Cover Herschel Supply co-founder Lyndon Cormack's quintessential mountain cabin with an irreverent and playful twist
Herschel Supply co-founder Lyndon Cormack's quintessential mountain cabin with an irreverent and playful twist
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The winter pied-à-terre designed by Little Giant Studio is one that is rustic on the outside, but modern on the inside
Much like how Lyndon Cormack approached the design for Herschel Supply’s range of backpacks when he and his brother Jamie first launched the Canadian brand in 2009—aesthetic elements that “evoke a sense of American nostalgia” while using materials that are timeless and highly durable; it was the same when it came time to do up his holiday residence in the quintessential mountain town of Whistler, Canada.
“It was a challenging endeavour,” remembers the co-founder and managing director of the travel and accessories brand. “The market is brimming with stunning modern houses, but none evoked the feeling I craved—a cabin, not a cube. [One that can evoke the] Canadian cabin culture, my childhood memories of time spent in our family’s A-frame house, snowboarding, vintage vibes, music and records, and the cosiness of fireside chats.”
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Above The winter pied-à-terre is nestled in the serene town of Whistler, bordered by an expansive forest
The winter pied-à-terre is nestled in the serene town of Whistler, bordered by an expansive forest
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Eventually, Cormack stumbled upon a well-maintained, though dated, log cabin with an authentic mountain character that only a log house could provide. Originally built in the early 1990s, the 3,700 sq ft cabin had four storeys, three main bedrooms, a guest suite, and a lofted lounge area.
Keen on infusing his own personality into the secluded pied-à-terre, Cormack embarked on a renovation journey with friend and architect Mark Burkart from Little Giant Studio for a home with “a true mountain cabin experience, but with an irreverent and playful twist.”
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Lyndon Cormack, his partner Tori and his teenage daughters in the main living area
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Above The Bocci lighting fixture that resembles snowfall against the traditional log backdrop
Above The irregular, golden hue of the existing log structure
The Bocci lighting fixture that resembles snowfall against the traditional log backdrop
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In the living room, the river stone fireplace, contemporary artworks by Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, and a Bocci lighting fixture that resembles snowfall disrupted the traditional log architecture.
While in the kitchen-cum-dining area and the loft, Burkart contrasted the irregular, golden hue of the existing structure with dark, stained or wire-brushed oak cabinetry and modern furnishing in tints of black and neutral greys.
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The existing log structure contrasted with dark stained or wire-brushed oak cabinetry
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Above The kitchen area
Above Dark and light
The kitchen area
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“In contrast to the original home, the architectural intervention is formally minimal and modern while the materials complement the organic, natural tones,” explains Burkart. “Our design juxtaposes this nostalgic spirit of shelter and warmth with a modern sensibility and focus on art.”
Cormack, who was also deeply involved and hands-on in the process, adds: “It was a nod to the past, enhanced by the personal touch of new, distinctive elements introduced by Mark Burkart and his team.”
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Above The ‘70s inspired ‘hideout’ was an architectural reflection of the rugged landscape outside
The ‘70s inspired ‘hideout’ was an architectural reflection of the rugged landscape outside
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The ‘70s inspired ‘hideout’ was an architectural reflection of the rugged landscape that surrounds the home meant for Cormack, his partner Tori and his two teenage daughters, as Burkart recalls: “While the exterior is part of the fabric of the mountain village, experiencing the interior is meant to be an exploration into the unexpected.”
He introduced green wool carpeting meant to evoke the fern-covered floor of the towering mossy rainforest outside. The cedar-shingled walls were a textural feature found on the exterior that was brought indoors with the intention to blur the lines between the two worlds. Peppered in the comfortable space were bursts of colours from the pod-shaped furniture reminiscent of the decade past.
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Above Cormack’s love of the winter sports on display in the garage
Cormack’s love of the winter sports on display in the garage
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Above Reverence of a mountain ‘bat-cave’
Above Light oak panels and army green epoxy floor
Reverence of a mountain ‘bat-cave’
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The garage showed reverence of a gallery, celebrating Cormack’s love of the winter sports. The panelled walls and cabinetry in light white oak and high gloss army green epoxy floor echoed the great outdoors as they provided augmentation to the sporting gear on display, including a Ski-Doo Freeride deep snow snowmobile. Additionally, the moody palette against the backlit glass storage doors was more mountain ‘bat-cave’ as opposed to that of a traditional garage.
“It embodies the quintessential Canadian charm I was seeking for my secondary home–an inviting retreat designed for special times with family and friends,” says Cormack of the modern interpretation of a traditional log cabin, a juxtaposition achieved through the careful balancing of old and new elements.
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Credits
Photography: Ema Peter Photography
Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
