Words provided by Falken Reynolds Interiors. Photos by Ema Peter.
A young, active family of five from Sweden enlisted us to design the interiors of their new 4,500 square-foot house in Vancouver’s Point Grey neighbourhood. The remit was to create a bright, casual home filled with Nordic sensibilities, where they could comfortably spend time together as a family and entertain.
The kitchen’s extra-large work-table island forms the central gathering place for the family. The connecting large mudroom has ample space for each so they can easily get ready at the same time. Caesarstone clad walls protect the passageway connecting the mudroom and kitchen from sporting equipment, school bags and groceries — after so many years in the house, it still looks brand new and is one of the clients’ favourite (and nearly invisible) features.
An extra-large study on the main floor has with multiple work stations so the whole family could be working, (or colouring) at the same time.
Since the stair is part of the front entry we wanted a striking feature balancing the robust and delicate elements throughout the house. We wanted some light to pass down from the second floor, but also wanted some visual and acoustical separation from the entry to the private bedrooms above. White walls wrap the light oak stair, while the lithe steel pickets rise from the floor curving gently over the stair without touching it.
Connectivity between the kitchen, dining room and family room was integral, as was a natural flow from inside to outside for an easy transition from daily family life to hosting larger gatherings. To support this, much of the furniture is strategically light for easy repositioning to accommodate extra guests.
Architectural details throughout, such as flush baseboards, reveals and light coves, imbue subtle sophistication. Befitting their Scandinavian roots, the palette is restrained to textured layers of whites and greys; natural woods, wools and linens; and, matte black hardware and fixtures for a soft, casual effect.
