Nature-inspired design showcased at The Parker
Mary Frances Hill
The Province
At the centre of the contemporary design at The Parker new-home project lies a deep knowledge of craftsmanship and history of woodworking esthetics and design.
As visitors take in the fine detail of the wood in a bedroom headboard, the wood grain of the kitchen cabinetry and wine storage millwork, they see a contemporary take on an art rooted in tradition, says Cristina Oberti, the designer behind The Parker, Townline’s condo community off the Cambie corridor.
“The headboard is definitely the heart of the master bedroom,” says Oberti, principal of Cristina Oberti Design. “Together, the intersecting wood grains create a delicate decorative pattern that draws the eye to the focal point, and the most important piece in the room: the bed.”
The effect was crafted through marquetry, a design technique that can be found in artifacts across China, India, Iran and Japan. In marquetry, the craftsman applies overlapping sheets of veneer to a surface to form an intricate pattern or picture, Oberti explains.
“In this case, we opted for a subtle geometric motif … we were able to take a flat surface, the headboard, and transform it into a multi-dimensional centrepiece.
“Techniques and tools have since evolved and improved,” Oberti says. “However, the ideology behind this practice remains the same: that the best design always comes from nature.”
A storage room showcases a similar dedication to the esthetics of woodwork. Its wine cellar millwork with slanted ledges gives it “a playful dynamic and really highlights the geometric marquetry motif throughout,” she adds.
Oberti introduced abundant lighting to the show space kitchen; pendant and ceiling lights do double duty by creating a sophisticated mood, while bringing the visitor’s attention to the wood grain in the cabinetry.
“In this case, we combined a mixture of down lights and soft accent lighting to really bring out the natural texture of the wood grains. When it comes to highlighting materials such as wood, it’s important to allow some space for natural light to do its work.”
Oberti was able to fashion The Parker display space in a contemporary mode by embracing a paradox: in introducing traditional craftwork, such as marquetry, she builds upon the decor’s sophisticated, modern appeal.
“When you design something — whether it’s an object, interior, or development project — you’re giving form to a particular moment in time. Design is by definition is dependent on the people who use it, and as such, needs to embody/reflect the values of its time,” she says.
“These seemingly contradictory characteristics come together to form a contemporary design language that speaks to our current values and that resonates with what I believe homeowners are looking for today.”
The Parker
Where: 305 West 41st Ave., 5693 Elizabeth St., Vancouver
What: 47 homes in a low-rise building
Residence sizes and prices: one-bedrooms to three-bedroom + den; 1,008 546 — 1,334 square feet. Two-bedrooms and den starting in the upper $1,000,000s; three-bedrooms and den from the mid upper $1,600,000s.
Developer and builder: Townline
Sales centre: 5844 Cambie St.
Hours: By appointment only
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