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What Happens When a Maximalist and a Minimalist Live Together
An interior designer finds stylish ways to make it work in the home he shares in Vancouver’s Gastown neighborhood
Interior designer Ben Leavitt and his partner, radiologist Vish Anand, agreed that this apartment in Vancouver’s Gastown neighborhood would make a dream home. And they agreed they wanted a space that would be welcoming to their large families during gatherings. But merging Anand’s penchant for calm minimalism with Leavitt’s more maximalist tendencies presented a conundrum for the latter. It’s a good thing he loves a design challenge. Here’s how he brought in the calm while displaying favorite things.
Artful Choices
The couple believe in investing in furniture they’ll enjoy for life. “A guiding principle for me is that furniture should have a story behind it and feel close to the hand of the maker. It should not be disposable,” Leavitt says. A good example are these authentic Eames molded plywood Lounge chairs, made by Herman Miller. The furniture and artwork are a mix of iconic pieces, work by up-and-coming designers they admire and pieces the couple have collected around the world. Leavitt also focused on finding furniture and art made by local artists and craftspeople.
He chose navy blue felt upholstery for B&B Italia’s Omnia sofa. “I consider navy to be a great neutral,” Leavitt says. “And felt has a matte finish that feels very Scandinavian modern. But it’s not for everyone, because it is higher-maintenance. It would not work well for people with young children or pets, but it works well for us.”
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The couple believe in investing in furniture they’ll enjoy for life. “A guiding principle for me is that furniture should have a story behind it and feel close to the hand of the maker. It should not be disposable,” Leavitt says. A good example are these authentic Eames molded plywood Lounge chairs, made by Herman Miller. The furniture and artwork are a mix of iconic pieces, work by up-and-coming designers they admire and pieces the couple have collected around the world. Leavitt also focused on finding furniture and art made by local artists and craftspeople.
He chose navy blue felt upholstery for B&B Italia’s Omnia sofa. “I consider navy to be a great neutral,” Leavitt says. “And felt has a matte finish that feels very Scandinavian modern. But it’s not for everyone, because it is higher-maintenance. It would not work well for people with young children or pets, but it works well for us.”
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The far corner of the living room is a great example of the calm and collected. The statue is a vintage replica of a clay warrior Leavitt bought in China many years ago and has been toting from home to home ever since. The light is by emerging designer Andrew Neyer. The side table is from local company Barter, whose tables are crafted from trees that have fallen down naturally in the forest. And Danish designer Niels Bendtsen designed the lounge chair. “The chair is bright but classic,” Leavitt says. “And no matter how I change things up in the future, the chartreuse will work with a lot.”
Because the ceilings are concrete, Leavitt had to work with the existing wiring placement for the lighting, which was wonky. Handled incorrectly, this could have thrown off the calm vibe in the space. “They were in these places where I couldn’t center anything, so I embraced asymmetrical items like this light fixture,” Leavitt says. The sculptural fixture’s asymmetry and mobile-like character balances the off-centerness of the spot where it had to be installed.
Because the ceilings are concrete, Leavitt had to work with the existing wiring placement for the lighting, which was wonky. Handled incorrectly, this could have thrown off the calm vibe in the space. “They were in these places where I couldn’t center anything, so I embraced asymmetrical items like this light fixture,” Leavitt says. The sculptural fixture’s asymmetry and mobile-like character balances the off-centerness of the spot where it had to be installed.
Local Vancouver artist Martha Sturdy made the coffee table. “This table is very modern, simple and is usable art,” Leavitt says. “It anchors everything in the room together.” Its blocky form suits the large room and the neutral palette is calm — but the mix of white, clear and black resins make the top artful.
Browse blue sofas in the Houzz Shop
Browse blue sofas in the Houzz Shop
Light-Filled Workspace
Off the living room is a light-filled workspace and the entrance to the master bedroom. Leavitt worked with B&B Italia on this custom bookshelf. It works as a room divider between the workspace and the living room without closing things off. It’s also a great place to display favorite items in an uncluttered way. And because of all the sunlight, it’s a place where plants thrive.
“It helps me keep an eclectic home in a structured fashion,” Leavitt says. “And people should not be afraid to change up a display like this. I’ve changed this one at least three times since these photos were taken.”
Other items in this area include a vintage metal chair that used to be in a jewelry store and a unique floor lamp handcrafted in Brooklyn of old slats from a mattress factory and LED lights. Both pieces continue the idea of off-balance items balancing out some of the asymmetry of the home.
Off the living room is a light-filled workspace and the entrance to the master bedroom. Leavitt worked with B&B Italia on this custom bookshelf. It works as a room divider between the workspace and the living room without closing things off. It’s also a great place to display favorite items in an uncluttered way. And because of all the sunlight, it’s a place where plants thrive.
“It helps me keep an eclectic home in a structured fashion,” Leavitt says. “And people should not be afraid to change up a display like this. I’ve changed this one at least three times since these photos were taken.”
Other items in this area include a vintage metal chair that used to be in a jewelry store and a unique floor lamp handcrafted in Brooklyn of old slats from a mattress factory and LED lights. Both pieces continue the idea of off-balance items balancing out some of the asymmetry of the home.
Going Off Balance
The light fixture couldn’t be centered over the table because of the concrete ceiling, so Leavitt again embraced asymmetry. Both the millwork on the accent wall and the table’s base are pleasingly off-kilter. “This table was made by a local company and it’s at once so structured and unstructured,” Leavitt says. “Even the cactus is structured but kind of crazy and haphazard. But this is all balanced by the dining chairs, which are very structured.” They’re the iconic Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen & Son.
The light fixture plays off the angles of the millwork. “It resembles a marquee letter, bringing some of that old Gastown industrial street architecture indoors,” Leavitt says.
Accent wall paint: Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore
The light fixture couldn’t be centered over the table because of the concrete ceiling, so Leavitt again embraced asymmetry. Both the millwork on the accent wall and the table’s base are pleasingly off-kilter. “This table was made by a local company and it’s at once so structured and unstructured,” Leavitt says. “Even the cactus is structured but kind of crazy and haphazard. But this is all balanced by the dining chairs, which are very structured.” They’re the iconic Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen & Son.
The light fixture plays off the angles of the millwork. “It resembles a marquee letter, bringing some of that old Gastown industrial street architecture indoors,” Leavitt says.
Accent wall paint: Hale Navy, Benjamin Moore
Outdoor Space
The unit includes about 1,300 square feet of outdoor space that overlooks downtown Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet. It includes an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, and dining and lounge areas.
Shop for outdoor furniture
The unit includes about 1,300 square feet of outdoor space that overlooks downtown Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet. It includes an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, and dining and lounge areas.
Shop for outdoor furniture
Kitchen
The kitchen had undergone a beautiful previous renovation and didn’t need much work. A B&B Italia island mixes rich walnut and shiny stainless steel. This area is the farthest away from the natural light — the stainless steel waterfall countertop and the backpainted glass backsplash help reflect some of it.
The floating ceiling and vent hood provide another asymmetrical minimalist moment. And the lack of pendant lights helps maintain the uncluttered and calm aesthetic. The wall of cabinets beyond the main kitchen hide the fridge, freezer, microwave and small appliances. They also incorporate wine and broom closets.
The kitchen had undergone a beautiful previous renovation and didn’t need much work. A B&B Italia island mixes rich walnut and shiny stainless steel. This area is the farthest away from the natural light — the stainless steel waterfall countertop and the backpainted glass backsplash help reflect some of it.
The floating ceiling and vent hood provide another asymmetrical minimalist moment. And the lack of pendant lights helps maintain the uncluttered and calm aesthetic. The wall of cabinets beyond the main kitchen hide the fridge, freezer, microwave and small appliances. They also incorporate wine and broom closets.
Leavitt had to curate from an art collection he’s been amassing for many years to find the right pieces for the apartment. “I never let not having a place for something keep me from buying art,” he says. “You’ll always find a place for something someday.” These photographs had been out of rotation in his old place but he found the right place for them in the new living room. “Both Vish and I have spent time in Africa, and I love portraiture,” Leavitt says. Artwork he’s not displaying here lives at his office and in storage, waiting to be rotated in when the right spot reveals itself.
Master Suite
Before, the master suite was dark and lacked texture. “The bedroom is less modern and more Gastown,” Leavitt says. He added the brick veneer wall. “This is a brick building, but our apartment didn’t have any brick,” he says. He chose the reading sconces because they resemble the neighborhood’s streetlights. With one small window, he knew the space needed brightening, so he painted the brick and other walls white and added an oversize mirror to reflect light.
Before, the master suite was dark and lacked texture. “The bedroom is less modern and more Gastown,” Leavitt says. He added the brick veneer wall. “This is a brick building, but our apartment didn’t have any brick,” he says. He chose the reading sconces because they resemble the neighborhood’s streetlights. With one small window, he knew the space needed brightening, so he painted the brick and other walls white and added an oversize mirror to reflect light.
Leavitt brought color in on the opposite wall, through wainscoting painted in Benjamin Moore’s Dollar Bill Green and through another favorite piece of art, a framed limited-edition towel by artist and author Douglas Coupland. (For those unfamiliar with it, poutine is a popular French Canadian indulgence: french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy.)
In the master bath’s full renovation, the designer kept the aesthetic neutral and minimalist. The walnut on the vanity adds warmth to the room, while a Corian countertop with integrated sinks creates a seamless look. Leavitt also worked in industrial elements: large-format concrete tile on the walls and floor, matte black fixtures and more marquee-like light fixtures.
“Replacing the old drop-in tub with a freestanding one made the bathroom feel larger,” he says. The sculptural minimalist piece sits atop a plinth tiled in black marble. “The black plinth grounds it, but it was put there out of necessity to hide the pipes,” Leavitt says. “My advice is to always be flexible and roll with the punches in design, as issues like this will pop up along the way.”
Matte black faucets: Brizo
“Replacing the old drop-in tub with a freestanding one made the bathroom feel larger,” he says. The sculptural minimalist piece sits atop a plinth tiled in black marble. “The black plinth grounds it, but it was put there out of necessity to hide the pipes,” Leavitt says. “My advice is to always be flexible and roll with the punches in design, as issues like this will pop up along the way.”
Matte black faucets: Brizo
Guest Room
Leavitt added warmth and texture to the guest room with a woven wallcovering, a forest green bed, petrified-log nightstands and a mix of textiles. It also gave him a chance to display a favorite collection.
“Picasso was really inspired by masks and I’ve always been inspired by Picasso, so I’ve been collecting them for many years,” Leavitt says. He’s picked them up on his travels to far-flung places, including Africa, Peru, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong and New Guinea.
The homeowners both use the guest room regularly when they don’t have company. “It’s a darker room that’s so cozy — it’s a great spot to sneak away to for a nap,” Leavitt says.
Leavitt added warmth and texture to the guest room with a woven wallcovering, a forest green bed, petrified-log nightstands and a mix of textiles. It also gave him a chance to display a favorite collection.
“Picasso was really inspired by masks and I’ve always been inspired by Picasso, so I’ve been collecting them for many years,” Leavitt says. He’s picked them up on his travels to far-flung places, including Africa, Peru, China, Vietnam, Hong Kong and New Guinea.
The homeowners both use the guest room regularly when they don’t have company. “It’s a darker room that’s so cozy — it’s a great spot to sneak away to for a nap,” Leavitt says.
Guest Bath
The apartment’s second bathroom serves as both guest bath and powder room. The homeowners have enjoyed time in Palm Springs and love California’s desert landscape. Leavitt had this mural wallpaper fabricated from a vintage photograph of Joshua Tree National Park.
The apartment’s second bathroom serves as both guest bath and powder room. The homeowners have enjoyed time in Palm Springs and love California’s desert landscape. Leavitt had this mural wallpaper fabricated from a vintage photograph of Joshua Tree National Park.
The minimalist palette of walnut, Corian, concrete tile and matte black continues in this bathroom. Details that give it its own personality include the large-format black marble floor tiles, artwork of 50 powerful women’s silhouettes and a square white 3D wall tile. “The wall’s texture makes it look like folded paper,” Leavitt says.
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Ben Leavitt and radiologist Vish Anand
Location: Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver, British Columbia
Size: 1,600 square feet (149 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Ben Leavitt of PlaidFox
“Both Vish and I have traveled extensively and have a lot of favorite things we’ve brought back as mementos,” Leavitt says. “But with all of the chaos he faces in the hospital every day, he wanted to come home to a serene and calming space. I’m more of a maximalist.” Leavitt loves to mix styles, so one category can’t describe his result here of mixing Scandinavian modern, midcentury modern, industrial, worldly, eclectic and a Zen-like vibe. What does describe it is calm and collected.
The 1910 Terminus Hotel building was converted into apartments in the 1990s, and the couple’s unit had undergone several renovations since then. They changed out the flooring (now engineered white oak), paint and lighting; completely renovated both bathrooms; and added a brick wall in their bedroom.
Leavitt finds constant inspiration in the neighborhood, and that helped guide the design. “Gastown is a vibrant design district full of cobblestone streets, charming streetlights and old brick factory buildings,” he says. He added industrial elements inspired by the neighborhood to the home’s style mix.
To get a sense of where Leavitt was coming from, check out the loft he lived in a few years ago.