Words by Adrienne Dyer. Photos by Jody Beck.
Bold pattern-play in black and white combine with high-impact architecture in this modern new build brought to fruition by the collaborative efforts of Alan Stewart of Motion Construction and Danisha Drury of Danisha Drury Design. “A lot of the design inspiration happened on site,” says Drury, who brought her vision to life with large-format, geometric wallpapers and bold black elements against a white backdrop, warmed by wood features and heated polished concrete floors.
The fireplace, with its 3D wallpaper, commands attention in the open main floor, along with black ceiling beams, barn doors, and oversized orange and black pendant lights hung to varying heights above the dining table. The striking features are offset by a minimalist kitchen, where low-profile handles and integrated fridge panels simplify the cabinetry, allowing the vertical subway tile backsplash and quartz waterfall countertop to shine.
Stewart’s staircase design takes centre stage, with black powder-coated steel bars and a matching stringer; each wooden stair tread is set with LED strip lights embedded flush against the edges.
The entire house showcases Stewart’s wood craftsmanship, from the backlit wine rack to the invisible office door camouflaged by planks of maple and walnut precisely intertwined. In the master bedroom, sheets of textured,multi-dimensional wood panels wrap the partial wall that separates the bedroom from the ensuite.
All three upper-floor bedrooms have sliding glass access to the balcony. Stewart’s custom soffit design protects against the weather, with recessed lights that look stunning after dark. Exterior burnt wood cladding, black brick, and acrylic stucco create curb appeal so striking that the house often stops passersby in their tracks.
“The original plans included a garage on the bottom floor,” says Stewart, who built a detached garage instead, creating room for a two-bedroom suite and a sunken front entrance. The entire front of the house acts as a frame for glimpses of the interior, offering an intriguing first impression of a home that pulls together this unique, earthy, and impactful expression of modern design.
