Houzz Tour: An Open and Bright ‘Forever Home’ in British Columbia
Designer Victoria McKenney has created an elegant and timeless home where a family of four can grow and develop together
The owners of this house in Burnaby, British Columbia, wanted a home that would have practical and durable materials that could grow with their family, but still have a sophisticated style.
‘They wanted to build their “forever home”,’ says interior designer Victoria McKenney of Enviable Designs. ‘The clients want to raise their children in the same house as they grow. This home was designed in a way that would make this possible.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A family of four
Location British Columbia, Canada
‘They wanted to build their “forever home”,’ says interior designer Victoria McKenney of Enviable Designs. ‘The clients want to raise their children in the same house as they grow. This home was designed in a way that would make this possible.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A family of four
Location British Columbia, Canada
The warm and bright kitchen is McKenney’s favourite room in the house. ‘It’s a space that’s light, but also has a richness,’ she says. ‘The different materials we used give it depth.’
Cupboards: Custom, manufactured by Timeless Kitchens
Bar stools: Napoleon Barstool, Pottery Barn
Pendant lights: Quoizel
See more beautiful white kitchens
Cupboards: Custom, manufactured by Timeless Kitchens
Bar stools: Napoleon Barstool, Pottery Barn
Pendant lights: Quoizel
See more beautiful white kitchens
The high-end appliances were chosen with a master chef in mind, and the clients love to make use of the entire space. The stainless steel cooker and oven blend smoothly with the customised cupboards, granite island worktops and marble splashback.
Splashback: Helsinki Marble, Walker Zanger
Tile accent: Tracciato, Walker Zanger
Worktop: Caesarstone 2020 Cinder
Island worktop: Bianco Romano granite
Splashback: Helsinki Marble, Walker Zanger
Tile accent: Tracciato, Walker Zanger
Worktop: Caesarstone 2020 Cinder
Island worktop: Bianco Romano granite
A set of NanaWall bi-fold doors divides the casual dining area from the more formal dining room. These doors were custom-designed with a leaded pattern also seen in the dining room.
Table: Augusta Table, Norwalk Furniture
Bench: Sarah Richardson
Table: Augusta Table, Norwalk Furniture
Bench: Sarah Richardson
The doors not only fold away, but also have the ability to slide into a flush-mounted cupboard, which allows for as much or as little separation as the clients want. This is a perfect set-up for the formal dining room – open the doors, and a dinner party can be twice as large.
Wingback chairs: Korson Transitional Wing Chair
Wood chairs: Ethan Allen Modern Glamour Klismos Chairs
Wingback chairs: Korson Transitional Wing Chair
Wood chairs: Ethan Allen Modern Glamour Klismos Chairs
Large windows let natural light into most rooms, creating an open and light feel. McKenney balanced this out with very elegant materials, such as marble and walnut wood. The dining room is a great example of this balance, resulting in a fresh but traditional look.
Table: Kravet Turned Collection
Chandelier: Global Views Fluted Pendant
Table: Kravet Turned Collection
Chandelier: Global Views Fluted Pendant
The clients had previously bought a property on Capitol Hill with an amazing view of the city. So when building this home, they wanted something similar. The house was designed so living spaces could take advantage of the city view on the second floor, while all of the bedrooms are on the main floor. The hallway was designed to usher guests up to the second floor living room.
Carpet on stairwell: Tranquil Dawn, Shaw Floors
Hardwood: American Walnut
Carpet on stairwell: Tranquil Dawn, Shaw Floors
Hardwood: American Walnut
To keep the home child-friendly, McKenney and her clients chose fabrics that are hard-wearing and slightly darker in colour (to hide fingerprints). For contrasting pops of colour, McKenney found some fun tangerine cushions for the living room.
Couch: Kravet Adagio Sectional
Cushions: Chintz & Co
Couch: Kravet Adagio Sectional
Cushions: Chintz & Co
McKenney also chose a combination of quality products with pieces that are a little less expensive. For example, the carpet in the living room cost less than £150. ‘There was just no point in investing a ton of money in a carpet that would definitely be ruined in a year,’ she says.
Rug: Debbie Travis Floor Rug Link, Canadian Tire
Coffee Table: Savona Collection, Liberty Living
Rug: Debbie Travis Floor Rug Link, Canadian Tire
Coffee Table: Savona Collection, Liberty Living
McKenney loved working with these clients was because they were so receptive to different ideas and colour schemes. ‘The bathroom was a bit of a hard sell at first, but it ended up looking amazing,’ she says.
Wallpaper: Silver Screen by Barbara Barry
Mirror: Melaney Mirror, Uttermost
Browse different basin styles
Wallpaper: Silver Screen by Barbara Barry
Mirror: Melaney Mirror, Uttermost
Browse different basin styles
Detailed cornicing and panelling throughout the house adds a sense of architectural depth and drama. ‘The home almost feels European in that sense,’ says McKenney. The master bedroom’s soft palette contrasts with the more traditional structure.
Bedding: Sienna Paisley, Pottery Barn
Chair: Solara, Stylus
Bedding: Sienna Paisley, Pottery Barn
Chair: Solara, Stylus
The curved lines of the basins and the modern floral wallpaper give the en-suite bathroom a slightly feminine feel, which is balanced out with a slick grey worktop and crisp white cabinetry.
Wallpaper: Kai Lorenzo
Basins: Kohler Fountainhead Vessel Sink
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Wallpaper: Kai Lorenzo
Basins: Kohler Fountainhead Vessel Sink
Liked this? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Chairs: Alexander Chairs, Norwalk Furniture
Pendant light: Troy Lighting