Before & After: A Chic Modern Renovation for an Untouched 1970s West Coast Home

Photos by Brittney Kwasney, Bright Photo

Celia Dawson, senior VP of interior design at Polygon, is truly a diplomat. When asked about the state of the 1970s Vancouver home she recently renovated with the help of architectural designer Fiona Sinclair Design Studio and contractor MDM Solutions, the designer's response was all tact: €œThe best way to put it would be that it was loved, but untouched since 1974, the year it was built.€

BEFORE: KITCHEN

AFTER: KITCHEN

Of course, appreciating the love that went into a decades-old design is one thing; living with it is another. So Dawson got to work to transform the 2,100-square-foot, three-bedroom post-and-beam house into a bright, warm and inviting space that suited her modern tastes.

€œI wanted to create a well-lit home with lots of glazing and natural light while also keeping the walls white for a clean and fresh backdrop for my colorful art,€ she explains. For Dawson, creating a space that felt safe, secure and a little bit cozy was important too: €œI didn€™t want to get €˜lost€™ in an oversized space.€

BEFORE: LIVING ROOM

AFTER: LIVING ROOM

Other goals included ensuring sufficient space for visits from her daughters and integrating indoor and outdoor spaces. €œThe landscape is meant to be an extension of the inside living area,€ says Dawson. Connected so seamlessly to the interior living space with big, slide-away Innotech doors, the pool and hot tub get plenty of use; the garage also wound up being a super functional space, converted into a workout area and games room with ample extra storage.

AFTER: BEDROOM AND BATHROOM

€œIt was important to me to choose simple, timeless materials,€ says Dawson. €œI find that you don't have to spend a fortune to achieve a timeless, high quality look€”what's most important is taking the time to research and weigh out your options before shopping.€ Practicing restraint and re-evaluating the extent of finishes is key, she advises. As a result of this diligence, the finished home features classic white-washed wood floors and marble-clad bathrooms. She went with established brands for fixtures and appliances, with Taymor hardware, Grohe and Hansgrohe fixtures, Toto wall hung plumbing fixtures, Blanco silgranit sinks and Wolf Appliances. The ample natural light throughout the home is complimented by warm LED interior lighting.

BEFORE: EXTERIOR

AFTER: EXTERIOR

While Dawson still appreciates the home's original vision and bones, It's hard to deny she's transformed the house for the better. €œIt's exactly the home I wanted to design.€

CREDITS
General Contractor: MDM Solutions Construction
Architectural Design: Fiona Sinclair Design Studio  
Furniture: Once A Tree Furniture