My Houzz: A Smart-Home Jewel in Vancouver
When Joe Walters bought his Vancouver house, there was a broken-down car on the front lawn and "you could see the sky through the rotting roof," he says.
But Walters, founder of Radec Group, a company that builds homes and manages commercial projects, and his wife, Karla, took their time building the home in the spirit of midcentury builder Joseph Eichler. "Nothing unnecessary or overly trendy. Just good design," Walters says.
Now ecofriendly materials have given the space a fresh vibe, and new home automation have reduced energy consumption and integrated the home’s entertainment, lighting, climate control and security systems with the owners' smart phones and tablets. You could say the home is now the neighborhood jewel.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Joe and Karla Walters, and sons Zach (age 2) and Ryder (2 months)
Location: Riley Park neighborhood of Vancouver
Size: 1,511 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms; plus a 777-square-foot basement suite with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
The kitchen's 14-foot island is the main hub. Its long white Caesarstone top wraps down to the floor over walnut millwork. An off-center sink maximizes counter space, while clear acrylic stools let the massive island take center stage.
Bar stools: Vapor, CB2; backsplash tile: Porcelanosa; faucet: Trinsic, Delta
Interior designer Paula Guerra, designed the custom walnut wood cabinetry without visible hardware.
Cabinetry: Heritage Millwork; refrigerator: Frigidaire; range hood: Faber; microwave: Panasonic; cooktop, ovens: Viking
"We have a fully automated home: fully integrated audiovisual, lighting, heating-cooling and security," Walters says. "When the sun goes down, the exterior lights go on. We've programmed the lights to 80 percent maximum, which is indiscernible but results in big energy savings. We can turn lights on and off, play music and change the channel from our iPad."
Painting: Zoë Pawlak; interior paint: Dove White OC-17, Benjamin Moore
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The Walters purchased the Lazy 05 dining room chairs by B&B Italia for a steal at the Inform Interiors warehouse sale. "We spotted them immediately, and my wife sat with our designer on them, scaring people away while I waited in line to buy them," says Walters.
Table: custom, Heritage Millwork; pendant lights: Larmes pendant, ET2
Yellow forsythia flowers in a clear vase from Urban Barn sit atop a custom buffet by Heritage Millwork. The mirrored dining centerpiece, from CB2, is host to fresh tulips in bright yellow pots from local shop Parliament Interiors.
Stemware: Riedel; placemats: EQ3; tulips: Flower Factory
The living room features in-ceiling speakers and a flat-screen TV with a custom media unit.
Media unit: Heritage Millwork; drapes: Lee's Draperies; roller shades: Brite Blinds; armchair: West Elm
Floor lamp: Overarching Floor Lamp, West Elm
Wall sconces: The Lighting Warehouse; wallpaper: Candice Olson Shimmering Details collection, Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics; vanity: Heritage Millwork, designed by Paula Guerra
Stairs: Heritage Millwork; LED step lighting: Home Depot; railing: Rail-Co Stainless
A custom built-in walnut dresser with quartz top in the main bedroom displays a small collection of vases from West Elm.
Bed frame: Koolhaus (now closed); pendant light: Criss Cross Saucer, Modernica; wallpaper: Candice Olson's Shimmering Details collection, Crown Wallpaper & Fabrics; table lamp, bedside tables: EQ3; throw pillows: West Elm, bedding: Gluckstein Home
Shiny Porcelanosa tiles mix with matte white Ames Tile in the main bathroom. The curly willow and magnolia add to the spa-like feel of the modern space.
Vanity light: The Lighting Warehouse; vanity: custom design, Paula Guerra; vase: Pottery Barn; faucets: Huntington Brass; toilet: Duravit
Wall paint: Blue Nose CC-800, Benjamin Moore; artwork: Ikea; table, chair set: Pottery Barn; table lamp: Ikea; pendant light: CB2; shelving: Expedit, Ikea
Cedar contrasts stucco on the home's exterior. Italian LED wall sconces with a narrow beam angle flank the vertical-grain fir door.
Wall sconces: Marco LED by Ares; house numbers: Atlas; door: Tundra Windows; planters: Solus; railing: aluminum, H&H
Here's Karla, Joe and Zach Walters in the living room. "It’s exciting to be part of a transitioning neighborhood," Walters says. "There are lovely parks for our family, including a water park nearby, and great new shops and cafés are popping up."
Sectional: Lola, EQ3; rug: Costco; throw pillows: HomeSense, West Elm
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