KERR DESIGN BUILD
A 1920s Craftsman Renovation Reimagined in North Vancouver
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC
North Vancouver is full of incredible 1920s character homes, and this Craftsman renovation was no exception — original details, a strong street presence, and the kind of bones that make a home worth keeping. But like a lot of homes from that era, it hadn’t been built for the way families actually live today. This North Vancouver home renovation and home addition project set out to change that: more space, better flow, and a stronger connection between rooms, all without losing what made the house special in the first place.
The Challenge: A Home That Had Outgrown Its Layout
The main floor kitchen was extremely small and disconnected from the rest of the home, cut off from the living room in a way that no longer suited a family that wanted to cook, gather, and relax in the same space. Upstairs, the home also needed more room — specifically, a primary suite that felt like a proper retreat rather than an afterthought. The goal throughout this home renovation was to open the home up and add the space it needed, while keeping it feeling like it had simply evolved over time rather than been obviously renovated.
Reconnecting the Kitchen and Living Spaces
At the heart of this home renovation was the kitchen. Instead of a closed-off room tucked away from the rest of the main floor, the kitchen was opened directly to the living room, creating one connected space where the family could actually spend time together. The result is a layout that supports how people really use a home today — cooking, hosting, and relaxing all in view of each other, rather than in separate boxes. Storage was a major focus throughout the renovation, including a concealed door built right into the stair millwork. It’s a highly functional storage area that simply reads as part of the home’s traditional detailing when closed — a good example of how a thoughtful home renovation can add practical space without disrupting a home’s original character.
The Addition: A New Primary Suite and Balcony
Upstairs, this North Vancouver home addition introduced a new primary suite and balcony, designed to sit quietly within the home’s original roofline. Rather than adding a visibly new second-storey volume that competes with the Craftsman’s original silhouette, the addition was designed so it still reads like it was always part of the house — from the street, and from inside. That approach is central to how we think about home additions: more space and better function, without a home losing the character that made it worth renovating in the first place.
Preserving the Home’s Original Character
A renovation like this only works if it respects what’s already there. Throughout the project, original Douglas fir doors were kept in place, and a durable hickory floor was chosen to feel at home alongside them rather than compete with them. Small decisions like these are what make the difference between a house that looks renovated and one that feels like it has simply evolved over time — exactly the outcome this North Vancouver heritage home renovation was designed around.
Meet the Design Team
This project was designed by Nisha MacNeil, now Project Consultant at Kerr Design Build, and brought to life alongside Steven Butler, our Director of Design. You can read more about their approach to this renovation, including their own words on the project, on the North Vancouver Craftsman Renovation project page.
Thinking About a Similar Renovation?
If you’re considering a home renovation or home addition for a character home in North Vancouver or across Metro Vancouver, we’d love to hear about your project. Learn more about our approach to heritage home renovations, or view the full North Vancouver Craftsman Renovation project for more photos and details.