May 27, 2021

Text: Quinn Halman

Gillian Segal Design Elevates a 20th Century Home in Kitsilano, Vancouver

An abundance of natural light streams into the kitchen from glass doors that access the backyard. Photography by Ema Peter.

Located in the Kitsilano beach neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada, Gillian Segal of her eponymous design firm transformed a three-story home, originally built in the ’90s to reflect the style of the area’s historic homes, into a modern abode. “I immediately fell in love with the character and charm the house had,” Segal says, referencing the heritage-style wood inlay floors, stained glass, and well worn brass hardware. “We really wanted to maintain heritage elements, but interpret them in a more contemporary way,” she shares. By removing pillars and a dropped coffered ceiling, Segal’s team opened up the space, adding archways for a shapely element.

“Selecting light fixtures is always one of my favorite parts of the design process and this project was no exception,” Segal gushes, “the Pelle Pendants are brass with cast paper flowers and a truly a work of art.” Photography by Ema Peter.

Working with a neutral palette inspired by the natural hues of beaches in the Pacific Northwest, Segal layered subtle shades of color and saved the most saturated tones for pieces of art. “We wanted a palette that felt warm, sophisticated, and textural,” Segal notes, adding that this approach enabled her to focus on materiality. “We used lots of natural stones, mostly marbles, and worked with oak in a variety of finishes throughout the home,” she explains, “while the materials are seemingly quiet, we focused on the detailing, such as the cast metal post running through the kitchen island.”

Gold accents on the stools complement the cast metal pole anchoring the kitchen island. Photography by Ema Peter.
The living room, with its black and white hues, offers a study in contrast. Photography by Ema Peter.
Banisters are made from blackened steel. Photography by Ema Peter.
The main bedroom features a Vertigo Pendant by Petite Friture. Photography by Ema Peter.
An ornate glass door leads into the serene main bathroom. Photography by Ema Peter.
The original stained glass windows were too traditional for the client, so Segal reinterpreted the look to suit the modernity of this project while honoring the home’s original structure. Photography by Ema Peter.
Canadian artist Erin Armstrong painted the two pieces displayed in the dining room. Photography by Ema Peter.
The guest room boasts layers of calming blue hues and views of the neighborhood’s fauna. Photography by Ema Peter.

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