When a person is immersed in their dream career, they simply radiate. This is precisely what we witnessed in our recent conversation with Sara Brown, principal designer of Brown & Co. The firm is based in the Pitt Meadows area of the beautiful Fraser Valley, near the west coast of BC.
Brown’s interest in design started at an early age. Raised in a home her father built, she learned early on the importance of making a house a home. Both her mother and grandmother applied their considerable sewing talents to interior décor by reupholstering furniture, and creating draperies and linens while constantly re-imagining interior spaces. Born in California, Brown often returns to visit her extended family in Sacramento. She has an appreciation for the laid-back Californian lifestyle, especially the aesthetic of idyllic Santa Barbara.
Earlier in her design career, Brown learned the importance of collaboration with multiple team members. This includes marketing, sales teams and architects on large multi-family residential projects. Today, multi-family and major residential projects are a mainstay of Brown & Co.’s portfolio. Brown enjoys collaborating with developers who understand the importance of being unique.
“The developers I work closely with allow me to be creative and include memorable design features to set the development apart. My goal is to bring the warmth and comfort of home into every space we create.”
Sara Brown, principal designer of Brown & Co
Timeless Wood Floors Achieve the Desired Texture
With Brown’s family background rooted in textiles and homesteading, her design aesthetic is focused on texture above all else. “Creating a balance of finishes throughout a space is key. Natural textures in varying shades can achieve an overall calming effect and the perfect backdrop for curating a well-balanced living space.”
Having used Timeless Floors for over ten years, their texture and finish is what she most appreciates. “Most of the collections we use from Timeless have a sawn-faced fumed wire brushed finish, creating a very natural aesthetic that complements the other design elements beautifully.”
Feature Project: Lanstone Homes | Reunion: Character Lives Here
Brown & Co. was proud to be part of Reunion, a unique five-acre community of 54 residences on the site of the historic Murrayville Elementary School, launched in 2020.
Reunion includes a significant restoration of the original schoolhouse built in 1911 with its transformation into six condominiums. An additional 48 townhomes were constructed on the surrounding grounds that include old-growth oak trees.
Brown’s team creatively preserved original beams from the historic school and used them throughout the townhomes – featured as the hood fan detail, fireplace mantles as well as the master ensuite mirror details.
Reunion Details:
- 48 woodframe townhomes
- 6 condos in restored 1911 schoolhouse
- Location: 48 Avenue & Old Yale Road
- Building Type: Townhouse
- Completed In: September 2020
- Builder(s): Lanstone Homes
- Architect(s): Focus Architecture
- Interior Design: Brown & Co
- Sales & Marketing Company: Breakside Real Estate Group
True to the project’s tagline “Character Lives Here,” Brown & Co. used character-grade Timeless floors from our Kootenay collection: Sparwood and Drysdale. These floors retain the natural knots from the hardwood tree, and have a textured, wire-brushed look.
Up Next for Brown & Co: Mirada Estates by Miracon
Brown and her team are excited to be working on a new development called Mirada Estates by Miracon. These are spacious single-family homes in Langley West and feature heritage-style exteriors with artisan-inspired interiors.
These will feature Timeless engineered wood flooring from our longstanding Scotia collection – Brookfield and Bridgefield:
As construction is still underway, we have included renderings of the overall design. The exteriors exude classic elegance with peaked rooftops and quaint front porches. True to Brown’s aesthetic, the interiors are beautifully textured with a warm and natural colour palette.
Timeless: More Than Just the Flooring
While texture is a key criterion when choosing flooring, Brown does cite a few other important reasons for specifying Timeless.
“Timeless is a quality product at an affordable price point while being able to maintain the level of design aesthetic I am looking to achieve. I have confidence in specifying their hardwood knowing my developers have had success with it over the years.”
But perhaps the most important reason she chooses Timeless is customer service. “Whenever I need a sample, their team is right on it. They make every effort to provide flooring that will suit the design concept but also work within budget. They have also been able to stay ahead of today’s supply chain issues – I always know the product will be on-site when we need it.”
To check out more of Brown’s work, visit brownandco.ca or follow her socials @brownandco.ca.
- Brown & Co: @brownandco.ca
- Lanstone Homes: @lanstonehomes
- Miracon: @miracondevelopment