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Collection by Kelly Dawson

A Calgary Home Makes Space for Three Generations

Equal doses of seclusion and cohesion allow one family to live comfortably.

Like most properties in the coveted southwest neighborhoods of Calgary, where an established community is close to transportation and shaded by mature trees, this home was the subject of a redesign for the modern age. But, in this case, the renovation wasn’t purely done for aesthetics. For years, the house belonged to a mother and daughter’s family when an unconventional plan arose: the daughter—along with her partner and her partner's two children—wished to move into the home with her mom. Three generations, each with its own tastes and schedules, needed to share one address. To make this possible, designer Deana Lewis of DOODL created three floors with distinct adult and kid-friendly spaces that would be flexible over time. “The main consideration for this design was to provide all parties with their own private sanctuaries while affording a large, open, and practical communal area for everyday living,” J.D. Lewis, president of DOODL, said. The soundproofing helps, too.

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Three generations, each with its own tastes and schedules, needed to share one address. To make this possible, designer Deana Lewis of DOODL created three floors with distinct adult- and kid-friendly spaces that would be flexible over time. Broom-finished concrete on the walkway and steps lead up to a front door painted Benjamin Moore’s Electric Orange—a color inspired by a wine bottle’s label.
Three generations, each with its own tastes and schedules, needed to share one address. To make this possible, designer Deana Lewis of DOODL created three floors with distinct adult- and kid-friendly spaces that would be flexible over time. Broom-finished concrete on the walkway and steps lead up to a front door painted Benjamin Moore’s Electric Orange—a color inspired by a wine bottle’s label.
“The home’s color pallet in terms of walls, floors and cabinetry is very neutral and minimal, which allows for splashes of color to be added tastefully with furniture and art pieces,” Lewis said. C2 Paint’s “Architectural White” and American oak flooring act as a backdrop.
“The home’s color pallet in terms of walls, floors and cabinetry is very neutral and minimal, which allows for splashes of color to be added tastefully with furniture and art pieces,” Lewis said. C2 Paint’s “Architectural White” and American oak flooring act as a backdrop.
“One of the homeowners assists with many estate sales in Calgary, and so they were able to acquire many great mid-century pieces through these sales,” Lewis said. The sectional sofa is from Calgary’s 4living.
“One of the homeowners assists with many estate sales in Calgary, and so they were able to acquire many great mid-century pieces through these sales,” Lewis said. The sectional sofa is from Calgary’s 4living.
A vintage teak accent chair in the living room, which is paired with the vibrant Pantone Universe rug by Oriental Weavers, both contrast the lacquered white flat cabinetry from Merit Kitchens.
A vintage teak accent chair in the living room, which is paired with the vibrant Pantone Universe rug by Oriental Weavers, both contrast the lacquered white flat cabinetry from Merit Kitchens.
In the kitchen, a vintage teak dining table and matching chairs are positioned across from “eggshell” Caesarstone countertops. A Samsung refrigerator sits on the opposing end.
In the kitchen, a vintage teak dining table and matching chairs are positioned across from “eggshell” Caesarstone countertops. A Samsung refrigerator sits on the opposing end.
A Batons Chandelier by LBL Lighting hangs in front of the fireplace. Stained tongue and groove cedar was installed on the ceiling.
A Batons Chandelier by LBL Lighting hangs in front of the fireplace. Stained tongue and groove cedar was installed on the ceiling.
The mother’s en-suite bathroom, like all bathrooms in the house, has the same Caesarstone “eggshell” countertops as the kitchen. Kartners “Oslo” collection makes up all of the bathroom’s hardware.
The mother’s en-suite bathroom, like all bathrooms in the house, has the same Caesarstone “eggshell” countertops as the kitchen. Kartners “Oslo” collection makes up all of the bathroom’s hardware.
“The homeowners love to watch golf, and so the outdoor space was designed so that the T.V. can be easily viewed for comfortable, outdoor summertime golf watching,” Lewis said. Vintage pieces furnish an outdoor deck of stained cedar.
“The homeowners love to watch golf, and so the outdoor space was designed so that the T.V. can be easily viewed for comfortable, outdoor summertime golf watching,” Lewis said. Vintage pieces furnish an outdoor deck of stained cedar.
“[The mother’s] suite has direct access to its own patio and has its own small sitting and living area that she can enjoy privately, and the master suite has a balcony that [the daughter and her partner] can enjoy at their leisure,” Lewis said. White metal-clad vinyl windows by Lux Windows and Glass unify the various spaces.
“[The mother’s] suite has direct access to its own patio and has its own small sitting and living area that she can enjoy privately, and the master suite has a balcony that [the daughter and her partner] can enjoy at their leisure,” Lewis said. White metal-clad vinyl windows by Lux Windows and Glass unify the various spaces.