Emerging from a lush Canadian forest, this modernist house feels at one with nature
EXTERIOR
The patio is positioned under an overhang so it can be used when it’s sunny or raining.
a move from New York City to the quiet Edgemont neighbourhood in North Vancouver, British Columbia, would be quite a change for anyone. For this Australian-Canadian couple, however, it was a no-brainer. They were looking for a community in which to raise their two children. Only a short walk from the village, their new home backed into a lush forest, nestled among towering cedars and offering privacy and quiet. ‘The view of the forest is breathtaking, but it is the light that is most spectacular,’ says Erica Colpitts, the interior designer who worked on the project. ‘As the sun moves behind the forest, there are moments when it peeks through the trees and pours into the living room. You can see the individual beams of sunlight – it is magical.’
The couple entrusted architectural firm Olson Kundig to design a fresh concept for the house that both honoured its original mid-century structure and the mesmerising landscape surrounding it, while also meeting all their needs as a family that loves to entertain. ‘My task was then to meld Olson Kundig’s architecture with an ever so slightly soft interior,’ explains Erica.
A neutral colour palette was chosen to marry various natural materials including woods, metals, linens and wools. Soft oatmeal, whites and creams are complemented by warm leather and rich greys, while the original rust-coloured brick fireplace adds subtle colour. ‘We searched for the most raw and natural feeling white oak floors, then paired them with a stained hemlock plank ceiling,’ says Erica. ‘The results are two woods that complement each other despite their different characteristics.’
The update of this home is all about this kind of nuance, so it became important to Erica to preserve the original bookcase that separates the entrance from the living room. ‘We fought to keep it intact as it provides privacy from the full-height windows at the front of the house,’ she says. ‘It was a particular challenge, as it encased a structural beam that needed replacing and refinishing. We were able to sand it down and leave it almost natural, with the lightest clear coat for protection. The different veneer pieces play charmingly together and bring a lived-in feel to the home.’ Olson Kundig reworked the end of the bookcase to seamlessly interact with the sculptural metal staircase. ‘The bronze and blackened steel accents were added in a Mondrianesque arrangement.’
Throughout, the laid-back, rel
