This historic Vancouver residence, which is 100 years old, was renovated by Canadian studio Falken Reynolds to enhance the original features and add a contemporary feel to the spaces.
The designers created a thoroughly modern interior with nods to its heritage roots, and now the decor includes stark white surfaces and contemporary finishes. A new open-plan layout puts a kitchen at the core and a dining nook nearby because the kitchen is the most important feature for the clients who are two chefs. It occupies more than half of the square footage of the main floor, but appears smaller by way of color-blocked forms and materials. Falken Reynolds optimized space by building one stationary kitchen island and added a nearby dining table at the same height. Supported on industrial caster wheels, the table can be moved easily to make space when necessary. The fixed island incorporates electrical and mechanical systems, while the movable element can also make way for an extended surface for larger dinner parties. The result was a space for two chefs to work their magic in the kitchen and then transform the space into a large dining room to host multi-course meals. The kitchen cabinetry and countertops are contemporary, and juxtapose with the home’s historic details. The use of white and wood surfaces throughout help to tie the interiors together.
A sitting room is located at the front entrance and is visually separated from the kitchen by a corner fireplace. Converting a series of tiny rooms to an open plan involved shoring up the crumbling foundations, adding structural beams and raising parts of the floor.
Preserved details in the home include oiled oak herringbone floors, an exposed red brick wall, Shaker-style doors with crystal doorknobs, and a carved, dark wood balustrade along the stairwell.