WL Design 25 Winners 2024: Practical Magic

This is a mud room that’s as purpose-built as can be for an athletic family of five—plus pooch. Much of the home’s materials palette is inspired by its beachy locale, and, of course, even the mudroom is touched by the same: concrete floors are tinted to a shade of grey that’s a near-perfect match to the darker sand of the beach just steps away, and light-stained hemlock on the ceilings and soffits throughout take inspiration from the silvery, sun-bleached driftwood logs on that same beach.

And the space itself has a practicality to it that reveals itself in layers. When equipment from running, cycling, swimming, basketball, lacrosse and hockey needs a home, it’s all been mapped out in durable Fenix laminate—scratch resistant should the odd hockey stick or dog leash land less carefully than intended—and water-welcoming Corian. Large wall hooks and plenty of elbow room make it easy to shrug off outer gear, no matter how puffy the coats get in the winter. A sturdy concrete bench doesn’t budge when the family is throwing on shoes or climbing up to grab something from the top shelf. And last but not least: built-in dog bowls (removable for cleaning) are designed with a faucet directly above and overflow drain below, so even the dog has its own little corner.

“The creation of a clean, minimal and bright space, void of any visual or functional obstacles, makes heading out the door as easy and quick as possible for the family,” writes the team at Falken Reynolds in their submission.

Project: Cadboro Bay mud room
Designer: Falken Reynolds Interiors
Collaborators: Billy Thistle of Point Break Developments (general contracting), Jason Good Custom Cabinets (millwork and Corian)
Location: Victoria

Meet all of the 2024 WL Design 25 winners here.