COASTAL ZONES

A designer gives a Hamptons inspired beach house feel to her home on Canada’s relaxed West Coast.

A designer gives a Hamptonsinspired beach house feel to her home on Canada’s relaxed West Coast.

Jen O’Donnell is as relaxed as her family home. “When I’m asked about my design process, I really don’t know how to put it in words,” says the designer. “I just…do it.” Even so, one look at her family’s Ocean Park abode in South Surrey, B.C., (which she shares with her husband, two daughters and labradoodle Duke) and many words spring to mind: light, airy and casual among them. “I was inspired by modern beach houses in the Hamptons and wanted open, well-planned spaces.”

The family had been living in their 2,000-square-foot home for just over two years when Jen’s inspiration took hold. But turning the 1970-built home into a Hamptons hideaway wouldn’t be easy, so a new-build was deemed the way to go. Jen says, “Tearing down the old place and starting fresh allowed us to stay in our quiet neighbourhood steps from the beach.” As well as double the square-footage, the new house netted perks like an additional bedroom, powder room and home gym. Jen did, however, opt to keep one element of the original structure: the ingenious layout of setting the main living area and kitchen on the second floor. “Reversing the traditional floor plan and putting principal rooms on the upper level lets us take advantage of the ocean views,” she says. With the dazzling vista of the Pacific in view, and her modern Hamptons beach house vibe in place, it’s clear that Jen’s combined the best of both coasts.

“I GRAVITATE TO A MIX OF COLLECTED ITEMS AND ORGANIC ELEMENTS, OFTEN CLIPPING OVERSIZED BRANCHES AND USING THEM AS BUDGET-FRIENDLY DISPLAYS.”

“ADDING SCONCES GIVES THE SINK AND WINDOWS EVEN MORE VISUAL APPEAL. THEY’RE ALSO GREAT FOR TASK AND MOOD LIGHTING.”

DESIGN, Jen O’Donnell, The Designory House. WALL PAINT, Chantilly White OC-65; ACCENT PAINT, Black Jack 2133-20; Benjamin Moore. Tassel CUSHION, Indigo. Woven plant BASKETS, West Coast Nurseries. Welcome RUG, MIRROR, IKEA. BENCH, Mercana. BASKET, Style in LEFT & ABOVE The entry hall’s light French oak flooring sets the tone for the home’s neutral yet bright palette. Jen finished the walls with shiplap to factor in visual interest, ensuring that the panelling on the barn-style door, which leads to the gym, was perfectly in line with that of the walls so it feels more integrated. Painting the end wall black furthers the visual dynamic and is an intimation of the black accents to be found throughout the home. The dresser is an antique buffet and prized family heirloom. The rustic bench layers in a casual element and offers a practical spot for putting on shoes.

Bob Dylan POSTER, Etsy. Antique DRESSER PAINT, Linen, Fat Paint. Antique dresser HARDWARE, Emtek. Wooden CANDLESTICKS, Farmhouse Pottery. CHANDELIER, Kichler Lighting. DINING TABLE, RH. CHAIRS, CB2. OPPOSITE & THIS PAGE Black metal chairs lend edge to the rusticity of the large wooden dining table. A brass chandelier has a warm presence that’s played up in the lively tablescape. “I gravitate to a mix of collected items and organic elements, often clipping oversized branches and using them as budgetfriendly displays.”

Black-framed windows and accents feel energetic in the white kitchen. The soft metal tones of the stools tie in nicely with the dining chairs in the open-plan space and Jen likes how they tuck in perfectly beneath the island. Cupboards here hold extra dishes and vases for maximum storage.

BELOW The adorable butler’s pantry is another new-build perk. “It’s my favourite spot in the kitchen,” says Jen. “There’s a coffee maker and lots of storage room.” The custom floating shelves were made from the same oak as the flooring. “I like having areas to style and display decorative items in a kitchen.” PENDANT LIGHTS, Feiss Lighting. Aspen COUNTERTOPS, Lido Quartz. SINK, Franke. FRIDGE, Sub-Zero. STOOLS, Structube. FAUCETS, POT FILLER, Delta. Cabinet HARDWARE, Marathon Hardware. SCONCES, Rejuvenation Lighting. BASKET, Indaba. EGG TRAY, two-tone POTTERY (holding utensils), Farmhouse Pottery. Pantry PENDANT LIGHT, Savoy House.