Falken Reynolds

Overview

A major renovation breathed new life into this 1975 house perched on the cliffs above the Salish Sea – creating an intimate, sensual space for entertaining and shutting off.

We stripped it back to its structure to open up spaces. The new layout  thoughtfully connects the kitchen, living, and dining areas. From anywhere on the main level you can experience all the layers of ocean views, architecture, furnishings and art.

The soul and history of the house were embraced throughout the design process, salvaging the incredible honey-hued Onyx stones to reuse on a new fireplace.

An old fireplace between the kitchen and dining room blocked the views from the kitchen out to the water. It had to go, but we really wanted to save the incredible Onyx, thought to be originally quarried in British Columbia.

So we re-used it on a new fireplace in the Living Room, shifting the focus for the entire main level to  to the the gentle curve, anchoring the space while preserving the ocean views.

The new kitchen straddles the original house as well as a 1990’s addition with a vaulted ceiling. We used a lighter kitchen design strategy to keep the cabinets down from the ceiling.

Five independent kitchen components, referencing pieces of furniture, are connected with a base of stacked Spanish porcelain tile that extends up the wall as a backsplash and wraps around as a plinth on the water side.

The bronzed glass stair guard defines each of the spaces – the kitchen, dining room, living room and entry, while allowing the spaces to feel connected and add a unique visual dynamic through its translucent and reflective finish.

The Sepia Bocci 14 pendants in the ensuite harken back to the 70’s while complimenting the green quartzite in the primary ensuite.

Vertical light coves in the showers to create a gentle glow for a relaxing spa-like experience.