When Joe Walters purchased his Vancouver house, there was a broken-down car on the front lawn and “you can see the sky through the rotting roof,” he says.
However Walters, founder of Radec Group, a company which builds homes and oversees commercial projects, and his wife, Karla, took their time constructing the home in the spirit of midcentury builder Joseph Eichler. “Nothing unnecessary or overly cool. Just good design,” Walters says.
Now ecofriendly materials have given the space a new vibe, and new home automation have decreased energy intake and integrated the property’s entertainment, lighting, climate control and security systems with all the owners’ smart telephones and tablets. You can say the residence is the neighborhood gem.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Joe and Karla Walters, and sons Zach (age 2) and Ryder (2 months)
Location: Riley Park neighborhood of Vancouver
Size: 1,511square feet; 3 bedrooms, 21/2 bathrooms; and a 777-square-foot basement suite with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Heather Merenda
The 14-foot island of the kitchen would be the principal hub. Its long white Caesarstone top wraps down to the floor over walnut millwork. An off-center sink maximizes counter space, while clear acrylic stools allow the massive island take centre stage.
Bar stools: Vapor, CB2; backsplash tile: Porcelanosa; faucet: Trinsic, Delta
Heather Merenda
Interior designer Paula Guerra, designed the customized walnut wood cabinetry.
Cabinetry: Heritage Millwork; fridge: Frigidaire; range hood: Faber; microwave: Panasonic; cooktop, ovens: Viking
Heather Merenda
“We have a fully automated home: fully integrated audiovisual, lighting, heating-cooling and security,” Walters says. “When the sun goes down, the outside lights move on. We have engineered the lights to 80% maximum, which can be indiscernible but results in big energy savings. We can turn lights off and on, play music and change the station from our iPad.”
Painting: Zoë Pawlak; interior paint : Dove White OC-17, Benjamin Moore
See more about smartening up your appliances
Heather Merenda
The Lazy 05 dining room seats were bought by the Walters by B&B Italia for a steal. “We spotted them and my wife sat with our designer on them, scaring people away while I waited in line to buy them,” says Walters.
Tcapable: habit, Heritage Millwork; pendant lighting: Larmes pendant, ET2
Heather Merenda
Yellow forsythia flowers in a vase from Urban Barn sit atop a customized buffet. The mirrored dining room, from CB2, is host to new tulips in bright yellow pots from local store Parliament Interiors.
Stemware: Riedel; placemats: EQ3; tulips: Flower Factory
Heather Merenda
The living room includes in-ceiling speakers and a flat-screen TV using a custom media unit.
Media unit: Heritage Millwork; curtains: Lee’s Draperies; roller shades: Brite Blinds; armchair: West Elm
Heather Merenda
Flooring Paint: Overarching Floor Lamp, West Elm
Heather Merenda
Wall sconces: The Lighting Warehouse; background: Candice Olson Shimmering Details collection, Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics; vanity: Heritage Millwork, designed by Paula Guerra
Heather Merenda
Stairs: Heritage Millwork; LED step lighting:Home Depot; railing: Rail-Co Stainless
Heather Merenda
Heather Merenda
A custom built-in walnut dresser with granite top in the principal bedroom displays a little collection of antiques out of West Elm.
Bed framework: Koolhaus (now closed); pendant lighting: Criss Cross Saucer, Modernica; wallpaper: Candice Olson’s Shimmering Details collection, Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics; table lamp, bedside tables: EQ3; throw pillows: West Elm, bedding: Gluckstein Home
Heather Merenda
Shiny Porcelanosa tiles mix with matte white Ames Tile from the main bathroom. The curly willow and magnolia add to the texture of the space.
Vanity lighting:TheLighting Warehouse; vanity: custom design, Paula Guerra; vase: Pottery Barn; taps: Huntington Brass; toilet: Duravit
Heather Merenda
Wall paint: Blue Nose CC-800, Benjamin Moore; art: Ikea; table, seat set: Pottery Barn; table lamp: Ikea; pendant lighting: CB2; shelving: Expedit, Ikea
Heather Merenda
Cedar contrasts stucco on the property’s exterior. Italian LED wall sconces using a narrow beam angle flank the vertical-grain fir doorway.
Wall sconces: Marco LED by Ares; house numbers: Atlas; doorway: Tundra Windows; planters: Solus; railing: aluminum, H&H
Heather Merenda
Here’s Zach, Joe and Karla Walters from the living room. “It is exciting to be part of a transitioning neighborhood,” Walters says. “There are beautiful parks for our family, such as a water park nearby, and great new stores and cafés are popping up.”
Sectional: Lola, EQ3; rug: Costco; throw pillows: HomeSense, West Elm
Read more home excursions:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Lofts
Contemporary Homes | Modern Homes | Transitional Homes | Traditional Homes
Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Holiday Homes