THE NEW MODERN
An East Vancouver home is bright and warm thanks to classic materials, splashes of colour and a fuss- free aesthetic
A STROLL THROUGH Vancouver’s newly revitalized Kensington- Cedar Cottage neighbourhood is an apt prelude to visiting one of its coolest houses.
Like its vibrant buzzy surroundings, this newbuild home is contemporary, inviting and familyfriendly – adjectives that please designer Joanna Vagelatos. “When I first saw the plans for this 2,700-square-foot house, I imagined a space that was welcoming yet streamlined,” she says. “Sort of modern and warm at the same time.”
The designer worked closely with the homeowners, a couple with two small children, to get the balance right. “One of the owners loves design and was fully involved in every aspect of the build,” says Joanna. “Her vision to keep the space bright and white became mine.”
The pair began by making minor tweaks to the first floor’s open plan. “In the living room, there were small upper windows on either side of the fireplace,” says the designer. “It may seem counterintuitive to remove windows, but doing so achieved
a cleaner look and allowed us to maximize storage by building a floor-to-ceiling cabinet on one side that now hides the TV and its components.” The other side was fitted with a floating shelf and a built-in storage bench that keeps the kids’ toys and games out of sight.
In the kitchen, they added an island, which was built to both satisfy aesthetic desires and accommodate the wear and tear of little ones. “With kids in the house, an all-white island was a recipe for disaster – it would show every little kick and scuff mark,” says Joanna. Not wanting to sacrifice white, she came up with a savvy solution. “I created a recessed panel on the front of the island, where the children sit, and covered it with the white oak used for the floorboards but applied in a herringbone pattern. It worked out perfectly.”
WE PLANNED ON USING REAL STONE ON THE FIREPLACE, BUT WHEN WE SAW THIS LOOKALIKE, WE FELL IN LOVE!”
Mindful of maintaining the sleekmeets-laid-back dynamic, Joanna chose Benjamin Moore’s Simply White for the walls, saying, “It’s super clean yet has a slightly warm undertone.” For contrast, the owners’ inherited art collection suggested the introduction of a cool colour. All of the works have blue tones, which subtly wound their way into every room. In the living area, it’s cornflower-hued toss cushions; in the master suite, it’s a dreamy azure wallcovering.
Blue is even an undertone in the show-stopping marble-esque porcelain slab used in the kitchen backsplash and on the fireplace’s dramatic facade. “We planned on using real stone on the fireplace, but when we saw this look-alike, we fell in love,” says Joanna. Its veining and generous proportions create a spectacular effect that’s luxurious and livable, an equation the designer nails. “I’d describe this house as transitional modern. It’s got classic and contemporary features, but it’s still casual enough for a young family. Oh, and it’s pretty cool, too.”
THE OWNERS LOVE SKIING, SO THIS MURAL WAS PERFECT.”