Overlooking English Bay with vistas of UBC and Vancouver Island, this West Vancouver, BC, Canada home embraces all four elements to create a lifestyle of tranquility within the hustle and bustle of urban life. Designer Claudio Leccacorvi created a warm and inviting retreat for the homeowners that includes this stunning outdoor terrace complete with a large and comfy lounging area, a contemporary linear fireplace wrapped in stone, a spa tub that overlooks an infinity pool and, of course the treed and water viewlines. With fire, air and water dominating the vignettes, earth was given an extra boost via the succulents within the rectangular container on the coffee table.
The two loungers in front of the infinity pool blend unobtrusively with the concrete terrace – only their pops of red pillows draw the eye. To further emphasize the earth element on the terrace, large concrete urns planted with evergreen foliage are strategically placed in such a way so as not to interfere with the panoramic views.
The Terrace has stairs down to a 2nd, lower level. Here a more intimate furniture grouping is arranged and a second inset fireplace ensures warmth during cooler weather. Concrete Urns are as carefully placed on this level as the upper and the visual flow from one to the other create connectivity to the home above. Overlooking the Terrace are the living area on the left, the dining area directly in front and just out of sight is the office on the right.
The office is a clean and modern setting, offering no interior distraction to the work at hand. A large wood desk on a chrome base floats in the centre of the room and a comfy soft leather task chair easily glides along the length of the desk. A midtone hardwood floor is protected from the chair by a large multi toned area rug. The abstract pattern within the rug plays off of the vertical wall art beside the window wall. While the office is normally kept open, it can be closed off to the adjoining room via a sliding door on an exposed track. The handle on the door is a 36″ brushed nickel pull with 4 posts that ties in with the exposed track and the chrome bases in the office furniture.
The office is located next to the dining room and the dining table can be used as a conference set up if need be. The large plank table is a stunning organic addition to the room as are the two stone clad pillars. Nestled between the pillars is a walnut cabinet – perfect for storing table linens and fine dinnerware. Above the cabinet is a contemporary font canvas that picks up the sandy shade on the upholstered chairs and area rug. Balancing out the warm shades are the black chair legs, the oval bowl on the table and the smoked glass chandelier.
The dining table is situated next to the foyer and is presented with the additional views of the front yard through the sidelights and transom that surround the entry door. Keeping the view lines intact, the designer opted for an open tread stairwell with a single stringer. With the treads in a pale wood and the stringer in an ebony finish, the stairs take on an added dimension of geometrical art that is contrasted against the organic wall of stone.
The double volume height of the stairwell creates the opportunity to feature 3 fractal globes of light in different sizes that each, when turned on, creates a stunning display of shadow and light on the surrounding walls that is kept alive through the open treads and glass balustrade.
On the other side of the dining area is the living room. Here a large stone fireplace is the only separation to the exterior views and while large and heavy in appearance, the natural material blends harmoniously with the landscape beyond. Balancing the weight of the fireplace is the media wall that is outfitted in panels of walnut, the black shaded lamps and the umber hue on the large sectional. Contrasting to the blues and greens of the vista are the pops of red via pillows and one swivel chair but these red tones are hinted at through the fireplace façade and the large urn in the corner. Air plants on the console table and succulents on the coffee table bring quiet moments of greenery indoors.
Whimsical touches within the living room are the large boulder poufs in front of the fireplace and the tall trunk sculptures within the 3 floor cubes.
The kitchen is located in a separate room and is large enough to feature a centre island with bar seating on two sides. Horizontal grain walnut veneered cabinetry is finished off with white solid surface counters that transform into the sides of the cabinets via their waterfall edges. While one stretch of cabinetry features a commercial stove and 36″ of counter space either side, another wall features a prep counter with fridge on one side and wine cooler on the other.
The family room accesses the terrace via its own set of sliding doors and, as with the kitchen, horizontal grain walnut cabinetry is featured. The cabinetry runs the length of the fireplace wall with the exception of the marble fireplace facing. This room, more then the others features blasts of colour via poufs, pillows and display items.
The Master Bedroom is located upstairs and embraces the colour palette associated with nightfall. Soft grey walls with a hint of lavender wrap the room while the bed linens and accent chair feature a dusky shade of blue.
Across from the bed is a fireplace for both heat and ambiance and built in above the fire, is a TV. The height of the TV is perfect for bedside viewing. The ensuite to the Master Suite is not closed off from the bedroom but is rather just around the corner with the edge of the tub visible next to the window wall.
The tub is a freestanding rectangular format – perfect for a contemporary setting. Across from the tub is a large walk-in shower that is accessed by a single swinging frameless glass door flanked by glass panels. The glass panel on the left has been custom cut to fit around a bench seat that is both in and outside of the shower. A feature wall of stacked mini subway tiles in varying shades of beige and white draw the eye up to the large square rain-shower mounted in the ceiling.
The large 12″x24″ marble floor tiles repeat and follow the line of the stacked pattern of mini subway tiles within the shower.
At right angles to the shower is the vanity. 3 simple pendants are suspended in front of the frameless mirror which is mounted high enough to allow for the wall mounted faucets. Two large rectangular vessel sinks sit proud of the white solid surface counter and the walnut cabinetry floats off of the floor. The choice of materials is consistent with other areas of the home, creating a unifying flow that allows featured items to dominate.
While the elegance of the interior spaces is repeated on the facade, the designer has chosen to present the street view as one of private containment. Walls of stone and fascias of black are only interrupted by small clerestory windows, the natural wood on the garage door and wall beside the entry, and the entry itself.
It is only when you arrive at the entry and see into and past the home that the full impact of the elements earth, fire, air and water are realized.
Interior Design by Claudio Leccacorvi
