This York Avenue apartment in Kitsilano sits in an older building with quirks you only discover once you start opening things up.

The goal was to turn it into a true primary Vancouver home for a client who wanted to be close to the beach, cook properly, and invest in materials that feel solid and permanent. We approached it as a full design build renovation with a layout change, full electrical and plumbing upgrades, new doors, painting, and a complete refresh of the finishes throughout. 

A major constraint was two structural columns located right in the middle of the kitchen and living area. They could not be moved, so instead of fighting them, we integrated them and treated them as part of the architecture with custom cladding that ties into the flooring and millwork. The existing floors were also noticeably uneven, so levelling came first before installing the new hardwood, including the Versailles pattern used to bring texture and depth to an otherwise modern palette.

The kitchen became the heart of the home and was expanded to roughly double the original footprint. The island was fully wrapped in marble, creating a sculptural block that anchors the open plan, and the stone continues through the main working zone for a seamless look. High-quality fixtures and lighting helped keep everything sharp but not flashy, with brands like Fantini, Bocci, and Flos integrated into the detailing. To finish, we curated furniture and artwork to add character and warmth, balancing the stone, dark woods, and clean cabinetry with pieces that feel collected rather than staged.