1967 Long Island NY Vernacular Vacation Home

Builder's Guide S/S 1967

Another West Vancouver Home Demolition

A building permit is in process for a custom built 3 level, 5280 sq. ft. 'dream' home.

1835 Mathers $1.7 million

Sits creek side and across the street from West Van High. Mature trees and a large yard. As you can see it needs some work but I'll help you.

Mid-Century Beach Home 1966

Beach house on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Built: 1966
Size: 2,775 square feet - on three levels
Materials: rough-sawn cypress siding, terrazzo floor, stainless steel conical fire hood, bookcases with metal connecting strips
source: H&G Building Guide Spring 1967

6 Unique Gifts for Him

Ludwig mies van der Rohe LEGO Architecture Farnsworth House

Vintage suede leather Jansport pack

mid-century rayon neck scarf


TDK 3 Speaker Boombox Audio System

Leather key chain flash drive


vintage bakelite stag horn bar ware

A favourite place for inspiration in Vancouver

check out that front door

chandelier bits

vintage doors - great for tables

army canteens and weather instruments

plant skeletons

Heritage Home Supplies - 3662 West 4th Ave.

The West Coast Vernacular Home

Built on steep slopes in wild landscapes West Coast Vernacular - with its sloped roofs and natural wood siding - was a natural fit for our Pacific Northwest rainforest.

Not to be left just for the privilege of the cliff dwellers, the 1970s saw toned down designs making their way into suburban neighbourhoods like West Vancouver, (not to mention an awful lot where I grew up - Langley or Brookswood more specifically).

The ultimate West Coast Vernacular home - Merrick House. Built 1974.
Currently in the draft stages of a conservation plan by the District of West Vancouver and Birmingham & Wood Architects.

 

The Granddaddy of West Coast Vernacular, Charles Moore's Sea Ranch - a movement referred to as Bay Area Modern.

The Wright Stuff

from left: "Prairie Mirage," "Liberty Weave," "March Balloons," "Tulip Tapestry"

You know those times when you hear about something and then you keep hearing more interesting things about that something within a matter of days? I've had that happen with Frank Lloyd Wright over the past couple days. First, Eddie shared a post on my FB page about a recently turned up collection of German and Austrian prints collected by Wright, and rather matter of factually, his lover Mamah, on a trip through Europe at the turn of the Century - read more here. Then yesterday, while perusing through Elle Decor No. 18, I came across a story about the fabrics and decorative wallpapers he designed. In 1955, he released the Taliesin Line, in conjunction with F. Schumacher and Co. Schumacher then released another Wright collection in 1986 and yet another in 1991 (shown above). Finally, today I received an update from French Architectural Digest urging me to sign the petition to save the David and Gladys Wright House in Phoenix, Arizona (which you can do so here).

Funny how things happen this way.

West Vancouver Midcentury Home Demolition Before and almost After

Rumour has it they dug so deep they hit the water table. Note ground level by where the outhouse is.

West Vancouver Back Lane Architecture - or perhaps my new home

I've resorted to back lanes as all the demolitions are getting me down.

I wonder if the home owners would be taken aback if I were to approach them and offer to rent their unused garage off them as a conversion home? We (BL readers) could do our own project (no committees) seeing as this is an issue in Vancouver right now.

Inspiration - Doors in the West End

Next to the mantle piece, the front door is probably one of the most popular backdrops for family photos. It is also the first impression your home makes on visitors and passersby. I like to think of the front door as the gate keeper that both guards and greets. Sprucing up your front door can be an economical way to add some zest to your home or, don't make me say it -> curb appeal.Some things to consider when planning for your front door redo:

• give your door its own special character such as, but not limited to, a contrasting colored trim, French tile numbers, or a brass lion's head knocker
• bushes, plants or vines such as honeysuckle not only add a welcoming scent but also soften any imposing lines leading to your door
• your door should be of the same period or style as your home
• if your front door is actually on the side or around the back, a path, canopy or entrance courtyard indicate this is the way to the main entrance
• your front door is an extension of you and your family. It welcomes visitors into the home you've created out of a house.

A selection of front doors from Vancouver's West End:







Originally published July 7, 2009

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