Stylish Maple Ridge garden suite makes the most of multigenerational living

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The family that works well together can probably also live together. At least that’s what Susan and Dan Sambol were thinking when they decided to seek out shared property in Maple Ridge with their son and daughter-in-law.

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Dan and his son David own and operate Dasco Construction Ltd., a Lower Mainland forming and framing company. “Because we are in business together and we have proven that we can do it successfully, we thought we could probably live in a property that was quite large, where there was enough space and where we each had our privacy.” , explains Susan. She and Dan had decided they were ready to move to a smaller, level location for easier mobility on the road. They wanted their new home to be close to their family. And they wanted to build it themselves.

The perfect one-acre property hit the market in fall 2018 – a 1970s home on 128th Avenue near town with a 66-foot mobile home in the back. David and his wife Tracey, along with their two young daughters, would renovate and live in the main structure. Susan and Dan would live in the mobile home while building a garden suite.

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To make the most of the 968 square feet the City of Maple Ridge allows for second homes, the couple consulted with Susan’s brother, Michael Huggins of BHA Architecture Inc. Huggins came up with a concept for an L-shaped structure, housing the garden suite, plus a shared 1,500 square foot workshop-garage.

Sticking to a single bedroom allowed the couple to maximize the kitchen and living-dining space. “I didn’t want to give up having family over for dinner,” says Susan. So while the house could be the size of an apartment, they do have a full dining table and island, with plenty of seating to accommodate their three children and six grandchildren.

On the outside of the structure, eight-foot overhangs shelter a walkway between the entrances to the house and the workshop, as well as a seating area. But these also block out some light, as do the towering trees that surround the grounds. To compensate, Huggins came up with a ridge skylight – glass panels running along the tops of vaulted ceilings – above the Great Hall.

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“He said it might be a little dark, even though we have high ceilings, so he suggested installing the ridge skylight, which really (created) this wonderful space that we have today. because it’s always bright, ”says Susan. “We rarely turn on the lights.

A predominantly white palette also helps brighten up the space. White oak-style carpentry and shelving add a subtle warmth, complementing the light oak-look laminate floors throughout the home.

Dasco took care of the construction. Vivian Jost, then at Blue Mountain Kitchens, originally came to design the kitchen. But impressed with her initial renderings, the family hired her to design the rest of the house as well. (She has since gone independent to tackle more whole-home projects with her own company, Vivian Jost Interior Design.)

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Jost particularly likes the layout of the kitchen. “The color of the light wood with the flat white panels, the black faucets and hardware created a very nice contrast. It’s modern, it’s dynamic and it’s functional, ”she says. “Each drawer, each centimeter has been thought through. In the interest of rationalization, it moved away from all that is ornate, introducing flat-front cabinets and quartz countertops to match the backsplash.

“I wanted a very modern minimalist look because it’s a small space, and I didn’t want to clutter it up with too many details. I wanted it to be very simple, ”says Susan.

In the bedroom, the couple opted for a space-saving 13-foot cabinet wall, designed by California Closets, instead of a walk-in closet. “I’m very grateful that they did this,” Jost says. “Every inch counts in a house like this. “

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From there, they were able to create a spacious bathroom, with two sinks, a shower, and a small, deep freestanding tub to make up for its small footprint. Large two-by-four foot ceramic tiles add to the airy feel. “When you have a small space, a large format tile always makes the room a lot more spacious,” says Jost. “You see less grout line and it’s easier to clean. »A shower without a threshold is drained via a subtle recess in the floor.

Outside, a large green space, furnished by Van de Poll Garden Design, accommodates outdoor entertainment areas for families, garden plots and planters with integrated irrigation, a children’s gym and a fire pit. commmon.

Overall, the lifestyle provides both families with an ideal blend of privacy and quality time, says Susan. The shared business is doing well too. “With Dave and I are (business) partners, it’s so beneficial,” Dan says. “You can send a quick text or you just have to walk around and chat. “

Plus, grandchildren can visit whenever they want. “It’s wonderful to see them,” says Susan. “We keep our privacy and the children come. They will knock on the door before entering.

“And grab a cookie and go home,” Dan adds, laughing.