RED HOUSE; BLUE HOUSE COLOUR MAKES A COMEBACK TEXT BY CAROLYN HEIMAN PHOTOS BY CATHIE FERGUSON
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Glass over blue paint offers a big impact replacement for a tile backsplash; and bamboo plywood pieces for the Coral Pendants, made in New Zealand and sold by YLighting, are easily self-assembled.
MAGINE A HOUSE decorated with an almost Dr. Seussinspired wackiness — an unfettered exploration of playfulness and all the primary colours. This is how it feels stepping into a recently renovated Uplands home, which imparts joy and tugs at one’s inner child. This sense of whimsy begins right at the vaulted entryway, where a playful space saucer wall sculpture — created by Vancouver artist 12 Midnite — commands attention. In an adjacent room, a square mantel around the fireplace is painted a glowing orange and on it hangs a brightly coloured surfboard with a Marimekko-like flower pattern. The powder room is tomato red. Brilliant sunshine yellow is splashed over the laundry room walls, guaranteeing that “you can’t be grumpy when doing laundry,” muses Sarah Bowder, who with her partner, Fiona Hamilton, has boldly transformed the ubiquitous 1960s rancher into a vibrant home, inviting fun, relaxation and happy times. The two easily found their own style after living in other homes, some of which they renovated. They quickly discovered that taupe and other neutrals — a common colour template for many — does not suit them in the least. Hamilton says, “I grew up in a house like this — mostly white and primary colours. Wherever Sarah and I saw an opportunity to inject colour, we did.” 11