Inside a Bright North Shore Mid-Century Home Renovation in the Woods

Living in a converted car garage had its perks: Michelle Wilson and her family loved the high ceilings, brick walls and glorious industrial aesthetic of their downtown Toronto commercial-property-turned-townhouse. But cars don’t exactly care about sunshine. “It was amazing, but it was tucked in the back,” Wilson explains, “so we didn’t get a ton of natural light in our main living area—it could, at times, feel a little bit dark.”

When the time came to head west to live closer to relatives, the Wilsons set out to embrace the light that their Toronto space lacked… and shift away from the industrial toward a design ethos more focused on the natural, the organic and the wild.

They settled on a 1961 Peter Kaffka-designed home on Vancouver’s North Shore that was built on a steep slope and surrounded by forest. “When you walked in, even on the lower level, you were still in the trees,” Wilson recalls of her first visit. The home had expansive windows, but also featured some overly funky ’60s materials (read: a turquoise tub and sink) and a few charming but impractical design elements (read: a spiral staircase that wasn’t quite up to modern safety standards).

The dated space called for a renovation, and the Wilson family brought on the architect and design team of OMB (Office of McFarlane Biggar Architects and Designers) and contractor West Coast Turn Key to update the interior while maintaining the home’s connection to nature. “It had an incredible sense of place, like it was floating in the forest,” says designer Michelle Biggar, principal of OMB. “It’s really important to us that homes like that—which are really a part of Canada’s West Coast design heritage—are preserved and honoured when making them more relevant for a contemporary family.”

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In the spirit of preservation, the home’s light-drenched main living space was hardly altered (besides upgrading the windows for energy efficiency). The design team replaced a standard-sized patio door with massive four-panel sliding glass doors and extended the outside deck. “They cantilevered it,” Wilson explains, “so it just kind of hangs out into nature.” Mid-century modern furnishings, like an antique console from Fullhouse Modern and a Mario Bellini-inspired sofa, are a nod to the home’s ’60s roots. The original fireplace stayed, too.

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The kitchen, however, required some major functional changes. A “weird triangular part” (Biggar’s words) became a powerhouse of a pantry, and OMB added an oversized island that doubles as an informal seating area. As an avid home cook, Wilson requested a kitchen rail to hang her collection of vintage brass cookware. “They wanted clean and modern, but with elements that harken back to the true purpose of the kitchen,” says Biggar. A terracotta-toned herringbone tile adds texture and interest to the floor.

The spiral staircase was replaced with a much sturdier wood-panelled stairwell, but the backside of the fireplace—which extends all the way down to the lower level—was kept in sight. While the home’s main living space is minimal, clean-lined and airy, the downstairs living area is soft, cozy and full of smart storage—including bookshelves for the kids. Their smaller bedrooms are perfect for sleeping and relaxing, and the extra space is used to its full potential in the living area. “The kids have their own floor, really,” Wilson says—the downstairs bathroom’s terrazzo floor and oval-shaped mirror were chosen for their playfulness.

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As it was family that prompted the Wilsons to move across Canada, it’s only fitting that the home has a beautiful guest suite. The design and architectural team added a new gas fireplace and upgraded the bathroom, with Nordic decor inspired by the Fogo Island Inn, one of the homeowners’ favourite maritime vacation spots. “We wanted to make it feel a bit like a hotel room,” says Wilson. In fact, it may be hard to convince guests to leave—especially since the renovation included refurbishing the sauna (and the spa-like outdoor shower). “It’s so nice, especially living somewhere where it can be cool and damp,” says Wilson. “It’s highly used by us and our extended family.

SEE: Before and After

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Michelle Biggar’s Local Favourites

For breakfast

Blvd Bistro is a great little spot tucked away in North Vancouver’s tiny Queensbury Village area. It has a delicious brunch menu, or grab a sandwich next door at their sister company, S’wich.

For lunch

I love The Shed—a pop up in Cypress Village. It’s casual and fun, with great wood-fired pizzas you can enjoy on the outdoor patio or picnic-style on the big grassy field. It’s my go-to spot to take visitors as the view of Vancouver is amazing and it has a great North Shore vibe.

For beer or a cocktail

There are so many great breweries and cocktail spots in North Vancouver, so I recommend a bike crawl along Esplanade. Start at Wildeye for craft beer, then hit Sons of Vancouver Distillery and Beere Brewing Company. Stop at Copper Penny for a gin cocktail and finish the evening with tacos at La Cerveceria Astilleros.

For design shopping 

The Polygon Shop is full of design-forward finds that are a mixture of international brands and local makers and collectives. I like to pair it with a wander around the Shipyards as there is always something happening: the night market in summer and the Christmas market in winter, with views across the water to the city.

For an “undiscovered” spot 

Sisu Swim Sauna in Deep Cove is a must-do experience. It’s a private boat rental with a floating sauna for up to 11 people for three hours. I booked it for my husband’s birthday in January, and the cold ocean plunges between sauna sessions were amazing.