Project: Keefer Street Condo

About this Project:

A West Coast Modern Transformation — Downtown Vancouver

When our clients purchased their two-level condo in the heart of downtown Vancouver, they handed us something full of potential and a clear sense of who they are. Getting to know the space and getting to know them happened simultaneously — and it didn’t take long to understand that nature was to be the guiding thread woven through every design decision. That single insight set the tone for everything that followed.

On the pragmatic side, Katerina got to work — analyzing each space with a sharp eye for opportunity, finding every possible way to improve layouts, maximize storage, and make the home work harder for the people living in it. Good design, after all, is as much about how a space functions as how it feels.

Before a single wall was touched, the numbers were carefully considered. Budget was analyzed, hard costs were mapped and aligned, and only once everyone was on the same page did the execution begin. From there, things moved with remarkable efficiency — this full two bedroom, two and a half bathroom renovation was completed in under three months, without a hitch. The result is a home that feels deeply rooted in the West Coast, thoughtfully organized, and entirely, unmistakably its owners’.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of this renovation and makes a bold, cohesive statement. The cabinetry is finished in Tafisa laminate, a product that beautifully captures the look of maple in a mid, burnt stain — a nod to the warmth and character of mid-century design. The Calacatta Gold quartz countertop carries nature’s organic veining and warmth throughout the space, tying the interior back to the natural world outside.

The standout feature is the custom range hood, clad in sage green vertical reeded/fluted panels, echoed in the peninsula’s base — both grounded in nature’s green and framing the space with quiet texture. The earthy green subway tile backsplash reinforces this connection seamlessly.

Every finish in this kitchen feels intentional. The matte black undermount sink sits as a grounding contrast against the warm quartz, while the softness of the brushed brass plumbing and hardware adds a gentle, refined warmth. The terracotta of the pendant light fixtures completes the palette — warm earth tones nestled within nature’s green — creating a space that feels cohesive, considered, and deeply inviting.

Perhaps the most significant transformation here was the layout itself. The original kitchen was an oddly shaped galley-style space, inefficient and unbalanced. The renovation dramatically improved the flow and proportion of the room, but the boldest move was the introduction of a third wall of storage — a full-height cabinetry wall that brings the efficiency of a restaurant kitchen into a residential space. This wall houses dedicated pantry storage, an appliance garage that sits conveniently on the peninsula, and open shelving for everyday dishware — all beautifully organized and immediately accessible. It’s a change that doesn’t just look good; it fundamentally transforms how the kitchen works.

Primary Bathroom

The most transformative change in this space was replacing a freestanding tub with a generously sized walk-in shower, complete with a custom built-in niche and bench, and frameless glass panel — making the room significantly more efficient and comfortable. Large-format limestone-toned tiles cover the walls and shower surround, their warm, natural tones complemented beautifully by the brushed brass plumbing fixtures throughout.

The vanity features a warm wood drawer cabinet — maximizing storage and keeping everyday essentials neatly organized — topped with a Calacatta Gold quartz countertop that subtly weaves nature back into the space with its warm veining and organic patterning. A recessed medicine cabinet mirror provides additional concealed storage, ensuring the bathroom is as functional as it is refined. Open wood shelving alongside displays plants and ceramics, adding a quiet, curated elegance in keeping with the West Coast Modern spirit of the home.