Words by Michelle Heslop. Photos by Tony Colangelo.
Mastering the art of blending contemporary elements with classical architecture, this 4500-square-foot Uplands home renovation was spearheaded by Maximilian Huxley from Maximilian Huxley Construction while Jodi Foster of Jodi Foster Design + Planning reconfigured the layout and collaborated with the homeowner to bring her vision to life. “The semi-retired couple came to me with clear ideas of what they wanted for their 1933 home starting with material choices inspired by their previous home in Vancouver,” says Huxley, who gutted the interior and expanded the space to be able to meet the owners’ requirements.
To preserve the home’s original charm, their design goal was to incorporate traditional details into the new design inspired by the stained glass, mullion windows, and curved archways. The embossed relief tile backsplash serves as the jumping off point for the rest of the kitchen materials and pair elegantly with dark green soapstone perimeter countertops.
Custom cabinetry suggestions from the designer ensured that the kitchen’s workflow was functional and storage optimal. Cabinet inserts and concealed paneled appliances were high on the homeowner’s wishlist of modern kitchen must-haves. Huxley emphasized that LTS Millwork was exceptional for their attention to detail like constructing multiple cardboard mock-ups of the scalloped hood fan for the homeowners to visualize the piece before it was built.
The low sheen cabinets with slight distressing maintain the home’s 1930’s appeal and act as a neutral backdrop for the room’s blend of contemporary and old world elements like the heavily veined Calacatta countertops on the island and the traditional leaded glass cabinet doors framed by the concealed fridge on one side and pantry on the other.
Eschewing the typical eat-in island with stools, the couple opted for a more practical working island with a prep sink and double-sided customized cupboards and drawers. Sea Glass blue on the island makes a bold colour statment and echoes the fearless use of colour in the rest of the home. Curved archways in the kitchen pair with the mullion windows and classic glass pendants over the island to relate to the home’s original era.
Trading trends for timeless style, the creative team behind this renovation managed to integrate classic elements with contemporary materials to master a casual elegance with a twist on tradition. The updated kitchen emerges as the home’s focal point with its inviting warmth and fine finishes that will comfortably take this couple into their next chapter.
