My Houzz: Creativity Personalizes a Vancouver Loft
http://www.decor-ideas.org 12/28/2013 23:23 Decor Ideas
Drew Dunford and Margot Robinson share a similar decorating philosophy: “Edit down as much as you can; choose art that matches your personality; use color sparingly,” says Dunford, an operations manager at design agency Burnkit.
He and Robinson, a project manager at creative agency Secret Study, channeled their interests in music and design into furnishing their renovated loft rental in Vancouver. They incorporated DIY furniture, ceramics and secondhand finds, and their personal design philosophy resonates throughout.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Drew Dunford, Margot Robinson and her Yorkshire Terrier, Lakai
Location: Cambie Village area of Vancouver
Size: 870 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
The couple was attracted to the apartment’s open layout, high ceilings, view and location. “I think the owner did a great job with the renovation,” says Robinson. “Very simple yet modern and clean.”
She adds that Dunford “is much more contemporary and modern than I am. I lean more toward natural elements like plants, crystals, fabrics and natural wood. I really liked how our design aesthetics balance each other.”
Teak, teal and orange add warmth to an otherwise cool color scheme. The teal Canyon armchair is a prototype by Bensen, and is where Robinson hangs out a lot with her dog, Lakai, who “demands a lot of my attention,” she says.
The teak media console is a Craigslist purchase and is host to a sculpture by Evan Broens titled “2013, White Form #3 (Keystone).”
Artwork: “Antlers,” by Debbie Carlos; rug: Tokyo shag by MAT, Inform Interiors
Moon print charts from Agent Gallery in Chicago hang over the couple’s phonograph station. The refillable growlers on the bottom shelf are from local craft brewery Brassneck.
Console: Go-Cart in Carbon Grey, CB2
Dunford can often be found hanging out near the record player in his Ero|S| Chair by Philippe Starck. The desk is covered in teak veneer; vintage wooden crates keep his record collection close at hand.
Dunford’s brother gave the couple the military-inspired throw pillows. They are made from recycled army tent fabric by Vancouver company Red Flag Design.
Sofa: Canyon, Bensen; throw blanket: Faribault Woolen Mill, from Old Faithful Shop
The couple repurposed a vintage blue military locker as an alternative to a traditional wardrobe for their coats and hats. It originally came from Oregon but was discovered at The Found & The Freed in Vancouver.
A gallery wall of vintage art hangs above a midcentury modern chair. To the left are stairs leading to the loft sleeping space.
The whale print is from Porto, Portugal (artist unknown). The two paintings of Native American girls are by Gerda Christoffersen, and the black and white photo is from Life magazine. The construction paper assemblage at top is by Evan Broens.
The couple tried not to overcrowd the space with objects. “I have so many little treasures, it’s difficult for me to choose what can stay and what has to be hidden away,” says Robinson.
There were numerous compromises made throughout the design process regarding the placement of art, placement of furniture and storage locations. “We were both happy with the end result,” Dunford says, “even though we initially didn’t totally agree.”
Artwork near desk: “Fawn & Flora” series, by Rachel Rivera for Radcastle; photograph above desk: CCTV building in Beijing, by Kristopher Grunert
Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room reveal this picturesque view of downtown Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains.
The design of the dining table was a collaboration between the couple and Owen Lalonde of Brothers Woodworks. “The table was built with fir wood that I reclaimed from a building renovation project on Water Street,” says Dunford. It’s one of the couple’s favorite furniture pieces. Some of Robinson’s handmade ceramics mingle with plants on top.
The cat illustration above the white bookshelf belonged to Robinson’s grandmother. “It was my favorite piece in her collection,” she says. An abstract plaster artwork titled “Relief #9, 2012,” by Canadian artist Evan Broens, hangs in the kitchen.
The ballet slippers hanging to the right of the bookcase once belonged to Robinson’s mother, a former dancer.
Bar stools: Bikini by Jorge Pensi, Amat-3; dining chairs: Sail, Andreu World; large cactus: Greenstems; incense: Joya for Inventory
The couple’s absolute favorite and least favorite feature about their space is the skylight in the bedroom. “Balancing the brightness of the space with our desire to sleep has been a challenge,” says Dunford.
Also challenging has been the lack of closet space. “We installed rolling racks in the upstairs bedroom area to accommodate,” says Dunford. The racks (not pictured) are hidden behind airy white drapery to help keep clutter out of sight.
A wall nook is host to a stuffed bear that Robinson’s mother played with as a child.
Bed: teak, Craigslist; yellow lamp: Constructor, Refractory Studio; bedding: Ofelia Vass, Ikea
Sleek white-lacquered custom cabinetry lines the entryway. The couple made the entry bench themselves using stained reclaimed wood and a shoe rack.
The horseshoe on the entry bar belonged to Robinson’s horse, Earl. “I spent most of my adolescence riding horses and hanging out in stables,” she says.
Illustration: Rapper 100s from the “Janky Town” series, by Alex Rhek
Robinson made the bathroom’s hanging ceramic planter. “I took one of Maggie Boyd’s ceramics courses last summer at Douglas Park Community Centre,” she says. “Her informal teaching style inspires creativity in a way that I can’t really explain. I ended up having to miss a few lessons and never progressed to the wheel, so everything I made is hand molded.”
The ladder is from an apple orchard located just outside of Montreal. The ladder’s three legs make it easy for farmers to get deep into the trees. “I like how specific the design is related to function,” says Robinson, shown here.
Robinson’s former roommate left the Mexican blanket behind when she moved to Barcelona.
Artwork: “Border Clown,” by Hector Ruiz
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