When an active family of four from West Vancouver decided to get a second home in Whistler, they chose a 3,500-square-foot, three-storey detached house that had plenty of privacy and ski-in/out access to the Creekside base of Whistler mountain. The existing footprint worked but the outdated ’80s home was tired from years of use, poorly lit, and the layout needed minor adjustments. Rather than tear down, the clients wanted to salvage as much as possible and decided on a renovation—to the studs—to create a modern ski chalet inspired by the rustic yet refined homes they had visited in the Italian Dolomites.
This classic alpine vernacular has been translated into a contemporary open-concept space with exposed beams, expanses of glass, and white-oak flooring and millwork. Original fir posts and beams were surface-treated to remove their orange tinge, and the overall palette went from dark to light. Open-tread stairs replaced a heavy timber staircase. A custom mesh partition and skylight were installed to naturally illuminate and connect the three floors. Custom millwork in light oak was juxtaposed with matte-white Caesarstone countertops and black accents throughout—including fluted marble slabs around the fireplace and textured feature walls.
Other unique details include a custom glass-and-metal sliding partition that separates the office and a bespoke bench by a local furniture-design company in the front entry. The original basement rental unit was reclaimed (unexpected structural challenges included removing a column and redundant metal beam) and transformed into a media space—with big-screen TV and oversized sectional—that does double-duty as a guest suite. While the client provided many furnishings, the design team filled in the gaps—including the sculptural Pebble pendant over the dining table—and brought everything together into a seamless modern-rustic aesthetic.
Completed 2023
