The result is a residence with enduring style and design—truly, a ‘forever home.’
When a couple decided to build their “forever home” in West Vancouver, they enlisted the help of an interior designer they’ve known, well, forever.
“The clients are friends of mine from university, so we go way back,” says Trish Knight, partner at Vancouver-based Knight Varga Interiors.
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The couple had purchased a piece of land on a hillside in West Vancouver with a view of the water and an early ’60s rancher that was beyond repair.
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But in 2019, Knight and her team were able to walk through the residence to get a sense of how natural light and the landscape could be optimized for their future project. “We looked at the sight lines and the views from where it was situated on the lot and started to think about what kind of house we wanted to build,” the designer explains.
In consultation with the clients, Knight and business partner Nicole Varga and architect Mason Kent got to work drawing up the plans for what would become a 6,200-square-foot, three-storey home with four bedrooms upstairs and a guest bedroom on the bottom level.
The goal was to create a home where the clients—a couple with three kids—could relax, work, entertain and play, now, and decades from now. “We wanted the style and the materials to really stand the test of time. Their kids are teenagers and they ultimately want to bring their partners, as well as their children, back to the house,” Knight says.
In terms of esthetics, the team from Knight Varga Interiors leaned to a warm West Coast modern look that would be as relevant today as it would be tomorrow. To achieve this, the team used wide-plank European white oak hardwood floor in most rooms, which “is more neutral and greyed out” than North American white oak. In the powder room, lounge and office on the main floor, they installed Dekton, a large-format slab material. “The homeowner wanted to have her dogs hang out with her in the lounge area on a regular basis, so we thought a more durable floor underfoot was important,” Knight explains.
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To create a sense of continuity throughout, the team chose a repetition of materials inside and outside in different cuts and textures. The wood panelling in the kitchen and some of the bathrooms and the wall detailing in many rooms complements the colour of the flooring. “Being a large open-concept home, we wanted to bring in more texture and tone, rather than switching up the materials and using a bunch of different colours. We wanted it all to flow and feel very serene and very calming,” Knight says.
A minimalist palette of black, white and oak with steel accents creates a modern and peaceful ambience. The steel stairs were built off site and brought in in pieces by a crane, welded and finished on site, then painted the same white as the walls. “They’re a statement because of the style, but it’s quiet,” the designer says. Black arches in areas such as the dining room create definition without closing off the view.
The natural wood theme continues outside in the covered patio areas, where soffits were used in the same wood as inside. Outside, there’s a pool, hot tub and a landscaped patio area where the clients can entertain much of the year.
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Inside, a large home gym, a media room and ample storage space accommodate the active family, and durable materials in the kitchen are designed to withstand the wear and tear of the family’s many chefs. A dog run alongside the house allows the owners to see their two dogs from inside.
Convenience and ease of living were also a priority for the family, so Knight Varga Interiors’ team ensured the house was fitted with high-tech features such as a whole-house control system, including iPads on the wall to control lighting, security and blinds.
Sustainability is also always top of mind for Knight Varga Interiors, whose team makes it a habit to check that their suppliers use FSC-certified wood and are carbon-neutral in their shipping and production processes.
“When people build a forever home, longevity is step one,” Knight says. That meant selecting the highest quality materials, appliances and furniture, from brands such as Miele, Fulgor Milano and Inform Interiors. “The [furniture] is all pieces you’d reupholster, reinvent or refinish, and never throw away,” says Knight.
Like many projects that happened during the pandemic, the biggest challenges the team faced related to timeline issues. Fortunately, the clients were able to stay in their existing home while they contended with material delays. But when you’re building a home as beautiful as this one, it’s well worth the wait.
Architect: Mason Kent
Builder: Trillium Homes
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Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
Google has launched its next generation of Pixel phones, setting the stage for a head-to-head competition with Apple as both tech giants aim to integrate more advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features into their flagship devices. The unveiling took place near Google’s Mountain View headquarters, marking an early debut for the Pixel 9 lineup, which is designed to showcase the latest advancements in AI technology.
The Pixel 9 series, although a minor player in global smartphone sales, is a crucial platform for Google to demonstrate the cutting-edge capabilities of its Android operating system. With AI at the core of its strategy, Google is positioning the Pixel 9 phones as vessels for the transformative potential of AI, a trend that is expected to revolutionize the way people interact with technology.
Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president overseeing the Pixel phones, emphasized the company’s commitment to AI, stating, “We are obsessed with the idea that AI can make life easier and more productive for people.” This echoes the narrative Apple is likely to push when it unveils its iPhone 16, which is also expected to feature advanced AI capabilities.
The Pixel 9 lineup will be the first to fully integrate Google’s Gemini AI technology, designed to enhance user experience through more natural, conversational interactions. The Gemini assistant, which features 10 different human-like voices, can perform a wide array of tasks, particularly if users allow access to their emails and documents.
In an on-stage demonstration, the Gemini assistant showcased its ability to generate creative ideas and even analyze images, although it did experience some hiccups when asked to identify a concert poster for singer Sabrina Carpenter.
To support these AI-driven features, Google has equipped the Pixel 9 with a special chip that enables many AI processes to be handled directly on the device. This not only improves performance but also enhances user privacy and security by reducing the need to send data to remote servers.
Google’s aggressive push into AI with the Pixel 9 comes as Apple prepares to unveil its iPhone 16, which is expected to feature its own AI advancements. However, Google’s decision to offer a one-year free subscription to its advanced Gemini Assistant, valued at $240, may pressure Apple to reconsider any plans to charge for its AI services.
The standard Pixel 9 will be priced at $800, a $100 increase from last year, while the Pixel 9 Pro will range between $1,000 and $1,100, depending on the model. Google also announced the next iteration of its foldable Pixel phone, priced at $1,800.
In addition to the new Pixel phones, Google also revealed updates to its Pixel Watch and wireless earbuds, directly challenging Apple’s dominance in the wearable tech market. These products, like the Pixel 9, are designed to integrate seamlessly with Google’s AI-driven ecosystem.
Google’s event took place against the backdrop of a significant legal challenge, with a judge recently ruling that its search engine constitutes an illegal monopoly. This ruling could lead to further court proceedings that may force Google to make significant changes to its business practices, potentially impacting its Android software or other key components of its $2 trillion empire.
Despite these legal hurdles, Google is pressing forward with its vision of an AI-powered future, using its latest devices to showcase what it believes will be the next big leap in technology. As the battle for AI supremacy heats up, consumers can expect both Google and Apple to push the boundaries of what their devices can do, making the choice between them more compelling than ever.
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