Award-Winning Inspiration
We spend a third of our lives sleeping—and many more hours dreaming, relaxing, or escaping into a good book. Today’s primary bedroom suites go far beyond a place to rest your head. Designed as personal sanctuaries, these spaces are the ultimate expression of comfort, functionality, and luxury.
Whether you’re thinking about a custom home or planning a renovation, the primary suite is an opportunity to get personal—tailoring every inch to reflect your taste and lifestyle. And as these HAVAN Award-winning projects show, working with professional builders, renovators, and designers is key to achieving a space that’s both beautiful and built to last.
Let’s take a look inside four outstanding primary suites, each uniquely suited to their homeowners, but all showcasing the value of professional collaboration.
From Summer Escape to Forever Home
Winner: Best Primary Suite – Renovated or Custom Home
Project: Myra Canyon
Builder: Vertical Grain Projects | Photo: Janis Nicolay
Originally a summer getaway, this 4,000-square-foot home was transformed into a net-zero-ready forever home for an NHL player and his lifestyle-influencer partner. The primary suite reflects their desire for a high-end retreat, minus the flash—favouring neutral tones, refined finishes, and quality craftsmanship.
Vaulted 20-foot ceilings with hand-built trusses and penny-gap shiplap visually expand the room, while rich textures—like matte-black wainscotting and wide-plank oak floors—balance warmth with drama. A 16-foot sliding glass wall opens to a private courtyard, complete with a two-way fireplace.
Inside, a spa-like ensuite features a custom vintage-oak vanity, concrete sink, and a jaw-dropping 800-pound concrete tub (maneuvered into place with surprising ingenuity). A walk-through, 470-square-foot closet doubles as a fashion-lover’s retreat with lit custom cabinets, a makeup station, and a cozy bench beneath a skylight—perfect for quiet moments away from a bustling household of five.
Smart design and sustainable systems—like radiant heating, HRV, Control4 automation, and Lutron shades—prove luxury and performance can go hand-in-hand.
Designing for the Long Term
Finalist: Best Primary Suite – Renovated or Custom Home
Project: Forever Home in West Vancouver
Builder: Trillium Homes | Designer: Knight Varga Interiors | Photo: Janis Nicolay
Designed as a “legacy home,” this new build emphasizes longevity through material choices and layout. Every decision—right down to furniture placement—was made with care and purpose, ensuring the home supports aging in place and evolving needs.
The suite captures views year-round, with a perfectly placed bed, sheer wool drapes for light filtering, and blackout blinds for restful sleep. An elegant fireplace anchors the space, while a cozy reading nook invites slow mornings and evening escapes.
In the ensuite, high-tech Smart Glass windows transition from clear to opaque, ensuring privacy without window treatments. The shower enclosure’s smoked glass adds spatial definition and intimacy, and the use of Corian for the integrated countertop and sinks ensures durability and easy maintenance.
Layered textures—wood slats, large-format tiles, and integrated storage—elevate the room with timeless sophistication. The overall result? A serene retreat that delivers both luxury and livability.
A Modern Masterpiece of Flow and Function
Finalist: Best Primary Suite – Renovated or Custom Home
Project: So Good So Pure
Builder: Red Tree Creative Homes | Designer: Sarah Gallop Design Inc. | Photo: Onikon
Balancing aesthetics with sustainable performance, this primary suite uses a zoned layout to optimize flow, privacy, and light.
The bedroom connects to a luxurious bath and dressing area via a corridor flanked by closets. Floor-to-ceiling glass and tilt-out sliders invite natural light and fresh air into the space. A custom headboard wall, sculptural lighting, and a mix of warm woods and rich tiles add glamour without going over the top.
The ensuite features a stunning steam shower, Calacatta green slab accents, and a freestanding tub set against a dramatic tile backdrop. Motorized sheer shades, energy-efficient HVAC, and zoned electrical ensure comfort with a conscience.
Details like a makeup island, jewelry storage, and smart lighting elevate everyday routines, proving that thoughtful design enhances how a space feels—and functions.
Classic Comfort Meets Contemporary Calm
Finalist: Best Primary Suite – Renovated or Custom Home
Project: The Grand Arch
Builder: Ila Developments | Designer: Enviable Designs | Photo: Martin Knowles Photo/Media
Seeking a peaceful retreat that exudes understated luxury, the homeowners worked with their design-build team to update their space with timeless appeal and modern comfort.
Vaulted ceilings and a new back deck flood the space with light, while warm hardwood floors, custom cabinetry, and layered textures create a cozy, inviting feel. Mirrored panel doors conceal ample storage, keeping the room clutter-free and calm.
In the ensuite, marble wraps the walls and floor, providing that quintessential luxe look. A freestanding tub and dual-controlled rain shower offer spa-day indulgence, while smart plumbing and radiant heat keep things efficient behind the scenes.
This space is proof that even subtle details—like a push-button water valve, mosaic non-slip tile, and dual smart toilets—can make a big difference in both daily use and long-term value.
Bringing It Home
While each of these primary suites is unique, they all share a common thread: they were designed and built by experienced professionals who understood their clients’ lifestyles and knew how to bring their vision to life.
From big-picture planning—like home orientation and light control—to minute details like tub placement and storage lighting, a professional team ensures everything works in harmony. The result is more than just a pretty bedroom—it’s a space that nurtures rest, comfort, and joy.
Looking to build or renovate your own dream retreat?
Find trusted builders, renovators, and designers at HAVAN.ca/directory and HAVAN.ca/Awards to view more award-winning inspirational projects.
