“Bold elements gives a home a vibrant, contemporary feel,” adds the principal at Cristina Oberti Interior Design Inc. “We decorated the show home to be very streamlined, with clean and timeless elements as the modern finishes were a priority for the project.”
Even the grey palette throughout was purposely chosen for a seamless blend between interior and exterior design. Developed by Beedie Living, a branch of the Beedie Group, nearly 70 per cent of the 133 homes sold within a month after the presentation centre’s Jan. 28 opening.
The show suite stands up the slopes of Austin Avenue, within walking distance of the Vancouver Golf Club and a short jaunt to Lougheed Mall and the SkyTrain.
The Austin features sleek finishings on bathroom and kitchen cabinets, an open-concept kitchen, dining and living rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows that capture the diverse views. “It’s those views that have commanded the most attention among buyers,” says Robert Fiorvento, director of developer Beedie Living Oberti used those vistas as a backdrop for her decorating.
She purposely kept the living room simple and clean as to not compete with the sweeping views of Mount Baker and the Fraser River that the expansive windows offer. However, the seasoned designer did add one of the most eye-catching features of the show home in the dining room — the clear multi-bulb chandelier. “It’s contemporary and makes a bold statement,” says Oberti. When it comes to those memory points, Oberti cautions that less is more. “Never add more than two or four to really make your statement, otherwise your pieces compete with each other,” she adds.
To anchor the rooms in the open floor plan, Oberti had customized millwork shelving made. “Millwork is quite is trendy right now as it shows the opportunity to maximize space through customized built-in’s,” says Oberti. Meanwhile, Oberti designed the modern show home because she knew that many of the buyers would be either first time homeowners or residents of the neighbourhood, who are immersed in the community.
Project:The Austin
What: 133 units, from junior one-bedrooms to townhomes and penthouses in a 19-storey tower
Where: West Coquitlam
Developer: Beedie Living
Residence sizes: 417 — 1,555 square feet
Prices: From $201,800 — $748,800; nearly 70 per cent sold
Sales Centre: Unit J, 1001 Austin Ave., Coquitlam
Hours: Sat — Thurs, noon — 5 p.m.
“It’s those views that have commanded the most attention among buyers”