Jenny and Koki Aihara, parents of two boys and owners of popular local restaurants Shiki Menya and First Avenue Corner Store, have successfully created their ideal family sanctuary in Calgary's Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Working with renowned interior designer Suzanne Tetrault of Studio Felix, the couple designed a custom-built home that masterfully combines Japanese and Scandinavian minimalism while maintaining the functionality needed for their busy family of four.
In 2021, the Aiharas discovered a corner lot in Mount Pleasant that would serve as the foundation for their vision. Their collaboration with Tetrault focused on creating a space that would be both sophisticated and completely livable for their growing family. The design philosophy centered around neutral tones and clean lines, enhanced by carefully selected furniture, artwork, and plants that add warmth and personality to the minimalist framework.
"They're a fairly young family, so we wanted it to look chic, and we also want it to be completely livable for a family of four," explains Tetrault. The home was completed in 2024, featuring an abundance of windows and natural light throughout – a key priority for Jenny. "We added a window literally everywhere that we could," she notes, emphasizing how important natural illumination was to their overall design concept.
The heart of the home features an open kitchen and living space specifically designed to encourage family interaction and accommodate entertaining guests. Given their background in the restaurant industry, creating a hospitable environment was essential to the Aiharas' vision. "Because we are in the restaurant industry, [it's] really important for us to have a place where we could be good hosts," Jenny explains.
Thoughtful details throughout the space reflect their hospitality background, including a built-in bar area perfect for bartending or serving coffee, a dedicated spot for playing their vinyl record collection, and a kitchen island that allows them to cook, serve, and maintain conversations with guests simultaneously. "Even the small touches help create a hospitality-focused, welcoming space," Jenny says. "It's subtle, but I definitely think it mirrors the rhythm of a restaurant, where interaction and flow are key."
Despite the emphasis on entertaining, the couple equally prioritized creating a calming retreat from their demanding professional and family responsibilities. "We also wanted our home to be a calming, minimalist space where we could recharge from the busyness of our work and family life," Jenny explains. This balance between social functionality and personal sanctuary defines the home's overall atmosphere.
Throughout the residence, subtle nods to their restaurant businesses add personal meaning to the design. Green metal stools from First Avenue Corner Store accent the kitchen, while framed Shiki Menya posters decorate the dining area. A particularly cherished piece is a custom Shiki Menya rug, created and gifted by a customer to commemorate the restaurant's 10th anniversary, which now graces the couple's bedroom.
Specific areas of the home showcase the thoughtful integration of form and function. The piano room features Koki's instrument of nearly 30 years, which the entire family now enjoys, displayed behind custom glass and powder-coated metal doors created by Edmonton metalwork company Forge 53. The kitchen embraces the home's neutral palette with white cabinetry while incorporating distinctive elements like wooden pulls on the refrigerator and a coordinating tiled backsplash and range hood.
The bar nook, strategically positioned between the kitchen and living room, facilitates easy drink preparation while showcasing the family's extensive book and record collections. The living room's open flow connects seamlessly with the kitchen, featuring low furniture and seating arrangements that encourage gathering for meal preparation, games, or reading sessions.
In the primary bedroom, the handmade Shiki Menya anniversary rug adds warmth and personal significance, complemented by a unique wall piece that Jenny and Koki created by mounting a Blacksaw wool blanket to leftover wood from the home's construction. This creative touch exemplifies their approach to incorporating meaningful, personal elements throughout the space.
The flowing, open layout combined with abundant natural light provides exactly the functionality and comfort the Aiharas sought in their welcoming family home. "We didn't set out to replicate any part of the restaurants in our home design," Jenny reflects. "But, looking at the spaces, you can definitely see the similarities, simply because it's our natural style and design taste." The result is a residence that perfectly balances their professional expertise in hospitality with their personal need for a peaceful, minimalist family sanctuary.
