Words by Adrienne Dyer. Photos by Jody Beck.
When homeowner Jen Dahl set about planning her family’s custom home, she discovered a new calling in interior design. Armed with drawings, photos and a clear idea of what she wanted, Dahl turned to designer Tim Philipchalk, owner of Harbour City Kitchens to bring her vision to life.
“I was confident in my vision, but needed someone who could help me articulate the technical aspects,” says Dahl. “Tim listened. He was beyond professional at standing behind his work.”
At approximately 5,200 square feet, with three bedrooms upstairs for the couple’s children and a master on the main floor, the home’s modern farmhouse style graces a pastoral piece of land in Deep Cove. Philipchalk integrated millwork in much of the house, from the children’s walk-in closets to the laundry, mudroom, bathrooms, living room, and master bedroom.
“Jen played a significant role in co-designing the project with me,” says Philipchalk. “We spent a good deal of time discussing ideas in our showroom for the overall look and feel of the project.” Dahl chose a mixture of rift white oak and painted Shaker cabinetry with birch plywood construction and dovetail drawers. In the children’s bathrooms, master closet, laundry, and kitchen, the countertops are quartz, while the pantry and mudroom bench is topped with white oak.
To add a contemporary nod toward the classic country farmhouse, Philipchalk finished the kitchen island and custom hood fan with decorative elements, complemented by matte surfaces and concrete pendant lights above the island. Barn doors to conceal an efficiently compact pantry where, as in the master closet, notchout soft-close drawers eliminate the need for hardware.
In the living room, the fireplace is a focal point enhanced by floating shelves and louvered cabinets that allow airflow for stereo equipment inside. Natural white oak also gleams in the master ensuite, finished with grey tiled floors, black elements, and touches of gold.
Millwork receives a soft blue finish in the laundry room and front entry, where customized storage abounds. From the finishes and aesthetics to the cabinet configuration and layout, the entire home is perfectly tailored to the lifestyle of Dahl and her family, which, says Philipchalk, embodies his way of doing business.
