandbath.com; Coast Wholesale Appliances, Edmonton, 780-451-6095, coastappliances.com; Rick’s Carpentry, Regina, 306-352-6044; Coast Wholesale Appliances, Saskatoon, 306-933-4993, coastappliances.com
Benjamin Moore Off-White Color collection wall paint in Baby Fawn, Pacific Paint & Wallpaper, Victoria, 250-381-5254, pacificpaint.benmoorepaints.com; Kerrisdale Decorating Centre, Vancouver, 604-264-1074; West Hillhurst Paint & Design, Calgary, 403-270-9696; ColourSpec Paint & Decorating Centre, Edmonton, 780-454-5830, paintededmonton.com/colourspec; Regina’s House of Colour, Regina, 306-757-5055; Eastside Paint & Wallpaper, Saskatoon, 306-477-5555; Windsor Plywood, Winnipeg, 204-786-5555
Roost glass water bottle and tumbler, Bernstein & Gold, Victoria, 250-384-7899, bernsteinandgold.com; Heather Ross [in house], Vancouver, 604-738-4284, heatherrossinhouse.com; Steeling Home, Calgary, 403-245-0777, steelinghomestore.com; Eden Lilly, Edmonton, 780-758-6991, edenlilly.com; Willow Studio, Regina, 306-522-9226, willowstudio.ca; Blossoms Florist, Saskatoon, 306-955-3355, blossomsflorists.com; Kesay Furniture Studios, Winnipeg, 204-925-2226, kesay.com
Roost ceramic platter, Bernstein & Gold, Victoria, 250-384-7899, bernsteinandgold.com; Heather Ross [in house], Vancouver, 604-738-4284, heatherrossinhouse.com; Steeling Home, Calgary, 403-245-0777, steelinghomestore.com; Eden Lilly, Edmonton, 780-758-6991, edenlilly.com; Willow Studio, Regina, 306-522-9226, willowstudio.ca; Blossoms Florist, Saskatoon, 306-955-3355, blossomsflorists.com; Kesay Furniture Studios, Winnipeg, 204-925-2226, kesay.com
Rex Abisko wood look porcelain floor tiles, Pacific Stone Tile, Vancouver, 604-731-9948, stone-tile.com; Stone Tile West, Calgary, 403-234-7274, stone-tile.com; Centura, Edmonton, 780-454-8591, centura.ca
Martha Sturdy rectangular resin vase in Moss, The Gallery at Mattick’s Farm, Victoria, 250-658-8333, matticksfarm.com; Chachkas, Vancouver, 604-688-6417, chachkas.ca; Artful Living, Calgary, 403-265-8338; Blossoms Florist, Saskatoon, 306-955-3355, blossomsflorists.com
Lapalma Thin barstools, Inform Interiors, Vancouver, 604-682-3868, informinteriors.com; Domicile Interiors, Calgary, 403-262-9780, domicileinteriors.com; Dwell Modern, Edmonton, 780-488-6464, dwellmodern.ca
PAGE 38 STAIRWELL:
Gordon Smith "T1" painting, Equinox Gallery, Vancouver, 604-736-2405, equinoxgallery.com;
|
|
