The Globe and Mail

The design process is a fluid one, particularly during construction. Even the best-laid plans can go awry, as minds and circumstances change. But with some creative thinking, the process of dealing with design obstacles can often lead to results that are superior to what was originally intended. This West Vancouver home, as I have said in previous columns, was originally custom designed for a family of four with two young girls, but it was put on the market halfway through construction. A single professional man who was interested in buying it asked for design advice before making an offer. He loved the modern architecture of the house, the site, the view and the location. But he realized that parts of the interior design wouldn't suit his lifestyle.