Brian Gluckstein Design Gallery
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Whistler Design Challenge with Debbie Evans
What kind of a house can be built on a long, narrow parcel of land that has various grades and level changes? Debbie Evans of Whistler Interior Design welcomed the challenge.
She worked with Kat Sullivan, designer, and architect Paul O’Mara, to produce a comfortable, spacious home that provides a peaceful retreat even though it is situated in downtown Whistler, B.C.
Under-lit steps winding down through plantings lead from street level through a modest courtyard to the beautiful four-foot wide solid wooden door. It conveys a generous welcome and quiet elegance at the same time. Adjoining glass, spanning from floor to ceiling, affords a view of the central-stringer staircase that continues to the third level. Already visitors can sense the subtle Asian look desired by the owner whose travels to Japan have left lasting impressions.
The proximity of other dwellings is easily forgotten. An expanse of dining and living area windows seems to frame Whistler Mountain. The majestic vista is not obscured, thanks to solar film on the windows, which reduces heat in summer and eliminates the need for window coverings.
An NLE audio system is used throughout. The lattice front of a custom designed TV cabinet and credenza allows good air circulation for the living room media equipment and carries the Asian theme. There is no mantle on the ledge stone fireplace, in keeping with the uncluttered lines that are the signature of this comfortable dwelling. An ivory area rug with a simple soft vine pattern, an atypical oriental style, softens the bluestone floor, and pulls everything together in the living room.
The outside deck that extends the dining and living areas to the outdoors has a solid railing so it allows complete privacy from the street. That wraparound deck is accessible from nearly every room. What looks like a simple stone wall, offering privacy at the side of the house, is really an outdoor fireplace.
A tiny main floor powder room, adjacent to the living room, delivers a big surprise. Ledge stone reappears in a striking column that spouts the faucet while the clear glass vessel bowl and gently curved vanity lend a feeling of space.
“A big heavy old table in the dining room is one example of the eclectic look, skillfully bringing together clean, linear lines without becoming too modern or hard.” Comfortable, modern upholstered chairs keep to the simple theme and are great for entertaining.
The kitchen’s Shaker style fir cabinets with black counter tops hint at Asian décor. Frosted glass doors on upper cabinets, carefully placed pot lights and gleaming stainless steel appliances lighten up the entire kitchen. The cappuccino machine in the fridge and a custom wine press are a boon to entertaining.
The owners have their private retreat in the upper level master bedroom, with its own sitting area. The en suite’s corner shower is all done with travertine and black countertops. A vaulted ceiling, under-lit cabinets, and glass blocks that bring in lots of daylight all contribute to the spaciousness.
Radiant heat is effectively paired with Bluestone and travertine tile floors to deliver constant comfort.
Since the house was built to maximum size allowable, landscaping is minimal. There is just enough room for a path that leads outdoors from all four lower level bedrooms for easy access to the hot tub.
The mudroom next to the lower level garage entrance continues in Asian style. Here, the fir is used horizontally, drawing the eye toward a wall full of cubbyholes providing abundant storage for seasonal gear, while a round mirror effectively softens the strength of angular lines.
“The whole idea was to keep it comfy, using a minimalistic look, and maximizing the views. The entire house effectively accents the structure of space,” Debbie asserts.
Sensational Modern Space Designed by Michelle Ardiel
Canadian Home Trends: Michelle, talk to us about this gorgeous kitchen.
Michelle Ardiel: The kitchen was actually my starting point for the whole layout of the home – I didn’t even start drawing up the rest of the house until I had figured out the kitchen. The design takes advantage of the beautiful lake view on one side, and opens out onto the other main spaces of the house: living, dining and family rooms. It is a big house, but with this open plan, each member of the family can do their own thing and still feel together. The kitchen is situated at the centre of the house – the heart in every sense.
CHT: What is your favorite design element in the kitchen?
MA: Although they are slightly high maintenance, I love my white quartz countertops. I think they look fantastic between the walnut cabinetry and glass & marble tile backsplash. I could not live without the huge centre island; my family works, eats and plays there. I am also glad that I put a work station on one side, with a computer and file drawers – all the household bills and paperwork stay in a central and accessible location.
CHT: What is your favorite room in the house and why?
MA: It is hard to choose between my kitchen and the master suite. At home, I spend almost all of my time in or around the kitchen, but at the end of the day, my bedroom and ensuite are like a sanctuary, especially when I can melt into the six-foot soaker tub.
CHT: What was your biggest inspiration for the design of this space?
MA: I love modern clean lines and symmetry. I am inspired by the gorgeous open-plan homes and the innovative use of materials that I see coming primarily out of Australia. The biggest inspiration, however, was the property itself. With one side looking onto the lake and the other three sides to the trees, there is simply no bad view. It made perfect sense to incorporate as many windows as possible, and keep the walls white and furnishings neutral in order to highlight the landscape beyond. The house just feels really right in this spot.
CHT: Describe the perfect time of day to visit your home and why?
MA: Stop by for a cool drink on an early afternoon in summer, when the lake is sparkling and light fills the house. It’s like being on holidays at home.
CHT: What were some of the challenges in this design project?
MA: Actually, for the size and scale of this project, things went reasonably smoothly. We did have a hold-up with the city over a height issue, and we lost four months of build time while it was resolved. Other challenges were mainly due to getting things custom-built. It was a matter of drawing up a plan for something, i.e. the deck posts, making a prototype and then adjusting where necessary. I also had a tough time deciding on the exterior elements and how to arrange them. I sketched up many different elevation drawings trying to get it just right. It was really a case of too much choice! In the end, I‘m very happy with the horizontal cedar, corrugated aluminum cladding and stainless steel trim we chose.
CHT: How did you overcome these challenges?
MA: We spent considerable time making sure each element fit the overall design and the space. Most things were custom built, even the stair treads and several furniture pieces, so many hours were spent with a tape measure, pencil and paper before being turned over to the crafts people. Time, patience and a clear vision got me through.
CHT: As a designer, what is your favorite product that you tend to use in the spaces you design?
MA: I crave light, and that is one thing I make sure each space has plenty of. Along with this, I love the combination of wood and glass – the contradiction of these two elements complement each other beautifully. In my house, for example, the interior doors on the main floor mix a dark-stained wood frame with a frosted glass panel, allowing light to travel through while maintaining privacy. The staircase combines walnut treads with glass panels as a banister. The transparency of the glass gives the impression that the stairs are floating. I’ve used large floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere I could, as much for the view as for the light. When daylight fades, though, it is imperative to have beautiful lighting to focus on, all on dimmer switches for absolute control.
CHT: If you could choose to work on any design project in the world, which would it be?
MA: Right now I am working on obtaining my LEED Canada (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accreditation, so I am eager to take the reins on a green-build project. I work closely with my husband, who is a developer, and he has a few projects in the works where hopefully we can implement some solid environmental practices and products. Of course I would never say no to a project that allowed me to travel somewhere warm or exotic!
Classic Impression
Bentley Homes is a custom home builder that prides itself on the construction of unique homes that stand out from one another.
Bentley Homes entered a home in the Spring Parade of Homes for the first time this past spring. In the Fall Parade of Homes, the custom homebuilder has two show homes on display.
“The 35 Portside bungalow is the most beautiful home we have ever built so far,” says Paolo Bryant whose father, Gerald Matheson co-founded the company five years ago.
Visitors will be impressed first by the stone façade at the entrance. But the real attraction, Bryant notes, is the 2,079 square foot home’s layout.
“There is a real WOW! Factor when you walk in,” he says. Large windows grace the living room, dining room and kitchen, allowing for a lot of natural light. A large, double-sided fireplace in stone compliments the living room and dining room (which can accommodate up to 15). The ensuite to the master bedroom is equipped with a rain shower, with multiple jets.
In the basement, there is a bar, bedroom and office/library. The 2,179 square foot 27 Portside home, Bryant notes, is more of a family-oriented home. Built for a corner lot, large windows bring in a lot of natural light and allow you a comprehensive view of the neighbourhood.
The home features a very large kitchen with a lot of granite counter space. On the main floor, there is also a den and a mud room attached to the garage.
Upstairs, there are three bedrooms. The elegant master bedroom has a tray ceiling with a fan in the centre. As with the 35 Portside, the ensuite also has a rain shower and soaker tub. Both living rooms are wired for 5.1 Surround Sound.
“At Bentley Homes, we build homes, not just houses,” Bryant says. “We use the highest quality materials available in the industry. People notice the difference in our homes.”
Photography By Bruce Allen Hendricks
Text by Myron Love
Design Elements in Harmony
I wonder how many people walk into a room and automatically try to redecorate the room in their minds. For instance just the other day, I was walking through a friend’s living room and thought to myself, “Wow, this space would look great by simply rearranging a few pieces of furniture”. I have often laughed with friends about spaces I have seen through the years and how I would have loved a few minutes to rearrange the furniture in the room and add a few simple accessories. I have said many times “I wonder if I moved the homeowners’ furniture without them noticing little by little every time I visit their home and one day their furniture would be in its rightful place.” Of course, with my amazing luck, I would get caught in the act and would have to explain why I am pushing their sofa to the other end of the room while they are getting me a cup of coffee. I would then have two options: confess everything and explain to them the fundamentals of design, or amusingly state that I am trying this new fitness program and that they should give it a try by moving their furniture so that their room becomes esthetically pleasing.
Although furniture is a big part of a room’s design, it is not everything. Good design also consists of setting a mood, keeping all your design elements in harmony and selecting a colour palette that compliments the overall look. (Read Colour Swatch on page 30) Your colour palette sets the personality of the room. It should truly speak to your design style such as the Brian Gluckstein space featured in this issue which features a neutral colour palette which is very much Gluckstein’s design style. (Read Brian Gluckstein’s Designer Wisdom on page 46)
With every style we must consider the room’s layout and available space. The 6,500 square ft. home designed by Michelle Ardiel is directly reflected in her modern sleek design style and open concept layout. (Read Home To Stay on page 22) While not all of us have over six thousand square feet of available space, we must make do with the space that we have available to us, adapt and express our personality through the design of our space as an artist does with a blank canvas. If you are unsure where to start, our design quiz on page 49 will guide you in the right direction.
Not all of us have a natural knack for design but we all have the opportunity to learn. Therefore, next time you are moving someone’s furniture while they are getting you coffee, consider asking them to step back into the room and offer them a few pointers. If you are the one getting the coffee while a design crazed maniac is rearranging your furniture, please forgive us as we are only trying to help.
