Home Tours Archives - Poppytalk

A Stunning Modern Home Tour in East Van

Jan Halvarson — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 01:17:07 +0000

A custom-designed home with an open concept hits the Vancouver market.

Scrolling through the local real estate listings recently I stumbled across a gem of a home located on a quiet corner lot in my old East Van neighbourhood. It’s one of those homes where you know your lifestyle would totally click with. Room to entertain, work, find quiet private indoor/outdoor spaces or simply to seek sanctuary. A place one dreams of when buying or building a home. Not in a position to buy a home like this in our current real estate market here, I did the next best thing and immediately contacted the realtor asking if the owners would be interested in letting me feature it here on the blog as inspiration (and luckily they agreed)! Thank you owners! So I’m excited to share with you today, a stunning modern home tour in East Van.

It’s rare to find a home like this, architecturally significant offering not only panoramic views of the North Shore mountains along with five private outdoor spaces, but also built to include a backyard studio suite that could optionally be rented out that is attached to the garage. The lower level is also flexible as a rec/work space or rental suite.

Designed by award winning James Burton of Birmingham and Wood, the home features an open living/dining room concept with an oversized island & giant windows. There are lots of built in shelving throughout plus the kitchen double doors take you out to a beautifully landscaped backyard. Such a well thought-out space that would be perfect for a work/living lifestyle that also likes to entertain.

West Coast Japandi-Style

The interior touches compliment the design of the home perfectly. A modern West Coast casual vibe mixed with a bit of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism throughout.

Contact info and a link to the listing is at the end of this post. In the meantime, let’s take a home tour!

The kitchen double doors meets out to the beautifully landscaped outdoor patio and backyard studio/garage.

The upstairs bedrooms share an outdoor space that leads out to a panoramic view of the North Shore mountains.

The lower level offers a generous rec room space with kitchen (rough in) plus a bedroom with it’s own laundry and bath that could easily be set up as another rental or home office space.

Behind the backyard patio is a separate studio and garage built by laneway builder, Smallworks. The studio comes complete with a kitchenette, murphy-style bed and bath.

Every level of this property offers lovely site lines and private outdoor spaces. A perfect little private oasis in the heart of East Vancouver.

For more information on this listing, visit the realtor’s website below:

The Rockel Group

MACDONALD REALTY LTD. 2105 West 38th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

therockelgroup.com

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Michelet | A 550 Sq. Ft. Family Home in Paris

Jan Halvarson — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 05:09:00 +0000

An architect’s mission is to take an active part in solving current issues within their projects, and Paris-based firm, l’atelier, Nomadic Architecture Studio was up for the challenge with converting this 50 sqm (just under 550 sq. ft.), 1-bedroom apartment into a home for a family of five (a couple and three children aged 18, 15 and 7). Known for their expertise in small housing and space optimization, l’atelier set out their design process with the diagnostic stage, highlighting several elements from floor plan (which is almost square), running from the front to the back of the building (benefitting from maximum natural light) and finally, the three-meter high ceilings (almost 10 feet) which offered lots of opportunity for verticalization.

The architect decided to create a living area running from front to back of the building, taking advantage of the morning and evening light based on those elements. The space is staggered to create open subspaces, a kitchen and dining room on one side, and a living room on the other. The entrance is integrated as part of the living area, at a junction of the two subspaces. Taking into consideration that the owners wanted a design that could adapt and evolve as the older children were soon to be independent, a request was made so that eventually there would be only one bedroom left after the children had all left home. l’atelier subsequently staged the project into three different phases, including a few easily movable partitions in the floor plan. Currently the apartment can accommodate five people, and the layout will remain as is for the next three years. When the two older children leave, the parent’s bedroom wall will be removed to create a bigger living room. And in about ten years, when the youngest child leaves, the two remaining bedrooms will connect to make a larger bedroom for the parents.

The choice of materials also played an important role in the project. To make it feel more spacious, l’atelier used the same materials for all the doors and windows (a light-coloured pine wood from Poland with a generous uniform pattern), and a very light pine wood was also used for the flooring to optimize natural light. The result is an airy, spacious feel, ready to take on the challenges that come with a family of five working/living from home during a pandemic.

More info at the end of the post, but first, let’s take a closer look!

Technical sheet

Location: Vanves, Paris, France

Area: 50 sqm

Project manager: Yvanna Herbé

Team: Lucas Jalife

Contractor: Renov-sky

Photo credits: Tim Van de Velde

About l’atelier, Nomadic Architecture Studio

l’atelier is nomadic‭. ‬The studio is based on the European continent and is active in every scale and program of space production‭, ‬from a stool to a city‭. ‬l’atelier does not believe in style or form‭. ‬Instead‭, ‬the studio’s approach is to understand and master context as a foundation for content‭.

For more information

latelier.work/michelet/

Pierre Escobar, Owner

Photo credit: Tim Van de Velde

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An Inspiring Modern Tiny House in Queensland

Jan Halvarson — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 04:38:00 +0000

The home was designed by Aussie Tiny Houses based in Coolum Beach, Queensland, Australia, who offer a turn key solution for those looking to jump on the tiny home bandwagon. They offer a a few versions of homes, and this one named the Teewah 7.2 is their most popular family design Tiny House. The kitchen has a 2.7m long benchtop, with plenty of room for prepping meals, and also includes a pull-out pantry and a large bi-fold window that opens up onto the deck outside. The lounge is set up to hold space for a couch or sofa bed, and there are two queen size lofts (on opposite sides) which can be accessed via storage stairs on one side and a ladder on the other. Let’s check out the pics. Thank you Greg and Amy for letting us share and be sure to check out their sites for more inspiration and info.

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Home Tour with Artist Sarah Delaney + A Story of a Girl

Jan Halvarson — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 17:40:00 +0000

Today I’m excited to share a home tour (and studio) with Vancouver-based artist Sarah Delaney. Sarah has a new installation, “Story of a Girl” right now here in Vancouver (on display in the windows of The Aviary between July 4-16, 2020). And to celebrate that (see below for a few sneak peeks) and her awesome eye for all things art and design, I asked her if she’d like to share a few pics from her gorgeously decorated home that I’ve been admiring from afar on her Instagram for quite a while now.

I love peeking into an artist’s home and studio and see how it’s reflected in their work or vice versa. Sarah’s home, which she shares with her husband Andrew and two cats, Indie and Gatsby, is a beautiful intersection between the two. The soft colour palettes in both merge together, crossing between home and environments, barriers met so effortlessly translating into something beautiful and serene.

Just before the pandemic hit, Sarah attended a two-week artist residency at Joshua Tree in California, and if you follow her on Instagram, you would have seen a glimpse of her inspiration for the show, referencing the beautiful soft hues and rugged textures of the area, and as Sarah explains on The Aviary’s website, her latest body of work, is a commentary on being female:

“I have a deep relationship with my surroundings, often meditating on the pulse of the earth and the movements all around us. My abstract paintings facilitate a glimpse into a narrative. This body of work tells the story of female identity. They were born out of solo expedition and the unknown. They examine personal identity, wrapped up in feelings of adventure, isolation, joy, fear, and discovery. “

Sarah’s new body of work fits seemingly well into the rugged background of Joshua Tree, as does her home, which one can also imagine it situated there. Although based in the Mount Pleasant area of rainy Vancouver, her space exudes a lightness, with desert vibes from the palette chosen, wicker features, natural woods, collected baskets and of course surrounded by her beautiful art!

(Home product sources and information about Sarah’s new body of work and installation “A Story of a Girl” at The Aviary at the end of the post).

Let’s take a look!

“Some of the key pieces are my dining room table and bench that were made by my Dad. They are made from a maple tree from a family friend’s yard. The rug was also custom made for my by a local Vancouver company Raha Roho. I designed the rug and then the makers in Morocco weaved.”

I’m actually in the early stages of planning a kitchen remodel. Nothing crazy — just new tile, new oven and possibly some open shelving. I am also updating my coffee table and room chairs (ordered them in the spring and still waiting). Not sure when these updates will be done though. Probably not worth waiting on since I’ve told everyone that I’m not in a rush.

Sources

Couch – IKEA Soderhamn
Cushions (Pom Pom) – Pampa
All other wool Pillows and blankets – atelier St George
Custom Rug – Raha Roho
Bar stool chairs – Wayfair
Wall Shelving – IKEA
Pendant light – Simons
Mirror – West Elm
Various baskets – Mostly thrifted. Small ones were bought travelling in Cambodia and Indonesia, The Philosophy, and in the Southwest of the USA (Arizona and Utah)

About “Story of a Girl”
New work by Sarah Delaney
July 4 – 16, 2020

The Aviary
637 East 15th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
V5T 3K5 Canada
theaviary.ca

The work will be on display in the front windows at The Aviary between July 4-16, 2020. If you would like to experience Sarah’s work in person, appointments can be made by contacting the artist directly at hello@sarahdelaney.com.

The circumstances of working during an international pandemic set up a resource- scare scenario that led me to produce work that under other circumstances I might not have even considered.

Excerpt from “Story of a Girl” artist statement:

In this body of work, it was important for me to reference some key elements that are symbolically perceptive as historically female.

I am drawn to patchwork for many reasons. Similar to Cubism, I love the multi-faceted perspectives that you can read from a piece. Patchwork is mostly a woman-centrered culture, stemming from traditionally sewn quilts, associated with family and ritual. They are a metaphor for a labour of love, carefully pieced together to serve as a warm heirloom. They often tell their own story, sometimes made from fabric with personal importance.

Traditionally they made from scraps out of necessity as a way to save on material by the working-class. While working in the era of Covid-19, the opportunity to replenish supplies became rare and this idea felt especially relevant.

Excerpt from Sarah’s Artist Statement:

“My paintings are about nature and the environments that I have visited. In March 2020 that place was Joshua Tree, a national park in San Bernardino County, California. The citizens in the surrounding towns of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Twentynine Palms, comprising of eccentric Artisans, refuge-seeking Bohemians, and self-proclaimed Desert Rats, all help to cultivate the mystic appeal of the region.

Off the grid and unique in every way, the national park feels otherworldly. The park is recognized by its unusual landscape of slow growing Joshua Trees and peach coloured boulders. These rock formations were made by erosion over time, sculpting smooth, rounded contours. Flash floods washed away the protective ground, creating stacked rock piles.”

Links
Site: www.sarahdelaney.com
Shop: sarahdelaney.com/shop
Instagram: @sarahdelaneyart
Story of a Girl – sarahdelaney.com/story-of-a-girl

Along with her originals, Sarah sells prints through Duende Curation (local Vancouver company) and Loom + Kiln (both female owned).

Thank you Sarah for sharing your beautiful home and work with us. I know I’m inspired to switch out all of my books on my bookshelf to baskets, and of course swooning to own a painting one day.

All photos courtesy of Sarah Delaney.

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An Igloo Inspires A Space-Saving Vancouver Loft Reno by Falken Reynolds

Jan Halvarson — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 05:30:00 +0000

The space was inspired by the Igloo and also reflects their unique and thoughtful design aesthetic which has become a large part of their signature style.

Being fans of Vancouver-based interior/architecture practice, Falken Reynolds, we were excited to find out owners, Chad and Kelly have just listed their cozy, Gastown loft home here in Vancouver; which meant we were going to get a sneak peek into their very own personal style. The space was inspired by the Igloo and also reflects their unique and thoughtful design aesthetic which has become a large part of their signature style.

“One of the first rules for a minimalist interior is creating loads of storage,” says Chad Falkenberg, principal of Falken Reynolds.

To put the rule into practice and renovate a 580 square foot loft in Vancouver’s historic Gastown neighbourhood the practice looked to its northern roots and the architectural simplicity of the Igloo.

Accessed through a compressed corridor, Igloos are an enclosed living space protected from harsh Canadian winters. By massing all the storage space around a central corridor, a sense of separation was created between the entry, bathroom and office area and the main living, dining and kitchen area within.

“We wanted the feeling of entering a warm protected space,” says Kelly Reynolds, also principal at Falken Reynolds, “and the corridor helped emphasize that.”

Flat panelled doors along both sides of the corridor conceal two five-foot closets, laundry, a drying closet, fridge and pantries. And elevated above all the storage, a Japanese inspired loft bed provides privacy for sleeping

Shifting so much storage away from the kitchen meant that upper cabinets could be reduced to the cooktop ventilation making the area feel wider and more open. Minimalist detailing of integrated pulls, matte textured Fenix panelled doors as well as a wall mounted Vola faucet help reduce the size of the kitchen and make it visually fade to the background so the dining area becomes the focal point of the space. A Bocci 28.7 copper composed with the pendants offset from the junction box create dramatic movement and provide a warm glow over the dining table.

“In a small space most people find it counterintuitive to build in a lot of millwork and use large pieces of furniture like the USM Haller cabinet but using large bold gestures actually makes the space feel larger,” says Falkenberg.

We’re also loving the polished concrete flooring and oversized pivot windows. Let’s take a look at the rest of the space!

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About Falken Reynolds – Founded in 2012, Falken Reynolds is a Vancouver-based interior design practice whose award-winning work centers on private homes and extends to retail, hospitality and product design. With a global perspective and a highly personal approach, they create inviting spaces shaped by the distinct lives and experiences of their clients. Clean lines, craftsmanship and considered details are hallmarks. Their projects have been featured by Western Living, Dwell, Elle Decoration, Architectural Digest, The Globe & Mail and others.

Link: Falkenreynolds.com

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House Tour St. George House

Jan Halvarson — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 08:47:00 +0000

Last night we got a preview of a very special new home designed by our friends at Vancouver Interior Design firm Falken Reynolds Interiors in collaboration with boutique builder Moosehead Contracting and Randy Bens Architect.

Lovingly known as the ‘St. George’, this high-end modern designed house is located just 3 blocks from Main Street here in Vancouver, a location which was recently named one of the coolest streets in North America. Yet as busy and popular as Main Street can be, we found the location (3636 St. George Street), to be rather surprisingly tranquil and serene, making for a perfect oasis to come home to. Let’s take a look!

With Falken Reynold’s attention to detail and high expectations for quality and craftmanship, along with possessing a great eye in the world of design, their work never disappoints. And the ‘St. George’ represents this so well.

With highlights of innovative design strategies to create space and serenity the home was designed to fit on a unique lot size 20 by 200 feet (6m x 60m), which is typically the size of a Vancouver city back lane. And despite those dimensions, the space feels large and inviting.

“The unique site of the 2,200 square foot (204 square metres) Saint George Street house inspired us to get creative with our design process and visually create more space,” says Chad Falkenberg, principal of Falken Reynolds. “For example, natural light was a big focus so we strategically placed 11 skylights to wash walls with natural light and draw the eye into the room, amplifying spaciousness using the technique of Atmospheric Perspective.”

The home’s strong, minimal exterior is accentuated by standing-seam metal cladding and, midway through the house, a courtyard brings light to its centre. The interior corridors maximize functionality with concealed storage. To ensure the home is fully equipped for a modern, active family, the kitchen is fitted with a large island, the entry hall conceals mudroom storage, and a kids’ zone is acoustically removed from the main living areas.

Inside and out, the fresh palette of white and Nordic toned woods keeps the spaces feeling open. The interior features new LED technology from Delta Lighting (Inform Contract), Bocci lighting & outlets (Bocci), Blu Bathworks plumbing fixtures (Cantu Bathrooms), Frontier Flooring hardwood, and Corian® Solid Surface & Quartz (Willis). The home is styled with new Bensen furniture in exclusive Raf Simons fabrics (Inform Interiors), and Cloth Studio linen curtains and bedding. Influenced by Scandinavia, Japan and the Westcoast, they create a style Falken Reynolds describes as Canadian Nordic.

Tour the Saint George House during IDS Vancouver’s offsite exhibit 19 September 2018

Project Name: Saint George House
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Project team: Falken Reynolds Interiors, Chad Falkenberg and Kelly Reynolds

Architects: Randy Bens
Contractor: Moosehead Contracting
Photos: Ema Peter
Project Area: 2200 sq.ft.

The Saint George House Tour is Wednesday, September 19, 2018, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST. To attend, individuals must purchase a wristband through IDS Vancouver or hold a VIP card. The house will be listed on MSL on September 10, 2018 with The Rockel Group..

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Architecture | A Vancouver Special Reno

Jan Halvarson — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 05:48:00 +0000

Almost everyone you talk to who grew up in Vancouver in the 60s, 70s and 80s will have a fond story to tell you about a specific style of house, the Vancouver Special. We’re surrounded by them where we live and sadly we’re slowly seeing them disappear and being replaced by new builds. So when we came across this beautiful renovation by D’Arcy Jones Architecture, we had to share. All photos by Sama Jim Canzian.

“This renovation of a 1981 Vancouver Special on a 33 foot wide lot retained the entire foundation and structure of the house. The interior layout was flipped, moving the kitchen, dining and living areas from the upper floor down to the main floor, so the most important interior spaces could be at grade. A new parallel-parking open carport was built off the lane, to preserve more of the back yard for a new landscaped garden and terrace. The house was wrapped in a new exterior skin with carefully placed windows, to connect all interior spaces to the front and back yards. This house that was once dark and generic is now filled with light and air.”

Let’s take a look!

430 House
Vancouver BC
2500 SF
2012-2013

For more info:

D’Arcy Jones Architecture

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Architecture | A 1950s Post & Beam Reno in North Vancouver

Jan Halvarson — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 05:14:00 +0000

We were thrilled to come across this beauty of a reno and restoration by Scott and Scott Architects recently of a 1950s post and beam home located at the base of Grouse Mountain on Vancouver’s north shore. Scott and Scott explains:

“The house, while extensively renovated over the years, had a modest scale, well proportioned rooms and a strong connection to the wooded and mature yard.

The project consists of the design and construction of the restoration and renovation of the 150 sq. m house. The living space was stripped of embellishments, services rationalized and the enclosed stair was replaced with a new open stair of steel and fir which allows for the light from the second floor hall window to connect with the ground floor.

The project draws from the architects and clients (two history professors) shared interest in traditional materials and respect for the original details of the house.

To brighten the spaces, the douglas fir beams were lye washed and the structural decking was finished with a cloth applied pigmented oil. The living spaces were reduced to the structural shell, the walls were repaired and finished in a natural lime based whitewash and the floors ground and troweled.

The materials used were selected for their contrasting strengths and minimally finishes using traditional methods that are maintainable and acquire visible signs of use over time. The steel stair and fireplace frame were finished with wood stove paste and bowling alley wax and the cabinetry was lye washed and sealed with soap.

With minimal change to the configuration of the spaces, the functional storage was consolidated into two douglas fir plywood cabinet blocks to maximize the open spaces while providing concealed storage for the living, entry and kitchen.

The kitchen was crafted of solid ash and designed for the open storage of the owners collection of studio pottery. While open and light in section, the joinery was detailed to structurally bear the weight of the 800kg marble counter monolith which was milled from a block the architects selected from the Hisnet Inlet quarry located on Vancouver Island near their own alpine cabin.”

The result is a gorgeous space with a natural, minimal feel combining traditional materials in a modern, rustic setting.

Location: North Vancouver, Canada
Photo credits: Scott and Scott Architects
scottandscott.ca

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