Condos/Apartments
A Bright & Airy Waterfront Condo For A Real Estate Agent And Fitness Entrepreneur
Updated on February 20, 2024

Alina Misch and Dmitry Mishenko new they made a good choice when they purchased a Vancouver waterfront condo in the Azura II development back in 2008. Built in the early aughts, the water-facing tower in Vancouver’s Yaletown neighborhood had great amenities, generous layouts and a view that couldn’t be beat. The only problem? After nearly 10 years in their two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite, Alina, a real-estate agent, Dmitry, an entrepreneur in the fitness industry, and their young son, Mike, were feeling cramped. So, in 2019, when they saw that a 1,760-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath condo four floors up was on the market, it felt like the stars had aligned.
But it wasn’t a dream scenario. “The decorating was horrible,” says Alina of the condo’s gaudy style. There was thick brown carpeting throughout, mustard-colored walls and ceilings, gold drapes and red velvet furniture. “I didn’t even want to look at it,” she adds. The only positive was that same, take-your-breath-away view. The couple purchased the suite, then quickly recruited designer Peter Wilds to redesign and redecorate the space. “Peter’s work has a timeless look with a European feel, and he had helped us with some furniture and decorating in our previous place,” says Alina. “I knew he could make this into our dream home!” Peter planned a comprehensive gut reno and design, including clever storage solutions and lots of mirrors to reflect the view, with the aim of creating a bright and airy space where the family could stretch out. Covid delays and securing a permit were major hurdles. But, in the spring of 2021, the project finally got underway and wrapped eight months later. “The pause actually allowed us the time to perfect the design,” says Peter.
Walls clad in Benjamin Moore’s classic Chantilly Lace now create a light envelope, with natural wood tones, stone and subtle pops of color layered in. “I let myself be inspired by the space, in terms of its height and relationship to the sky,” says Peter. To give the young family more storage, a custom shoe closet was installed in the foyer and the kitchen was extended into what was once a glass solarium. In the dining room, French doors leading to Mike’s bedroom were eliminated and relocated so that a custom, 14-foot-long sideboard could be installed along the wall — it’s a perfect place to store toys. The principal bedroom closet was also completely reconfigured with new millwork to maximize every square inch.
Today, the family is settled in to their new home, and the mustard walls and gold and velvet accents feel like a distant memory. “I love the vibe when you walk in to the space now,” says Alina. “It feels so spacious and bright, just like we imagined.”

Homeowners Dmitry Mishchenko and Alina Misch.

Storage was one of the biggest asks Alina and Dmitry had for the condo. In addition to two closets, Peter added a chest in the foyer to corral clutter.

Two black pendants are swagged over the dining table, bringing contrast to the light-filled space.

Designer Peter Wilds first spotted the modular sofa at the Milan Furniture Fair. “Because it’s in the middle of the room, it was important it looked good from all angles,” he says.

The refreshed open-concept living room features a contemporary fireplace. “It’s very clean and simple with a Venetian plaster cladding to give it some texture and movement,” says Peter.

The kitchen has an all-white palette with clean-lined cabinets and matte black accents.

The bar area at the end of the kitchen is the perfect place to watch the sun set over the city. “When I first spotted the floor-to-ceiling window at the end of the new kitchen, it was just screaming for seating,” says Peter. The quartzite kitchen counter now returns across the window to create the perfect perch for enjoying an afternoon cappuccino.

The couple’s eight-year-old savannah cat.

While the condo’s palette leans toward Peter’s signature serene, all-white aesthetic, the designer amped up drama in the bathrooms, opting for wall-to-wall porcelain in the powder room and all-over terrazzo for the ensuite. “I love a natural stone look used in a soft, neutral way that still adds dynamic impact,” says Peter of the powder room, tiled in wall-to-wall porcelain.

A diamond-tufted headboard adds a transitional element to the otherwise clean and contemporary principal bedroom.

A nook in the principal bedroom has a table where you can sit and prepare for the day.

The principal bathroom has a jewelry box feel, with terrazzo on the walls, floors, shower and raised tub platform. “I love terrazzo,” says Peter. “I’ve seen it in Italy so many times, and I never tire of the look.” Alina agrees: “It felt like a bold choice at that moment but, now, it’s one of my favorite features.”

Why They Chose It:
The Location: “The building is very central; it’s right downtown and walking distance to the seawall and the beach,” says Alina.
The View: “We’re right on the edge of George Wainborn Park, facing the water. It’s got an unobstructed view that’s rare for Vancouver.”
The Size: “This condo has just the right amount of extra space for our family.”
The Familiarity: “There was no risk buying in the same development. We already knew everything about the building, and it works for our lifestyle.”
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Janis Nicolay
House & Home
Peter Wilds