BEFORE AND AFTER: This 1970s Vancouver Home Goes from Drab to Fab in a Gorgeous Modern Renovation

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All photos by Tina Kulic with Ema Peter Photography

While it’s likely hard to picture it now, this 2,100-square-foot Kerrisdale home was once a ’70s-inspired sea of pink bathrooms, worn linoleum flooring and dated wall-to-wall beige carpeting. (Want to see the before pics? Click here or scroll to the bottom).

Now, the lovely renovation from Annaliesse Kelly of AK Design Design is elegant and sophisticated, but it also packs a colourful modern punch. The clients wanted a space that was more than just gorgeous: it needed to be versatile enough to manage their busy family of four. Kelly worked with Headland Construction to gut the 1970s home and completely change the floorplan to open it up, maximize space and create a better flow.

The design of the home is luxe and layered: the walls are kept clean simple, with white-on-white wall sconces and other lighting fixtures installed throughout. Occasional patterns and pops of warm caramels and maroon are seen throughout, while curved shapes, texture, sheen and colour-block details are repeated from room to room. “It was really about creating layering without creating chaos,” says Kelly.

Custom sliding doors separate the front of the house from the back without closing it off. A “door without being a door,” the windows let in light and don’t interfere with sightlines, while providing soundproofing between the sunken living room and the kitchen, family room, and dining area.

A dining area that can accommodate a large party of guests was a must, but tricky for the more modest-sized floor plan. A banquette with quality leatherette upholstery creates necessary seating and allows room for guests to easily walk through to the kitchen.

To use every inch of space, the dining area millwork also houses a secret; its pull-out shelves hold office supplies and a printer, with a functional roll-out office underneath and hidden plugs so the kids can do their homework there.

In the bright and airy kitchen, the countertops, backsplash and hood fan are all the same white quartz Caesarstone, a bright and light pairing to the open-grain, custom-stained white oak cabinetry. Walls were torn down to open it up to the family room and a large window leading outside to a new patio.

Upstairs, a primary ensuite with a shower was added to the floorplan, as well as two children’s bedrooms. A closet in the upper hallway was made into a laundry closet with a full-size washer and dryer, as well as an extra-deep countertop.

It’s a home that’s wanting for nothing—and evidence that a smartly designed space doesn’t need big square footage to work well. “With thoughtful design and intentionality,” says Kelly, “you can have everything you need.”

BEFORE PICTURES