A designer gives a Hamptons inspired beach house feel to her home on Canada’s relaxed West Coast.

Jen O’Donnell is as relaxed as her family home. “When I’m asked about my design process, I really don’t know how to put it in words,” says the designer. “I just...do it.” Even so, one look at her family’s Ocean Park abode in South Surrey, B.C., (which she shares with her husband, two daughters and labradoodle Duke) and many words spring to mind: light, airy and casual among them. “I was inspired by modern beach houses in the Hamptons and wanted open, well-planned spaces.”

The family had been living in their 2,000-square-foot home for just over two years when Jen’s inspiration took hold. But turning the 1970-built home into a Hamptons hideaway wouldn’t be easy, so a new-build was deemed the way to go. Jen says, “Tearing down the old place and starting fresh allowed us to stay in our quiet neighbourhood steps from the beach.” As well as double the square-footage, the new house netted perks like an additional bedroom, powder room and home gym. Jen did, however, opt to keep one element of the original structure: the ingenious layout of setting the main living area and kitchen on the second floor. “Reversing the traditional floor plan and put- ting principal rooms on the upper level lets us take advantage of the ocean views,” she says. With the dazzling vista of the Pacific in view, and her modern Hamptons beach house vibe in place, it’s clear that Jen’s combined the best of both coasts.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House

Custom-made solid fir doors were left in their natural tone and sealed with a clear coat for protection.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | WALL PAINT, Chantilly White OC-65; ACCENT PAINT, Black Jack 2133-20; Benjamin Moore. Tassel CUSHION, Indigo. Woven plant BASKETS, West Coast Nurseries. Welcome RUG, MIRROR, IKEA. BENCH, Mercana. BASKET, Style in Form.

The entry hall’s light French oak flooring sets the tone for the home’s neutral yet bright palette. Jen finished the walls with shiplap to factor in visual interest, ensuring that the panelling on the barn-style door, which leads to the gym, was perfectly in line with that of the walls so it feels more integrated. Painting the end wall black furthers the visual dynamic and is an intimation of the black accents to be found throughout the home. The dresser is an antique buffet and prized family heirloom. The rustic bench layers in a casual element and offers a practical spot for putting on shoes.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | Bob Dylan POSTER, Etsy. Antique DRESSER PAINT, Linen, Fat Paint. Antique dresser HARDWARE, Emtek.

The couple’s home office features a framed Bob Dylan poster that sits on a dresser that Jen purchased at a thrift shop and transformed with paint and new hardware. “I love upcycling and refinishing thrift furniture,” she says. “I’ve always been an advocate of decorating on a budget.”

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | Wooden CANDLESTICKS, Farmhouse Pottery. CHANDELIER, Kichler Lighting. DINING TABLE, RH. CHAIRS, CB2.

Black metal chairs lend edge to the rusticity of the large wooden dining table. A brass chandelier has a warm presence that’s played up in the lively tablescape. “I gravitate to a mix of collected items and organic elements, often clipping oversized branches and using them as budget-friendly displays.”

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | PENDANT LIGHTS, Feiss Lighting. Aspen COUNTERTOPS, Lido Quartz. SINK, Franke. FRIDGE, Sub-Zero. STOOLS, Structube. FAUCETS, POT FILLER, Delta. Cabinet HARDWARE, Marathon Hardware. SCONCES, Rejuvenation Lighting. BASKET, Indaba. EGG TRAY, two-tone POTTERY (holding utensils), Farmhouse Pottery. Pantry PENDANT LIGHT, Savoy House.

Black-framed windows and accents feel energetic in the white kitchen. The soft metal tones of the stools tie in nicely with the dining chairs in the open-plan space and Jen likes how they tuck in perfectly beneath the island. Cupboards here hold extra dishes and vases for maximum storage.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House

The adorable butler’s pantry is another new-build perk. “It’s my favourite spot in the kitchen,” says Jen. “There’s a coffee maker and lots of storage room.” The custom floating shelves were made from the same oak as the flooring. “I like having areas to style and display decorative items in a kitchen.”

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House

Layered blankets and cushions, one of Jen’s design signatures, parlay a casual West Coast look.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | Leather CHAIR, Muse and Merchant. Black and white BLANKET, Indaba. COFFEE TABLE, Lock and Mortice. SOFA, Stylus. OTTOMANS, Urban Barn. Cream tassel CUSHION, Anthropology Home.

A folding glass-door system opens up to blur the line between the living area and deck. “It was important to have spaces filled with natural light,” says Jen. Her mandate for this room was comfort with a relaxed vibe. “The deep sofa and distressed leather chairs help create this feeling, and all of the pieces can be easily rearranged if desired.”

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | FIREBOWL, Dreamcast. SCONCE, Ocean Pacific Lighting. RAIN CHAIN, HomeSense.

“The front porch’s fire bowl is one of our favourite features and we sit out here a lot, day and night, to take in peek-a-boo ocean views,” says Jen. The sconce is embellished with a black metal rain chain.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House

Blocks of dark colour in the dresser and bed frame punctuate the pale space and are eye-catching without being overpowering.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | CANDLESTICKS, black dresser HARDWARE, CB2. Euro PILLOW, IKEA. CHANDELIER, Serena & Lily. BASKET (on armoire), Style in Form.

In the primary bedroom, Jen changed up the windows. “I opted for white interior windows here to create a neutral, softer feeling, and chose motorized roller blinds that disappear to keep the view as the room’s focal point.” The furnishings are testament to her passion for upcycling, as all of the furniture was thrifted and updated with paint and new hardware. The natural fir beams echo the front door and living area’s beams and mantel. The pendant light adds some sparkle, while more branches, grasses and clippings layer in a natural element.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | Shower FIXTURES, Riobel.

The shower was designed to seamlessly transition with the rest of the bathroom – no curb – and large-scale tiles minimize grout lines for easy maintenance. A bench and linear shelf detail have practical presence.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House

There is a playful informality in this impressive space thanks to Jen’s styling elements of floating shelves, fresh greenery and decorative accessories.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House | SCONCES, Hudson Valley Lighting. Vanity FAUCETS, TUB FILLER, Delta. SINKS, Kohler. Vanity HARDWARE, Emtek. BATHTUB, Victoria & Albert. White POTTERY, Febe Voth Ceramics.

The primary bathroom’s custom vanity repeats the home’s light oak elements. “I finished it with simple and minimal brass edge-pulls,” says Jen. “They tie in with the sconces and I like to mix metals. I chose the oval tub for its soft curves that offset all of the room’s straight lines, and added in more floating shelves and grasses for a natural, spa-like feeling.”

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Jen O'Donnell, The Designory House