In a quiet suburban neighborhood of Burnaby, British Columbia, a home built in the late 1980s has been reborn, blending Parisian-inspired elegance with modern functionality. What was once a space burdened with structural challenges and dated features has now become a sophisticated, serene refuge for a family of four.
The homeowners, Taiwanese immigrants who relocated to Canada as teenagers, envisioned a home that would reflect their cultural journey while accommodating their vibrant lifestyle. Frequent hosts for relatives and friends, they sought a warm, welcoming atmosphere where every design choice would serve both comfort and style.
Architectural Charm and Challenge
When interior designer Jaclyn Pett of Heirloom Projects first encountered the home, she immediately saw the potential, despite its significant wear and tear. “It was a diamond in the rough,” she recalls. However, the home’s deterioration was worse than anticipated. From water ingress to faulty heating systems and a rotting sunroom deck, the challenges were extensive. A key turning point came when the team removed a troublesome bay window in the back of the house, which allowed for expansive glass doors to flood the interior with natural light, marking the moment when the design vision truly took shape.
Blending Old and New: Parisian Inspiration
Drawing from Parisian style, the transformation incorporates both timeless, traditional finishes and contemporary materials. Classic elements like dentil mouldings, ceiling medallions, and custom millwork add an air of refinement, while luxurious modern materials like Arabescato Corchia marble, oak hardwood, and grasscloth bring a fresh, understated elegance.
Jaclyn Pett emphasizes the importance of balancing the old with the new: “We wanted to make sure the house felt both luxurious and lived-in, blending timeless design with the demands of a modern family. The key was creating an environment that was serene and welcoming yet sophisticated.”
A Timeless Palette of Warmth
The colour palette plays a vital role in achieving this balance. Warm white tones form the base throughout the home, while accents of taupe in the kitchen and rich dark chocolate in the wife’s office add depth and contrast. This cohesive use of colour creates a sense of continuity across the home, from the main floor to the basement.
Durable, Chic Materials
Materials were chosen for both their aesthetic appeal and durability. Arabescato Corchia marble, used in both the kitchen and powder room, adds a touch of luxury while standing the test of time. Oak hardwood floors flow throughout, creating a sense of warmth, while soft textures like grasscloth and linen soften the spaces.
One striking feature is the powder room, where deep gray grasscloth wallpaper envelops the walls, complementing the floating marble vanity and custom antique mirror - a nod to the Parisian aesthetic. Practical yet chic details, like hidden shoe storage in the entryway, elevate the home’s functionality without sacrificing style.
Spacious, Functional Design
Spanning 4,200 square feet, the home is designed to seamlessly integrate open spaces with well-defined rooms. The main floor now includes a dining room, living room, two offices, and a kitchen, all of which flow into one another while maintaining clear boundaries. Upstairs, the primary suite features a spacious walk-in closet and en suite, while two additional bedrooms share a bath, and a fourth bedroom offers its own en suite for privacy. The basement is an entertainer’s dream, with a recreational space, bar, and guest accommodations.
The entire renovation is a testament to Heirloom Projects’ ability to marry aesthetic beauty with practical family needs, creating a space that is both serene and vibrant - a true Parisian-inspired sanctuary in the heart of Burnaby.
Credits
Photography by Ema Peter Photography, Instagram: @emaphotographi
Interior design by Heirloom Projects, Instagram: @heirloomprojects
