Decorating & Design
See How This 1940s Ranch-Style Home Got A New Lease On Life
Published on April 20, 2020
In 2014, when Niamh Tallon and Ciaran Goojha first bought their 1940s-era ranch-style home in Eagle Harbour, a seaside community nestled in West Vancouver, B.C., they were drawn to its original details, charm and history, and its proximity to the ocean. But the home’s mishmash of additions over the years meant disjointed spaces and a pastiche of previous owners’ visions. Niamh and Ciaran researched online to look for a designer, and they chose Pure Design Inc.’s Ami McKay. Ami learned that Niamh wanted respite and calm from the demands of work, while Ciaran, the main chef in the family, wanted to entertain at home. They also adored the ocean and the outdoors; they owned a boat and often spent time on the water with their children, Amelia, 10, and Zachary, 5.
With the owners’ style — warm and modern with subtle beach motifs — in mind, Ami first addressed the home’s challenges, opening up the kitchen and living room, and replacing the almost-black-stained wood floors with white oak planks. Post-renovation, Niamh adeptly sums up the makeover’s impact: “It’s changed our lives. We love to entertain and there’s always a small community around, so it’s the perfect house for that. But it’s also a calm oasis when it’s just the four of us.”
Scroll down to tour this seaside-inspired home!
“Ami understood that we didn’t want glitz or glamour but beautiful, calm and functional,” says Niamh. “We wanted a house that was lived in — we didn’t want perfect rooms you couldn’t use.”
Black, used strategically for doors, hardware and fixtures, highlights long sight lines and draws the eye.
“We light a fire every week during the colder months,” says Niamh. “We’ll often sit on the hearth with people gathered round and have a cocktail by the fire.”
In the kitchen, new shiplap clads the wall and vent hood for a contemporary cottage effect. “We purposely avoided creating seating at the island to encourage guests to settle in to our living room, but we still wanted them to be close to share the cooking experience with us in the kitchen,” says Ciaran. Above a bank of windows, Ami added a series of white sconces. “We could have chosen brass, but we were underplaying it because this house is designed to be subtle.”
“The thing about all-white interiors is that if you don’t add natural elements, it gets very flat,” says Ami. “We wanted the house to have depth and contrast.”
The dining room features a tiny inset bar (far right) with millwork cabinets that now serve as liquor storage.
A former storage space was transformed into a family room outfitted with a generous sectional and plenty of natural textures.
Whimsical wallpaper paired with painted wainscotting creates a zen vibe with a hint of drama.
Amelia’s room mixes whimsy and sophistication with a gold-toned bunny lamp and fringed pale pink throw.
In the principal bedroom and throughout the home, Niamh and Ciaran chose many new furnishings and textiles for a fresh start. Tucking a textured throw pillow into the nightstand anchors the trio of pale objects above.
A wooden side table adds a natural touch to the otherwise sleek and simple space. “These homeowners lead highly stressful lives, so we created an environment that’s elegant, unfussy and cozy — but not rustic — to come home and relax in,” says Ami.
Ciaran and Niamh and their kids, in their stunning backyard oasis. The flagstones, exterior stone hearth and retaining walls create an ideal spot for dining.
Janis Nicolay
House & Home March 2020
Ami McKay, Pure Design Inc.