Designer Louis Duncan-He took charge of a blank-canvas, all-white Alberta home by layering in richness, pattern and warmth.

When speaking of this 10,000-square-foot mountain retreat nestled on 160 acres of pristine wilderness in Bragg Creek, Alta., designer Louis Duncan-He can barely contain his excitement. “It’s exquisite, it’s one of a kind, and it’s a spectacular showcase of what Canada has to offer,” he says. The homeowners hired the designer and his team to fashion a multigenerational vacation property they could enjoy with their three children, as well as a luxury getaway (Silver Birch Vista) they could rent to eco-conscious travellers – the home has electric-car charging stations and solar panels are in the plans. “I wanted to find ways to add soul to this very modern space and to infuse it with the spirit of the Rocky Mountains,” Louis says. He and designer Vy Tran relied on a subtle deployment of details, including cowhide prints, lasso reference in light fixtures, and earthy palettes, which all reference the Alberta setting. Savvy furniture placement was also key: it had to feel energetic in the expansive rooms while not detracting from the earth-to-sky vistas. Louis says: “The house is chic yet inviting and warm, and I love that the distinctive design doesn’t compete with the beauty of Mother Nature.”

Larger Than Life

The living area’s melange of materials and strategic layouts layer coziness into the expansive floor plan. “The home’s sheer size made space planning a challenge,” says designer Louis Duncan-He. “In the main living area, we divided the space into four separate areas to ensure it didn’t look empty.” Tactile leather sofas and a soft rug define the seating area, a daybed invites lounging by the fire, and flanking sets of armchairs create additional seating vignettes. Two coffee tables in the living area act as storage for four ottomans. “This house needed to be able to both expand and contract for large gatherings, as well as cozy family get-togethers,” says Louis. “Multi- functional ottomans are always a great solution for this.” A custom limewash finish on the walls adds a soft grey textured layer. “Light clay porcelain tiles on the fireplace ensure a gradual transition from the earthy limewash to the rest of the drywall, like a textural ombré effect,” says Louis. 

Room For All

The kitchen furthers the concept of smart space management, with casual seating at the island, a formal dining area, and an additional casual dining nook at one end that does double-time as a spot for board games. The long dining table can seat up to 12 guests. Contemporary chairs feel a little rustic thanks to the leather seating. The island’s cowhide stools are on point and so is the whimsical dining room pendant light. “It’s linear and sculptural with a cheeky lasso reference,” says Louis. “It’s my abstract representation of the spirit of Alberta!” Black roller blinds blend in with the window frames to keep the focus on the view.

Hit Play

SECTIONAL, EQ3. Leather ARMCHAIRS, ACCENT CHAIRS, FLOOR LAMP, Crate and Barrel. RUG, round TABLE, CB2. DRAPERY FABRIC (throughout), Maxwell Fabrics. DRAPERY SEWING AND INSTALLATION, Calgary Window Fashions. 

In the lower-level media room (above), plush drapery, a graphic colour-blocked rug and plenty of cushions elevate the soft quotient. “The cushions are a fun way to add in texture and also additional seat- ing,” says Louis. “You can picture a bunch of people sitting on the couch, with more family and children sprawled on the floor with pillows, watching a movie.” The drapes act as more than just window cov- erings. “I was going back and forth between neutral and blue tones, but they just didn’t feel right,” Louis says. “And then it hit me: lush golden ochre! It really pulls the entire space together, playing into the earthy quality of the room in a way that’s harmonious and layered.” Sculptural lamps throughout take a cue from nature and are a soft foil to all the lines and angularity. Louis created room’s fabulous artwork. 

Design That Works

The office’s abstract mountain mural wallpaper riffs on the view out the window while lending an artistic mood to the room. The owners chose the sleek Midcentury Modern-style desk for the space. “It feels like it’s floating in the middle of all the action,” Louis says. “This space is breathtaking, even more stunning in person, and I joke that I could get a PhD in that office!” 

High-Level Meetings

With the rental aspect of Silver Birch Vista in mind, Louis and his team created a meeting/conference room that leads into a separate office. Both are conducive to work, yet the aesthetic is anything but cold and corporate. “I imagined them as dens,” says Louis, “and so I introduced lush blue walls, red ochre drapery and a patinaed brass light fixture in the meeting space. It turned out more beautiful than I imagined.” The room is highly adaptable: the table can be reduced to seat only two and tucked away in a corner to make way for a fold-down bed that’s hidden in the cabinetry wall.

Press Pause

It’s easy to see why the ensuite is one of the owners’ favourite spots. It was originally completely white, which Louis found lacklustre and a wasted oppor- tunity. “We completely changed the feeling by cladding two feature walls with wood-textured porcelain tiles,” he says. “It makes the bathroom feel more natural and rustic, plus this room is larger than some studio apartments, so it needed more dimension and a larger visual footprint.” A wood-textured tear-drop chandelier is a snazzy complement to the linear tiles. An accent chair, sculptural side table and artwork add further polish. Says Louis: “What says luxury more than a complete sitting area in your bathroom?” 

Close To Cloud Nine

In the primary bedroom, with its sweeping views, Louis created a focal wall that further melds inner and outer spaces. “It’s an abstract mountainscape mural with slight Zen and Japanese references,” he says. “The pattern contin- ues the mountain reference, but quietly. Our clients are very well travelled, so this motif also adds in a subtle global layer and perspective.” Sheer charcoal drapes are a bold counterpoint to the room’s warmer tones, while the classic chaise sports a casual cowhide upholstery that’s in keeping with the rustic set- ting. Brass sconces play up the warmth, and the velvet bench is reminiscent of the den’s ochre drapery for nice continuity.

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