DOWNTOWN

Our client approached SBD with a simple design brief. He had recently purchased a penthouse apartment in downtown Vancouver and wanted to create a minimalist, gallery-like space to highlight his art collection.  In its original state, the apartment was dark, chopped up and very dated. We gutted everything, removed an awkward fireplace and replaced it with a dining nook, opened up the kitchen, re-oriented the living room and removed the bedroom closets and replaced them with custom millwork to enlarge the spaces. A palette of white paint, almost white ash floors and walnut joinery create a restrained backdrop for custom furniture made in collaboration with local designers such as Jeff Martin and more international designers such as Mira Nakashima. We have a close working relationship with our builder who was able to execute on our vision of contemporary detailing with drywall reveals, recessed ceiling tracks, trimless lights and flush heating and ventilation grills. The end result is a sophisticated, calm space that has become a retreat for this client from the bustle of the city all around him.

Photography by Gillian Stevens