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    Colwood house is a perfect mid-century nod to a modern Canada home designed by Erica Colpitts Interior Design

    MAR 27, 2023 | By Shriya Goyal
    Living room features Oak tripod table by Ethnicraft through CF Interiors, fireplace lighting by Astro Lighting, oversized antique wood board by The Stylewell, pillows by Libeco Belgian Linens through Bacci’s Vancouver and by Texidores through Provide Home, throw blanket and drapes by Cloth Studio, antique brass cauldron from Etsy and Anselm Kiefer exhibition poster ‘Frauen Der Atike’; Photographs by Ema Peter
    Homeowner’s easel with the newest work of art and sweeping forest views draws eyes; Photographs by Ema Peter
    ‘Windswept Bison’ photo on canvas by Thomas D. Maneglson highlighted by spotlights from Astro Lighting is found in the dining room; Photographs by Ema Peter
    Overlooking the outdoors, the writing corner in the primary bedroom is designed with an antique writing desk by Scott Landon Antiques, file cabinet by RH and task lamp by RH; Photographs by Ema Peter
    Nestled in the lush greens, Monet Rocking chairs by Sika Designs, Teak coffee table by Harbour Living through CF Interiors, end table by Fourhands through CF Interiors, leather vase by Cadine, pillows and throw by Libecco Belgian Linens through Bacci’s Vancouver and oversized rust clay pot by Atelier Vierkant through Inform Interiors forms the patio; Photographs by Ema Peter
    Full length windows allow ample natural light and forest views throughout the home; Photographs by Ema Peter
    The home is unassumingly tucked in amongst towering cedars, offering the homeowners privacy and quiet year-round; Photographs by Ema Peter

    Post a busy day at work, all of us wish to withdraw from the hubbub and reside within the peace of nature. Though seldom, anyone actually has turned this into reality. This home built by Olson Kundig and designed by Erica Colpitts Interior Design honours this wish and crafts a mid-century modern home in the peaceful landscape of Canada for a family moved from New York City.

    Located in the quiet little community of Edgemont Village, nestled at the base of the North Shore mountains, the 3300 sq ft, split level Colwood house now has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, a rec room with a flex space/guest bedroom and an open concept kitchen, dining, and living room. The home is unassumingly tucked in amongst towering cedars, offering the homeowners privacy and quiet year-round. 

    Living room is designed to be reminiscent of a gentleman’s library with sofa and chairs by RH, coffee table ottoman by Fourhands through CF Interiors, I-Beam side table custom design by Erica Colpitts, manufactured by Iron Age Manufacturing and Studio Lamp by Design Within Reach; Photographs by Ema Peter

    The curious brief

    The homeowners had lived in the home for a few years while working on the renovation plans.  The original mid-century modern structure of the home was not the homeowner’s natural preference, though they loved the location and feel of the house and hence enlisted Olson Kundig to design a fresh concept for the home that honoured the original structure and landscape.

    Antique Arts and Crafts dining table by Scott Landon Antiques with ceramics by Janaki Larsen and linens by The Stylewell in a vintage rattan tray, dining chairs by CF Interiors and an original The George Nelson pendant light restored and rewired by Scott Landon Antiques set the mood for a casual meal in the dining room; Photographs by Ema Peter

    Inspired by the serenity, use of natural materials and touches of countryside British interiors, the aesthetic of this home is a juxtaposition of dramatic and serene, rustic and refined, industrial and romantic.

    Modest in scale, the kitchen has barstools from Arteriors through CF Interiors, concrete counters and backsplash by Diamond Finish Concrete Countertops, cabinet hardware by Joseph Giles, platter with pears by Rina Menardi through Provide Home and wood boards by Steelwood Design through The Stylewell; Photographs by Ema Peter

    Tour every turn of this home

    Upon entrance, a small vestibule is used to greet and hang coats. Turning a corner, one enters the central foyer and hallway, which houses the steel staircase and restored bookcase. The staircase unit functions as an oversized sculpture that bridges the 3 levels together. 

    Original built in bookcase refinished with new steel and bronze elements marks the hallway. It has a ‘Sydney Harbour’ photograph by Peter Lik and custom steel armature lighting by Olson Kundig with RH pendants; Photographs by Ema Peter

    Homeowner’s easel with the newest work of art and sweeping forest views draws eyes in the living room. Architectural steel posts and wood beams frame these views, as they do throughout the home. Living room is designed to be reminiscent of a gentleman’s library. The aged leathers and oatmeal tones throughout wrap the room in warmth. 

    Scrubbed and worn antique table in the dining room set the mood for casual meals. With a delicious combination of moodiness and romance, the kitchen is modest in scale, grand in impact. Turning out of the kitchen is the powder room. Here, limestone wall tiles set the tone as dark and moody, full of character and raw sediments. 

    Plumbing fixtures by Brodware, Tom Kundig Collection door pull by 12th Avenue Iron, limestone tiles by Adera Natural Stone Supply and Torch sconce by John Beck Steel sets the tone for the dark powder room; Photographs by Ema Peter

    The original fireplace brickwork set the tone for the open concept rec room and flex space—ideal to mix a drink and curl up for the evening. Heading outside, indoor-outdoor living was the desire for the patio, and this is accomplished with large sliding glass doors and kitchen windows. 

    Bar stools by Crate and Barrel, sconces by Teka Illumination through Light Resource, ceramic pitcher by Cadine, wooden tray with bread by Vincent Van Duysen and concrete coffee table tray by Serax forms the patio seating; Photographs by Ema Peter

    The upper level hosts the private spaces of the home. The little girl’s room came together with a fairies wallpaper, Irish felt lampshade and a miniature rattan bedside table. Across the hall is the children’s bathroom. It has a neutral palette with a fun cat wallpaper in the hidden water closet that can easily be changed out day. 

    The little girl’s room came together with a bed by IKEA, bedside table from Australia through Etsy, custom pendant with Irish Wool Felt, wallpaper by Borastapeter, baskets by Crate and Barrel and rug by Pottery Barn Kids; Photographs by Ema Peter

    The primary bedroom is surprisingly secluded from the rest of the home within its modest footprint. It is enveloped in wood planking—the ceiling, floor, and wall with striking forest views. A moment of whimsy within the architecturally modern home, the bathroom is decked in a soft and tranquil palette. 

    Custom headboard by Cloth Studio and bedside tables by Nicholas Purcell in primary bedroom are designed by Erica Colpitts The sconces are by Crate and Barrel, pillows by Libeco Belgian Linens through Bacci’s Vancouver and CF Interiors, throw blanket by Cloth Studio and white ceramic pitcher by Elise Du Forcand available through The Stylewell; Photographs by Ema Peter

     

    Decked in a soft palette, the plumbing fixtures are by Samuel Heath available through Cantu Bathrooms, hardware by Colonial Bronze available through Cantu Bathrooms, handmade wall tiles through Silent Living, Pendants by John Beck Steel, white ceramic pitcher by Elise Du Forcand available through The Stylewell, soapstone tray through McGee and Co, linens through Old Faithful Shop, antique stool by The Stylewell and drapery by Cloth Studio; Photographs by Ema Peter

    Ideas to bookmark

    “My approach to design to draw out my clients’ deepest longings for their home and translate them into a final product that is curated specifically for each client. Obviously, I was inspired by the work of Tom Kundig and Jim Olson for a large portion of my work on this home, but the homeowners and I also scoured rural British interiors for inspiration regarding materials and furnishings. Coming from design forward Australia herself, the homeowner has an intuitive sense of beauty and impeccable taste, but she wanted my guidance to pull the right elements together. The home feels both easy and exquisite all at the same  time. I attribute this to the thoughtful integrity of the design concept,” expresses Erica Colpitts.

    Indoor-outdoor living was the desire for the patio, where adults can relax in shaded comfort while watching children play in the pool; Photographs by Ema Peter

     

    Lounge chairs by Harbour through CF Interiors, corten steel fire pit by Paloform Accessories, basket by Obakki, Rust blanket and pillow by Libecco Belgian Linens through Bacci’s Vancouver and Cream blanket by Texidores through Provide Home forms the fire pit; Photographs by Ema Peter

    This home has a decidedly neutral colour palette to go with the natural materials selected—warm whites, creams, and heathered oatmeals are paired with cognac coloured leather, dark flax, and deep greys. A combination of natural materials was key to this home along with both antique and newly acquired pieces working together to create a completely unique palette.

    It is a symphony of muted tones, soft textures, and organic finishes, set within a modern architectural framework. Visually stunning and physically comfortable. It is a home that can weather whatever life brings to it.

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