They also wished to pre-plan options for aging-in-place and be able to enjoy indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. The renovation of this south-slope bungalow took place in 3 phases.
Location
South Slope, Burnaby
SCOPE
Kitchen, Outdoor Living, Main Floor Renovation
SQFT
1,316
DESIGN STYLES
Modernist, European, Art Moderne
The client desired to preserve the heritage charm of this 1950s house while creating 21st Century, open-living flow. Emphasis was on pre-planning options for aging-in-place & integrating the outdoor living area ‘into’ the kitchen to enhance enjoyment of 180-degree views to the south. Considerations had to be made to create continuity with the well preserved ebony inlaid flooring in adjacent living/dining room.
Dysfunctional dark kitchen & nook have been opened to create a greatroom incorporating the adjacent dining and living areas. The small exterior door and peek-a-boo window to the deck were replaced with an expanse of glass revealing a spectacular 180 degree view of the south slope. This ‘window wall’ includes a 21 foot span of doors that open to the deck creating an optimal entertainment venue.
Opening kitchen, dining and living rooms, as well as the formerly tight entrance hall created a functional flow. Removal of walls required preservation of original oak flooring; which was effectively achieved including matched continuity of the ebony inlay.
Kitchen island’s raised eating-bar provides casual seating for guests and in-counter radiant heat increases comfort of this favoured social location in cool weather. The placement of this raised portion of the island also hides cooking-clutter when seated at the dining-room table. Half-depth drawers and tilt-outs transform inaccessible space at back of island into handy utensil storage for proximity when barbecuing. Excess of deep pot drawers allow racked plate storage – making frequently used items more readily and easily accessible to all family members.
The front of the home was altered to improve functionality. The changes visually improve and broaden the front elevation and provide a less crowded parking arrangement. Installation of a new front garden, designed for low maintenance and reduced water usage, raises the front yard by 2′ allowing drive-up for groceries and level accessibility for aging in place. A new granite chimney replaces the formerly too-dominant red brick and is kept as part of the facade to complement the new granite lower wall facing; while inside a new contemporary fireplace is a visual feature on the west wall of the greatroom.
Bringing the outdoor living area ‘into’ the kitchen, through integration by 20 feet of Eclipse and Tilt-and Slide doors, not only enhances the enjoyment of both spaces, but also provides a 180 degree view spanning south from Mount Baker to the Gulf, visible from anywhere in the new greatroom living area.
The Wow’s that comes from our friends when visiting in winter, upon resting their elbows on the bar, are testament to the positive effects that special attention to details in planning a custom home renovation can have on lifestyle – this special touch enables enjoyment of our home’s stunning panoramic view, in what was previously too chilly a locale for winter morning coffee.
- Burnaby Homeowner