A 1960s North Vancouver gem shines brighter thanks to an emphasis on its angles and lines.

“Though its offset pitched roof and walls of windows may be typical of Mid-Century-Modern homes in Palm Beach, to find a house of this style in Vancouver is a rarity,” says designer Vanessa Stark, of the home her clients have lived in since 2000. “For that reason, we wanted to retain as many of its signature elements as possible,” says the designer, who balanced that goal with giving the homeowners – a family of four with two teens – what they needed most: a space retrofitted with modern conveniences and a fresh, updated aesthetic.

To this end, Vanessa, of Vancouver’s Chambers & Stark Design Studio, started by altering the home’s footprint slightly, adding a few hundred square feet to allow for a modestly sized master bedroom and modern bath, and straightening an awkward V-shaped wall of windows in the kitchen area that wasted space.

She then worked with the family, who, having lived there so long, had an intimate understanding of what they liked about the house and what was lacking. And everyone weighed in. “The daughter even selected her own bathroom faucet, which I absolutely loved!” says Vanessa.

For the palette, Vanessa suggested a bold shift from woodsy tones to a high-contrast black-and-white scheme. “Everyone was on board right away,” she recalls. “From there, we incorporated copper accents, such as the kitchen pendants, with wooden accents on the furnishings and doors. This infused the sharp palette with the warm, laid-back elements one associates with West Coast living.”

“Perhaps one of the most thrilling design decisions was to deliberately conceive of the lush, verdant landscaping that surrounds the patio as part of the home’s interior,” says Vanessa, who finds inspiration in how the natural world is so beautifully composed. To bring that sense of natural balance inside, the rooms are populated with houseplants that pop in the black and white colour scheme. The bounty of windows further forges the connection to Vancouver’s enviable lush landscapes. Outside, a similarly striking balance is achieved in the way the green creates stately drama against the backdrop of the house, now painted a daring black.

Signature architectural elements, such as the central fireplace and slanted ceilings, were retained but updated. The tired fireplace was painted black and fitted with a gas insert. The fir ceilings – which had grown dark, sticky and dull over the years – were replaced with new pine whitewashed to brighten the space. To marry the warm white walls and black millwork throughout the home, the floors were tiled in a soft grey faux concrete. (Real concrete would have been too heavy for the home’s original foundation.) The result is tight, balanced, striking. “This is one of those houses where everything came together,” says Vanessa.

Photography: Janis Nicolay | DESIGN, Vanessa Stark, Chambers & Stark Design Studio; ARCHITECT, Kevin Humenny, Humenny Design; BUILDER, Hasler Homes; SOFA, The Binning by Softline, Vancouver Special; Salsa AREA RUG, Salari; Ames Up Word Series FLOOR TILE, Ames Tile.

Designed to maximize natural light, the home’s walls of windows are framed by the slope of its vaulted ceilings. Soft neutrals and natural materials for the sofa and floor coverings are a counterpoint to the airy glass coffee table. A view of quintessential North Shore plantings pairs vitality to the subdued decor.

Photography: Janis Nicolay

“To balance a bold palette, there’s nothing like natural wood,” advises designer Vanessa Stark. The oversize door grounds the windowed entryway. Black and white combine with earthy accents, such as the antique Moroccan area rug in the living room, for a dynamic contrast.

Photography: Janis Nicolay

The fireplace was looking pretty sad from decades of use, but Vanessa elevated it to a modern statement piece in matte black. The leather chair, honey-brown now, will grow darker with time. A textured rug and simple accent pieces, such as the small lamp and airy end table, make for a spare presentation. This allows the architectural lines of the house to shine.

Photography: Janis Nicolay | PAINT (walls, throughout) Chantilly Lace OC65, (fireplace) Space Black 2119-10, Benjamin Moore; Toro Lounge CHAIR, Blue Dot; White PLANTER, Old Faithful Shop.

An entryway landing pad was created to the side of the fireplace. The small table is a catch-all for handbags and sunglasses. The “still life” presentation of greenery can be changed on a whim.

Photography: Janis Nicolay

The globe-shape copper pendants are modern yet have a retro mid-century feel. They bring warmth to the whites and blacks that define the kitchen area, and reflect the glass-encased TV room. “Those doors to the TV room were built by someone who does shower inserts,” says Vanessa. “Genius!”

Photography: Janis Nicolay | Tom Dixon round copper PENDANTS, Inform Interiors; MILLWORK, Millwork Pacific Rim Cabinets; PAINT (millwork) Space Black 2119-10, Benjamin Moore; AAS32 BARSTOOLS, Hay; Eternal Calacatta Gold ISLAND COUNTERTOP, Silestone; back wall COUNTERTOP and BACKSPLASH, Domoos Matte, Dekton.

Black millwork reaches the rafters and creates a seamless backdrop with the dark countertops and backsplash. The foreground is dominated by the waterfall island in glossy white. Modern stools are practical and punctuate the white island.

Photography: Janis Nicolay

Widening this wall slightly allowed for the addition of a much-used bar and drop-off spot. Keys, phones and so on go here, keeping the expansive kitchen island clutter-free. Shelves were added for barware.“It’s the place to go for a cocktail or a coffee,” says Vanessa. “And it shows how just a few more inches of space can create a fun little destination.”

Photography: Janis Nicolay | AAC26 CHAIRS, Hay; Radii dining TABLE, Bensen; Salsa AREA RUG, Salari; BARWARE, EQ3.

Elements in wood, such as the table and cutting boards, create an inviting space. The huge wooden table is a gathering spot. Its linear placement alongside the island streamlines the space. The family piano brings old- fashioned charm to the hub of the home.

Photography: Janis Nicolay | PAINT Space Black 2119-10, Benjamin Moore; TABLE, Bensen.

Vanessa proposed painting the house black. Not only does it emphasize the home’s low-slung profile, it accentuates the lush green landscaping. The owners selected the plantings. One change was to replace a tall tree that was too near the house with shorter plantings that don’t obstruct the view from inside.

Photography: Janis Nicolay

“Statement tiles, such as the ones that back the bench, upgrade a bathroom, making it feel like a place to linger,” says Vanessa. Faux marble tiles were selected for the wall because they’re easy to care for. The shower area is a favourite feature in the newly designed space.

Photography: Janis Nicolay | MIRROR, VANITY, MILLWORK, Pacific Rim Cabinets; Volare Wallmount FAUCETS, Aquabrass; Mia PENDANTS, Hemera; Atlas and Kartners HARDWARE and FIXTURES, Top Knobs; Marmocrea series WALL TILES in Venato Gold, Ames Tile; Voce Grande freestanding SOAKING TUB, Fleurco; Savoy Series bench TILES, Anne Saks; BENCH and COUNTERTOP, Eternal Calacatta Gold, Silestone.

Open shelves for towels beneath a sleek vanity and an oversize mirror bring spa-like serenity to the master bath. “In small areas, tiny pendants like these let you direct light where you need it without overwhelming the space,” says Vanessa. The floors and millwork echo what was used in the rest of the home.

Photography: Janis Nicolay

A soaking tub would not have been possible before the home’s addition. “It makes this part of the house a place to escape,” says Vanessa. She also offers this tip: “To transform a home from warm tones to something more modern is often as simple as paint. Black and white paint used in combination will immediately update any space.”

Photography: Janis Nicolay | Custom HEADBOARD, Fabulous Furnishings; throw CUSHIONS, CB2; Aplomb Suspension PENDANTS, Foscarini; custom NIGHT TABLES, Pacific Rim Cabinets; custom Condesa CHAIR, SIDE TABLE, Anglepoise LAMP, Vancouver Special.

A restful space, simple and modern, was the hope for this master bedroom. The bed was custom made with an integrated headboard and end tables. The wool carpet defines this space as separate from the rest of the home. Says Vanessa: “The linens and bedding are cotton and wool, lending softness to the touch, and a quiet rest for the eye.”

Photography: Janis Nicolay | Custom VANITY, Pacific Rim Cabinets; Metro Pendant LAMP in copper, EQ3; Pfister FAUCET, Kamato; Luce Series wall TILE in Statuario, Stone Tile.

The daughter’s bathroom features a waterfall faucet that she selected herself. Easy-care tile is fun. The copper pendant warms the space and is part of the colour theme in the home.

Photography: Janis Nicolay | Malm BED in white stained oak, IKEA; SIDE TABLE, wire BASKET in rose with white oak top, Vancouver Special.

The son’s bedroom is bright, airy and simple. “The round end table was discovered at a local Vancouver shop, and the quiet bedding and simple lamp keep the emphasis on the outdoors beyond the room’s big windows,” says Vanessa.