The original features of this heritage home shine like stars when paired with savvy storage and thoughtful furnishings.

Built in the early 1900s, this West Vancouver gem is a character-home lover’s dream. It’s one of those rare dwellings that still has its original exposed brick walls, wood floors and leaded windows, some with stained glass. “Obviously, we wanted to emphasize these heritage elements, not relegate them to the background,” says designer Sarah Marie Lackey. “But we wanted the house in which these homeowners had raised their now-grown family to assume a fresher, more contemporary, uncluttered look.” She also wanted to base any changes on how the homeowners live.

“The wife is one of those amazing people who is a master at doing a thousand things at once, and she is an incredible host. So, I wanted the home to mirror these strengths,” says Sarah. That’s why she and the design team decided to remove portions of the kitchen wall, opening the space up to the family room. As well, they altered the home’s footprint to add a sparkling new laundry room where the garage had formerly been. “We also reconfigured the home office, which turned out to be extremely timely given the onset of the pandemic,” says Sarah. To honour the home’s age, she stayed true to traditional shapes for the mirrors and lighting. As well, she brightened every room with a continuous palette of willowy neutral tones, such as soft billowing greys and sandy naturals. “Honestly, what I love most about this house is how the brick and stained glass bring so much grace to spaces that, ultimately, were designed for everyday efficiency,” Sarah says. “In my view, what’s old in the house makes what’s new look even better. And vice versa.”

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs

The breakfast nook looks out onto a pool and lush hedges. “I didn’t want to obstruct the view so I chose a glass chandelier. It’s transparent and it sparkles with natural light,” says Sarah. The homeowner prefers a neutral palette, so Sarah placed natural elements, such as pottery and wooden beads, atop a linen runner. They were also attached to their family table. So instead of buying new, Sarah had it refinished to give it new lustre.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs

A coffee and tea station was appointed with light oak shelves that contrast the exposed brick walls. “It makes a cozy spot during solo morning coffee and a convivial gathering spot when the couple is entertaining.” Most of the porcelain and pottery on display had been stowed in cupboards. “I brought these wonderful pieces into the light to be enjoyed,” says Sarah.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs

“The homeowner is incredibly organized, so she was a perfect candidate for glass-door cabinetry,” says Sarah. Library sconces, rather than inner-cabinet lighting, illuminate the breezy grey colour Sarah opted for here. Practicality meets grace in the bar stools, which feature removable covers. “They’re Velcro, so you just pop them off and toss them in the wash.”

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs

The eight-foot-long kitchen isn’t huge, but by removing part of the wall and appointing the space with a mammoth island, Sarah provided awesome storage and a destination for cocktails and snacks with friends.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs  | CABINETRY, International Cabinets. TABLE REFINISHING, Thao’s Refinishing Studio. CHAIRS, Bertanie, CF Interiors. Glass CHANDELIER, CB2. POTTERY, linen RUNNER, 122 West. CABINETRY PAINT, Mindful Grey SW 7016, Sherwin-Williams.

Floating shelves in the kitchen invite display, and the brass articulating light fixture brings an air of history.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs

The family room is open to the kitchen and breakfast nook. Its modern fireplace has clean lines that blend seamlessly with the ceiling beams.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs | Lee SOFA and ARMCHAIRS; Fournahds COCKTAIL TABLE; Marcantonio OTTOMAN; RUG; CF Interiors. Round MIRROR, West Elm. VASES and ACCESSORIES (on mantel), 122 West. THROW PILLOWS (on sofa), 122 West and Crate and Barrel. Custom THROW PILLOW (on armchair), Fabulous Furnishings.

“It was tempting to have the sectional face the fireplace, but this would have made the space feel cut off and separate. So we placed it perpendicular to the island,” says Sarah. She opted for an ottoman, not a coffee table. “Ottomans tend to be about an inch lower, and believe it or not, that’s way more relaxing when you put up your feet.”

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs | Lee SOFA and ARMCHAIRS; Fournahds COCKTAIL TABLE; Marcantonio OTTOMAN; RUG; CF Interiors. Round MIRROR, West Elm. VASES and ACCESSORIES (on mantel), 122 West. THROW PILLOWS (on sofa), 122 West and Crate and Barrel. Custom THROW PILLOW (on armchair), Fabulous Furnishings.

Sarah’s clever tip for creating tonal shelf displays? “Buy books at garage sales, then remove their dust jackets, then arrange them by hue.” The weigh-scale is an antique, dating back to the time when the house was built. The objects on the marble cocktail table and throw pillows can be changed out when the homeowner wants a refresh.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs | SK CHAIR, Little STOOL, West Elm. PENDANT, LIGHT OVER DESK, Visual Comforts. TRANSOM WINDOW, Kits Glass.

“This was already a home office,” says Sarah. “We reduced its footprint, but compensated for this by adding banks of storage.” The desk chair is modern, but pairing it with a timeless shaded pendant and vanity stool ties in with the heritage leaded glass.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs

“We loved the room’s stained glass window so much, we had a custom transom window made to match,” says Sarah. The transom cleverly conveys light to the adjacent laundry room.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs

The homeowner has a passion for gift-wrapping, so Sarah ensured there’s a zone for this.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs | CONSOLE TABLE, VASE, West Elm. Round MIRROR, CB2.

“This is the back entry where the family typically comes in. It’s super narrow, so we added hooks for coats and bags, and a console table for keys and phones,” says Sarah. The mirror is new, but traditional enough to nod to the home’s age.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs | TILE, Terra Sol Tile. WALL LAMP, RH.

The home’s former garage is now a swish laundry room with extra storage for staples such as batteries, light bulbs and detergent. “For someone as organized as this homeowner, a space like this is a dream come true,” says Sarah. The honeycomb shape of the backsplash tile is inspired by the shapes in the home’s leaded glass windows.

Photography: Tracey Ayton | Design: Sarah Marie Interior Designs | MIRROR, SCONCES, CB2. WALLPAPER, Metro Wall Coverings.

To refresh the powder room, floral wallpaper in modern neutrals was paired with the custom vanity.