Inside NHL Goalie Martin Jones’s Serene Japandi Home in North Vancouver

Alex and Martin Jones were finally ready to put down roots. As Martin Jones neared the end of his NHL career in 2024—which included stints with the Los Angeles Kings, the San Jose Sharks, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Seattle Kraken and the Toronto Maple Leafs—he and his wife Alex decided the time was right to return to North Vancouver and find their forever home. Or, in their case, to build it.

They discovered the perfect setting in a lot near Edgemont Village, with a big backyard and plenty of trees for privacy. For them, that proximity to the natural world was essential. “We wanted to bring nature in as much as we could,” says Martin. “And have lots of earth tones to create a calming, Zen atmosphere.”

READ MORE: Home Tour: Inside NHL Star Trevor Linden’s B.C. Home Goal

It was also an opportunity for them to fall in love with their hometown anew. “We’d been away from Vancouver for a long time, and we both grew up on the North Shore,” says Alex. “You realize how much beauty is here and how special B.C. is. We wanted a home that fit into the landscape and made us feel like homegrown Vancouver kids.”

To do that, they enlisted the talents of architect Robert Blaney, landscape architect Alexander Suvajac and interior designer Jamie Deck of Shift Interiors. The build, which took nearly two years, offered Deck an opportunity to do what she does best: create spaces that eschew trends in favour of classic, ageless designs that will look as good 30 years from now as they do today.

“They really wanted their home to feel like an environment they could retreat back to,” the designer says. “They wanted to incorporate earth elements into their home, and they wanted it to be timeless. I love working on environments like that.”

“You realize how much beauty is here and how special B.C. is. We wanted a home that fit into the landscape and made us feel like homegrown Vancouver kids.”

That sense of calm is evident throughout the 4,962-square-foot home, which is washed in neutral  tones, natural materials and soft textures. In the kitchen, for example, beautifully grained rift-cut oak cabinets pair seamlessly with walls painted in Benjamin Moore’s soothing White Dove. Subtle elements of Japanese design, including slatted panels that mark the transition from kitchen to living room, are combined with the clean, minimalist lines of Scandinavia to create a “Japandi” vibe—a coming-together of the couple’s two favourite design styles.

READ MORE: Inside a Minimalist “Japandi” Retreat in the Kootenays

In the primary bedroom’s ensuite, meanwhile, wooden beams above the skylight, a standalone soaker tub in matte white and slatted flooring in the shower give the space the feeling of an outdoor spa. And in the bedroom itself, a cabinet hides one of the home’s most charming features: a custom coffee station.

“It almost makes it feel like a little hotel,” says Alex. “You can wake up and make yourself a cup of coffee—and not have to leave the room.

READ MORE: 8 Homes with Built-in Coffee Stations

The couple loves to host, so it was also important to them that they have a space for friends and family to gather. To that end, Deck designed an open-plan kitchen with three different zones: an oversized island equipped with Sundays Field stools for congregating while cooking; a large Lock and Mortice Split dining table—set underneath a Matthew McCormick Line light—for big, boisterous meals; and a cozy corner nook for (second) morning coffees or quick bites. Minimalist plugs from Bocci’s 22 system were added throughout so that not even the electrical outlets would feel out of place.

When the couple bought the property, they were gearing up to start a family (and, indeed, they now have a toddler and a baby). For that reason, Deck imagined the kitchen to flow freely into the living room and family room, allowing the parents to watch over their young kids while simultaneously preparing dinner or pouring drinks for friends.

Children bring a need for durable materials that can withstand daily life, too, which is why Deck opted for Dekton—a long-lasting stone from Cosentino—for the kitchen island (the countertop material carries through into the dedicated wine room as well). “This being their forever home,” says Deck, “we were really careful with the types of materials we chose so that it could uphold their growing family for years to come.”

With one year down and many more ahead, the couple say that their home is as enchanting to them as ever—a place of tranquility, of solace and, finally, of rootedness.

“It still kind of feels surreal,” Alex says. “Just this morning we were like, ‘It’s still so nice.’ Even though it’s been raining for five days, you just feel really at peace.”

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Alex and Martin’s Local Favourites

For breakfast

We love the bright welcoming feel and unconventional menu at Catch 122 in North Vancouver, with dishes like the KFC Dutch Baby pancake—one of our favourites.

For lunch

Din Tai Fung in Vancouver has a lively atmosphere and fast pace—we always enjoy ordering steamer baskets filled with their famous Taiwanese soup dumplings.

For dinner

Kissa Tanto in Chinatown is a perfect fusion of our two favourite cuisines, Japanese and Italian,  in a stylish space with a cool jazz bar vibe.

For coffee

Housed in a converted mid-century post office, Isetta Cafe Bistro in West Vancouver has a warm, inviting atmosphere, excellent coffee and fresh Italian sandwiches.

For design shopping

TheStyleWell in Edgemont Village is a beautifully curated shop featuring timeless home  goods—it’s our go-to for finding thoughtful, locally sourced gifts.

For shopping local

Tucked just off the Spirit Trail in a small warehouse, Knead Bakeshop in North Van serves incredible sourdough—sometimes still warm from the oven.

For a local getaway

We love the Sunshine Coast: our ideal day includes wandering the Sechelt farmers market, enjoying a waterfront dinner at Painted Boat Resort and ending the day with a family sunset bonfire (with tons of s’mores, of course).

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Designer Jamie Deck’s Local Favourites

For lunch

Au Comptoir in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood is a favourite for a casual lunch—it’s right nearby and always feels warm and easy, like a little slice of Paris.

For dinner

Magari by Oca is one of those places we keep going back to—the pasta is exceptional and everything is done with so much care, but it still feels relaxed and intimate.

For design

Obakki is always a go-to for us. The pieces are beautifully made, and we love that everything is rooted in craftsmanship and tells a story.

For shopping local

Provide is such a special little shop—we often stop in for sourcing. It’s thoughtfully curated with pieces that feel warm, timeless and very livable.

For a local getaway

Scandinave Spa in Whistler is our reset. Being in the forest, moving between hot  and cold, it’s quiet and grounding in the best way.