Over the past 20 years, regardless of a project's scope—whether it’s an affordable façade facelift, an addition, a full rebuild, or new construction—the Intermind Design team has consistently enriched the street appeal of homes. Their sophisticated exteriors seamlessly blend contemporary design with the historical essence of the neighborhood.
Drawing inspiration from a variety of styles and influences, the exteriors designed by Intermind Design resonate deeply with homeowners' desires to express unique character while fostering a welcoming street presence.
If you're planning to refresh your curb appeal or boost the value of your home in 2025, these inspiring home exterior remodel ideas are sure to spark your creativity.
01 WINDOW INTO WORLD
Full re-built after lifting the house & building new foundation, Victoria Park, Vancouver
Many people see older homes as either candidates for complete teardown or faithful restoration. However, there is a middle ground. In Europe, it’s common to rebuild homes by blending original architectural elements with modern updates—a philosophy that inspired the transformation of a Craftsman row house in Vancouver’s vibrant neighborhood fondly known as The Drive.
Built during the Roaring Twenties, this home was one of many nearly identical row houses designed in the Vancouver Craftsman style. Its defining features included a distinctive roofline with a prominent front gable flanked by secondary gables, an inset front porch, an upper balcony, and a covered entry. Over time, however, poor renovations stripped the home of its character: the front porch was enclosed, the siding was covered in stucco, and much of its architectural charm was lost.


Fast forward to the lively energy of The Drive, a multicultural hub of people, shops, and restaurants. When new owners set out to rejuvenate the house, they embraced a bold vision. The home was gutted, lifted, and reimagined with a striking postmodern design. Key updates included a two-story front window, porthole windows, and vibrant postmodern colors that emphasized its architectural elements. The exterior was clad in a mix of traditional and modern materials, creating a captivating aesthetic that honored its historical roots while introducing contemporary flair.

Two decade later, the house continues to exude personality, blending seamlessly into the unique and eclectic character of The Drive.
02 BACK TO FUTURE
Front & back addition, complete interior& exterior re-built, Vernon, British Columbia

Originally built in 1940s this by European immigrants this home in Vernon, British Columbia was influenced by industrial design, European functionalism, and romantic cottage alike traditional style.

BOLD FAÇADE EXPANSION
The original Storybook façade was boldly enhanced with a protruding tower featuring a two-story corner window, a metal roof, a seamless rear extension, attic dormer windows, oversized pivot front door, floating stairway, Hardie panels, as well as numerous sustainable and energy-efficient features.
Design by Intermind Design Inc & Adaptive Design

03 WEST SIDE STORY
Full interior and exterior upgrade, Dunbar Area, Vancouver

When built in 1992, this Vancouver West Side home fell into the unfortunately common and characterless aesthetic prevalent at the time. Known as the "1980s Vancouver Special 2.0," it featured a boxy design with stucco and brick finishes, a bay window, and little architectural detail to distinguish it. While functional and cost-effective, this style lacked the charm and individuality of earlier architectural periods.
Homes in this style were a practical response to urban densification and the desire for larger family homes, but they often prioritized space and efficiency over design creativity. As a result, the house blended into a sea of similarly uninspired structures, becoming a reflection of a transitional era in Vancouver's architectural landscape.

Modern house exterior design is about more than curb appeal—it ensures durability, efficiency, and long-term satisfaction.
High-quality materials such as featured Nichiha panels, wood alike metal longboard siding, metal beams, frameless glass, polished concrete, etc. offer a sleek, timeless look while requiring minimal maintenance. These durable options withstand Vancouver’s wet weather while reducing upkeep costs compared to traditional materials. Sustainable exterior materials also enhance energy efficiency, with insulated materials and sustainable designs that lower energy bills and reduce environmental impact.
Beyond practicality, this premium exterior with large glass areas, Nano door walls, provided opportunity for personalization, allowing our repeated clients to create a unique look that reflects their style: modern simplicity with compromising on warm, welcoming appeal of North West homes .
04 URBAN OASIS
Full duplex RE-BUILT with new basement, interior and exterior upgrade, Vancouver East

This duplex, built in the early 20th century, predates all other houses on the block. Unlike its neighboring properties, it lacks a front setback, with its front steps leading directly to the sidewalk. This unique positioning offers an unexpected advantage—a remarkably deep, south-facing backyard. This expansive outdoor space serves as an ideal canvas for the owners, who are passionate gardeners and great advocates of a green living lifestyle.

Here is how the owner Bev Pister described their experience rebuilding this unique home:
Our home could best be described as eclectic. Concrete floors covered with colourful woven tribal carpets. White gallery-style walls adorned with travel photography and other mementos. Antique furniture mixed with a high tech sound and security system. A reproduction drafting table in the dining room, next to a gourmet cook’s kitchen. It’s anything but cookie-cutter.
It may appear effortlessly, even carelessly, thrown together, but in fact the look is the result of hours of collaboration between ourselves and our designer-builder, Mila Djuras. As she got to know us and we her, it became apparent that ours was a match mostly made in heaven. And any conflict that arose only spurred discussion and enhanced the final product.
The original house, built in 1917, was poorly constructed. The root-cellar basement foundation was crumbling, the balloon framing was flimsy, the walls were minimally insulated, the plumbing and electrical were outdated, and the interior was chopped up into three suites. It could have been a tear down except for the fact that the south-facing rear garden was enormous and the only way to maintain the footprint was to “renovate”. What was once the ugliest house in the neighbourhood is now the loveliest.
It is said that home is the story of who we are and a collection of what we love. This could not be truer for our home. It is where we display our travel treasures and entertain friends. It’s where we garden, cook and plan future trips. It is our refuge, where we take shelter and recharge. It is a place of both comfort and stimulation. Truly a place of warmth and joy, it’s our home.
And now, it is sold to new owners who are thrilled to have acquired such a remarkable abode. My husband and I are moving on, to a new property in the Okanagan. As we work to redesign that house, we know that having Mila on our team will make all of the difference and that once again we will be able to create a home that tells the story of who we are.
05 MID-CENTURY REVIVAL
Front addition with full interior and exterior upgrade, New Westminster

Originally built in 1962, this home was featured in a 1963 edition of Western Living. In 2014, owner and interior designer Sherri Summers collaborated with the Intermind Design team to meticulously renovate the entire interior and add a master suite to the front of the home. The result is a beautifully updated 2,259-square-foot, split-level, post-and-beam residence. Its open-concept living space boasts a vaulted ceiling, a limestone fireplace, and a high-end kitchen designed for entertaining.
The exterior blends original and modern elements, featuring the original stone wall—now fully exposed in the renovated master bedroom—along with Hardie panels, cedar screens and fencing, vertical blue accent paneling, and lush landscaping.
The home has earned multiple accolades over the years, including being a finalist in the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association Ovation Awards and the Georgie Awards. It was also proudly featured in the 2017 New Westminster Heritage Homes Tour.

06 OH NO, VANCOUVER SPECIAL
Full interior and exterior upgrade, Deer Park, Burnaby
Vancouver Specials, Once Considered Unattractive 970S "Shoeboxes," Have Been Transformed Through Innovative Exterior Renovations. Architects And Contractors Have Reimagined These Boxy Homes With Modern Materials, Sleek Lines, And Thoughtful Design Elements.

From Updated Facades To Expanded Outdoor Spaces, These Homes Now Blend Mid-Century Structure With Contemporary Style. Enhanced Curb Appeal. Eco-Friendly Materials, And Strategic Landscaping Have Turned These Once-Ignored Houses Into Stunning, Sought-After Properties, Celebrated In Annual "Heritage" Tours Showcasing Their Remarkable Exterior Makeovers.

This exterior makes a striking statement on the street while seamlessly reflecting the home’s modern interior. Owners sought to completely reinvent their home’s style, aiming for a design that blended effortlessly with the neighborhood yet showcased a distinctly modern aesthetic. Taking cues from the classic 'Vancouver Special' exterior, Intermind Design team reimagined the home’s façade with contemporary updates. The old deck, sliding doors, and iron railings were removed and replaced with smooth cedar tongue-and-groove detailing, black fascia framing retrofitted windows, and a bold front door that commands attention.
07 KITSILANO CRAFTSMAN
Full interior and exterior upgrade, Kitsilano, Vancouver West Side

A tired 1920s Craftsman home has been skillfully transformed for the 21st century by preserving its original architectural elements and incorporating a mix of natural, modern, and environmentally friendly materials. The updates include thermally modified wood, recycled granite, slate, textured slabs, glass railings, and a durable metal roof.
A long, sloped timber wall now separates the front yard from the sidewalk, while the originally centered stairway was strategically relocated to a corner. This adjustment allowed for an extended central patio area, discreetly tucked behind a green focal point. The street stairway, crafted from granite slabs, is bordered by natural rocks adorned with a variety of foliage.
The front gardens are carefully designed, featuring tall, shady plants flanking the stairway, a rock garden with wetland plants near the sitting area, and a well-proportioned “living wall” that serves as a focal point. This thoughtful arrangement enhances curb appeal while providing privacy.
The façade and landscape seamlessly integrate with the home’s equally eclectic and modern interior design.

08 1950’s Heirloom Reimagined:
Breathing New Life Into a Family Treasure
Full interior and exterior upgrade, New Westminster


09 QUEENS PARK WORKER’S COTTAGE I
Full interior and exterior upgrade, Queens Park, New Westminster
Whatever you’re a history enthusiast or an admirer of modern renovations, these two homes stand as a testament to enduring charm of Queen’s park and it’s ability to evolve with time.

This worker’s cottage home exemplifies the dynamic interplay of preservation and reinvention that characterizes much of more modest Queen’s Park homes. While it’s structure and origins remain rooted in the late XIX century (1894), the updates reflect the adaptability and vibrancy of the neighborhood today.
10 QUEENS PARK WORKER’S COTTAGE II
Full interior and exterior upgrade, Queens Park, New Westminster

While this home retained nearly all of its original structural features, its appearance was completely transformed with modern updates. New black windows, a black metal awning, a semi-transparent screened pergola, and horizontal cedar railings on the front balcony add contemporary elegance. The sharp white exterior paint, a paved front deck, and strategic landscaping further enhance the transformation. The former side deck has been enclosed with three-season screens, Dutch windows, and a gas fireplace, completing the upgrade into a charming modern abode.
11 EDWARDIAN BOX
Full interior and exterior upgrade, Uptown, New Westminster

This late Victoiran, early Edwardian-era classic box-style home has been extensively transformed over time. Built by real estate investor Edward Chapman, it was considered affordable rental housing in its day.
This is how the owner, Carmen Dunn describes history & fully updated exterior of her treasured home
This handsome home has been extensively transformed from its original late Victorian, early Edwardian-era classic box-style. Built in 1902 by Edward Chapman, a local real estate investor, it was considered affordable rental housing in its day. Chapman’s daughter Alice was married to Frederick Hart, who owned F.J. Hart Real Estate and Insurance – his son, Robert K. Chapman (who built 227 Third Ave. in 1909), would become a partner in his brother-in-law’s company.
Chapman House has a moderately pitched, hipped roof and one-storey bay window. The rear addition was built in 1913. Alterations include the exterior cladding, entry porch, and decorative shutters. The house was originally occupied by John Morrison (engineer). In 1908-9, R.A Trethway (Lumberman) took it over the lease and lived there for two years.
Carpenter and prominent New Westminster home-builder R.G Patterson lived in the home from 1913-1949. He built the house next door at 612 Fourth Avenue in 1939. The Walter Lyle family also had a long tenure in Chapman House.
If you know this house, you may remember it from its glory days when there was a chandelier and grand piano in the front bay window. The 1970’s saw more renovation – an extension was added at the back, a drop ceiling was installed in what is now the tea room with bay windows, and parquet flooring was installed on the first floor. In 2021, Chapman House escaped potential demolition, undergoing significant updates to preserve this piece of history while modernizing it to today’s standards.
Exterior updates include removal of the original old-growth siding as it was so badly damaged by the weather and ivy plants. It was replaced with white Hardie shingles. The windows were replaced with energy efficient, triple paned black metal windows to give it a fresh, modern look. A new door was installed and painted in a bright turquoise to give the house a pop of colour.

12 TRADITION IN TRANSITION
Full interior and exterior upgrade, Coquitlam

Although the initial focus was on the interior, the exterior now makes an equally dramatic statement, perfectly mirroring the home’s bold modern interior. The updated façade features Hardie siding, wood-alike metal longboard accents, energy-efficient windows with a striking black focal window that brings abundant natural light into the dining room, a solid wood front door, glass railings, a contemporary garage door, and ambient and accent lighting.
'For me, designing this home was about incorporating the clean lines of modern design while maintaining warmth and creating a timeless aesthetic,' explains Mila. 'We essentially established a new tradition that strikes the perfect balance—not too casual, not too formal—harmonizing with the house, its location, and the needs of this lovely family.'

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