Our homeowners spent well over a year weighing whether to move, but nothing they found could compete with what they already had. They loved their Deep Cove neighbourhood, their yard, the view, their school catchment. Eventually, they made the decision that so many families arrive at eventually: stay put, and make the home work for them instead.
That meant a significant amount of restructuring and planning. A 1970s addition had left behind unnecessary layers of flooring and walls, some existing finishes were out of code, and insulation throughout was lacking. And while the homeowners have wonderful taste and a strong sense of style, the house itself hadn’t caught up: the original space was a mismatch of modern, mid-century modern, traditional, and a hint of Scandinavian. Being Swedish themselves, they wanted to lean fully into that heritage and bring it home, quite literally.
The vision was clean lines, light woods, and brightness throughout. The house already had one incredible asset: a stunning view of Indian Arm and Belcarra, with morning light pouring in through a wall of windows along the east side. The goal was to let that light carry through the rest of the home, so every room felt as bright and airy as those touched by the east-facing windows.
Working alongside Emilija Matas Design, our team spent time understanding not just how the family currently lived in their space, but how they wanted to live in it moving forward. The resulting concept wove together open spaces, light wood tones, a soft mix of off-whites and creams, gold accents, and layered texture, building visual interest into what could have otherwise been a very neutral palette.
One of the top priorities was adding a second bathroom. With only one bathroom on the main floor, the parents were, quite reasonably, ready to stop sharing with the kids. As the children continue to grow, everyone needed their own space, especially in the chaos of a shared morning routine. Square footage was reclaimed from the main living room to create a bathroom that’s both beautiful and kid-friendly, with room to grow alongside the family. One of our favourite details is the slat wall with a built-in hidden door – as you come up the stairs, you’re greeted by a gorgeous oak wall that’s every bit as functional as it is beautiful.
Removing the wall between the addition and the original home was essential to creating a long, flowing layout, with continuous flooring tying the whole main level together. Since the family loves to entertain, the goal was a space that felt cohesive and functional – generous storage paired with an openness that invites conversation and seating on either end of the cooking area so no one is ever left out of the action. A dry bar was tucked into an existing niche in the addition, giving them yet another spot built for hosting.
Giving the kids their own bathroom also opened the door for the adults to create a retreat of their own. The primary bathroom was fully reconfigured – the hallway entrance was removed and relocated into the bedroom, turning the space into a true primary suite. Details include a deep tub/shower with a full-length niche for storage and a custom vanity with even more room to tuck things away. In the bedroom itself, the original closet was replaced with custom millwork on either side, giving both partners their own dedicated space for clothing and accessories.
Another favourite element of this renovation is the stairwell leading from the foyer to the main living space upstairs. The original stairs were dark, and the spindles were well out of code (the 70s were a different time). We considered replacing them entirely, but after conversations with engineers, framers, and the clients, we landed on keeping the original stairs and spindles intact. To bring everything up to code, an additional post was added to each step. Our flooring team then beautifully refinished the stairs to match the new hardwood being installed throughout the main level.
The result is a home that’s grown up alongside the family: a second bathroom that gives everyone their own space, a reconfigured primary suite that feels like a true retreat, an open and inviting main floor built for entertaining, and thoughtful touches, like layers of lighting, delicate textures, and a Scandi vibe throughout, blending function and beauty at every turn.
Designer: Emilija Matas Design
Contractor: Coastal Glades Renovations
Photographer: Korch Media Co