Located in West Vancouver, the Liminal House is a three storey residence that boasts a roof garden, inner courtyards and a swimming pool. Made of materials such as glass, concrete, aluminum plate and Accoya wood blends beautifully into its surroundings.
Taking four years to complete, this gorgeous home was designed by McLeod Bovell for a couple that was soon to become empty nesters. The name Liminal reflected the changes in both the owners lives and the area to where to home is located.
The home inspires a sense of tranquility and grounding. The affect of the sharp angles, combination of materials and breathtaking views is almost meditative.
I am just going to say it – 2023 was not my best year. I had so many goals and dreams and yet I frequently found myself exhausted, frustrated and not living my best life. That is not to say that I didn’t achieve some of my goals but overall I am feeling like I let myself down both professionally and personally. Thankfully though, I have been consistent in working towards some of my goals over the past few months and I plan to be even more disciplined in 2024. One goal that I haven’t been giving any energy to in 2023 was blogging – despite loving to write, I only blogged twice last year! I have no excuses, you will be hearing from me a lot more in 2024! I already have a few posts lined up and I can’t wait to share them with you.
I hope that your 2024 is off to a wonderful start and I can’t wait to reconnect! XXS
I hope that your 2023 is off to a great start and will only get better from here! After what seems like being cooped up indoors for months due to the cold winter weather, today’s Dreamy Design feature feels like a breath for fresh air. Located in the United States, the Black House in the woods by Kireeva Anna is positively swoon worthy. Grounded in the colour black and accented with green and orange this gorgeous home provides a moody statement amongst the trees. Designed to bring people closer to nature thru the use of colours, natural materials and large windows, this home blends beautifully with it’s surroundings. I am currently dreaming about enjoying a cup of coffee in that stunning kitchen taking in the gorgeous surroundings. Love it!
As my love of design has grown over the years, I am frequently researching new projects. I have a special love for transformation projects that modernize older buildings into fresh new spaces while still respecting the original bones of the building. I recently came across today’s featured project and was instantly captivated.
The Network of Architecture was hired to transform a 17th century monastery into a chic spa and hotel. Located near Lake Garda, Italy the project was twofold – to restore the monastery and make the most of its distinctive elements while converting it to a charming and unique hotel, and to design and develop a new wellness centre that includes a 500 square metre garden, multiple treatment rooms and saunas that would seamlessly integrate into its surroundings.
Like many historical restorations, this one had its challenges. After being cleaned, the building needed to be reinforced, restored and updated under the watchful eye of the local Heritage office who had the power to veto any detail. The heritage office called for a light touch for this restoration so while modern fire and heating systems were added to the building, the plaster walls, stone staircases and rib vaulted ceilings were carefully restored.
Throughout the 40 room hotel, the black, grey and white colour palette for the fixtures and furnishings match the austere palette of the monastery. The newer building echoes the original and is mainly built in plaster and stone. The 5,600 square foot spa building has a colonnade wall made of Vicenza stone that is the spine of the building with seven glass and steel cubes attached to it that house the harman, sauna, massage rooms and relaxation areas. Wood panels laser cut in a geometric pattern of the hotel’s logo pomegranates are seen throughout the space. Bleached oak along with cotton and linen effect textiles add warmth to the space and encourage relaxation for its visitors.
The restrained design of both the hotel and the wellness centre provides a sense of peace for its visitors. It encourages people to slow down, lower their voices and take some time for self reflection and restoration.
This is the perfect wellness retreat for wary travellers to sit back and relax in historical surroundings. The Network or Architecture has done a phenomenal job creating a space for wellness while respecting its history. Love it!
What do you think of this space? Let me know in the comments below.
I have a confession to make…there are certain reality shows that I absolutely love. It’s not the drama that sucks me in (to be quite honest I don’t even understand it most of the time) but the fashion and the homes. When the Real Housewives of Miami season four premiered at the end of last year, I happily set my PVR for it, excited to see how the fabulous in Miami live. Thankfully they did not disappoint. The liberal use of sequins captured my attention and there was one home that was featured that made all of the screaming throughout the show worth enduring.
Dr. Nicole Martin is hardly your typical housewife, with a successful career as an anesthesiologist this new comber to the show was professional, articulate and frankly a breath of fresh air. Her house is just as chic as the woman herself. Initially I was drawn to this home by the entrance area. I have a deep fondness for arched doors and windows, and this home draws you in with them. Complimented with a beautiful limestone console and reclaimed marble flooring this just might be the entrance of my dreams. The more that I saw of the home, the more I fell in love. At 9000 square feet, it would have been really easy for this home to feel cold but instead it has a cool understated vibe that draw you in.
Large picture windows allow a flood of natural light to pour into the home, highlighting the double height ceilings and the European elk wood floor. Classic and timeless furnishings showcased against cream coloured walls create a clean and contemporary interior.
Made for entertaining, this home has a 3000 bottle wine cellar along with a 20 seat movie theatre and a gorgeous 12 person dining table perfect for hosting those well known housewives dinner parties.
The added bonus to this house is the gorgeous marble that is used throughout the bathrooms. The bold use of a burgundy/purple-ish marble in the powder room is perfection.
Surrounded by lush palm trees and greenery, the outdoor pool area is the perfect spot to escape for a bit of R and R while enjoying the sunny Miami weather.
Overall the design of this home is well thought and chic in a timeless understated manner. It’s warm, welcoming and inspiring for future design projects.
Thank you for stopping by Stylishly Zen today! I hope that you have a beautiful day! XXS
Stylishly Zen 