Article by Michelle Heslop. Photos by Jody Beck.
In one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Victoria, this contemporary home overlooks a protected bay with azure waters and golden sand. After purchasing the seven-year-old home in 2011, a design-savvy couple with previous renovation experience was ready to personalize the dwelling and bring a more cohesive feel to the open-plan. The location and views were ideal but there was a disconnect in the home’s layout and materials. The homeowners knew they needed the right person to create unity in the three-bedroom home’s overall design scheme. After a few phone calls and searching online, the couple hired Iván Meade, principal designer and founder of Meade Design Group, to give their 3200-square-foot home a contemporary comeback.
“We have renovated other homes and have always found professional advice more than justified the cost in terms of mistakes avoided.” The first thing Meade did was incorporate their ideas and needs into the context of an overarching vision. “For reasons of overall cost savings and minimal disruption to our routine, we decided to do the entire plan all at once, so the original scope expanded to include flooring, lighting, altering the closet in the master bedroom and changing the basement into a self-contained area for visitors, including a new bathroom.”
“I always start with the layout and function of a space,” states Meade.
Given the home’s stunning natural surroundings, his goal was “to create a discrete dialogue between space and nature.” Informed by the client’s art collection, Meade wanted to design a space that would reflect the couple’s west coast lifestyle and let the art take centre stage without competing with the home’s beautiful vistas.
As avid cooks, the homeowners requested a contemporary chef’s kitchen that would complement the architecture of the home and meet their entertaining needs. “I firmly believe that you should spend money on the things you use every day,” adds Meade. For this project, the couple splurged on the best appliances, quality countertops and striking faucets. But faced with the reality of a budget, they had to find balance in the kitchen cabinetry.
IKAN Installation installed functional and sleek Ikea cabinets while hardwearing Nero Assoluto granite adorns the countertops. Creatively elevating the Ikea cabinets, Meade used gables in an innovative way to maximize the budget as much as possible. “Getting creative with the gables gave us the look we wanted for a fraction of the cost,” says Meade. Nero Assoluto granite is repeated again on both the fireplace mantle and the dining room built-ins to create cohesion in the open-plan. Coastal grey Caesarstone quartz was chosen for the hardworking island.
A concealed refrigerator with surround keeps the space streamlined while the down lit open display space adds a homey touch. The eat-in island with prep space, sink and upper-tier breakfast bar make this the ultimate multi-tasking addition.
With two large dogs an important part of the family, the flooring had to be hardwearing, anti-scratch and easy to clean. Meade chose a Belgian vinyl plank that can be installed on top of the existing flooring. Historically, he hasn’t considered vinyl flooring in his designs, but with the latest advancements in photo and print technologies, this durable product authentically mimics the look and texture of wood. “This eco-friendly product from Belgium is sustainable and non-toxic with no off-gassing. With great warranties and easy care we thought it was the best choice for this family with dogs,” adds Meade.
To create contrast and bring another layer to the design, Meade suggested they add Tom Dixon chairs from Gabriel Ross to their existing dining table. “I wanted the space to feel like a comfortable gallery with eclectic furnishings that don’t dominate but allow the view be the star of the show.” Meade revived their existing sofa by reupholstering it with mohair in a shade of grey that would complement the palette of the surroundings and reinforce the visual symmetry in the space. A functional solution to the living area’s storage issues, built-ins were added to pull the space together and ground the airy main floor.
The showpiece of the master bedroom, the walk-in closet is best described as an open-concept dressing area with built-in storage done by IKAN Installation. Adding to the room’s serenity, a custom-built bench creates a reading nook with stunning water views.
The result is a design that captures the home’s striking vistas while aesthetically reflecting the homeowner’s lifestyle. “There is so much we love about our new design; it is universally appealing yet has unique individual touches. What we appreciate most is how much the interior seamlessly blends with the home’s beautiful setting. Colours, textures and lighting all contribute to the creation of a harmonious, relaxing environment. There are always multiple decision points in any renovation project, and Iván and his team were upfront about their concerns and always listened to ours.”
