Cherry blossoms line the street in front of this reimagined 1978 Vancouver Special. Located in Vancouver, British Columbia, the home was transformed by design studio Schéido into a family residence defined by what lead designer Jenalee Nordstrom playfully calls “sophisti-quirk.” Full of life and unmistakably one-of-a-kind, this renovation carefully balances curated whimsy with genuine technical rigor.
Photography by Tina Kulic
For Nordstrom, the term “sophisti-quirk” came from the owner’s quirky yet sophisticated personality. “I wanted to create a playful and invigorating atmosphere, something artistic,” she says. “I felt so appreciative that these clients were open to some bold choices.”
For the two-level, 2,600-square-foot home, Schéido’s renovation began by treating the existing structure as an architectural framework, replacing the flat roofline with a much higher pitch and creating vaulted ceilings on the upper floor. To maximize natural light, the home follows an inverted layout with the principal living spaces—kitchen, dining, and living room—located upstairs. The team designed wall-to-wall glass panels that allow the spacious deck to serve as an outdoor extension of the interior living space.
Photography by Tina Kulic
Black stucco forms the home’s foundation, while blackened steel and slatted cedar replace traditional secondary materials. The original Douglas fir framing, which remains concealed within the newly constructed interior walls, adds to the project’s history while minimizing its environmental impact.
More than a bold choice, the seamless corner window was also a technical challenge that required extensive problem-solving. “Everyone said it couldn’t be done,” Nordstrom says. The installation required conversations with more than 15 companies; the difficulty wasn’t the glass itself, but the lack of a traditional corner support. Relying only on structural silicone and large LVL beams, the design had to ensure no weight transferred to the glass. Inside, the seamless window provides unobstructed views of the mountains in the distance.
Photography by Tina Kulic
Perhaps the most unexpected design choice is the suspended netting, a catamaran-inspired platform that connects the upper level with the play zone below. “The netting maintains a visual connection between the levels,” Nordstrom says, “and upstairs becomes a surprisingly comfortable place to read, work on a laptop, or take an afternoon nap.”
Photography by Tina Kulic
Expressive through and through, Schéido embraced a material palette that highlights texture while exploring pattern and color. Built around cork flooring, the home features terracotta laminate and blackened steel accents, reserving graphic, large-scale movement for natural stone.
The organic material palette becomes the cohesive backdrop for the concentrated pops of color sprinkled throughout the house. For Nordstrom, her use of color reflects the larger “sophisti-quirk” concept. “Rather than becoming the predominant story, the color supplies the quirk, balanced by the sophistication and restraint of the more neutral materials,” she explains.
Photography by Tina Kulic
A vintage citron piano brings saturation into the dining area, with graphic art adorning the walls. In the kitchen, terracotta cabinetry is offset by natural quartzite stone, while a cobalt blue faucet and large-scale blue terrazzo tiles bring the color story to life in the powder room. Touches of matte black, gray, and natural wood harmonize the palette, giving the home an elevated feel while boasting an array of carefully chosen shades.
Photography by Tina Kulic
Paying homage to the home’s Pacific Northwest location, Nordstrom selected art and furniture crafted by local artisans. Pieces from FFABB give the interiors material permanence through their solid wood framing, while artwork, lighting, rugs, and decorative objects come from the Vancouver Art Gallery and local artists. These local influences help the home feel deeply rooted in its community.
“For me, Pacific Northwest identity begins with an awareness of nature,” Nordstrom says. “I chose makers whose work is meaningfully connected to this region and who have helped shape its creative identity.”
Photography by Tina Kulic
In the end, Schéido designed a space where originality isn’t simply a decorative layer; it is part of the architectural backbone. This originality gives the house a better chance to age well, allowing the designer’s “sophisti-quirk” aesthetic to remain relevant over time.
“A space cannot look cool in 20 years if it was not built to withstand the passage of time,” Nordstrom says. “Originality may give a home its character, but craftsmanship is what gives that character longevity.”