Parker House at Windsor Gate 1151 Windsor Mews Coquitlam 131 condos in two buildings by Polygon Parker House Ltd
Colourful touches give depth to Parker House design
Mary Frances Hill
The Province
Parker House at Windsor Gate
Where: 1151 Windsor Mews, Coquitlam
Developer and builder: Polygon Parker House Ltd. and Polygon Windsor Gate Ltd.
What: 131 apartment residences in two buildings
Residence sizes and prices: two-bedrooms and two-bedrooms plus flex; 860 — 1,165 square feet; from $429,900
Sales office: 1151 Windsor Mews
Sales office hours: noon — 6 p.m., Sat — Thurs
At Parker House, Polygon’s new community in Coquitlam’s Windsor Gate development, the company’s designers show the potential of decorating in living colour.
While many designers relegate colour to a minimum — say, a pillow or accessory in bright colours — the Polygon team uses sophisticated shades as an essential part of décor.
In one show home, the living room stands as a testament to the art of enlivening a room with a soft, disciplined palette. Working with a strong foundation — specifically, all-white walls and an all-white sectional sofa against two huge windows — Evan Coltart and Polygon’s designers punctuated the room with large abstract works of art in muted oranges, gold and blue.
“Keeping the main elements neutral allowed us to be more bold with the artwork and accessories. The cool blues were West Coast inspired, and the gold acted to balance and warm the space,” Coltart says.
Accents in the dining area and in the wall unit reflect the hues in the artwork.
It takes courage to bring in striking colour, particularly in a large, dominant piece, like the two that define the living room. It’s common among designers to keep to straight neutrals and use pillows, throws or vases to add “pops” of primary, and temporary colour. Though bright or primary hues may attract attention in a monotone space, they can get overwhelming over a period of time, Coltart adds.
“I think people are often afraid of making a bold colour choice for fear of tiring of it after a short time.”
The Polygon team plays with the alternative to dominant colour in one bedroom, where various neutral shades evident in a tufted headboard that nearly reaches ceiling height, in a formal chair and side tables, belong in the same cream and beige colour family. On one hand, the similar shades bring a sense of peace in a room where serenity is needed most. On the other, every texture adds a new layer of interest.
Layering textures within a more monochromatic scheme helps to add depth and richness to space without overpowering it, Coltart explains.
While colour, depth and texture define one suite, the other is marked by a more traditional layout and feel, “with a more mature demographic in mind”, he says.
Celia Dawson, Polygon’s senior vice-president of interior design, says those traditional touches “give a space that custom high-end feel: timeless, elegant and worldly.
“I think this appeals to many clients, whether they truly fit this definition and look or if they just aspire to fit to this look.”
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