Houzz Tour: Luxurious Open-plan Living in a Coastal Canadian Cabin
Plenty of exposed timber and quality fixtures give this home an elegant yet cosy feel
British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited, and this house is no exception. ‘The owners wanted some timber frame and natural elements to tie it in with the site and felt that it should be a low-profile structure from the road,’ says architect Kevin Simoes of Streamline Design. ‘They wanted a beautiful home on the inside but didn’t feel the need to showcase that from the street.’
They went with a simple A-frame and incorporated timbers for most of the structural components. Simoes’ design was restricted by the narrow lot, which has setbacks on three sides, including the ocean side. ‘The site really dictated what we could do in regard to the footprint and layout of the house,’ he says. Working with designer Jonalyn Siemens, he created a minimalist yet charming getaway.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here This is a weekend retreat for a designer and her husband
Location The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia
Size 3 bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Architect Kevin Simoes of Streamline Design
That’s interesting The home was built with a sustainably harvested Douglas fir timber frame and has a metal roof and a rainwater collection system
They went with a simple A-frame and incorporated timbers for most of the structural components. Simoes’ design was restricted by the narrow lot, which has setbacks on three sides, including the ocean side. ‘The site really dictated what we could do in regard to the footprint and layout of the house,’ he says. Working with designer Jonalyn Siemens, he created a minimalist yet charming getaway.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here This is a weekend retreat for a designer and her husband
Location The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia
Size 3 bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Architect Kevin Simoes of Streamline Design
That’s interesting The home was built with a sustainably harvested Douglas fir timber frame and has a metal roof and a rainwater collection system
Seven French doors open up the living space to the exterior. The floors throughout are engineered maple from Lauzon.
Bar stools: Pier 1 imports, draped with sheepskin; pendant: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; windows, doors: Dynamic Windows
Bar stools: Pier 1 imports, draped with sheepskin; pendant: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; windows, doors: Dynamic Windows
A concrete path leads to the entrance. A door to the cloakroom is off to the right. The exterior is Douglas fir timber frame made without the wood’s heart. Simoes explains that because wood shrinks and expands, you don’t want to work with the heart, or centre pith, of the wood. Non-heart wood is less likely to expand, contract or twist over time.
Timber frame: West Coast Log Homes
Timber frame: West Coast Log Homes
The beams and posts are Douglas fir timber. A floating staircase leading to the loft level is also Douglas fir and has a steel and cable banister. A similar banister leads to the lower level, which contains two bedrooms, a recreational room, a wine room and a media room.
Moveable portholes are fun features that help provide ventilation, as there aren't many operable windows on the front of the house.
The kitchen features high-gloss white Euro cabinetry by Merit Kitchens, a stainless steel square tile splashback from Custom Flooring, and KitchenAid appliances (with the exception of a Miele dishwasher).
The homeowners plan to use the upstairs loft as a sitting area and library. This room also contains a wall of built-in bookshelves.
See a wonderful home fit for book enthusiasts
See a wonderful home fit for book enthusiasts
‘Normally we wouldn’t put this kind of beam structure in a space where only the vertical post is needed,’ says Simoes. ‘But we wanted to add additional visual interest, and the beam work helps to define the kitchen space, not only when you’re down below looking up, but also when you’re up in the loft looking down.’ He integrated the structural post that supports the ridge beam into the kitchen island. ‘Rather than have a standalone post, we wanted to incorporate it into the island to give it a little bit more mass and to ground it.’
The master bedroom is on the main level, and you can see through the two-way fireplace into the great room.
Custom bed: Vincent Lang Furnishings; bedding, cushions, rug: Designers Guild; pendant lamps: Luminosa Light Design; standing lamp: Adesso; sofa, ottoman, draperies: custom by Jonalyn Siemens
Custom bed: Vincent Lang Furnishings; bedding, cushions, rug: Designers Guild; pendant lamps: Luminosa Light Design; standing lamp: Adesso; sofa, ottoman, draperies: custom by Jonalyn Siemens
‘We wanted the master bath to be the focal point of the room,’ says Simoes. ‘The owners love to sit here and feel as if they’re on the ocean.’
Bathtub, sink: Ravello, Victoria and Albert; bathtub fixtures: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe
Bathtub, sink: Ravello, Victoria and Albert; bathtub fixtures: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe
The simple yet luxurious finishes in the master bathroom include polished travertine tiles on top of the vanity unit.
Mirrors: Restoration Hardware; sconces: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; sink fixtures: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe
Mirrors: Restoration Hardware; sconces: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; sink fixtures: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe
The homeowners wanted to keep the master bathroom as open as possible. Sliding doors open to the bedroom, and picture windows provide a view of the ocean from the shower.
Shower walls: limestone; floor: pebble tiles, Ecolfor; fixtures: Axor, Hansgrohe
Shower walls: limestone; floor: pebble tiles, Ecolfor; fixtures: Axor, Hansgrohe
Practical and visually appealing, the utility room has a Caesarstone worktop and loads of storage.
This is one of two guest bathrooms on the lower level.
Shower tile: polished ceramic, Olympia Tile; sinks, sink fixtures: Ronbow; mirrors: Home Depot; sconces: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; shower fixtures: Hansgrohe
Shower tile: polished ceramic, Olympia Tile; sinks, sink fixtures: Ronbow; mirrors: Home Depot; sconces: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; shower fixtures: Hansgrohe
The cedar back decking spans the entire 45ft length of the house.
Deck furniture: Costco; fire pit: Solus Vancouver
Deck furniture: Costco; fire pit: Solus Vancouver
A log staircase leads down to a gazebo and a path to the ocean.
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Liked this? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Dining table: Restoration Hardware; chairs: The Other Room; chandelier: Halo, Roost; corner sofa: Willow Studio; mermaid sculpture: Alisa Shebib; fireplace: handmade aggregate tile, Solus Vancouver
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