Eclectic inspiration showcased at Berkeley Village
Mary Frances Hill
The Province
Berkeley Village
Project location: 16433 19 Ave., Surrey
Project size: 183 two- and three-bedroom townhomes
Residence sizes and prices: Two- and three-bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,202 to 1,579 sq. ft., from the low $600,000 range
Developer and builder: Ikonik Homes
Sales centre: 2485 168 St.
Hours: noon to 5 p.m., Sat — Thurs
When she took on the interior design of the Berkeley Village new-home project in South Surrey, Lisa Hansen’s imagination brought her to faraway places and urban milieus.
Hansen and her Area 3 Design team paired the look of the thin silhouettes of northern European furnishings with the carefree vibe commonly associated with California at the project’s display space. Incorporating an urban edge into those two elements of the design was an exercise in creativity.
“I called [one] display home ‘LA meets Scandinavian design,’” says Hansen, the principal of Area 3 Design. She says she was attracted to the neutrals and blues that Ikonik Homes used to promote its planned community. Those shades were a great starting point for her to inject some bolder darker hues.
“The use of black plumbing fixtures, hardware, bathroom accessories and wallpaper was to create an urban edge and some drama, all the while maintaining a clean fresh canvas for the homeowner. Most of the colour in this home, geared to appeal to a young urban family, was added through the art, furnishing and the occasional accent wall.”
In another display space, Hansen created an atmosphere that was more eclectic and sophisticated, thanks to a white palette styled to suggest the lightness of a warm climate like that of Palm Springs or Los Angeles. She scattered everyday objects throughout the space to reflect the “real-life” surroundings of an engaged, busy homeowner.
“The homeowner in this display home would have been more established and have more time to spend on their hobbies, art, crafts, music, which you would have found referenced throughout the home.”
Simplicity meets comfort in one bedroom, where a plush blanket folded on a large bed and dark lights against dark wallpaper provide a picture of warmth against the bold contrast of the dark wall covering. Hansen says it’s not difficult for homeowners to create a similar effect, as long as they treat the wall itself like a headboard, or a centrepiece in itself. These details can make a big difference in a room, she says.
Hansen says work is pleasure when you’re a designer who deals with materials and objects you would use and enjoy in your own home.
Many of her favourite items can be found at the Berkeley Village space. She loves the area rug she chose from local supplier Salari, a popular destination among designers. She’s also partial to “Cat’s Pajama’s lounge chair,” made by Blu Dot, which she placed in a living room.
“It’s a fun piece with a perfect scale for the room,” she says. “The back is a white metal and depending on the location in the room, it can look quite sculptural and art-like.”
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