Image 1 of 7
Image 1 of 7Lofty Ideas
By Renu Singh
Photos by Jason Henderson
It's all about the little touches - carefully selected furniture pieces, accessories and artwork. Walking into actress Gabrielle Miller's loft house in a 100-year-old heritage building, it is evident that the space was designed and decorated with good taste in mind, but even more so, with an abundance of love.
Gabrielle, and fiance AJ Schepers, a graphic design artist, searched the city high and low for one-of a-kind furnishings and accessories to not only compliment their home, but to add touches of charm and warmth.
"We wanted the space to have personality and reflect who we are", says Gabrielle. "We're both really creative people, and we have passion for the things we do, and the places we go. The feeling and the things in our home reflect that, including pieces that hold special memories for us.."
Gabrielle's New York-style loft is a large, open space and one of the design challenges was to create unique spaces within the larger frame. In addition, Gabrielle wanted to combine contemporary, clean lines with warmth creating a balanced, peaceful space with continuity and flow. To achieve this design vision, she collaborated with Grant Wyllychuk, principal designer and co-founder of ODI Gallery.
"For my designs, I like simplicity, symmetry and very strong durable pieces," says Grant. "With the loft, it was easy. I took Gabrielle's vision and made it, with a bit of my experience, a reality. It turned out beautifully. I wouldn't change a thing," he added.
Grand designed and constructed custom-made furniture pieces for different rooms in the loft using black walnut wood to tie in the spaces. Gabrielle's bathroom features black walnut vanities and Carrera marble top, while the bedroom and living room are home to a black walnut wall mounted bookcase and four-door low entertainment unit.
One of the the highlights of the home is Gabrielle and AJ's bedroom which features stunning opaque white custom wardrobes and dresser combinations, constructed by Grant, adding symmetry and balance to the room. The Italian wallpaper with little glass beads adds elegance, while the beautiful bedding and pillows add the wow factor.
The loft is a beautiful space with exposed brick and an original wood-beamed ceiling. to add to the existing ambiance, Gabrielle and AJ looked for signature pieces with character and history to furnish the home, including the Asian antique dining table that has benches for seating, and two head chairs from Red Corner Antique Furniture; an antique marble and iron table from The Cross, adorned with an array of collectibles, including a beautiful tea set belonging to a friend's grandmother; and two large, matching mirrors framed with wood salvaged from a church in Quebec from Country Furniture.
Art helps draw the eye to these individual spaces, bringing cohesiveness to the living area and serving as a reflection of the decor, or perhaps as the inspiration. In the entrance way, a collection of sketches are featured from the 1940's by AJ's grandfather, Jazz musician Bill Winters, depicting legendary Jazz musician he played with or admired. Gabrielle is also a collector of the works of artist M. Stark, and owns two of Stark's signature portraitures of women. In Gabrielle's bedroom, a striking oil and wax painting created by Canadian artist Natalie Majaba Waldburger, serves as focal point for the room.
With lead roles in two of Canada's most popular shows, Corner Gas and Robson Arms, Gabrielle splits her time between her lovely loft in Vancouver and her beautiful heritage home in Regina. The two spaces bridge the transition from prairie to coast with a style that can only be called Gabrielle.