The Gabled Haven

A thoughtful renovation that modernized daily living while honouring the home’s classic character. By reworking key spaces, enhancing functionality, and layering timeless materials, this family home was transformed into a brighter, more efficient, and beautifully cohesive retreat—tailored for comfort, longevity, and everyday ease.

Primary bedroom with custom rift-cut white oak built-in cabinets featuring glass display doors, black hardware, and lower drawers, with a view through to a bright ensuite bathroom and freestanding tub.
Primary bedroom view looking into a bright gabled bathroom featuring a freestanding tub, woven Roman shade, round window, and pendant lighting, with custom wood cabinetry visible in the foreground.
Bright gabled-ceiling bathroom featuring a freestanding white soaking tub, black fixtures, a glass-enclosed shower, natural woven roman shade, and a cascading multi-pendant chandelier beneath a round window.
Contemporary bathroom featuring a white oak vanity with black hardware, marble mosaic backsplash, glass-front storage cabinets, black fixtures, and a glass-enclosed shower beside a freestanding tub.
Elegant bathroom shower featuring large-format marble walls with dramatic veining, dual black shower fixtures, a built-in bench, frameless glass enclosure, and penny tile shower floor adjacent to a warm white oak vanity.
Bright primary bathroom featuring a warm white oak vanity with black fixtures, marble mosaic backsplash, glass-front storage towers, freestanding tub, and French door leading to the water closet.
Large walk-in closet featuring floor-to-ceiling custom built-in shelving, double center islands with glass display tops, open hanging space, dedicated shoe storage, warm hardwood flooring, and modern pendant lighting under a vaulted ceiling.
Bright foyer featuring a wood staircase with a geometric patterned carpet runner, black-and-gold spindles, detailed wall paneling, and a view into a cozy sitting room with a white fireplace and upholstered seating.
Close-up view of a staircase featuring a geometric patterned carpet runner, walnut treads, and modern black spindles with brass accents.
Light-filled sitting room featuring two upholstered armchairs with neutral cushions, built-in wall-to-wall shelving styled with books and décor, large windows with woven Roman shades, and warm hardwood flooring.
View through an arched doorway into a light-filled sitting room featuring built-in shelving, two upholstered armchairs, a white sofa, a glass coffee table, and illuminated glass-front cabinetry framing the entry.
Open-concept dining and living space featuring a large wood dining table, custom built-in cabinets with glass fronts, an integrated wine fridge, arched doorway, hardwood flooring, and modern pendant lighting.
Open-concept dining and kitchen area featuring a long wood dining table with black chairs, modern linear chandelier, custom built-in cabinetry, wide-plank hardwood floors, and a spacious white kitchen with a blue island and herringbone backsplash.
Spacious white kitchen featuring quartz countertops, a large central island, herringbone tile backsplash, glass-front cabinets, black fixtures, warm wood flooring, and modern pendant lighting over the island.
Bright kitchen bar area featuring glass-front upper cabinets, herringbone tile backsplash, quartz countertop, built-in wine fridge, and a frosted pantry door with decorative etching.
Close-up of a blue kitchen island featuring detailed paneling, brass hardware, quartz countertop, and modern matte black faucets.
Bright and elegant living room featuring a modern linear fireplace with a quartz surround, large sectional sofas, a central ottoman coffee table, coffered ceilings, contemporary chandelier, built-in window benches with storage, and expansive windows with light drapery.
Contemporary living room featuring a linear gas fireplace with a marble-look surround, built-in window bench seating, large windows with woven Roman shades, and a wall-mounted art-frame television above the fireplace.
Bright Office Space with French Doors and Custom Glass-Front Cabinetry
White built-in display cabinet featuring decorative glass doors with black metal detailing, interior lighting, glass shelves, and a mix of trophies and sculptural décor, set against warm hardwood floors.
Bright home office featuring custom built-in shelving and storage, a wood-topped desk, woven storage baskets, décor items, and large windows with natural Roman shades.
Light-filled mudroom featuring shiplap walls, built-in bench seating with woven baskets, black wall hooks, double-door storage closets, natural woven Roman shades, and tiled flooring.

Project Features

  • Radius Archway
  • His & Her Vanities
  • Enormous Walk-in Closet
  • Full Height Wine Fridge
  • Bespoke Office

Work Description

Modernizing the home began with a comprehensive millwork package designed to solve longstanding storage challenges, The kitchen and dining area were refreshed through cost-conscious solutions: existing cabinetry was expertly refinished in a clean, updated palette and paired with a new backsplash for a modern yet timeless feel.  New cabinets in the dining room anchor the beautifully framed coffered archway that now links the dining and living room with architectural elegance. 

The family room became the home’s warm gathering hub, re-centered around a new engineered-stone fireplace feature—carefully integrated within a wall of existing windows. Flanking cabinetry and tailored millwork brought balance, storage, and display opportunities. The mudroom–laundry received custom bench seating and shiplap panelling for everyday organization, while the home office was outfitted with bespoke cabinetry for a more efficient workspace.

Throughout the main and upper floors, new warm wood flooring unified the interior, extending seamlessly into the den. The stair system was updated with renewed handrails and spindles accented in brushed gold, adding subtle elegance.

Upstairs, the primary room’s ensuite was completely reimagined with a freestanding tub as the focal point, an enlarged glass shower, and his-and-hers vanities set at opposite ends to maximize function. Two small closets were combined into one generous walk-in, and custom cabinetry was added to the primary bedroom to enhance storage and display.

Materials were carefully selected to harmonize old and new, while enhanced performance features elevated the home’s overall comfort and style.

About the Location -South Surrey

Nestled in South Surrey’s prestigious Elgin/Chantrell community, the home is surrounded by tree-lined streets, large estate-style properties, and quiet, well-established residential pockets. Known for its privacy, natural greenery, and proximity to Crescent Park and the area’s top schools, the neighbourhood provides an elegant, family-oriented backdrop that complements the home’s refreshed character and timeless upgrades.

Challenges

This renovation required creative, detail-oriented solutions and careful craftsmanship throughout. Modernizing the 15-year-old kitchen meant preserving and refinishing existing cabinetry to a factory-grade standard while custom-matching all new millwork to blend seamlessly with what remained. Integrating the engineered-stone fireplace into a windowed family-room wall called for strategic anchoring, added structural support, and precise millwork alignment. Reconfiguring the upper bathroom—enlarging the shower and highlighting the gabled ceiling—had to be done without disturbing adjacent rooms or the existing radiant in-floor heating. Matching the aged, distressed wood flooring added another layer of complexity, demanding meticulous coordination for a unified finish. Across the home, thoughtful transitions between old and new materials were essential, supported by best-practice construction such as full waterproofing in wet areas, code-compliant stair upgrades, and precise framing for the radius archway. Despite the constraints of working within an established structure, the home now feels deeply functional, cohesive, and timeless—refreshed with modern comfort while honouring its original character.

Pricing Adjusted for Current Year

$800K Plus GST

Approximate Duration – 10 months

Property unoccupied during construction

Our clients are empty nesters and returning Smithwood Builders clients who chose to work with us again to thoughtfully update their home. While they now spend most of their time living downtown, this residence remains an important part of their family life. The home is used as a retreat for holidays, celebrations, and extended family visits—a place designed to welcome gathering while still offering comfort, ease, and familiarity.

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