The original features of this heritage home shine like stars when paired with savvy storage and thoughtful furnishings.
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TEXT BETHANY LYTTLE PHOTOGRAPHY TRACEY AYTON
The original features of this heritage home shine like stars when paired with savvy storage and thoughtful furnishings.
Built in the early 1900s, this West Vancouver gem is a characterhome lover’s dream. It’s one of those rare dwellings that still has its original exposed brick walls, wood floors and leaded windows, some with stained glass. “Obviously, we wanted to emphasize these heritage elements, not relegate them to the background,” says designer Sarah Marie Lackey. “But we wanted the house in which these homeowners had raised their now-grown family to assume a fresher, more contemporary, uncluttered look.” She also wanted to base any changes on how the homeowners live.
“I wanted the cabinets to have a sense of history and the feeling of furniture. By lighting them from the outside with library sconces rather than from the inside with millwork lighting, I was able to achieve this.”
“The wife is one of those amazing people who is a master at doing a thousand things at once, and she is an incredible host. So, I wanted the home to mirror these strengths,” says Sarah. That’s why she and the design team decided to remove portions of the kitchen wall, opening the space up to the family room. As well, they altered the home’s footprint to add a sparkling new laundry room where the garage had formerly been. “We also reconfigured the home office, which turned out to be extremely timely given the onset of the pandemic,” says Sarah. To honour the home’s age, she stayed true to traditional shapes for the mirrors and lighting. As well, she brightened every room with a continuous palette of willowy neutral tones, such as soft billowing greys and sandy naturals. “Honestly, what I love most about this house is how the brick and stained glass bring so much grace to spaces that, ultimately, were designed for everyday efficiency,” Sarah says. “In my view, what’s old in the house makes what’s new look even better. And vice versa.”
“To make antiques really shine, place them on modern shelves or on a contemporary cocktail table.”
“Windows don’t have to face the outdoors. Transom windows in interior walls usher light from one room to the next.”