A Classically-Inspired New Build Project Reveal
For Jaclyn and Jacob Pett of Heirloom Projects, work is a family affair. This husband and wife team designs, builds, and renovates homes across the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, and they pride themselves on bringing a keen sense of craftsmanship to every space they touch. Their latest work involved a custom spec project built from the ground up and designed with a decidedly classic feel. Of course, they also incorporated a few unexpected surprises (hello, statement powder room) to give this new build a sense of soul at every turn. Let’s take a look inside.
Design & Photography: Heirloom Projects
New Build Project Reveal with Heirloom Projects
Tell us about this project and the scope of work involved.
This Southridge Project was a new build. We purchased the land, designed the home (working with an architect) and built it! I’m not a fan of calling them “spec” builds because that implies that they’re finished simply and without much care. These homes are the opposite for us. We aren’t working with a client, so we get to design them as if they are going to be our own.
What were some of the key pain points for this project, and how did you problem-solve with design?
Being our own client on a build-sell like this, we are always looking for cost effective ways to achieve the wow effect and leave a high-quality home. We want to make sure that the home appeals to the target buyers, while maintaining our budget and our goal aesthetic. One specific choice we made was to use a durable and plain white quartz on the counters but have a marble slab backsplash. It fit within our budget, was durable, and looked amazing.
Talk to us about the initial inspiration and the process of honing your vision?
When designing this home, I knew I wanted it to feel classic and comfortable. It sits on the top of a hill in historic Langley, British Columbia. I wanted to allow the view to engulf the home while not oversimplifying the design. I entered the project with the idea of wanting the home to look classic in nature, but as if a cool, hip individual or couple put their own twist on it. I kept this thought process in my mind as we honed in on the finishes and features.
More to read: The Benefits of Having a Signature Style
Can you describe what went into designing your favorite spaces within this project?
The Kitchen | I wanted to create a bright feel and not take away from the beautiful picture window with a view, and to be on top of current styles while not wavering on tradition. We opted to use an off-white cabinet color to achieve this look. We then chose honey bronze hardware for a fresh concept, compared to the matte black we have been seeing for the past few years. The marble slab backsplash and 48-inch range were the secondary focal elements in the space, and that’s where we focused the remainder of our design.
More to read: The Best White Paint Colors in 2021
The Powder Room | In the powder room, we wanted to create an impact. We love going wild in these rooms as it is a space a guest is nearly guaranteed to see but can be easily closed off from the rest of the home. That’s why we opted to do a dark wallpaper that still had a classic feel. We wanted to ensure it flowed with the rest of the home while bringing impact. We finished it off with classic bead board, gold accents and a stunning marble pedestal vanity.
Any favorite details to share?
In this particular project, we went the extra mile in the powder room and the dining room. We wanted to incorporate wallpaper as an ode to the colonial-style home and found two fantastic options. In the dining room, we used a vinyl grasscloth paper in ivory for a subtle and elegant approach. In the powder room, we went with a bold and dark poppy wallpaper for impact.
One other spot where we spent a lot of our energy was the stairwell. We wanted it to be the perfect marriage between clean lines and traditional carpentry. We went with a top scroll handrail in a stunning muted wood tone with oversized imported wood posts and simple black spindles. It’s one of my personal favorite features of the home (tied with the stove wall in the kitchen).
Tell us what made working on this particular home so special?
When building any build-sell home, we treat it as our own. Every decision we make, every trade we hire, every finish we select, we care deeply about. We ask ourselves, “If this home was ours, what would we select?” When we pass these homes onto their new owners, we are so proud of the stunning quality product we are leaving them.
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BY: ANASTASIA CASEY
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