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Not to mention, the project coincided with her responsibilities as a new mum, “simultaneously managing my studio and crafting our home off the side of my desk.” 

“This journey has undeniably fostered a deep sense of empathy and understanding for the challenges our clients face in navigating their own projects,” she remembers. “It led me to appreciate the constraints, needs, and desires of my clients, fostering a deeper appreciation for the collaborative partnership that defines our relationships.”

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Built in 2017, the full time residence with a contemporary exterior is located in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver, Canada, a family-oriented community that is close to the beach by the English Bay, and peppered with restaurants and shops.

Inspired by art deco architecture and design, the three-storey home with neutral and streamlined darker white walls intertwines a sense of clean-lined glamour through playful shapes and graceful curves.

“I look at colour and dramatic design every day, so I wanted the base of our home to feel serene and provide a neutral backdrop for me to experiment with different furnishings, décor and textiles, with the ability to change the design elements as I desired,” explains Segal.

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White polished concrete permeates the main floor, comprising the foyer, powder room, kitchen, dining and living rooms. Playing off the sleek, modern look are stained and cerused oak millworks that not only exude considerable warmth but also fresh and low maintenance to break up when future design inspiration hits.

The balance and tension between a sophisticated yet laid back atmosphere stretches to the basement, consisting of a playroom, home gym, TV/hang out zone, mudroom-slash-laundry-room, and an ensuite guestroom; as well as the upper floor, where the principal suite is, alongside two kids’ bedrooms with a sharing bathroom.

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Amidst the inviting spaces, beauty marble adds drama, as seen in the living room where the marble fireplace mantel anchors meaningful curations that feature graceful curvilinear lines, extending from the interior architecture into the shapes and curvature of the furnishings.

“Through collecting vintage pieces and collaborating with friends, makers and designers–some of which I commissioned bespoke pieces from as well, my home becomes a space for testing ideas, ensuring every piece holds personal meaning,” Segal articulates.

These poignant pieces include a CB2 chair recovered during the pandemic that transforms the living room with its bold yellow striped fabric by Raf Simons, complementing other vintage and contemporary finds in the room.

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In the kitchen, a porcelain slab decorates the kitchen island. While it’s a material Segal hasn’t worked with previously, an eagerness arose to experiment with it in her own home before recommending it to clients.

“I wanted something that could stand up to lots of abuse with tons of movement to help disguise any wear and tear,” she says.

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Complementing the durable material are shines from unlacquered brass fixtures with ageing patinas that develop over time, as well as sculptural lightings–by Vancouver based maker Randy Zieber, and Lindsay Adelman–in the dining room and foyer that infuse a touch of glamour as the “jewellery of the home”.

“I used a lot of my ‘splurge’ budget on lighting and items that are out of reach for the kids,” she chimes in.

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Speaking of the kids, the project has been a masterclass in kid-proof design, and Segal can very confidently say she is now an expert in this area.

All textiles in the living and dining rooms are performance-grade or indoor-outdoor fabrics that are low maintenance and washable, alongside vintage Italian dining chairs from the 70’s come with sturdy plastic frames and vinyl upholstery.

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“I changed out the dining chairs three times,” Segal shares. “No matter how durable I thought the chairs would be–and were promised to be, my kids seemed to find a way to destroy them.”

“I never want to be telling my kids they couldn’t sit somewhere, or get stressed whenever they press playdough into my pieces or ‘redecorate’ the upholstery with markers,” she continues.

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When asked about creating a sophisticated yet functional space like her own, Segal advises: “Most of our clients have children or pets, so it’s important to know what the priorities are: do they want items that develop a patina or a more lived-in look overtime, or if they want things to look brand new for as long as possible?”

“Nobody wants to live in a home that feels like a showroom, so it is key in being selective with the many incredible products out there that are both beautiful and durable,” she concludes.

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