The Glassline

This home renovation balances warmth, clarity, and function through a carefully considered architectural approach. Natural wood elements—seen in the custom stairs, slatted ceiling, millwork, and flooring—create continuity throughout the home while adding depth and texture.

Open-concept interior featuring a custom oak staircase with black metal balusters, warm wood flooring, and sightlines into a modern living and dining area.
Close-up of a floating oak staircase featuring open risers, solid wood treads, and black steel balusters overlooking a refined living space.
Custom primary bedroom featuring a wood slat ceiling and matching feature wall, integrated LED backlighting, upholstered headboard, and symmetrical bedside tables with warm ambient lighting.
Primary bedroom featuring a sloped wood-clad ceiling, custom upholstered headboard, layered neutral bedding, and direct access to a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom.
Bright primary ensuite featuring a frameless glass shower with built-in niche, light stone tile walls, hex tile flooring, and a custom wood vanity with integrated lighting and textured feature tile.
Vancouver, Custom primary ensuite double vanity with wood cabinetry, integrated stone countertop, dual undermount sinks, wall-mounted faucets, and backlit mirrors set against a textured geometric tile feature wall.
Custom shower niche with integrated shelving, framed in white stone and set within light gray rectangular tile, part of a modern bathroom renovation with glass shower enclosure.
Custom double bathroom vanity with light wood cabinetry, integrated LED mirrors, geometric textured tile backsplash, quartz countertop, and wall-mounted chrome faucets in a modern ensuite renovation.
Custom bathroom linen niche with built-in white shelving, neatly stacked towels, hex tile flooring, and modern chrome hardware in a minimalist bathroom renovation.
Bright living room renovation featuring a classic fireplace with tiled surround, custom white built-in shelving and cabinetry, large picture windows, and warm wood flooring styled with layered textiles and plants.
Open living room renovation featuring a classic fireplace with custom built-in shelving, light wood flooring, neutral furnishings, layered rug, and large windows bringing in natural light.
Nguyen – Front Entrance 3
Nguyen – Front Entrance 8
Renovated dining area featuring a wood dining table, upholstered chairs, light wood flooring, and a modern staircase with wood treads and black metal railing, creating an open and cohesive layout.
Bright dining nook featuring a wood dining table, upholstered chairs, and a recessed window opening that brings natural light into the space.
Nguyen – Back Entrance 21
Nguyen – Back Entrance 19
Nguyen – Back Entrance 10
Nguyen – Basement 7
Nguyen – Basement 31
Nguyen – Basement 1
Nguyen – Basement Study 20
Nguyen – Basement Study 9
Nguyen – Basement Study 8
Nguyen – Basement Study 2
Custom Wood Sliding Doors with Frosted Glass Panels
Nguyen – Laundry 1
Custom laundry room featuring soft grey built-in cabinetry, open shelving, a white quartz countertop, patterned vertical tile backsplash, and wood shaker sliding doors.

Project Features

  • Custom White Oak Staircase
  • At Home Office
  • Garden Room with Storage
  • Custom Slat Headboard with lighting
  • Spa-like Ensuite

Work Description

The renovation began with a complete transformation of the basement, reworking it into a flexible extension of the home designed to support a growing family. Careful planning allowed for improved circulation, generous storage, and multi-use spaces that could adapt over time—from family hangouts and play zones to quieter areas for rest and work. A dedicated laundry zone is discreetly separated behind frosted glass sliding panels, allowing light to pass through while keeping day-to-day tasks visually contained. A home office sits just beyond, enclosed with glass doors softened by custom vertical wood slatting—providing privacy without sacrificing openness.

As the lower level took shape, the design naturally extended upward, prompting areas of the main floor to strengthen visual connections and bring more light through the home. A new open slat staircase became the architectural anchor of the renovation, replacing a closed-off vertical connection with a sculptural element that allows light to filter between areas. Warm wood slats paired with refined metal railings add rhythm and texture while maintaining openness and safety. The primary bedroom and ensuite were also fully reimagined, shifting from purely functional spaces into a calm, restorative retreat. Thoughtful millwork, layered lighting, and a restrained material palette elevate these private rooms while maintaining a sense of comfort and ease. 

The garden room and stair landing, a light-filled transition space, finished in warm wood with clean-lined detailing, draws natural light down into the lower level, while built-in cabinetry and open shelving provide thoughtful storage for daily comings and goings. The garden room acts as both a pause point and a connector—linking the basement to the main floor above and reinforcing the home’s emphasis on flow, light, and everyday livability.  This renovation reflects a home thoughtfully reshaped to meet the evolving needs of family life—cohesive, light-filled, and designed to age gracefully over time.

About the Location - Arbutus Ridge, Vancouver

Arbutus Ridge, one of Vancouver’s most established and quietly prestigious West Side neighbourhoods,  is loved for its tree-lined streets, strong sense of community, and proximity to both nature and city life. Residents enjoy easy access to the Arbutus Greenway, a favourite for walking, biking, and family outings, as well as nearby parks like Trafalgar Park and Prince of Wales Park. Excellent schools, local cafés, bakeries, and independent shops are woven into daily life, while quick connections to Kerrisdale, Kitsilano, and downtown keep the neighbourhood both convenient and connected. The area strikes a rare balance — calm, residential, and family-focused, yet deeply rooted in the cultural and outdoor lifestyle that defines Vancouver’s West Side.

Challenges

The existing floors and structure were significantly out of level, a condition that had gone largely unnoticed while interior walls remained in place and allowed flooring to step subtly between rooms. Once the walls were removed and the main floor was fully opened up, these inconsistencies became apparent, requiring substantial structural rework to properly level the entire main floor.

During the re-flooring of the second level, we also uncovered long-term water damage that had compromised a major structural beam—an issue that had not been identified previously and was not included in the original scope. Addressing this required restructuring the beam in place while portions of the kitchen were carefully dismantled to gain access, adding complexity to the construction process.

As the clients had never lived in the home prior to renovation, many of the building’s age-related conditions and hidden deficiencies were unknown at the outset. These discoveries required ongoing communication, adaptability, and thoughtful problem-solving throughout construction to ensure the home was ultimately made sound, safe, and aligned with the project’s long-term goals.

Pricing Adjusted for Current Year

$800K Plus GST

Approximate Duration – 12 months

Property occupied during construction

Our clients, both pediatricians with a growing family, wanted their home to better support the rhythm of everyday life. What began as a basement renovation to create space for family time, play, and flexibility naturally expanded into the main living areas above. An open slat staircase with metal railings now connects the home visually and physically, bringing light and energy between levels. The primary bedroom and ensuite were also reimagined as a quiet retreat—offering a calm, restorative counterpoint to busy family days. Together, the renovation reflects a home shaped around connection, comfort, and the evolving needs of family life.

Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

Completed Projects
Smithwood Builders
info@smithwood.ca
604.789.2359
1907 Rockcliff Road
North Vancouver, BC
BuiltGreen BuiltGreen Havan Homebuilders Association Vancouver Leed AP BD+C Canadian Home Builders' Association British Columbia Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist Project Management Institute Netzero Home