Words by Adrienne Dyer. Photos by Jody Beck.
This Uplands home renovation preserves the original northern California-inspired architecture, which was designed to capture the aesthetic of the iconic Sea Ranch project, founded in the 1960s along the Pacific Coast. Managed by Goodison Construction and designed by architect D.H. Moore, the project features interior design by Mari Kushino Design and millwork by David H Moore Cabinetry.
“The owners wanted a simple, modern look that preserved the building’s style,” says David Moore, who created new cabinetry for the kitchen, the bathrooms, the laundry room, the upper foyer, and the living room. Throughout the house, the cabinetry’s flat panel style is simple yet dramatic, with a mix of matte and gloss finishes in a surprising blend of subtle and bold colours.
In the kitchen, Moore paired Echo Wood veneer upper cabinets and fridge panels in a champagne finish with high-gloss lowers in dramatic MIRLUX graphite, all with built-in edge pulls and a stainless reveal finish for a seamless look. The countertops and range backsplash are satin-finish porcelain with grey porcelain tile underfoot.
“There’s lots of floating cabinetry,” says Moore, “but with careful planning and solid construction techniques, using premium materials, we even suspended the 36-inch gas top range.”
The kitchen features a cantilevered island with thick Neolith Basalt Black counters, plus a hidden coffee station designed to house the homeowners’ coveted cups and grinders, with custom lighting that illuminates the space when the door is opened.
In the living room, Moore created a built-in entertainment unit and bookcase in vertical-grain flat panels with custom-stained Echo Wood.
Another cabinet in the upper foyer is finished in the same champagne finish as the kitchen cabinets.
Light grey high-gloss cabinets in the laundry room create a clean backdrop to highlight the colourful geometric wallpaper framing the window.
The striking master ensuite is nearly all dark grey, with charcoal porcelain on the floors, walls, and tub surround. Softness comes from the matte-finished Echo Wood vanity, which showcases the vertical wood grain. Touches of white on the sink, bathtub, and light fixtures add contrast to the space.
The powder room features a surprising shot of midnight blue on the vanity, paired with chocolate wood veneer on the built-ins, and a polished concrete-coloured quartz countertop. A wavy wall tile features tones of taupe and grey in an eye-catching pattern, with soft grey porcelain floor tiles, which ties all of the elements together.
This restoration epitomizes the Sea Ranch’s landscape-driven ethos, inspiring the dwelling’s original design, while embracing a current interpretation marked by bold hues and careful architectural integrity.
