More Rooms
Stickybeak of the Week: A ‘Birdhouse’ Retreat Just for Grown Ups
A private room off the master bedroom gives these homeowners a quiet space in a house that often buzzes with activity
With seven children and 30 grandchildren frequently visiting, the owners of this Vancouver, Canada home needed a little sanctuary for some quiet time with just the two of them. “These clients love having family over, but they needed a private spot off their master bedroom where they could relax, read and listen to music,” designer Ian McLeod says.
McLeod and partner Kerry Johnson knew the homeowners’ tastes well, having completed a major renovation of their main house 10 years prior to this project. This room is part of a three-level addition that replaced the original garage and added three car stalls, a family room on the main level, a media room in the basement and this retreat on the top floor. Their retreat, fondly called ‘The Birdhouse’, offers views of the woods, the mountains and the sea.
McLeod and partner Kerry Johnson knew the homeowners’ tastes well, having completed a major renovation of their main house 10 years prior to this project. This room is part of a three-level addition that replaced the original garage and added three car stalls, a family room on the main level, a media room in the basement and this retreat on the top floor. Their retreat, fondly called ‘The Birdhouse’, offers views of the woods, the mountains and the sea.
To the left of the bookshelves is a hallway that leads to the master suite, making the bird’s nest a secret sanctuary for the couple. The custom bookshelves are backed with the same tongue-and-groove boards as the ceiling, to blend into the room and add texture. The items on them are a mix of corals and stones the couple have collected on their trips, and a few special pieces McLeod found for his clients. Also adding loft-like vibe are two brick veneer walls painted white on either end of the room.
The table base, topped with glass, is a dried stump from Thailand that resembles driftwood. “These clients are very nurturing people and are lots of fun,” McLeod says. In spite of the idea of this being a private retreat, the loving grandparents do welcome the kiddos up here too; a favourite activity is playing games at the table. Modern chairs with bright yellow wool upholstery are modern, comfortable and cosy.
One of the homeowners has claimed the corner on the right as her home office. It has views out to the sea and the Gulf Islands on the horizon. The desk was custom-made with a whitewashed oak top that resembles driftwood, and a metal base. The fuchsia felt box serves as a bin and adds another jolt of bold colour.
Wall and trim painted in ‘Decorators White’: Benjamin Moore; reclaimed-wood and glass game table: Ginger Jar; yellow wool-covered chairs: Living Space; black iron birds and giant jacks: Provide; white china bird: The Cross
The table base, topped with glass, is a dried stump from Thailand that resembles driftwood. “These clients are very nurturing people and are lots of fun,” McLeod says. In spite of the idea of this being a private retreat, the loving grandparents do welcome the kiddos up here too; a favourite activity is playing games at the table. Modern chairs with bright yellow wool upholstery are modern, comfortable and cosy.
One of the homeowners has claimed the corner on the right as her home office. It has views out to the sea and the Gulf Islands on the horizon. The desk was custom-made with a whitewashed oak top that resembles driftwood, and a metal base. The fuchsia felt box serves as a bin and adds another jolt of bold colour.
Wall and trim painted in ‘Decorators White’: Benjamin Moore; reclaimed-wood and glass game table: Ginger Jar; yellow wool-covered chairs: Living Space; black iron birds and giant jacks: Provide; white china bird: The Cross
On the opposite side of the room is a large round window that creates a focal point, provides a view of the mountains and balances out all of the sharp angles in the room. “This window is really the yin to the rest of the room’s yang,” McLeod says. The punctuation, proportions and placement of this ‘hole’ gave The Birdhouse its name.
Sofas, armchairs, coffee table, yellow throw pillows and ikat slipper chair: custom made by Brougham Interiors; silk and wool area rug: custom made by 20th Century Carpets; marble and steel end table: Mint Interiors; aqua velvet toss pillows: Chintz & Co
Sofas, armchairs, coffee table, yellow throw pillows and ikat slipper chair: custom made by Brougham Interiors; silk and wool area rug: custom made by 20th Century Carpets; marble and steel end table: Mint Interiors; aqua velvet toss pillows: Chintz & Co
A comfortable window seat is a favourite perch for reading. McLeod is also an artist, and he gave this painting he created to the clients. “I had already completed the painting when I happened upon this ikat slipper chair, and knew it would be just right for stacking books when sitting in the window seat, and for extra seating,” he says.
Layers of light and mouldings help break up the expanses of ceilings and walls. The designers mounted marine sconces between the sea-facing windows, and hung schoolhouse-style lights over the game table. “We used all nickel-plated lights from Restoration Hardware for consistency,” McLeod says. “Kerry planned out every detail to get the scale and proportions right, including paying attention to how the coffers related to the windows.”
The black walnut wood floors, handrails and newel post caps add warmth and texture to the mostly white space, as does the timber-framed leather armchair. “It was always a dream of his to have his own Eames chair,” the designer says of one of the homeowners. “This is kind of the Papa Bear chair to her Mama Bear chair, the ikat slipper chair.”
Eames chair: Living Space; light fixtures: Restoration Hardware
The black walnut wood floors, handrails and newel post caps add warmth and texture to the mostly white space, as does the timber-framed leather armchair. “It was always a dream of his to have his own Eames chair,” the designer says of one of the homeowners. “This is kind of the Papa Bear chair to her Mama Bear chair, the ikat slipper chair.”
Eames chair: Living Space; light fixtures: Restoration Hardware
A silk-wool-blend rug adds a soft sandy silver layer atop the floor. “Because we work with a lot of neutrals, we like to add lots of texture through fabrics,” McLeod says. “This rug is as soft as a beagle puppy’s ear!” The armchairs and sofa are upholstered in large-weave nubby, cosy fabrics, and the window seat cushion is covered in cotton velvet. An icy glass and chrome coffee table adds contrast.
The homeowners are thrilled with their new space and are happy to share it. “It’s such a happy and chic space,” McLeod says.
Contractor: Sugden Contracting
Contractor: Sugden Contracting
Room at a Glance
What happens here: Relaxing, reading, enjoying a quiet spot, listening to music, visiting, playing games
Location: West Vancouver, Canada
Size: 102 square metres
Designer: Johnson + McLeod Design Consultants
Johnson got busy designing the structure down to the details, such as the spacing of the ceiling coffers, and McLeod worked on furnishings. Knowing that the couple liked lots of white and refurbished loft spaces as well as Arts and Crafts-style details, they drew on the idea of a repurposed old mill or schoolhouse for inspiration.
“We love to use neutrals that resemble a Pacific Northwest beach, then warm it up with colour and texture,” McLeod says. He turned to the golden leaves outside when looking for colour inspiration, and chose bright egg-yolk yellow and aqua blues as accents.