Words by Michelle Heslop. Photos by Vince Klassen.
Expertly designed by Michael Dunsmuir of Step One Design, this 6500-square-foot custom home was masterfully built by Terry Johal Developments for an exclusive gated community. The design became a study in maximizing the lot and working within the confines of a building envelope to meet the needs of the clients. To prepare the site, the steeply angled lot had to be raised six metres vertically to create a level building ground. Once this was achieved, a bend in the design was created to create separation from the neighboring homes on either side. This would provide privacy and orient the home to capitalize on the sun throughout the day.
One of the main criteria was to provide a second garage for the homeowners’ classic car collection. Initially, a subterranean garage below the main garage was considered but preference was eventually given to an external driveway along the side of the house down to the lowest level. Step One Design was able to incorporate this feature into the design with careful grade calculations for the lower driveway and designed a second garage on the lower floor.
Given the home’s treed rural setting, the relationship between indoor and outdoor areas was carefully considered in this thoughtful design. The Arts and Crafts style exterior is expressed in slate and timber for a low-maintenance, mountain resort feel. Wrapped in a traditional façade, the interior is contemporary with modern features to create a timeless appeal. In every room, an in-wall Control4 touch screen manages everything from temperature to music in each room and is connected to a central security system linked to a series of cameras that can be viewed from your television or cell phone.
The main floor layout enjoys a natural flow between distinct spaces but has an airy open-concept feel that allows the stunning view to sing. To follow the contour of home’s layout, the white quartz island in the kitchen was constructed with a bend to allow for circulation space. Stainless steel, white quartz, walnut, and glass are repeated throughout the home for visual consistency and flow.
Soaring 20-foot ceilings accentuate the contemporary mountain resort vibe in the great room. Expansive windows embrace the treed views of Mount Finlayson and give the elevated home a modern treehouse feel. Reflective stainless steel fireplace surround is juxtaposed against the warmth of the walnut for a showstopping focal point. Built-ins create a custom feel to the room and allow the impressive vistas to take centre stage.
Within the 6500 square feet, the designers allocated room for both a man cave and a woman’s sewing retreat to satisfy the couple’s hobbies. A transformed attic space boasts a built-in sewing station while a floating staircase leads to a space above the garage. Downstairs, two guest bedrooms join a rec room with full bar and home theatre. But the pièce de résistance of the lower floor is the showstopping man cave that showcases a pristine 1967, powder blue, Corvette Stingray convertible. Glossy cabinetry in “Ferrari red” lines the workshop and gives it a functional feel.
