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.