Decorating & Design
June 10, 2019
This Charming West Coast Home Is Inspired By A Nancy Meyers Classic
Director Nancy Meyers is known for her spectacular sets and once said she sees a house as a lead character. The most coveted of these on-screen homes is featured in the movie Something’s Gotta Give. Interior, food and lifestyle photographer Tracey Ayton’s admits she was obsessed with that movie. Ironically the B.C. beach home where she now lives in was built in 2003 — the same year the film was released. “It was full of potential,” says Tracey. “We immediately envisioned what we wanted when we walked through the rooms; we knew what we could do with the space.”
Scroll down to tour the rustic-meets-modern oasis.
The pretty front porch has decking reminiscent of a boardwalk. The 2,400-square-foot, two-storey, three-bedroom abode, is reminiscent of the quaint East Coast-style homes found in Nantucket and the Hamptons. “Everyone seems to be going West Coast contemporary, but we wanted to stay classic in style and natural with our finishes,” says Tracey.
Tracey says she always imagined living in a home similar to house in Something’s Gotta Give, so it was kismet when she and her husband, Jay Edwards, came across the his Boundary Bay, B.C. house. Here they pose with pup, Frankie.
The laundry room, just inside the side entrance, is flooded with natural light.
The couple only wanted drawers for storage in the kitchen, so classic white subway tiles were installed on the walls instead of upper cabinetry. “Drawers are amazing because you don’t have to reach. Everything is accessible,” says Tracey. “It turned out to be one of our best decisions.”
Tracey says the expansive kitchen has become an excellent spot to take photos. “Our home has turned out to be an amazing studio!”
Tracey worked as a photographer on Vancouver Vanishes, a book about homes being torn down in the city. She rescued this painting, which hangs just off the dining area, from one of the locations — she loved its dark and moody feel. “I saw it lying on the floor among broken drywall and splintered wood and brought it home,” says Tracey. “It was just hours before the house was knocked down.”
The kitchen table was handmade by Brad Russell of Hand One Design, who salvaged the materials from an old train station in White Rock, B.C., a 30-minute drive from the bay. “We designed it together,” says Tracey. “It’s my favorite piece of furniture.”
The main living area is open to the kitchen. While the home has a refined beach house feel, the roofline and ceiling are reminiscent of a barn. “The ceiling height is 16 feet at the peak, and the space above the fireplace called for a window to accentuate the barn vibe,” says Tracey.
In the evening, guests lounge by the fire bowl. The shed, painted white to match the house, and white hydrangeas are bright additions.
Baskets of greenery are plentiful on the back porch.
The generous outdoor table is ideal for entertaining.
The basket pendants that illuminate the covered back porch were inspired by a visit to Malibu Farm restaurant in California. “The outdoor eating area had amazing basket pendants, so I set about finding something similar yet affordable,” says Tracey. “These pendants were the perfect find.”
Warm whites and mid-tone blues give the principal bedroom a serene feel while the woven pendant, chunky throw and rustic bench add hits of natural texture.
The home’s showstopping French doors open with classic old-school knobs instead of contemporary levers. “We went dark to add contrast and anchor the wall,” says Tracey.
Shiplap on the walls of the principal bathroom gives the sleek space a touch of Hamptons cool.
Tracey Ayton
House & Home May 2019
Architecture by Jennifer Heath