Houzz Tour: Ocean Views Exhilarate on the Sunshine Coast
Expansive gable windows and French doors offer an uninterrupted vista of the Pacific in this bright British Columbia A-frame
British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. So it makes perfect sense that just a short ferry ride from Vancouver, a coastal home would wrap its arms around its surroundings. "The owners wanted some timber frame and natural elements to tie it in with the site and felt that it should be a low-profile structure from the road," says architect Kevin Simoes of Streamline Design. "They wanted a beautiful home on the inside but didn't feel the need to showcase that from the street."
They went with a simple A-frame and incorporated timbers for most of the structural components. Simoes' design was restricted by the narrow lot, which has setbacks on three sides, including the ocean side. "The site really dictated what we could do in regard to the footprint and layout of the house," he says.
Working with designer Jonalyn Siemens, he created a minimalist yet charming getaway that's beautiful inside and out.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a weekend retreat for a designer and her husband.
Location: Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia
Size: 3,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The home was built with a sustainably harvested Douglas fir timber frame and has a metal roof and a rainwater collection system.
They went with a simple A-frame and incorporated timbers for most of the structural components. Simoes' design was restricted by the narrow lot, which has setbacks on three sides, including the ocean side. "The site really dictated what we could do in regard to the footprint and layout of the house," he says.
Working with designer Jonalyn Siemens, he created a minimalist yet charming getaway that's beautiful inside and out.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a weekend retreat for a designer and her husband.
Location: Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia
Size: 3,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The home was built with a sustainably harvested Douglas fir timber frame and has a metal roof and a rainwater collection system.
Seven French doors open up the living space to the exterior. The floors throughout are engineered maple from Lauzon.
Bar stools: Pier 1 imports, draped with sheepskin; pendant: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; windows, doors: Dynamic Windows
Bar stools: Pier 1 imports, draped with sheepskin; pendant: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; windows, doors: Dynamic Windows
An aggregate concrete path leads to the entrance. A door to the mudroom is off to the right.
The exterior is Douglas fir timber frame made without the wood's heart. Simoes explains that because wood shrinks and expands, you don't want to work with the heart, or center pith, of the wood. Nonheart wood is less likely to expand, contract or twist over time.
Timber frame: West Coast Log Homes
The exterior is Douglas fir timber frame made without the wood's heart. Simoes explains that because wood shrinks and expands, you don't want to work with the heart, or center pith, of the wood. Nonheart wood is less likely to expand, contract or twist over time.
Timber frame: West Coast Log Homes
The beams and posts are Douglas fir timbers. A floating staircase leading to the loft level is also Douglas fir and has a steel and cable railing. A similar railing leads to the lower level, which contains two bedrooms, a rec room, a wine room and a media room.
Moveable portholes are fun features that help provide ventilation, as there aren't many operable windows on the front of the house.
The kitchen features high-gloss white Euro cabinetry by Merit Kitchens, a stainless steel square tile backsplash from Custom Flooring and KitchenAid appliances (with the exception of a Miele dishwasher).
The homeowners plan to use the upstairs loft as a sitting area and library. Another area of this room contains a wall of built-in bookshelves.
“Normally we wouldn’t put this kind of beam structure in a space where only the vertical post is needed,” says Simoes. “But we wanted to add additional visual interest, and the beamwork helps to define the kitchen space, not only when you’re down below looking up, but also when you're up in the loft looking down.”
He integrated the structural post that supports the ridge beam into the kitchen island. “Rather than have a stand-alone post, we wanted to incorporate it into the island to give it a little bit more mass and to ground it.”
He integrated the structural post that supports the ridge beam into the kitchen island. “Rather than have a stand-alone post, we wanted to incorporate it into the island to give it a little bit more mass and to ground it.”
The master bedroom is on the main level, and you can see through the two-way fireplace into the great room.
Custom bed: Vincent Lang Furnishings; bedding, cushions, rug: Designers Guild; pendant lamps: Luminosa Light Design; standing lamp: Adesso; sofa, ottoman, draperies: custom by Jonalyn Siemens
Custom bed: Vincent Lang Furnishings; bedding, cushions, rug: Designers Guild; pendant lamps: Luminosa Light Design; standing lamp: Adesso; sofa, ottoman, draperies: custom by Jonalyn Siemens
We wanted the master bathroom tub to be the focal point of the room," says Simoes. "The owners love to sit here and feel like they're on the ocean."
Bathtub, sink: Ravello, Victoria and Albert; bathtub fixtures: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe
Bathtub, sink: Ravello, Victoria and Albert; bathtub fixtures: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe
The simple yet luxurious finishes in the master bath include polished travertine tiles atop the vanity.
Mirrors: Restoration Hardware; sconces: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; sink fixtures: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe
Mirrors: Restoration Hardware; sconces: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; sink fixtures: Axor Massaud, Hansgrohe
The homeowners wanted to keep the master bathroom as open as possible. Sliding doors open to the bedroom, and picture windows provide a view of the ocean from the shower.
Shower walls: limestone; floor: pebble tiles, Ecolfor; fixtures: Axor, Hansgrohe
Shower walls: limestone; floor: pebble tiles, Ecolfor; fixtures: Axor, Hansgrohe
Practical and visually appealing, the mudroom with laundry has a Caesarstone countertop and loads of storage.
This is one of two guest bathrooms on the lower level.
Shower tile: polished ceramic, Olympia Tile; sinks, sink fixtures: Ronbow; mirrors: Home Depot; sconces: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; shower fixtures: Hansgrohe
Shower tile: polished ceramic, Olympia Tile; sinks, sink fixtures: Ronbow; mirrors: Home Depot; sconces: Hudson Valley lighting, Luminosa Light Design; shower fixtures: Hansgrohe
The cedar back deck runs the entire 45-foot length of the house.
Deck furniture: Costco; fire pit: Solus Vancouver
Deck furniture: Costco; fire pit: Solus Vancouver
A log staircase from the main floor deck leads down to a gazebo and a path to the ocean.
Dining table: Restoration Hardware; chairs: The Other Room; chandelier: Halo, Roost; sectional sofa: Willow Studio; mermaid sculpture: Alisa Shebib; fireplace: handmade aggregate tile, Solus Vancouver