home & builder
LIVING
ON
THE
EDGE
S T O RY A N D RE A CO X
P H OTO G RA PH Y BA RBA RA BL A KE Y
I
It’s race day on a sunny spring morning in
Vancouver in 2007 and Kirsten Gingras,
feeling elated and accomplished, is
celebrating over Mimosas and eggs with
her girlfriends after completing a grueling
half marathon.
Meanwhile, Kirsten’s husband, Michael is in Calgary ardently driving
the land, looking for the stakes identifying each new lot for sale in
Elbow Valley West – a new community on the west edge of the city.
It’s the sister community to Elbow Valley, and in the previous year, the
buying frenzy was akin to gold mining days – people camping out and
running for their spot of land.
“He called me and said we needed to make a decision quickly, that
he found three amazing lots,” recalls Kirsten, as she smooths her hand
across the polished granite island countertop in the home that she
designed and built on the lot.
That was seven years ago, and at the time Kirsten had started a home
building and design company, MACK Custom Homes (the name is
an acronym utilizing the letters of her family members – Michael, Abbie,
Charlie and Kirsten). The couple had plenty of experience building and
designing new homes for their family of four. “It’s just what we do,” shares
Kirsten. “We love it.” So the progression was natural for Kirsten to start
her own business and share her talents with clients. Continued on page 30
OPPOSITE: The vaulted
great room ceiling soars
to 17 feet, framing the
vintage herringbonepattern brick backdrop,
along with Bessie
the Bull, which the
homeowner says was the
inspiration for the room.
TOP: Homeowners
Michael and Kirsten
Gingras relax in the
great room. ABOVE: An
evening storm rolls in
along the city’s western
edge, creating a surreal
sky and a beautiful
canvas for the Gingras
home. LEFT: The bright
and sunny breakfast
nook enjoys views of
farmers’ fields across to
the mountains.
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SUMMER 2014
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home & builder
The couple ended up purchasing the three lots, which were side-byside at the end of a cul-de-sac with beautiful views backing onto green
space. Kirsten set to work, designing and building a stunning walk-out
bungalow complete with attached three-car garage on the centre lot,
saving the two adjacent lots for projects slated for MACK Custom
Homes. “I basically sketched everything out in my chicken scratch
and handed it over to the architect to create plans,” says Kirsten. She
brought on Rodney Jenkins to draw up the plans.
The 2,700 sq. ft. home takes full advantage of the stunning third of
an acre lot, which backs onto farmland, with views of horses cantering
across the field and the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains. “It’s
really beautiful, especially when you are relaxing out on the back deck
on a warm summer evening, listening to the subtle sounds of nature.”
Kirsten designed with family in mind, creating an oversize central
island (it took two slabs of granite) in the kitchen. “It’s definitely the
hub of the home,” she says. “This is where everybody hangs out, and
saddles up to do homework. And when the neighbours drop by, this is
where we sit to have wine.”
It’s her favourite room of the house. “I love designing kitchens,”
Kirsten says. “I put a lot of thought into how the space is used and how
to make it both beautiful and really functional.”
The adjacent soaring great room equally accommodates large parties
and intimate gatherings. Its vaulted ceiling hits close to 17 feet with a
beautiful floor-to-ceiling, two-way fireplace with vintage herringbonepatterned brick taking centre stage. “We laid the brick across the floor in
bits and pieces to establish the pattern,” says Kirsten. “It took a few days.”
“It’s the details that bring the biggest impact and I’m a real perfectionist.”
Mounted on the brick above the fireplace is Bessie, a large bull that
Kirsten sourced at Restoration Hardware. The other side of the fireplace
faces the outdoor deck accessed through french doors from the kitchen.
The home is great for entertaining. “We have our appies at the
island, while I am finishing off the cooking, and then we move into the
TOP LEFT: Homeowner and
designer Kirsten Gingras
used details to create a
functional and beautiful
kitchen. ABOVE: The butler’s
pantry offers an alcove for
cookbooks and note taking.
LEFT: Designed for leisurely
dinners, the dining room
exudes an aura of elegance
and comfort. OPPOSITE TOP
LEFT: The crystal chandelier
and patterned wall covering
adds sparkle and sheen to the
master bedroom. OPPOSITE
TOP RIGHT: Layering of
the ‘smalls’ as homeowner
Kirsten Gingras calls them,
gives the master en suite
texture and interest.
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SUMMER 2014
formal dining room – the chairs are comfortable and it is still casual
enough that people linger, and then after dinner, we move into the great
room,” says Kirsten, noting that the butler’s pantry works beautifully
for clearing dishes and hiding the mess.
The main floor embraces a large master suite with a spa-like en
suite and a lovely and sumptuous dressing room. It’s an intimate and
decadent space, where Kirsten and her girlfriends have been known to
hang out, chat and drink wine. “It’s my Sex in the City closet,” she says
with a laugh.
The walk-out lower level contains the children’s bedrooms and hang
out space. “Every day I say, ‘Are your beds made? Are your clothes put
away?’ And they respond ‘Yes’ because they know that I will never come
down to check.”
The interior spaces exhibit subtle elegance defined by the details.
“When you start from a blank canvas, it is all about the layers,” says
Kirsten, adding that she loves using wallpaper. “It just quietly adds so
much depth and character.”
While entertaining and family spaces were the first priority, the
Gingras residence is a gallery as much as it is a home. “I believe that
there should be great conversation pieces everywhere and I use a lot of
smalls when I design – the hardcover books, the personal items,” she
explains. “I like the unknown and mixing in that bit of the eclectic.”
Artwork drapes most of the walls from textural abstract florals by
Tresa Gibson to prints by Lord Tim. “I always grab one of his works
when I am at the market in Palm Springs,” she says. “It’s where he hangs
out. He is very cool and totally out there.”
While sifting through items at an estate sale in 2001, Kirsten found
her most treasured piece, an ornate side table, which sits elegantly
in the en suite. “I’m very attached to it. It’s the only item that I have
brought from home to home.”
Although the Vancouver half marathon is a distant memory, Kirsten
still runs daily throughout the trails in the wide open spaces of her new
neighbourhood and just recently ran her first full marathon. “The area is
ideal and so is the house,” she says. “I really enjoy the bungalow design
– there is just so much liveable space.” OH
LEFT: The
owners’
dressing room
is so New York.
“I call it my
Sex in the City
closet,” says
Kirsten, adding
that she and
her girlfriends
have been
known to share
a glass of wine
or two while
ensconced on
the chaise.
SOURCE GUIDE
MACK Custom Homes, Whittaker
Designs, Kravet® Inc., Robinson
Lighting & Bath Inc., Colin
Campbell, Rodney Jenkins
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