2025: A Year in Review
As 2025 draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting not just on the interiors we have shaped, but on the atmosphere we have cultivated within them. At First Impression Designs, we believe that true luxury is found in the thoughtful calibration of details—the way light washes over a textured wall, the tactile weight of a bespoke finish, and the seamless flow of a room designed with purpose. This past year has been a journey of expansion and refinement, moving from the intimate storytelling of a forever home to the architectural milestones of another multi-unit development.
Our portfolio has grown in both scope and sentiment, inviting grand finishes into quiet spaces, reimagining heritage for the modern eye, and celebrating the enduring beauty of West Coast living. Join us as we look back on the projects that defined our year—each a unique chapter in our ongoing pursuit of the art of living.
1. Éclat Manoir
Location: Port Coquitlam | Status: Completed
We began the year with the comprehensive reimagining of Éclat Manoir, a project that evolved from a modest update into a total metamorphosis of the home’s character. Guided by the client's desire for an elevated living experience, the design concept celebrates grand finishes and refined materiality. We moved beyond simple renovation to create a boutique-inspired atmosphere, employing large-format porcelain slabs to define the bathrooms and classic marble flooring to ground the primary ensuite. The kitchen sets a tone of composed elegance with its hidden pantry, spacious island, and a striking black-and-white marble palette accented in gold.
The execution of the design relied heavily on custom millwork and architectural detailing to bring cohesion to the space. Existing arch details inspired a repeated motif in the new cabinetry, introducing a softness that balances the stone-clad fireplaces anchoring the living areas. From the porcelain tiles with a wood inlay pattern at the entry to the oversized cut-glass fixtures that add a moment of sparkle in the dining room, every element was chosen to balance luxury with the deep comfort of home. The result is a residence that feels both structurally significant and thoroughly inviting.
2. Winlake Fourplex
Location: Burnaby | Status: Under Construction
This project marked an exciting milestone as our firm’s first multi-unit residential development, designed in collaboration with KFA Homes. The challenge was to craft individual identities for the homes while maintaining a unified architectural vision for the building. We answered with two distinct interior concepts: Organic Modern, which embraces clean lines, natural warmth, and a simplified palette, and Contemporary Provincial, which leans into traditional detailing, fine millwork, and French influences. This dual-concept approach ensures that while the building shares a footprint, every unit possesses its own distinct narrative and character.
Our scope included the full drawing package, from finish selections to applied mouldings, ensuring every detail was integrated from planning through execution. As construction progresses, the Winlake Fourplex stands as a testament to the strength of a tailored approach, allowing for diversity and harmony to coexist within a single development. This inaugural fourplex has set a confident foundation for more multi-unit projects ahead, highlighting our commitment to versatility and design excellence in the developer market.
3. Atelier Chêne
Location: West Vancouver | Status: Complete & On Market
In the heart of West Vancouver, we introduced Atelier Chêne, a stunning expression of West Coast Contemporary design crafted in collaboration with KFA Homes. Designed as a spec home that responds to the sophistication of its setting, the project balances material richness with effortless livability. We fused natural, earthy elements with refined architectural intent to create a space that feels deeply rooted in its landscape. The design narrative is anchored by warmth, moving away from cold modernism toward something more textural and grounded for the discerning homeowner.
Our team managed the full design scope, ensuring that the architectural and interior elements were seamlessly integrated from concept to completion. Every selection—from the tactile finishes to the carefully curated lighting—was chosen to support a cohesive atmosphere of quiet elegance. Now complete and on the market, Atelier Chêne represents a refined approach to contemporary design, standing as a testament to the enduring appeal of modernism when it is warmed by natural materials and thoughtful proportions.
4. Maison Blanche
Location: West Vancouver | Status: Complete & Sold
Complementing its contemporary counterpart, Maison Blanche offers a luminous interpretation of the refined organic farmhouse aesthetic. Bathed in a light, airy palette, the interiors unfold with a quiet sophistication that feels both effortless and meticulously considered. Throughout the residence, openness and flow were prioritized, inviting natural light to dance across nuanced textures and bespoke elements. We focused on layering materials to create depth, ensuring that the space feels grounded in warmth yet elevated through thoughtful detailing.
From the comprehensive working drawings to the final placement of applied mouldings, our team ensured the architectural intent was realized in every interior moment. The design emphasizes a graceful balance between relaxed comfort and high-end luxury, characterized by soft tactile layers and harmonious proportions. Now complete, Maison Blanche stands as a sanctuary of elevated calm, resonating with a timeless style that speaks to the power of a cohesive, light-filled vision.
5. The Whitmore
Location: Langley | Status: Completed
Inspired by the timeless elegance of brick-clad collegiate buildings, The Whitmore is a refined celebration of East Coast charm. In collaboration with Foxridge Homes, we drew upon a palette of rich materials and layered textures to evoke the stately warmth of brownstone classics with a modern sensibility. Throughout the home, we employed elevated interpretations of traditional motifs—feature walls, tailored drapery, and curated architectural accents—to create spaces that feel both familiar and aspirational.
Our involvement encompassed full interior execution, including bespoke furniture procurement and specialty lighting. We chose each element to enhance the narrative of classic sophistication, ensuring every room whispers with quiet confidence and intentionality. Organic warmth and historical resonance blend seamlessly with contemporary functionality, giving The Whitmore a distinctive personality. It stands as a testament to the beauty of heritage inspiration reimagined for the way we live today.
6. AVENA HOUSE
Location: Vancouver | Status: Under Construction
Marking an exciting milestone as our first project for Highcliff Homes, Sunlit Haven is a triplex concept designed to capture the essence of a bright, uplifting atmosphere. The concept embraces a breezy aesthetic anchored in soft neutrals, warm woods, and gentle, inviting tones. The palette creates a sense of approachable sophistication throughout the units, where each material selection—from tile to millwork finishes—contributes to a feeling of quiet luxury.
The design struck such a chord with the developer that the same palette and finish strategy is already being carried forward into his next project, affirming the concept’s versatility. Our team delivered a full drawing package to ensure a thoughtful, integrated design from the ground up. As construction progresses, Sunlit Haven continues to reveal its strength as a modern refuge that is warm, airy, and beautifully composed, setting the tone for a partnership built on a shared passion for refined living.
7. Amberwood manor
Location: Abbotsford | Status: Completed
Amberwood Manor artfully marries the integrity of handcrafted tradition with a contemporary lens. Rooted in the principles of quality craftsmanship and thoughtful proportion, the design celebrates unique, well-made elements—where bespoke furniture, rich textures, and curated decor elevate every space. We selected warm neutral tones and tactile surfaces to lend an organic yet refined atmosphere, inviting both intimate gatherings and graceful entertaining.
Our scope extended to the full concept development and interior execution, ensuring that the furniture, art, and feature walls were curated with precision. Throughout the residence, each area narrates a thoughtful balance of heritage-inspired detail with clean contemporary lines. The result is a home that embodies a familiar yet sophisticated aesthetic, proving that timeless quality and effortless refinement remain the ultimate hallmarks of luxury.
8. The Legacy Estate
Location: Burnaby | Status: Under Construction
This project holds a special significance as the third home we have had the privilege of designing for this family. Envisioned as their "forever home," the design features a transitional aesthetic that leans contemporary, bringing together clean architectural lines with soft modern detailing. Every space was envisioned to support the rhythm of daily living while elevating it with refined finishes, curated materiality, and an airy, harmonious flow.
Working alongside KFA Homes, we delivered a full drawing package and custom millwork designs to ensure the home stands as a timeless backdrop for meaningful memories. Each design decision was approached with intention, balancing sophistication with the practical needs of a family home. Now under construction, The Legacy Estate is steadily taking shape, revealing a design that is grounded, modern, and built to endure—a true honor to bring to life.
9. Heritage & Home
Location: North Vancouver | Status: Completed & Moved In
We conclude our review with the client, a fresh interpretation of "New Heritage" design where timeless architectural detailing meets modern livability. Rooted in tradition yet elevated through contemporary sensibilities, the home features warm tones and layered textures that give each space character and presence. The clients arrived with a clear vision, and guiding them through the selection process allowed us to fine-tune a home that reflects their specific tastes while maintaining professional cohesion.
One of the most distinctive aspects of this project is the custom millwork. Every piece was intentionally designed to feel like a standalone furniture element, bringing artisanal charm and a bespoke quality to the entire home. Developed in collaboration with KFA Homes, this project reflects a partnership built on trust and a shared commitment to excellence. This home stands as a celebration of intentional craftsmanship, merging historical influence with a fresh, modern perspective.
10. Folia House
Location: Burnaby | Status: Completed
For The Folia House in Burnaby, the design narrative was anchored by a dramatic, large-scale mural featuring oversized foliage in warm shades of rust, copper, and gold. This artistic focal point sets a bold tone for the living space, enveloping the room in an atmosphere of organic warmth. We complemented the mural’s earthy palette with rich, tactile furnishings, selecting a curvaceous mustard chenille sofa and a dining table with a ribbed wood base to mirror the natural textures found outdoors.
To accommodate the client’s extensive botanical collection, we moved beyond standard storage to create integrated architectural solutions. A custom wood-slat feature wall was designed with dedicated floating shelves, allowing her plants to become a living extension of the interior architecture. Finished with cane-back dining chairs and sculptural lighting, the home stands as a lush, curated expression of the homeowner’s spirit, where bold design and nature seamlessly converge.
11. The Ridge Residence
Location: Coquitlam | Status: Completed
Perched high on Burke Mountain, The Ridge Residence commands a presence that matches its scenic setting. Our scope here expanded beyond curated furnishings to include refined applied mouldings that enhance the home’s architectural character. The flex room was envisioned as a dedicated space for connection, anchored by a piece with a unique story: a bespoke sofa we custom-designed to recreate a beloved profile that was no longer available on the market. This commitment to specific, meaningful details sets the tone for the home, where comfort and customization take precedence.
The great room takes full advantage of the home's natural assets, where light floods in through oversized windows to reveal panoramic city views. Here, we used applied mouldings to add architectural depth to the fireplace wall, creating a subtle yet structured backdrop for the room's centerpiece: two striking saffron-colored chairs that offer a bold, confident pop of color. The attention to lifestyle needs continues into the private quarters, featuring a tufted velvet storage bed in the secondary suite and a curated family gallery wall that transforms the hallway into a celebration of memory.
12. Highland Edit
Location: Coquitlam | Status: Completed
For The Highland Edit, our design focus centered on elevating the daily experience through thoughtful furnishings in the dining, flex, and bedroom areas. The flex room, serving as the home’s first impression, was reimagined as a sophisticated, dual-purpose reception and workspace. Moving away from traditional office layouts, we anchored the room with four inviting chairs circling a sculptural marble coffee table to encourage conversation. A discreet desk and bespoke arched shelving were integrated along the wall, offering functionality without compromising the room's warm, welcoming atmosphere.
In the living areas, the goal was to cultivate a space that felt deeply personal and complete. We introduced plush textiles in the great room to add tactile depth, carefully selecting rugs and pillows that soften the architecture. A key component of this project was the seamless blending of the homeowners' cherished existing pieces with new, curated accessories. This layering of old and new created a cohesive design narrative, resulting in a home that feels collected over time rather than staged.
13. The hearthstone house
Location: Burnaby | Status: Under Construction
Rooted in a contemporary cottage aesthetic, The Hearthstone House reimagines classic charm through a clean, modern lens. Soft neutral palettes, layered natural textures, and thoughtfully detailed finishes create a home that feels warm, inviting, and quietly refined. Designed for comfortable everyday living, the interiors balance character and simplicity—where timeless elements meet fresh, contemporary lines to form a space that feels both grounded and elevated.
Designed and built in collaboration with KFA Homes, this project continues a long-standing partnership defined by trust and shared creative vision. It also marks our first home with these wonderful clients, whose openness and confidence in the process allowed for an exceptional level of creative freedom. From a full drawing package—including working drawings, finishes and lighting selections—to custom millwork, applied mouldings, and decor/styling, every detail has been carefully considered. As the home nears completion, we’re excited to welcome the clients into a space that truly reflects their lifestyle and feels unmistakably like home.
As we turn the page to 2026, we are filled with gratitude for the clients, developers, and trades who trusted us with their visions. Each of these projects represents a dialogue between architecture and interior design, and we are incredibly proud of the stories we have written together.
We look forward to a new year of creativity, collaboration, and the continued pursuit of timeless design. From all of us at First Impression Designs, thank you for being part of our journey.
