Decorating & Design
A Traditional House Gets A Gutsy Upgrade With Color & Art
Updated on September 21, 2021
Californians traditionally prefer relaxed interiors heavy on crisp whites, sandy tones and tons of rattan. But when this Cali couple, who have four kids and two dogs, bought a 6,800-square-foot home in Vancouver they eschewed the beachy for the bombast. “They weren’t afraid of pattern, wallpaper or strong contrast,” says interior designer Amanda Evans, describing her design philosophy as “elevated, tailored, sophisticated but comfortable.”
Located on West Vancouver’s north shore, the property has a picturesque vantage point overlooking the water, with trees surrounding the building. Originally built in the 1960s, the house was reconstructed and renovated in the early aughts. The owner filled it with traditional trappings, that although beautiful, were incompatible with the family’s laid-back lifestyle. To punch it up, Amanda gutted the house, deploying a range of textures throughout to create interest. “We incorporated rift-cut white-oak cabinetry paired with finishes like Statuario marble, brushed gold fixtures and grasscloth wallpaper,” she says. Amazingly enough, she hustled so that the large-scale project was finished in 10 months, while the family stayed put across the border. “When they saw it they were thrilled,” she says. “They were happy to welcome their kids to their new home in a new city” — one with not a single wicker lamp shade in sight.
Scroll down to see the stunning makeover!
With four kids, the family needed a kitchen they could bounce around. They also like to entertain. To create better flow, Amanda removed a wall that previously blocked off the dining area. “We then fit all of the appliances on the back wall,” she says.
At breakfast, the kids perch on the stools tucked into the 13-foot-long Caesarstone island.
The kitchen’s central feature is the custom bronze vent hood that will beautifully patina over time, and is a smart way to hide a utilitarian fan.
“Martha Sturdy does the most beautiful sculptures,” says Amanda who commissioned the local artist to create this striking rippled bronze installation for the living room. Deep-toned grasscloth-covered wall makes a rich backdrop. Clerestory windows frame the greenery beyond.
An unexpected cross-hatched pattern perks up the moody dining room wall, while the gold light fixture dazzles.
The husband’s office had somber dark mahogany panelling that felt too much like an old-world gentlemen’s library. To bring it to life, Amanda sprayed the walls a beautiful high-gloss lacquer blue, Hale Navy from Benjamin Moore. “He wanted something dramatic,” says Amanda. And he got it!
“The powder room is a favorite of mine,” says Amanda. “We designed the vanity to house a Statuario marble sink that popped on charcoal gray panelled and wallpapered walls.” Brushed gold plumbing fixtures and sculptural lighting is a nod to the art in the living room.
Hallways are ideal for hanging photos of treasured family moments, which was the thinking behind this pause-and-reflect area on the upper floor of a very long hallway, says Amanda.
Bold wallpaper in the 13-year-old son’s room offers an eye-catching moment. “Since the wall is awkward and angled, we had to get creative with layout,” says Amanda, who tucked in custom millwork, including the floating side table and shelves. All of the millwork in the home is by Soma Millwork & Design.
The son’s navy blue bathroom is graphic and cool.
For a twist on the ordinary, variegated black-and-white tile fills two nooks in the son’s bathroom — handy for holding shampoo.
Soft gray and white wallpaper is pretty in the little girl’s room, where a built-in reading bench with storage underneath has glam gold knobs. The room faces the trees to the front of the house.
A freestanding soaker tub and a sculpture resting on a plinth make a luxurious match in the principal bathroom that overlooks the stunning outdoors.
The ensuite vanity is rift-cut oak stained nearly black to act as a strong contrast to the bright white counters and Statuario marble tile.
“The principal bathroom was too large, so we stole a bit of square footage and added it to the closet,” says Amanda. The custom millwork has LED strip lighting to illuminate the wardrobe, and the cabinets are dynamically two-toned.
A custom abstract area rug adds pattern and color.
Ethereal marble and brushed gold fixtures are the height of contemporary luxury in the shower.
Kooky yet simplistic, the media room is well used. “The kids play a lot of video games,” says Amanda. “There are two TVs, wallpaper on the ceiling and custom bean bags.”
For the ultimate in health, wellness and relaxation, the basement has a pool, gym and dry sauna. “This was our first time doing a sauna,” says Amanda, who incorporated LED lighting into the design.
Christina Faminoff
Amanda Evans Interiors