City Homes
Designer Stephanie Brown Creates A Refined, Minimalist Home For A Downsizing Couple In Vancouver
Published on July 23, 2024
When a run-down house in Kitsilano just steps from the beach hits the market, you make your move. That’s exactly what Carolyn and Norm Bishop did as they found themselves embarking on a new life chapter.
In 2019, they had full-time jobs running their clothing manufacturing business in Vancouver and lived in a 5,000 square-foot heritage house in the city’s Shaughnessy neighborhood. With the last of their daughters decamping to her own apartment and Carolyn’s retirement imminent, moving to a new place was the logical next step. At the top of the couple’s wish list? A smaller footprint, and a great view.
Nearly three years (and a total gut job later), the 2,115-square-foot, three-storey house has been transformed into an elegant, modern retreat. “This was a huge lifestyle change for Carolyn and Norm,” says designer Stephanie Brown, who was hired with Stuart Howard Architects for the renovation project.
Keep scrolling for a look inside the Bishop’s Scandinavian-inspired, minimalist home!
“Neighbours liken the house to a cube that’s landed in an alpine meadow,” says owner Norm Bishop.
Carolyn and Norm Bishop in the living room with their dog, Koda. Recessed, motorized window coverings offer light control and privacy at night. “They wanted a bright, minimalist beach house that was easy — nothing precious or high-maintenance — plus, they needed a spot for everything, meaning we had to maximize every inch of storage with millwork,” says Stephanie.
The house faces north and east, and has panoramic views of English Bay, the North Shore mountains and downtown.
The couple flipped their new floor plan on its head. Sited on a compact 33- by 59-foot lot, the house would have a main entrance on the second floor, where you’d also find the guest bathroom, den and principal suite. The third floor would be reserved for Carolyn and Norm’s most-used spaces — the kitchen, living and dining rooms — all with front-row seats to the stunning ocean, mountain and city views. Finally, the ground floor would be reimagined as an income suite but, for now, it would serve as guest quarters.
Cooler, blue-grey tones are layered in to bring balance to the decorating. “We didn’t want everything to feel monochromatic and beige,” says Stephanie. A veined quartzite backsplash channels storm clouds and becomes a dramatic focal point in the otherwise neutral kitchen. Above the dining table is an iconic minimalist chandelier by Vancouver’s Bocci. “We were able to select the glass colors to support the clients’ artwork and outdoor tones, and we placed the globes so that they wouldn’t obstruct the view,” adds the designer.
Cleverly hidden around the corner from the kitchen is a small pantry with an extra dishwashing drawer and coffee station. While the exterior of the house is clad in dark composite cement panels, the interiors are an effective juxtaposition in pale, serene hues referencing sand, ocean and sky. “I wanted it to feel airy and Scandinavian,” says Stephanie of the calm material palette that leans in to blond wood, and natural stone and tile.
She designed clean-lined, custom-stained ash millwork for storage throughout — an absence of clutter is central to the unadorned, minimalist aesthetic — and, to warm up the uniformity of the ash, she chose white oak flooring for its grain variation.
The principal bedroom’s linen wallpaper adds texture while maintaining tonal consistency.
In the principal bathroom, Corian counters are extremely durable, easier to fabricate than natural stone and show no seams for flawless integration.
A wall-to-wall niche is a fresh take on typical shower storage.
Adjacent to the second-floor den–guest bedroom is a sleek bathroom. The grey-blue theme continues with dusky quartzite on the living room fireplace surround, variegated terrazzo in the guest bathroom and striated silver marble tile in the principal ensuite.
The stairs to the rooftop patio have floating white oak treads with wood caps to cleverly hide the hardware and fasteners. A vibrant painting punctuates the neutral palette.
On the fourth floor is a rooftop deck that maximizes the magnificent view and is perfect for entertaining. The couple likes to lounge here and watch the steady stream of bikers, joggers and dog walkers below on Point Grey Road. “It’s so zen and calming,” says Carolyn. “When you downsize, you always worry that you won’t be able to host, or that the kids won’t come home, but this house really ticks all the boxes for us.”
Ema Peter
House & Home
Stuart Howard Architect and BattersbyHowat Architects (architecture)/Stephanie Brown (design)