Cover The Vancouver home blends of the younger generation’s favoured minimalist style with the older generation’s love for luxurious elegance
The Vancouver home blends of the younger generation’s favoured minimalist style with the older generation’s love for luxurious elegance
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Atelier Fēn bridges the parents’ love for luxurious materials with the children’s contemporary minimalist style in this thoughtfully curated Vancouver home
Having moved from China, a couple in their mid-50s now reside in Vancouver, Canada with their three adult children in their 20s.
Recently engaged in September 2024, the eldest daughter splits her time between China and Canada whilst assisting with the family business, whilst her younger sister pursues university studies in New York, and their son, a recent University of British Columbia graduate, married this year.
Read more: 10 magnificent multi-generational family homes in Malaysia
For interior designer Sha Wang, founder of Atelier Fēn, the multigenerational lifestyle presented a unique challenge that would define the entire project.
“The homeowners wanted a warm, luxurious feel with rich materials like marble and high-gloss finishes, while their children preferred a contemporary, minimalist look in black-and-white,” she recalls. “The project’s complexity was compounded by extensive functional requirements, resulting in 13 floor plan revisions as decisions were frequently adjusted throughout the design process.”
Above Sha Wang, founder of Atelier Fēn (Photo: James Han)
Sha Wang, founder of Atelier Fēn (Photo: James Han)
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While each member of the Chinese-Canadian family had unique needs and styles, Wang found a design solution that made everything come together, ensuring each family member felt a sense of belonging in their own space–all while remaining steadfast in her commitment to creating spaces that inspire belonging, self-expression, and growth.
“Every project is human-centred; each a canvas on which we distill the essence of its inhabitants, crafting spaces that inspire and nurture,” she says. “We study the preferences of our clients, extend from that foundation, and incorporate our creativity to create spaces that resonate deeply with them.”
See also: Home tour: A multigenerational family retreat in Whistler, Canada with panoramic mountain views
Above The family room on the main floor with Shinnoki Manhattan oak panels
The family room on the main floor with Shinnoki Manhattan oak panels
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Above Apparatus Studio pendants bring harmonious symmetry to the marble fireplace
Above The sculptural B&B Italia Serie Up armchair by Gaetano Pesce anchors the space
Apparatus Studio pendants bring harmonious symmetry to the marble fireplace
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In shaping a home that bridges disparate aesthetic preferences into a cohesive whole, Wang opted for sleek lines and sculptural furniture pieces whilst avoiding excessive ornamentation across the three-storey residence–designed to “encourage relaxation while maintaining sophistication,” she elaborates.
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The colour palette is sumptuous across the 8,000-sq-ft home, blending beige, white, gold, camel, black, and blue-grey, with bold black accents creating striking contrast throughout the predominantly subdued spaces.
Meanwhile, natural materials of wood and stone that stand the test of time are paired with textured linen and wool, exuding warmth and tranquillity amidst a polished atmosphere.
Above The adjacent lounge area features a 7’ x 3’ tank is the homeowner’s favourite lounge spot
The adjacent lounge area features a 7’ x 3’ tank is the homeowner’s favourite lounge spot
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This is immediately apparent in the family room on the main floor, where the walls are clad in Shinnoki Manhattan oak panels, the rich and warm texture providing a timeless backdrop for the white marble fireplace, as a pair of Lantern pendants from Apparatus Studio bring harmonious symmetry, enhancing the room’s clean lines.
Read more: Home tour: A multigenerational timber house by the lake near Moscow
While custom millwork with drawers of varying heights offers abundant storage and open niches for art and curated displays, a plethora of design icons decorates the space with sculptural playfulness.
Anchoring the welcoming space is the Edra Standard sofa and B&B Italia Serie Up armchair by Gaetano Pesce, whilst a Davide Groppi Moon Suspension provides an ethereal illumination overhead.
Above Back-stained natural oak veneer walls in the basement entertainment hub juxtapose the sleek marble side table
Back-stained natural oak veneer walls in the basement entertainment hub juxtapose the sleek marble side table
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Above Patricia Urquiola’s Dudet armchair provides a subtle hint of colour
Above A striking Bocci pendant hangs above the crisp RH Cloud sofas
Patricia Urquiola’s Dudet armchair provides a subtle hint of colour
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The Shinnoki panels extend into the adjacent lounge area, where a 7’ x 3’ fish tank commands the attention in the tranquil retreat, while the soft, graceful curves of the Piet Boon Ella sofa, are reminiscent of a river-smoothed stone.
“Here, the client loves to relax daily, taking in the peaceful view of the fish–her favourite lounge spot in the home,” Wang says.
See also: 10 serene Japandi homes in Malaysia
Meanwhile, in the basement, the RH Cloud sofas upholstered in crisp white fabric create a soft and inviting atmosphere underneath the striking Bocci Skygarden 1 pendant by Marcel Wanders; whereas on the other side of the 4,000-sq-ft entertainment hub, black-stained natural oak veneer walls juxtapose the sleek marble side table with natural veining.
Above A bold Panda White marble kitchen island anchors the space
A bold Panda White marble kitchen island anchors the space
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“In envisioning the kitchen island, the homeowners imagined the island as a sculptural focal point, preferring dining-height seating over conventional stools,” Wang shares. “Inspired, I crafted an island with a distinct, custom shape that fulfils each wish–the bench seating conceals ample storage within, while the geometric brass supports introduce a restrained touch of sophistication.”
Clad in bold Panda White marble, the island evokes the delicate fluidity of traditional Asian watercolour paintings, its black and white contrasts flowing through the space like art, bringing quiet drama and depth without overpowering the room.
Don’t miss: Home tour: A multigenerational home in Hong Kong that evokes images of a jewellery box
Above The natural veining evokes the delicate fluidity of traditional Asian watercolour paintings
Above The custom shape appeals to the homeowners’ preference for dining-height seating
The natural veining evokes the delicate fluidity of traditional Asian watercolour paintings
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Each of the six bedrooms in the residence is imbued with distinctive characteristics that reflect the residents’ preferences.
Read more: 5 interior designer tips for kid-friendly bedrooms that grow with your children
In the serene, main ensuite bedroom on the first floor, a soft, geometric wall covering sets a textured, neutral backdrop that adds depth, warmth, and a subtle shine against the upholstered bed frame.
Its gentle curves and subtle piping anchor the room with understated elegance, as intricately patterned cushions in earthy tones adorn the bed, layered with cosy linens and a plush plaid throw that invite relaxation.
Above A cast Iron clawfoot tub in the basement ensuite bathroom
Above Distinctive designs that reflect the residents’ preferences
A cast Iron clawfoot tub in the basement ensuite bathroom
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Meanwhile, the eldest daughter’s bedroom strikes a delicate balance between youthful dreams and mature sophistication.
“[She] has always envisioned a sophisticated pink bedroom, but as a young woman in her 20s, she worries it might appear childish,” Wang shares. “To achieve a refined aesthetic, I incorporated custom-designed white fluted panels throughout the room, seamlessly concealing the bathroom door behind a matching panel.”
See also: Home tour: Scandinavian design meets Australian luxury in this nature-inspired Moscow home
Above White fluted panels achieve a refined aesthetic in the eldest daughter’s bedroom
Above Soft, geometric wall covering sets a textured, neutral backdrop in the main ensuite bedroom
White fluted panels achieve a refined aesthetic in the eldest daughter’s bedroom
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A Phillip Jeffries wall covering lends elegant flair to the space, with abstract washes of colour in subtle ombré forming a stunning mural that complements the elegant Themis bed by Wittmann.
“The hint of gradient pink captures the essence of her childhood dream without overwhelming the space with solid colour, offering a whimsical touch that sparks the imagination,” the interior designer concludes.
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Credits
Photography: Tina Kulic
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.
