Polish and practicality in Southside
Resilience and durability in materials as important as furnishings and family-friendly layout Mary Frances Hill
While there’s much to be said about the attractive furnishings and family-friendly layout in the interiors of Southside, Miracon’s community of single-family homes in South Surrey, designer Jas Rai knows that beneath the beautiful surfaces, families need something to rely on: a resilience and durability in the materials and a design crafted for convenience and ease over many years.
It’s noteworthy that Rai’s favourite item in the display homes at Southside is an oval marble table, which has a feminine sophistication that underscores its durability.
“The subtle veining in the marble adds style. Because it’s durable, hot items can be placed directly on the top and scratches can be polished and buffed so it will showcase beautifully for years,” Rai says.
Although she designed the interiors in a contemporary vein, Rai added warmth with a few traditional touches. Acacia wood-frame and woven leather-stripped seats in the kitchen and a small cabinet painted in a folksy whitewash stand out among the more crisp, contemporary pieces but still perfectly suit Rai’s style.
“It’s important to add elements of character in a space so that it’s interesting. An all-white kitchen can appear cold if not contrasted with warm accents...I chose the whitewash finish because it adds softness and a touch of femininity. The piece creates flow in the room in an unassuming way.”
Southside joins Westside, Miracon Developments’ previous single-family home offering in the neighbourhood. The success of Westside among buyers influenced her approach to the newer collection of homes, particularly in the spaces designed for social gatherings, she says.
“Our buyers loved our all-white kitchens and lighter floors and the many other features. In Southside, I wanted to design the space so that it had that familiar Westside look, but yet still felt fresh and new.”
Miracon is seeing interest from small families and buyers moving up from less spacious homes. Once they make one of the biggest purchases of their lives, young families may not be too eager to splurge on new household items. At the same time, many know that it’s important to invest in one or two high-end furnishings or items — particularly if their investment is made of resilient materials or it’s an item that helps save time and stress, Rai notes.
“Splurge on the things that make your life easier or save you time. A hand-held shower head is not only convenient when showering, but also makes cleaning the shower simple; a kitchen faucet with a pull-down spray makes clean-up a breeze. Reducing stress in our busy lives is worth the investment.”
She advises homeowners to save on inexpensive tableware and bed linens, which are more expendable than bigger investments like a wellmade sofa in a neutral style that can anchor the living room. Look for impact in a kitchen backsplash as well, she adds. “Beautiful tile can not only be functional but also serve as artwork.”