I saw this the other day and thought of all my friends and clients who are currently building a new home...no further comment necessary...
I've always been a big DC comics fan, so absolutely love this idea:
Have you ever wanted to jazz up your kid’s room, incorporating their favorite characters without going to the extremity of having a wall mural painted? Curtains and bed linen is a good start but could lack the impact of a wall piece. A perfect solution is in statement posters and furniture application, like these implemented by Italian company Cia International, they’re bright and bold so the kids will love them!
Cia International have used DC Comics superheroes, the hugely popular Hello Kitty brand, and more in creating fun spaces for children to sleep, play and study. read more
With the 2011 Christmas holidays just over, I have to admit I have not managed to keep up with my friend Scottie as he completes his "from the studs up" reno on his mid-century modern home in West Vancouver's Eagle Harbour. Last time we spoke, the reno was proving even more arduous as build and reno projects for clients had naturally taken precedent over the renovation and transformation of his own home. Still, the good news is, for those of you that really care, he was able to enjoy the holidays with a fully functioning kitchen and experience the warmth and comfort afforded to him via his stunning underfloor heating system!
August is nearly over, so I thought it time to pay a nother visit to my designer friend Scottie, to update myself on the progress of his West Vancouver project: The renovation and modernisation of a mid-century modern home close to Eagle Harbour. The "back to the studs" reno is proving arduous to say the least for Scottie as it's his own home and work carries on regardless, whilst he also continues to oversee projects for his own clients.
The last time I passed by, a large part of the new foundations were still visible, the outside structure and back of the roof line was incomplete and the rear of the house was completely open to the elements and protected by a stunning blue tarp....things have definitely changed!
I'm happy to report that things have really come on in the month that has passed. Concrete floors have been poured over the in-floor heating tubes, electrics and plumbing are all roughed in and the roof, windows and doors are now all in place!
My clients who are building in Bonnie Bay have finally started to have something show above ground! So I will have to change the title to the Re-appearing house!
After nearly a year of planning, design and securing the appropriate building permits. They have now gone from a rough, "blasted" whole in the ground, as seen in my previous post on the subject to pouring the concrete for the ground floor.
Continue reading "The disappearing house: the Bonnie Bay project" »
For those of you following interior designer Scott Steacy's current project, here is the latest update. I'm told that this was probably the worst time to take pictures as every part of the house is in complete transition.
The picture above is taken at the back of the property where Scottie is literally extending the entire back of the home and creating an open plan, inside-outside living area with floor to ceiling sliding doors leading out to a wonderful decked patio area. To enable this, a new back wall, and concrete foundation was poured recently.
Just a quick update on interior designer, Scott Steacy's current project on Gallagher Place, West Vancouver. Last time I passed by the entire downstairs had been stripped back to the studs, walls removed and new walls and partition framework were being put in. Parallel to that operation, the basic plumbing and electricity was being set out and installed. However the top floor still remained a relative "safe haven", hermetically sealed off by numerous walls of plastic dust sheets and tape. Life on the top floor could continue reasonably normally....Until work on the top floor started....
Several of my selling clients from last year are now enduring the process of substantial renovations on "older" properties they purchased, and a few are bravely confronting the process of building from scratch. All of them chose their options after not really finding houses offering that "modern contemporary" feel that many builders sadly seem to be missing here on the north shore.
Naturally many of the questions regarding building versus renovating we dealt with during the purchase proceadure. However, plans can evolve and renos can grow! So it's important to know just exactly when does a reno essentially become a new build in the eyes of planning and more importantly the tax man...the implications are huge!
The following article from BuyRIC.com is extremely helpful.
"New homes built from the foundation up to the final finishing stages are not the only homes that are considered “new” in British Columbia. A “new home” can also be a newly reconstructed building, or more specifically – “substantially reconstructed” – according to the Homeowner Protection Act of BC." Full article here
This stunning home was recently featured in our International Architecture & Design Magazine. Onsale in any good quality book or magazine store, this magazine is also sent free of charge to over 150,000 Canadian subscribers on a quarterly basis. If you would like to receive a free subscription or advertise your home in this magazine, please call me on 604 218 2903
Canadian architects from gh3 have been behind the facelift of a 1970 residence located on 101 Russel Hill Road in Toronto. Originally built with large open spaces, the renovation involved a futuristic approach that converted to a more cellular room design where everything flows together. And the most striking features are the white interiors that make it look clean and sharp, and the amazing curvy staircase that adds to the home’s neutrality. With sleek lines and traditional furnishings that contrast with the white walls, the residence looks perfect for a modern family.
