My Houzz: Old-World Charm With a Modern-Love Twist
Heritage pieces combine with custom touches — and one great story — in a Canadian family's 'forever' house
Houzz contributing writer and photographer, lighting consultant and design fiend
Houzz contributing writer and photographer, lighting consultant and design... More »
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Finding "the one" had double meaning for Auckland, New Zealand, native Nick Shaw. After relocating to Vancouver, he came across a heritage home in the Grandview-Woodland neighborhood with lots of charming historical details. "Finding beautiful moldings that hadn't been painted was a rarity. And the large, open space upstairs really appealed," he says.
During a housewarming party, Nick met his future wife, Connie. "We are a love-at-first-sight tale. It truly does exist," says Connie. "When people ask how we met, Nick jokes, 'She just walked into my house.'"
The two married, and 13 months of renovations gave them what they consider their forever home. Connie says, "We wanted to do it right the first time."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Connie and Nick Shaw and their son, Wyatt
Location: Commercial Drive area of Vancouver
Size: 3,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus a basement suite with 2 bedrooms
During a housewarming party, Nick met his future wife, Connie. "We are a love-at-first-sight tale. It truly does exist," says Connie. "When people ask how we met, Nick jokes, 'She just walked into my house.'"
The two married, and 13 months of renovations gave them what they consider their forever home. Connie says, "We wanted to do it right the first time."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Connie and Nick Shaw and their son, Wyatt
Location: Commercial Drive area of Vancouver
Size: 3,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus a basement suite with 2 bedrooms
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The living room features a custom floor-to-ceiling shelving unit. The Shaws met a skilled Irish cabinetmaker who happened to be passing through Vancouver, and had him build the unit while he was in town.
Blue Chip Painting restained all the original wood to match the custom bookcase.
Blue Chip Painting restained all the original wood to match the custom bookcase.
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| The living room leads into this lounge room on the main level. The space reflects Connie and Nick's combined personal styles. "We each brought in full sets of furniture and had to figure out what would work together. The slipcovers are perfect for kids," says Connie. "We can upgrade when Wyatt is older." The couple loves to shop at antiques fairs. On top of a small console is one of their favorite finds — an amber-colored vintage Moser decanter. Glycee print: "The Chase," by Hu Jun Di, Mandarin Fine Art Gallery; desk: Asian antique; cabinet: Hansen House (now closed) |
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Reclaimed fir flooring from Cutting Edge Hardwood Restorations flows throughout the main level. "We both like [natural] things — wood, stone, marble, natural fabrics, cottons, silks — nothing too shiny," says Connie. "Our next project will be to get a new front door with a large leaded-glass window to let in more natural light."
Cabinet: Ikea
Cabinet: Ikea
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The stained glass windows throughout the house were inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's designs and altered for the window dimensions. The couple chose their wall colors based on this original living room window.
The original built-in mantel displays collectibles and prized family memorabilia on top. The coffee table is a repurposed piano bench from Connie's childhood.
Carpet: HomeSense; couch: Ikea
The original built-in mantel displays collectibles and prized family memorabilia on top. The coffee table is a repurposed piano bench from Connie's childhood.
Carpet: HomeSense; couch: Ikea
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One of the first and main renovations the couple tackled was gutting and expanding the small and outdated 1980s-style kitchen. "We eliminated one bedroom on the main floor to expand the kitchen," Connie says. "It was well worth it; the house lives so much larger now."
Rug: Pottery Barn; chairs, stools: Antique Warehouse; pendants: Restoration Hardware; artwork: Marilyn S. Mylrea Studio Art Gallery
Rug: Pottery Barn; chairs, stools: Antique Warehouse; pendants: Restoration Hardware; artwork: Marilyn S. Mylrea Studio Art Gallery
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While renovating the kitchen, the couple tried to maintain some of the home's original character, such as the stained glass window. The new kitchen island offers another seating option.
Kitchen: Austin Kitchens; countertops: M&W Stoneworks
Kitchen: Austin Kitchens; countertops: M&W Stoneworks
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The couple added custom millwork lighting with face-frame cabinets and a little home office area.
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| The dining area opens through bifold doors to a large covered deck used year-round. "The deck off the back has heated tile flooring and built-in heaters," Connie says. "We knew we were doing one reno, and one reno only, so we decided to go all-out." |
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The couple decorated Wyatt's room with personal touches and things to inspire creativity. Both Connie and Nick are music lovers and voracious readers, so they made sure there were plenty of books and instruments. Framed black and white family photos hang above the bed.
Bedding, floor lamp: HomeSense
Bedding, floor lamp: HomeSense
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The main-floor bathroom was the couple's biggest design challenge. Nick originally purchased slabs of onyx from China. "Onyx is such a delicate material. We had to assure our fabricator, M&W Stoneworks, that we wouldn't hold them responsible if there were problems during the cutting-fitting process," Connie says. "When we got them onto the wall, my heart sank into my stomach. Everything was so dark. We needed a new plan immediately."
Victorian Custom Stained Glass added a clear leaded-glass window, and the couple contrasted the onyx with glass tiles to highlight the lighter tones. An originally dark wood vanity and dark wood trim were given a coat of white paint. "The end result looks nothing like the original plan, but amazingly enough it all came together really well," says Connie.
Victorian Custom Stained Glass added a clear leaded-glass window, and the couple contrasted the onyx with glass tiles to highlight the lighter tones. An originally dark wood vanity and dark wood trim were given a coat of white paint. "The end result looks nothing like the original plan, but amazingly enough it all came together really well," says Connie.
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| With help from Steelhead Contracting, Bomex Tile and M&W Stoneworks, the couple completed the renovation of their master suite just in time for Wyatt's birth. "We are now a family of three in our home, and it feels great," says Connie. Lofty ceilings, walls painted powder blue and layered lighting give the master suite an airy feel. Vanity: HomeSense |
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The master suite has an open layout. Added skylights provide plenty of natural light.
Wood flooring: Cutting Edge Hardwood Restorations
Wood flooring: Cutting Edge Hardwood Restorations
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The couple worked with Victorian Custom Stained Glass to install the series of leaded-glass windows above the bed and in the master suite.
Wood bench: HomeSense; bedding: DwellStudio; table lamps: Pottery Barn
Wood bench: HomeSense; bedding: DwellStudio; table lamps: Pottery Barn
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Custom closet doors by Steelhead Contracting keep the couple's wardrobe concealed, while decorative boxes keep smaller items organized. A stained glass door leads to a small upper-level patio.
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| The Shaws tore down what Connie refers to as "an obscenely large garage" to create a backyard. A covered deck leads out onto this outdoor entertaining area, which features a custom waterfall wall and a stone fire-feature table. |
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On weekends the pair can often be found enjoying a glass of wine on their deck. "Those bifold doors are wide open every day from about May to September," says Connie. "This was a big part of our renovation decisions: asking ourselves, how will we use the space? What will work for our life?"
Your turn: Share your renovated home with us!
Your turn: Share your renovated home with us!
Ideabook updated on Feb. 8, 2013.
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On the down side, I figure the half-life of the vases & guitars at around 2 days once the little guy takes his first step. Fragiles disappear down a steep curve... like hamsters down those horizontal grates (trust me on this one) or milk down the MacBook Pro (likewise). Mouldings? For the next two years perfectly-coped architrave returns will give way a unifying wrap of adhesive foam rubber around every sharp corner and edge in the house.
Quoth Matisse: There are always flowers for those who want to see them."
To each his own.
I am sure the young lad will grow up just FINE with the art work his parents picked--I have to wonder tho are these the SAME people who would have a woman HIDE under a blanket while doing the most natural thing on the planet---feeding her child? Those are the people who need some "work" in my book.