Modern pieces meets family heirlooms in an eclectic Vancouver home

Family affair

Melanie and Brenton Brown’s home shows the beauty of contrast: Modern pieces sit next to family antiques; globe-trotting finds rub up against locally sourced treasures. When they bought the house it was a standard contractor renovation with dark green walls and a cheaply overhauled kitchen.

Fortunately many of the historical features were left intact, including the original trim, windows and flooring. With Melanie’s background in interior design, she knew a coat of white paint and the removal of a wall or two would open the space and give them the lofty, modern look they wanted.

It’s no surprise that family history and tradition are extremely important to the Browns: One of Melanie’s prized possessions is a photograph of herself and Brenton, both age one, in her grandparents’ Vancouver backyard. The two had played together as children, though their long-standing connection wasn’t realized until after they fell in love in university.

They learned that their fathers had attended medical school together, and their grandparents recalled swinging from the chandeliers at one of Vancouver’s best-loved music institutions, the Commodore Ballroom. Now their home is the perfect reflection of their shared history and the new stories they are creating together as a family.

Hang shelves instead of upper cabinets

Think beyond standard cabinetry solutions. By forgoing uppers, you can create a bright, airy kitchen and preserve the original windows. These vintage stools are family hand-me-downs, and the Parisian street sign on the counter was “liberated” from the homeowners’ former place in Montmartre, Paris.

Cool idea: Create an office/eating area by removing lower cabinets.

Cabinets, Cube Architectural Millwork.
Light, Original BTC. 
Rug, Pappelina.

Fill a wall with graphic art

An oversized piece of art brings a blank wall to life in the dining room. There are many options for buying original art these days, from online sites to student exhibitions. The end of April is a good time to look out for shows by fine arts graduates.

Flea market gem: Instead of a plant, fill a corner with a quirky branch in an antique bottle. 

Art, Graham Gillmore.

Include pint-sized furniture

A vintage child’s desk is the perfect spot for kids to do homework or make crafts. Playful touches throughout make this a home for the kids as much as for the adults.

Coat rack, Design Within Reach.

Mix and match heirlooms with modern pieces

A family table is paired with white contemporary chairs and a whimsical chandelier in the dining room.

Light, Hinterland Design.
Chairs, Fritz Hansen.
Sofa, Montauk Sofa.
Wall hanging, The Rug Company.

Add stripes to a ceiling

Kids’ rooms naturally allow for a little more whimsy. Fun stripes on the ceiling of Finlay’s room give it a circus-like appeal. A vintage credenza provides lots of closed storage for toys, books and even clothes.

Credenza, vintage.
Chandelier, Urban Outfitters.
Paint, Cloud white, Yellow, Benjamin Moore.

Repurpose an industrial desk as a sturdy kids' workspace

The desk in Daisy’s bedroom originally belonged to her grandfather — it was used in the office of his ophthalmology clinic. The pink walls add a feminine touch. The sloped ceilings remind the family of the bijou apartment they shared in the Montmartre district of Paris.

Bedspread, Ikea.

Line walls with storage

Every inch of space in the master bedroom is maximized with built-in storage. Books and personal items are displayed on shelves while clothes are hung in plain view. The chandelier, which gives the room a soft, romantic glow, originally graced a turn-of-the-century brothel.

Linens, Restoration Hardware.
Pillows, Le Marche St. George.
Chandelier, Vintage.

Contrast white walls with pops of colour

The red medicine cabinet in the bathroom, colourful books on a shelf and a magenta rug in the living room bring character and energy to the bright white home.

Child's play: Finlay helps himself to a snack from the well-concealed fridge. In the master bedroom, Daisy snuggles a favourite toy. 

Aha idea: Try wall-mounted kitchen organizers in the bathroom. Perfect for toothbrushes.

Get the look

Light, $295, Dwellissimo.
Coat rack, $219, Design Within Reach.
Rug, $170 (5x8 ft.), Crate and Barrel.
Wall hanging, $1,560, Avenue Road.
Pillowcase, $40, Etsy.
Vase, $40, Ikea.