www.HouseonDunbarBandB.com

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Nestled in a peaceful, tree-lined neighbourhood in Dunbar is a charming heritage home, complete with luscious greenspace and stylish black stucco exterior. Over the years the homeowner and her family of six with the help of award-winning designer/contractor Mila Djuras of Intermind Design, updated every inch of the three-storey house. The homeowner, deciding the family home was now too large that the children were gone, looked to Intermind Design again to transform the 1920s home into an elegant bed-and-breakfast retreat.

The home’s West Coast Craftsman style is characteristic of the architecture in Vancouver’s west side. Intermind Design wanted the B&B to reflect the personality of the neighborhood and homeowner. Describing her vision for the project, Ms. Djuras explains, “I was inspired by owner’s personality. The moment I met her and started preliminary talks about her family and their needs [for the first renovation] and now her preferences for the B&B, I was captivated by her charm, understanding of life, sensibility and wisdom. I wanted to somehow paint her portrait in choices I made in regards of openness, quality of light, style and taste.”

To start the transformation from family home to elegant B&B retreat, interior walls on the main level were removed.

West Side Transformation:

House on Dunbar B&B Retreat

By creating a large open space, natural light from the north, south and east windows simultaneously brightens the room. Big Italian textured tiles throughout main floor were also selected to both reflect light and highlight the room’s sophisticated colour palette of gray, taupe, black, blue and green.

Showcasing style and functionality, Italian tiles were introduced throughout the home. Simple textured cream tiles create an overall design base and complement the luxurious custom-made 3'x3' floor mosaics. The fireplace boasts a stainless-steel surrounding with gorgeous hand-painted tiles inspired by Pollack's painting.

The homeowner loved the eclectic mix of furnishings used in the formal dining room – new contemporary pieces contrast the inherited furniture enjoying a second life. The overall effect is visually appealing, blending styles and textures, from an Art Nouveau-inspired glass table to luxurious leather sofas. The kitchen features cobalt-blue cabinetry with an unusual backsplash – a mirror.

In the attic, design details and furnishings were selected to create an Old World feel. New slate tiles and elegant stripes painted on the walls of the master bedroom and en-suite.

The refinished basement is more contemporary and relaxed with its stone fireplace, slate dado and columns, custom-designed wood table and leather sofas. A unique round marble table and six low stools were imported from the Far East. The kitchen features glass tiles, which brings in more natural light. All the windows and three sliding doors are completely transparent to take advantage of the view of the backyard. The three bedrooms and two bathrooms in the basement are color-coded to create a playful atmosphere: Blue bedroom with blue bathroom, and red bedroom with red bathroom.

The B&B is now complete and open for business. The space is smart and inviting, comfortable even with large open-concept rooms, and is a delicious blend of natural materials and modern elements. The homeowner is thrilled with the finished result, “The home is now a lovely spacious and contemporary space for my clients, definitely a place with personality.”