Page 52 - 07_Sept-2025

DIVINE DWELLING
SPONSOR DWELL THEORY
Whether a painting by the homeowner’s uncle, or a table
made from a reclaimed barn door the owners found in
Vancouver, or a side table handcrafted by a local artisan, this
Westmount home’s aesthetics are Canadian through and through.
But don’t expect maple leaf motifs or other Canadiana symbols
— although there’s plenty of Oilers memorabilia in the son’s
bedroom. What designer Kim Phillips Langer of Dwell Theory has
done with this home is much more thoughtful and elevated — it’s
a philosophy that prizes handmade and locally sourced pieces to
tell the story of the family and the home.
“I prefer to choose pieces that endure,” says Phillips Langer. “I
dislike following trends and think they're relatively useless in design.”
Although the home is an infill, you may easily forget the
minute you’ve stepped inside that it hasn’t been here for 100 years.
The history of the neighbourhood is alive here — important for
the homeowner, who grew up nearby and walked past the original
home on this lot on her walk to school. Back then, the home was
occupied by legendary WWII pilot and Alberta’s first female
flight instructor, Vera Dowling. A photo of Dowling hangs near
the home’s fireplace, a tribute to the property’s history.
The electric fireplace is surrounded by a handcrafted wood
arch, made by a local woodworker, and warm, sand-coloured tiles,
bookended by built-in shelves that add to the feeling that you’re
standing in a home that has already been loved by generations.
The warm wood tones add to the historic, cozy feeling.
Step into the office and you’ll find more custom woodworking
— a bespoke oak desk designed by Phillips Langer, and more of
the rich seafoam colour that runs through the home, in the form
of built-in cabinets.
The crown jewel, however, is the recently completed ensuite
bathroom. The beautiful saturated greens and moody marble
make this bathroom a true retreat.
Altogether, the home feels totally authentic, lived in and
original. Threading together family touches, nods to the
neighbourhood’s history and handcrafted items from local
artisans makes this family home warm and inviting.
“Dwell Theory’s tagline is ‘designing homes with soul’ and I
think we’ve done that here,” says Phillips Langer. HT
See these homes in person
SEPT 13/14
PURCHASE TICKETS
PHOTOS: ZACHARY AYOTTE
2 BE Home Tour 2025