Words by Michelle Heslop. Photography by Joshua Lawrence.
To connect with the property’s lakefront location, this custom-built family dwelling required an equally striking interior that would embrace the emerald blue views without overpowering them. A powerhouse trio of Chris Clark of Coast Prestige Homes, Jenny Martin and Michelle Poitras of Jenny Martin Design, and Eric Gummer of Thomas Philips Woodworking collaborated to execute the design/build while the homeowners lived in Vancouver. Detailed drawings and thoughtfully curated specifications left the client with little more to do than wait for the grand reveal, alleviating the stress of facing continuous decisions along the way.
“Because of the home’s proximity to the lake, our priority was to keep the sight lines unobstructed in the open space and capture the views from all angles,” says Martin, who adds that whether you are sitting at the dining table or prepping food, you are interacting with the views from every aspect. Clark worked closely with residential designer, Ryan Hoyt to bring the finer details to the waterfront build, like the wall of lift-and-glide glass doors that required a low profile sill for ease of accessibility and an involved process of incorporating a geothermal loop for heating and cooling.
Bleached walnut millwork on the island and the feature wall, between the concealed fridge and the pantry, provide design cohesion and bring a cozy cottage warmth to the contemporary space. “Shaker cabinets with a thin beveled profile add a contemporary twist,” says Gummer who hand-selected the type of grain he wanted to grain-match the island and walnut niche for visual interest.
The owners wanted to create an island that would be the workhorse of the kitchen rather than the typical eat-in bar with stools. Durable quartz countertops, a prep sink, and ample custom storage elevate the island’s practicality while the overhead brass pendants complement the tones in the walnut and finish the space in a bold statement.
This cast of industry pros came together to harmonize the interior with the natural surroundings and shed new light on contemporary cottage style. Luxurious materials in this well-appointed kitchen create a casual lakeside retreat which was key for the owners to embrace the escape-from-it-all feeling.
