BIJOU LIVING: interiors

Jul 17, 2026

B.C. Binning Residence - Canada's Original West Coast Modern Built 1941

The Binning Residence built 1941 © Stacy Reynaud

Originally published in 2010 with additional commentary in 2013 regarding the sale of the BC Binning Residence by The Land Conservancy (TLC).

All photos © Stacy Reynaud

Residence from the road. Summer 2010

built of concrete, cedar and drywall in 1941

Terraced backyard built into the slope.

Summer 2010 © Stacy Reynaud

Designed with help of BC mid-century architect Ned Pratt

©Stacy Reynaud

B.C. Binning Residence

Original address plate ©Stacy Reynaud

Interior murals by Binning © Stacy Reynaud

Binning mural at the end of the main hall. Washroom to the left. BC Binning's bedroom and studio to the right up a small flight of stairs. ©Stacy Reynaud

Living room with original built-ins and mid-century furniture. © Stacy Reynaud

Open concept mid-century style. Terraced backyard built into slope. View of ocean.

View from the back yard and Mrs. Binning's bedroom.

Local river stone fireplace. ©Stacy Reynaud

Mrs Binning passed away in the home in 2007 at age 101.

She bequeathed the home to the TLC.

The TLC sold the home a few years later for just over $2M.

There were many court battles.

Some of which were covered here on Bijou Living.

Links above or view more West Coast Modern architecture posts under Architecture

These photos are all from a tour I did of the home in Summer 2010. ©Stacy Reynaud

The Binning Residence and the original furniture and art. Summer 2010 © Stacy Reynaud

Original floor, Binning hall mural, BC ceramics by Wayne Ngan & Thomas Kakinuma.

The Binning's were avid collectors. Where'd the collection end up? © Stacy Reynaud

Exterior view into the West facing kitchen.

West Kitchen window. © Stacy Reynaud

Original cupboards sourced from BC wood. © Stacy Reynaud

Original kitchenware. © Stacy Reynaud

Binning Residence Backyard Summer 2010.

River stone from interior wall carries on to the exterior.

West Vancouver ©Stacy Reynaud

Living room seating area with wood burning fireplace. Perfection. Binning Residence © Stacy Reynaud

Danish modern dining room table and chairs.

Wood kitchen cabinets visible to the right. © Stacy Reynaud

Washroom beside Binning mural. Binning's bedroom to the right. © Stacy Reynaud

The Binning's frequently travelled to Japan and their collections remained on display.

Lots of MCM teak furniture.

Collectables from the Binnings' travels. © Stacy Reynaud

View from the hallway. © Stacy Reynaud

Mrs. Binning's calendar from May 2007.

Mrs Vincent Massey was one of the last people to see Mrs. Binning.

She came for a visit along with two others May 25, 2007.

She passed away in the home the same day.

To honour Mrs. Binning, the calendar remained open to the day she died.

The entire home and its contents were bequeathed to the TLC.

I have no idea where the contents went after the sale of the home in 2015.

Tragic.

Hans Wegner © Stacy Reynaud

One washroom in the home.

Bright yellow tiling.

Gorgeous.

Original local cedar.

Mrs. Binning's room where she passed.

View to the backyard and ocean.

Cedar walls. Built in bed.

©Stacy Reynaud

Three steps up to Mr. Binning's room. Directly across the hall from Mrs. Binning.

Mr. Binning's dresser, storage and golf clubs.

Mr Binning's studio was adjoined to his bedroom. The left (North) window is the front of the house viewable from the road. Notice the West facing windows at the top. The hallway is to the right. Also high windows. The 'window' in the hall is the opaque window in the living room seating area.

Mr. Binning's bedroom to the far right. High windows let just the right amount of light into his studio.

Mr. Binning's studio is on the other side of the high windows.

Exterior mural by Mr. Binning.

Work that was underway. Where did it end up?

Built in corner nook with collectables from their frequent travels to Japan. Photo of Mrs. Binning pinned to the wall. Where did it go? © Stacy Reynaud

Mr. Binning's desk drawer. FIRST CLASS MALE stamp. Where'd it go?

JESSIE AND B.C. BINNING

Aug 11, 2015

Oscar Niemeyer Chaise Lounge

Oscar Niemeyer Chaise Lounge images via R 20th Century

Originally published July 6, 2013.

Oscar Niemeyer made cool furniture as well as buildings? Of course, he did. Seems like most architects are also budding furniture designers (Frank Lloyd Wright, Ron Thom). Niemeyer passed away in December 2012 - 10 days short of his 105th birthday.

The Rio Chaise Lounge was designed in 1978 with his daughter, Anna Maria Niemeyer.

Features a bentwood frame, woven cane seat, and leather headrest pillow with weighted straps.

The image shown is a 2001 reissue for sale on 1st Dibs.

1978 original for sale at $28,000 in 2013

1978 original sold at auction for $22,000 in 2008

1978 original unsold at auction $5000 in 2003

Jul 17, 2015

Dining dilemma

I've had at least five dining tables in the past ten years.

This is partly because I've moved six times in the past five years (and you've been with me for each one). What was purchased for one area only fits in one location.

This is what leaves me torn. I need a new table - again. I want to invest and get something I can keep from this day forward, but seeing as we rent, who knows what will happen?

Our last movers trashed our teak bedroom set, smashed most of my BC ceramics, broke my alabaster table, and gouged the top of my stump table with a six-inch crevasse.

What do I do? Of all those tables, our card table was the most versatile, and the size was right for each dining room. I should look for one of those old wooden ones.

If I had 'my own' dining area, it would go something like this: