Klaas and Christina Kreuk House (1975)
photo credit: Paul Fuoco
That ‘70s House may challenge your idea of heritage; nevertheless, it’s a fine example of vintage and vision combining to create a dream home for the present.
By Sheilah Harris
Style elements: Built by the Meadow Construction Company, this split-level style and cul-de-sac locale give away this home’s true provenance, but recent reconstruction worthy of a transplant surgeon has transformed and renewed this 1970s’ gem.
Architectural significance: Just steps to the Canada Games Pool, Lidster Place is one of the few cul-de-sacs in the city. Homes in the area were built on some of the last untouched land in the city and intended to showcase New Westminster as not only an historic but a modern and vibrant city.
What to look for: The homeowner’s love of art, unique treasures and textures includes an enormous portrait of the wedding scene from The Godfather, painted by the homeowner’s late husband, the Buddha-with-whale-body sculpture salvaged from a fire-stricken Chinese restaurant and the birch pole suspended from the ceiling.
When the present owner bought the house in 2014, it had been left vacant for almost a decade by the previous owners, who had started a major renovation but abandoned the house midway through. Happily, this owner is principal of an award-winning design/build firm. She didn’t hesitate to take the house down to the studs, replacing and improving structural elements, plumbing, electrical, floors, drywall, windows, balconies and siding.
The Kreuk House’s landscaping is kept simple and serene, reflecting the homeowner’s desire to be surrounded by nature.
The Full Story
The split-level style and cul-de-sac locale give away this home’s true provenance, but recent reconstruction worthy of a transplant surgeon has transformed and renewed this 1970’s gem.
When the present owner bought the house in 2014, it had been left vacant for almost a decade by the previous owners, who had started a major renovation but abandoned the house midway through. One can imagine the state of the house and yard after ten years of neglect. Happily, the home’s saviour is the owner and principle of an award-winning design/build firm, and she did not hesitate to take the house down to the studs, replacing and improving structural elements, plumbing, electrical, floors, drywall, windows, balconies, siding, etc.
The foyer of the home has been opened up by installing clear glass railings at the top of the stairs. A striking tapestry on the right, made by an artist in India, highlights the ceiling height here. The homeowner’s love of art, unique treasures and textures becomes apparent as one travels through the house. The most striking feature of the living room is the enormous portrait of the wedding scene from The Godfather, painted by the homeowner’s late husband. But visitors should also take note of the Buddha-with-whale-body sculpture that was salvaged from a Chinese restaurant after a fire, and the birch pole suspended from the ceiling. The original brick fireplace has been faced with concrete for a more contemporary look.
The black partition wall that separates the kitchen from the family room denotes where the home’s original exterior wall was. The previous owners were mid-way through building an addition that follows the lot’s diagonal property line when they left. The addition has been finished and extended around the kitchen area by the present owner. Of note in these rooms are the cabinet of “National Geographic/Smithsonian” treasures, a large, colourfully-painted dragon which, when the owner spotted it at Jack’s, appeared to be brown (from many layers of dust,) and the exotic Moroccan lantern over the table. The quartz countertops were chosen for their lively flecks of colour.
Due to the wealth of old and newly-planted trees on the property, the views from each window and balcony are filled with forest-like greenery and scents. A grape vine has been trained up onto the deck to bring fruit and foliage nearer to the outdoor sitting area and the master suite. Landscaping of the front and back gardens has been a labour of love for the homeowner. It is deliberately simple and serene, and reflects her desire to be surrounded by nature whether inside or out.
The meditation room showcases an impressive 280 year-old “1000 days” bed, so-called because they generally took a thousand days to carve, and it features illustrations of a mother-in-law’s efforts to encourage fertility in her new daughter-in-law. The hand-painted Tibetan meditation drum is 60-80 years old. Downstairs, the home office is handily accessible from the street yet separate from the rest of the house, and has pleasing views of the garden.
By creating a home for herself that showcases her love of art and the outdoors, the owner has followed her own work ethos: “As designers, we should always focus on creating spaces for the emotional needs of homeowners as much as their physical needs.” At 609 Lidster Place, that mission has been accomplished.
Thank you to our sponsor – New Westminster Horticultural Society: If you’re interested in gardening, this is the club for you! The Horticultural Society meets on the second Tuesday of the month (except January) at Centennial Lodge in Queen’s Park. Other activities include the Spring Plant Sale, Annual Garden Tour and Picnic, a Christmas Dinner and outings selected to provide unique gardening experiences. Contact NWHS at info@newwesthortsociety.org.
