This Vancouver Home Proves That Contemporary Can Have Texture and Warmth

Retired homeowners Greg and Nichole Holmes spend their winters in the Bahamas, so it’s not surprising they wanted to continue that sunny aesthetic in their Vancouver home, a custom contemporary new-build. They hired Jessica Touhey to get the tricky balance just right: maintaining a modern feel while incorporating warmth and texture.

modern front hall cement floor, art three cushions on bench two baskets

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First Impressions

The front hall’s classic Herman Miller bench (a housewarming gift from the owners’ son) reflects the home’s contemporary lines and welcoming vibe. Designer Jessie Touhey softened it with some cushions from CF Interiors and included baskets in the vignette for a natural, organic touch that ties in nicely with the owners’ artwork. The takeaway: decorate your entryway as you would a room.

open concept living dining area with centre skylights, dining room table has three leaf arrangement vases

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Light Fantastic

“The skylight ‘strip,’ designed by architect Martin Kaffka, is one of my favourite features in the home,” says Jessie. To highlight it, she decided to clad the once-plain ceiling with wood panelling. “It optimizes the effect of the natural light.” We like how it imparts warmth and texture and is a natural foil to the cement floors.

open concept living dining area with centre skylights, dining room table has three leaf arrangement vases, view to outside and patio

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Family Affair

The owners love to have their children and grandchildren over so it was imperative this contemporary space be inviting and practical. Jessie relied on sturdy, easy to clean fabrics for all of the seating. A slide-away glass wall seamlessly connects the space to the pool deck and the minimal lines feel welcoming thanks to the colour palette. As gorgeous as it looks, nothing is off limits. “Kids run through here with dripping bathing suits and wet feet!”

skylit island with four grey stools with back, cement floors, front door in background

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Strong Accents

This kitchen showcases the important role accessories play. “The house is near the sea and I felt like these metal bowls brought an organic element, almost like sea kelp, to an otherwise slick kitchen,” says Jessie. “The sculptural nature of them, punctuated by being black, pops against the marble counters and sleek cabinetry.” Artichokes and simple greenery complete the superb styling. The leather-upholstered stools are from Muse and Merchant.

modern kitchen with window as backsplash, gold knot sculpture on counter

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Clear Winner

Though the glass backsplash came with some design challenges – namely having to be measured on site and installed after all of the millwork – it is a pleasure at every turn, especially when making morning coffee. It fills the countertop with natural light and affords a view to the newly planted bamboo garden.

modern kitchen view to window backsplash from island with raw artichokes on it

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Fine Finishes

The kitchen’s custom cabinetry is simple, yet has a luxurious presence. The addition of black hardware is genius. “I think it makes the kitchen,” says Jessie. “It is bold, distinctive and creates linear repetition.”

console table in open concept space with tow white lamps and three books on middle shelf bottom on Barney's

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Table Talk

Though it looks like it could be custom-made for the home, this glass and steel console table is from CH Interiors. Its silhouette and materials reference design elements in the living and dining areas and it adds interest to the back of the sofa; a great way to softly delineate separate areas in an open space.

living area with round nesting tables two navy chairs with light cushions and sectional

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Round About

Round nesting tables, also from CF Interiors, throw some curves into the space. The owners’ armchairs were reupholstered in a lustrous blue fabric that perks up the neutral colour scheme. The fabric is durable enough to withstand entertaining a crowd. How wonderful is the seamless indoor-outdoor view to the pool?

closeup of colourful woven cushion on grey seating

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Colour Chameleon

A textured cushion from Crate and Barrel takes a bright stance and is a reminder that colour can be easily layered in with accessories.

round mirror with hair trim above light section with cushions and fur throw, round coffee table with Homefront book

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Soft Touch

The light-filled living room is jam-packed with touch-me textures that soften the contemporary backdrop. The stunning mirror – a vintage find – presides over the mix of nubby cushions, a furry throw and plush rug. The overall softness is furthered with warm colours, brass accents and greenery.

modern white fireplace with horizontal panels and yak photo beside it above a barrel

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Natural Beauty

The architectural vastness of this contemporary space is tempered by earthy elements like a humble barrel, whimsical artwork and accessories with organic silhouettes. We like how the low-profile fireplace showcases some of the more interesting pieces.

black shelf with black back in living room with round hair trimmed mirror and round nesting tables

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Display Case

The living room’s free-standing shelf from CF Interiors is a masterclass in composition. We love how Jessie styled it with restraint – not every shelf needs to be filled! – and how the black punctuates the neutral space.

view into master bedroom with three orange cushions on the bed

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Orange Aid

The serene master bedroom gets some zing thanks to orange accessories that counter the neutral colour scheme. We love the bold choice of including a very rustic wooden bench in such a luxuriously modern space.

master bedroom with three orange cushions on the bed and window to yard on oneside

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Curtain Call

Jessie dressed the bedroom windows with custom-made drapes. Crafted from very light textured fabric, they blend into the surrounding walls while providing complete darkness thanks to a backing of blackout fabric. We love how they soften the room and how the gentle folds are an interesting foil to all the horizontal lines.

bedside table, lamp with white shade and tan base, green bloom in square cut glass vase

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Natural Element

“The bedside tables are from CF Interiors in North Vancouver,” says Jessie. “I chose something rustic here to create a distinction from all the flat, smooth finishes in the room.” The attention to detail continues with the lighting choice, which are both decorative and practical thanks to the reading sconce.

modern fireplace in master bedroom with three orange pillows and en suite bath

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Detail Oriented

We’re not sure what we love more here – a fireplace beside the bed or the luxurious bespoke bedding. Both layer in a beautiful effect.

white vessel tub, black wall, rectangular black framed window

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Fire Starter

The master bedroom’s fireplace is two-way and shares the view into the stunning ensuite – imagine, being able to enjoy the fire from the bathtub or the bedroom.

black legged wood top table beside white vessel tub black wall

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Travel Tips

The incredible contrast and texture of the walls was inspired by a trip to Japan. “There I learned about an ancient finishing process called shou sugi ban,” says Jessie. “Wood is sealed by torching the outermost fibres to create a beautiful, crackled charcoal effect, much like the burned driftwood from an abandoned beach fire.” All of the panelling was torched offsite and then installed (it’s usually used as an exterior finish).

two white vessels sinks, mirror reflecting black wall and three orange cushions in bedroom

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Fine Lines

Vessel sinks with gently curving lines have a sculptural effect that echoes the silhouette of the tub and feels fresh against the black.

white vessel tub with towel over the side in front of black wall

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Organic Ingredients

Like the rest of the home, the master bath features interesting accessories that feel natural and warm, including a rustic wood-topped table and nubby rug. Metallic votives infuse a bit of sparkle and a built-in shelf houses toiletries and decorative items.

shower stall with two square chrome showerheads, towel hanging on hook

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Double Double

“I chose two showerheads so Greg and Nichole could shower at the same time,” says Jessie. “I also snuck in the shower niche here so you don’t see any bottles or soap from vanity area.” A plant was snuck in too and is testament to the home’s indoor-outdoor vibe.