After seeing this 4,595-square foot Vancouver vacation home designed by DesignLab Interiors for a multi-generational family, we would like to formally request to be adopted, please.

Each of the seven bedrooms was designed to reflect a different family member, with unique light fixtures, drapery and decor specific to each person — but while the private, quiet moments are lovely, this home is really about gathering.

kitchen with slat ceiling
Photo by Janis Nicolay

“The goal was to create a multi-generational family home for an out-of-town client who likes to come to town throughout the year to enjoy Vancouver at their leisure,” explains DesignLab founder Alexis MacKay-Dunn. “One of the key concepts was to create a large and open living, dining, and kitchen area for everyone to gather.”

Throughout the home, MacKay-Dunn used luxurious neutrals (like light oak floors from Burritt Bros and custom-stained oak millwork) and let rich textures and personal artwork do the talking. A slat wall on the backside of the staircase for instance, which is repeated on the kitchen ceiling. It creates visual interest and a sense of intimacy, bringing the ceiling down and layering in warmth.

designlab interiors vancouver multi-generational home bedroom with grey headboard
Photo by Janis Nicolay
designlab interiors vancouver multi-generational home window view
Photo by Janis Nicolay
designlab interiors vancouver multi-generational home bathroom with black sink and mirror
Photo by Janis Nicolay
designlab interiors vancouver multi-generational home black sink and black countertop
Photo by Janis Nicolay
designlab interiors vancouver multi-generational home armchair in bedroom
Photo by Janis Nicolay
bathroom with white countertop
Photo by Janis Nicolay

The main living area is designed with both quiet moments and boisterous family gatherings in mind, featuring pieces from Once A Tree Furniture. “It’s designed to allow the client to make memories with loved ones for years to come,” says MacKay-Dunn. Here, millwork accents and unique light fixtures create a striking space that radiates warmth. Drapery from Window Works adds another layer of coziness.

modern white cabinetry in kitchen
Photo by Janis Nicolay
white cabinets in kitchen
Photo by Janis Nicolay
pendant light above table in dining area
Photo by Janis Nicolay
kitchen island with three stools and pendant lights
Photo by Janis Nicolay

The kitchen, meanwhile, is crisp, white and bright, with Vicostone Carrara countertops. It offers a refreshing contrast to the opposing dark millwork and fireplace wall opposite. In the bathroom, Caesarstone in Cloudburst and Symphony Grey keys the dreamy, neutral vibe.

wide shot of living room with sofas
Photo by Janis Nicolay
fireplace and sofas in living room of vancouver modern home
Photo by Janis Nicolay
dark shelving in vancouver modern home
Photo by Janis Nicolay

The home is beautiful and serene, but the design-build process had its challenges. For one, the homeowners were based in Hong Kong. Then, there was the issue of the pandemic, which made communication and execution an ongoing struggle. And on top of it all, MacKay-Dunn also was dealing with both a pregnancy and health issues: she went through a kidney transplant in the thick of it all.

But in the end, everything came together as planned—and MacKay-Dunn even suspects the challenges helped designer and client bond. “We had to establish a high level of trust,” she says. “This project represents a true labour of love and it was a lot of fun along the way, despite the growing pains.”

woman walking through living room in vancouver modern home
Photo by Janis Nicolay
bed with grey upholstered headboard vancouver
Photo by Janis Nicolay

PROJECT CREDITS
● Millwork: TMW Custom Millwork
● Builder: Ronse Massey Developments 
● Architect: Alexandre Ravkov 
● Landscape Architect: Ron Rule

To donate to the Kidney Foundation, please visit kidney.ca.