There are homes where the garden serves as a backdrop, and then there are homes where the landscape becomes the story itself. In Vancouver’s historic Shaughnessy neighbourhood, a renovated secondary dwelling set within a century-old estate unfolds around an enchanting garden that feels less like landscaping and more like a living narrative. Romantic yet grounded, formal yet wonderfully untamed, the property creates a world where architecture and nature exist in constant dialogue.
Every room here reaches outward, connecting with a landscape designed to reveal itself slowly — inviting discovery rather than instant gratification.
Where Heritage Meets Contemporary Living
Located in Shaughnessy, one of Vancouver’s most historic residential neighbourhoods, the home sits on grounds first designed in 1912. The area itself carries a long architectural legacy. “The neighbourhood’s layered history of thoughtful planning and architectural ambition provides a timeless, cultivated backdrop for contemporary expressions in home and garden design,” says Tasha Sangha.
Originally built as a secondary dwelling in 2004 within the grounds of a larger heritage estate, the home underwent a transformation that sought to honour both old and new. Designed by the team at Evoke International Design, the renovation carefully balances contemporary interventions with historical sensitivity.
“This renovated secondary dwelling seamlessly fuses contemporary sculptural elements like expansive black-framed windows and a dramatic white staircase with the timeless elegance of its 1912 Arts & Crafts heritage neighbor,” says Mauricio Marcantonio.
Designing A Home Around The Landscape
For the homeowners — empty nesters returning to Vancouver after years away — the garden was central to their vision. “We fell in love with the gardens around the home and wanted to bring the outside in by creating large windows with metal mullions that went from ceiling to flush with ground,” they explain. Inspired by the restrained elegance of French designers Joseph Dirand and Charles Zana, the couple envisioned a home defined by minimalism, sculptural form and material richness.
Inside, a neutral palette of warm whites, soft greys, oak flooring and marble creates a sense of quiet sophistication. Expansive steel-framed windows dissolve the divide between interior and exterior, allowing gardens to become the home's ever-changing artwork. “Our vision centered on keeping the exterior home design subtle and unobtrusive to honor the historic context, while introducing modern warmth to the interior through natural materials and a cozy color palette,” says Marcantonio.
A Real-Life Secret Garden
The landscape design by Paul Sangha Creative draws inspiration from London's intimate garden rooms — spaces built around enclosure, proportion and moments of surprise. “We looked to the intimate garden rooms of London, which so elegantly embrace enclosure, proportion, and restraint,” says Sangha. Yet perhaps the most poetic inspiration came from literature.
“Growing up, The Secret Garden by The Secret Garden was one of my most cherished books,” Sangha adds. “How fitting it has been to play a small part in crafting what we affectionately refer to as a real-life secret garden tucked away from the bustle of the city within a quiet, historic neighbourhood.” Each pathway, planting and transition was carefully considered to create a sense of movement and wonder.
A Landscape Designed For Discovery
Rather than revealing the home immediately, the route through the property unfolds gradually. “Originally a straight approach, the path now bends gently through the garden, allowing the home to reveal and conceal itself behind multi-stemmed stewartias, magnolias, and lilacs before visitors arrive at the front door,” explains Sangha.
A restored stone water feature, brought back to life using archival photographs, deepens the narrative. Mature trees, layered understory planting and flowering species create a composition that feels established and timeless rather than newly planted. Climbing roses and hydrangeas soften pergolas, while woodland gardens filled with ferns, hostas and flowering species create quieter moments of retreat. Seasonal blooms emerge unexpectedly across lawns and pathways, ensuring the garden remains in motion throughout the year.
A Living Canvas That Evolves Over Time
Unlike interiors that often feel complete the moment they are finished, landscapes continue changing. “A truly meaningful landscape is never static, but an evolving expression of care and intention over time,” says Sangha. Today, the team continues to refine and evolve the garden, introducing new species and responding to changing light, growth and seasonality.
Perhaps that ongoing transformation is what makes the project feel so compelling. Rather than a finished statement, it feels alive — a home and garden designed not only to be admired, but to be experienced over time.
Credits
Landscape architecture: Paul Sangha Creative, Instagram, @paulsanghacreative
Architecture: Evoke International Design, Instagram: @evokeid
Interior design: James McIntyre Interior Design and Evoke International Design in collaboration with the homeowners, Instagram: @jrmcintyre
Photos: Ema Peter, Instagram: @emaphotographi
Production: Karine Monié, Instagram: @karinemonie
