Homeowners Matt and Josée Davis made their attic their own by filling it with”love, music and things which make us joyful.” Their tree-lined street in Vancouver’s varied West End neighborhood features plenty of foliage to give their compact, densely inhabited place a remarkably silent, country sense. Double-height ceilings and a upper-level terrace offer breathing space, and their décor reveals their interests in art, fashion, music and a fresh, modern style.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Matt Davis, Josée Gordon-Davis and their Boston terrier, Chica
Location: The West End, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Size: 1,095-square-foot, two-story loft area, with 1 bedroom, 1 bath plus an upper-level terrace.
Heather Merenda
Heather Merenda
The attic view of this living area shows Chica lounging on the couch. The piano is a Mason & Hamlin which Josée inherited from her late grandmother, who is her greatest inspiration.
Josée painted the black background behind the piano over a collection of sunny afternoons out on the terrace. Matt selected a coordinating 1967 Italian marble and glass table lamp designed by the Castiglioni brothers. Josée discovered the white Beethoven statue at a thrift store. Does she respect Beethoven’s narrative and songs, but her grandmother had the same one. The dreamcatcher is by artist and friend, Jessica Joan Delorme.
Table Lamp: Snoopy from Flos
Heather Merenda
Heather Merenda
The few used Expedit shelving to arrange their books and magazines, and as a space divider for your dining and living room spaces. The shelves create private areas within an open area without needing too much light or making it feel shut in.
Sofa: Bensen out of Inform Interiors
Coffee table: Antique Alley Collectables
Shelving unit: Ikea
Heather Merenda
The bedroom includes art by Jessica Joan Delorme, whose job Josée believes”intelligent, soulful, and lively.” The bright colours in the painting are a nice contrast to the bedroom’s earthy wall shade. Playful accent cushions and floral patterned bedding include vintage appeal to their sleeping area.
Bedside lamps: the JJ from Itré
Art: Jessica Joan Delorme
Heather Merenda
On the opposite wall, a 1970s classic Parentesi lamp is used to highlight a gallery wall. Produced by Flos, it had been designed by Achille Castiglioni and Pio Manzu, and has been exhibited at the MoMA in New York. The spotlight is adjustable and moves up and down a weighted suspension cable. It serves as both a design and functional piece, taking up almost no room at all while providing plenty of light.
Lamp: Parentesi out of Flos
Heather Merenda
Mixing up chairs at the dining table keeps things fun and interesting. Josée told me that they plan on replacing them shortly, while maintaining an eclectic aesthetic. She says”This way each chair has its own character, bringing something fresh and different to the table.”
The pendant lamp is made up of numerous love notes written in different languages and gives the room a soft, romantic feel. Matt discovered the dining table by means of a movie set decorator in Vancouver.
Pendant Light: Zettel’z by Ingo Maurer
Heather Merenda
The sleek, clean lines and clear, open area from the hall reflect Matt’s minimalist influence on the decoration. A framed, classic illustration perched atop the storage console leaves the expansive wall area bare. The print makes a statement when leading to an open, airy texture.
Console: Ikea
Heather Merenda
Heather Merenda
Heading upstairs to the attic, a vibrant gallery wall showcases a selection of art, prints and photos. The couple changes the composition and graphics often to keep things fresh.
The most recent update in the home was done by Matt, who tore out the carpeting on the stairs and replaced it with wood.
The upstairs skylight floods the attic with natural light during the day. The wall sconce is an excellent choice for ambient light through the night or on a few of the many grey and rainy Vancouver days.
Wall sconce: Ariette by Tobia Scarpa for Flos
Heather Merenda
The portrait of their dog Chica was a gift from photographer and friend André Pinces.
Heather Merenda
Having additional loft space is excellent for Josée who uses it as her creative studio. As a music teacher, makeup artist and most recently a perfumer, she creates innovative scent compositions and the branded jars are part of a continuing project inspired by her love for traveling. Josee says,”Each scent has notes which honor each place and their history as seen through my sensory experience.” When asked about her favorite scent, she says,”It’d have to be the Netherlands: chamomile, olibanum, black agar and oak moss.”
Heather Merenda
A selection of publications in their attic is emphasized by an Ikea lamp.
Heather Merenda
Matt and Josée enjoy the numerous eating and shopping options within walking distance, in addition to beaches and dog-friendly parks to take their Boston terrier Chica.
On a summer day, you may often find the few here when they’re relaxing in your home.
Peace sign sculpture: vintage
More:
My Houzz: Vintage Charm in Vancouver
Houzz Tour: Eclectic Coastal Home in Holland
Next: Read hundreds of eclectic house photos