VICTORIA’S HOME & D E S I G N MAGAZINE
the summer issue
INSPIRING HOMES & INTERIORS sprucemagazine.ca PM41295544
Bathroom, Kitchen, Lighting, Door Hardware, Cabinet Hardware, Custom Wine Storage & much more.
The Design of Water, The Sound of Wellness Hi-fi by Gessi is a friendly, accurate, responsive, discreet, elegant interface for wellness through water. Sophisticated technical and aesthetic research conducted by Gessi in the groove of excellence led the Company to integrally reinterpret the original design of the hi-fi analogic music systems of the ´80s and ´90s. The aim was to transfer their look and feel into the intimate and relaxing atmospheres of the Private Wellness® universe.
Experience Our Fully Functioning Showroom In Person Simply peruse in peace or have one of our expert team members guide you through our extensive collection of bathroom, kitchen, lighting and hardware fittings.
You Dream It, We’ll Find It. Cantu Bathrooms and Hardware Ltd.
8351 Ontario St. Vancouver BC V5X 3E8 Tel 604.688.1252 | www.cantubathrooms.com copyright © 2021 Cantu Bathrooms and Hardware Ltd.
CUSTOM
MADE TO MEASURE
JUST FOR YOU
1745 BLANSHARD ST, VICTORIA, BC MONDAY—SATURDAY
250.383.2635
URBANAKITCHENS.CA
IN THIS ISSUE SUMMER 2021
On the cover This custom architectural home embraces forest living. Page 22
46
22
40
FEATURES
18
22
32
40
46
Two designers transform an underused space in their home into a beachside guest suite.
This custom home features striking architectural details designed to frame the rainforest.
A 1949 bungalow near the Gorge Waterway undergoes a familyfriendly, gardeninspired renovation.
A YouTuber’s downtown condo features a sleek custom kitchen — and stunning views.
This award-winning space offers a multitude of ways to make the most of outdoor living.
B Y NESSA PULLMAN
B Y LINDA BARNARD
B Y DANIELLE POPE
B Y KIM PEMBERTON
B Y DAVID LENNAM
THE SUITE LIFE
6
SPLENDOUR IN THE TREES
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN
ALL ABOUT THE VIEWS
LIFE AL FRESCO
100% Victoria Owned
INCREDIBLE HOME WWW.INCREDIBLEHOME.CA
Live Life Incredibly
CLOSETS • KITCHENS EURO CLOSET DOORS
52 IN THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS
10
EDITOR’S LETTER
12
S PRUCE IT UP
16
DESIGN FIX
Ideas for creating better spaces, indoors and out.
Decorating tips for awkward spaces.
We specialize in traditional carpentry and fine craftsmanship in Victoria, BC. We design, build and renovate buildings and structures that are durable and authentic at a good value.
BY DANISHA DRURY
50
12
DESIGN INSPO
Converting an underutilized garage to add living space. BY ATHENA McKENZIE
52
ASK THE EXPERT
Jim Brown and Dustin Wiffen of Kilo Pools share their insights into building a backyard oasis. BY ATHENA McKENZIE
56
REAL ESTATE
The market for green homes. BY SHANNON MONEO
www.green-island-builders.com info@green-island-builders.com @green_island_builders
8
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
58
FINISHING TOUCH
A state-of-the-art pergola system extends the usability of a stylish backyard.
56
V I C TO R I A’ S H O M E & D E S I G N M AG A Z I N E
PUBLISHERS Lise Gyorkos,
Georgina Camilleri
MANAGING EDITOR Athena McKenzie
PRODUCTION MANAGER Jennifer Kühtz
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jeffrey Bosdet
DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Amanda Wilson
CUSTOM HOME BUILDER RENOVATIONS
LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Janice Hildybrant
ASSOCIATE GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jo-Ann Loro, Caroline Segonnes
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Carla Sorrell EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Aldyn Chwelos ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Rebecca Juetten
CONTENT MARKETING COORDINATOR Emily Dobby
PROOFREADER Lenore Hietkamp CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Linda Barnard, Danisha Drury,
David Lennam, Shannon Moneo, Kim Pemberton, Nessa Pullman, Danielle Pope
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dasha Armstrong, Jody Beck,
Jeffrey Bosdet, Joshua Lawrence, Ema Peter, Christian J. Stewart
CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES Stocksy p. 57 ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Deana Brown, Cynthia Hanischuk,
Brenda Knapik
GENERAL INQUIRIES info@sprucemagazine.ca
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@sprucemagazine.ca
250.516.1353 info@carsaconstruction.ca carsaconstruction.ca
TO SUBSCRIBE TO SPRUCE subscriptions@sprucemagazine.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES sales@sprucemagazine.ca ONLINE sprucemagazine.ca INSTAGRAM @sprucemagazinevictoria FACEBOOK sprucevictoria
TWITTER @sprucevictoria
ON THE COVER
Splendour in the Trees, story on page 22. Photo by Ema Peter Spruce magazine is published by Page One Publishing 580 Ardersier Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 1C7 T 250-595-7243 info@pageonepublishing.ca pageonepublishing.ca
ADVERTISE IN SPRUCE MAGAZINE
Spruce is Victoria’s home and design magazine. For advertising info, please call us at 250-595-7243 or email sales@sprucemagazine.ca. Printed in Canada by Transcontinental Printing. Ideas and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Page One Publishing Inc. or its affiliates; no official endorsement should be inferred. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement and any and all representations or warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not the publisher. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in all or part, in any form — printed or electronic — without the express permission of the publisher. The publisher cannot be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement 41295544
Spectacular Waterfront Estate on Cordova Bay LISTED AT $8,990,000 • 7,896 sq.ft. • 6/7 beds • 8 baths • Gourmet Kitchen • 2nd Chef’s Kitchen • Hotel-Style Onyx Bar & Teppanyaki Grill • Glass Wine Cellar • Tea Room • Home Theatre • Gym with Views • Infinity pool & Hot Tub • Putting Green • Stairs to Beach
CONTACT LISA TODAY.
Lisa Williams Personal Real Estate Corporation
250-514-1966 LisaWilliams.ca Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Independently Owned and Operated. E.&O.E sothebysrealty.ca
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
9
EDITOR’S LETTER
The Benefit of Experience
T
BUYING OR SELLING? I am dedicated to providing my clients with exceptional service, sound negotiating techniques and constant communication throughout the real estate process.
Call Andrew Maxwell for a complimentary consultation.
250.213.2104 amaxwell@sothebysrealty.ca
he old adage “You don’t know what you don’t know” rings especially true with certain things “Between the — building, renovation and interior design fall well within the danger zones. It’s not a stretch uneven subfloor, to say the average homeowner isn’t aware of the gaps the fact that the in their knowledge when it comes to the requirements drywall didn’t meet for a successful — and safe — project. Enraptured by at a 90-degree the vision they have for their dream space, they don’t realize the true potential for mayhem. Sometimes angle, and the “do-it-yourself jobs” can swell beyond a homeowner’s crooked entry way, capabilities. Television shows like HGTV’s Fix My Fail my attempt at a or the DIY Network’s Disaster DIY, as well as countless white-and-black YouTube videos, offer cautionary tales, highlighting the extremes of how far things can go wrong, from checkerboard plumbing “mishaps” (we’ll just leave it at that) and floor was Escherelectrical fires, to cabinets collapsing off the walls. The esque in the worst most common — and less dramatic — complication possible sense. ” is that the project gets abandoned halfway through, leaving occupants in a state of limbo. The majority of build and renovation fails obviously don’t make it to television, but there are plenty of instances where homeowners attempting a DIY have made a mess of it. A 2019 survey by improvenet.com, an online referral network for renovators, found that 66 per cent of participants regretted their DIY project, and 33 per cent had to call in a professional to redo the work. The DIY project that gave rise to the most regrets? Installing floor tiles. I myself can attest to the frustration of this particular endeavour, having tried to retile the kitchen in my first house. Between the uneven subfloor, the fact that the drywall didn’t meet at a 90-degree angle, and the crooked entry way, my attempt at a white-and-black checkerboard floor was Escher-esque in the worst possible sense. Beyond the risk of a renovation fail, a homeowner may lack the training and vision to see the true potential of a space. Designers and builders are able to deliver beyond the standardized approach one might find in a DIY inspirational video. When planning a renovation or new custom home, their specialized experience allows them to plan the space to fit the homeowner’s life, addressing how the occupants live and how the design can contribute to quality of life. They know how to factor in layers of considerations, such as sources of natural light, energy efficiency, functionality, comfort, focal points, ideal furniture layout, and how each space ties into the other areas of the home. Whether it’s turning an attached car-garage into a sleek media room (see page 50), designing a modern home to perfectly frame the stunning views of the surrounding rainforest (page 22), turning two underutilized bedrooms into an inviting guest suite, or creating a multi-tiered backyard recreational dream space (page 46), the value of having expert help cannot be overstated. Here in Victoria, we are blessed with a wide array of design and build specialists, many of whom can be found in the pages of our Summer Issue. Happy reading.
A N D R EW M AXWELL .CA SOT H E BYSR E A LT Y.CA Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Independently Owned and Operated. E.&O.E
10
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
Athena McKenzie, Managing Editor
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” — Dr. Seuss
You are unique, your home is unique, and Luxe is not your typical furniture store. At Luxe Home Interiors we believe in curating an inspiring shopping experience where customers can see, touch and feel great treasures that cannot be found anywhere else. We believe in shopping local, and relish the beautiful human connections that happen with in-person shopping. All of our salespeople are skilled designers. Let us help you tell your unique story. Visit us at our NEW HOME at 564 Yates Street, conveniently located across from the Bastion Square Parkade (first hour free)!
564 Yates St 250.386.7632 luxevictoria.ca
SPRUCE IT UP
A Fresh Take
PRIVACY PLUS
Whether they are used to delineate areas or pathways in a larger backyard, or to create privacy on condo patios or roofs, a privacy screen planter combo can make for a pleasing visual focal point. The integral privacy screens from Pot Inc. in Vancouver require no assembly. Simply place screens inside planters — they are compatible with the company’s Geo 2, 3 and Midero planter sets as well as Bordo 30" planters — and add filler, soil and plants. Laser cut, hand bent and made from powder-coated eight-gauge aluminum or 10-gauge Corten steel, the screens come in a range of natural colours to complement a variety of landscaping esthetics. Available through potinc.ca
12
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
IDEAS FOR CREATING BETTER SPACES, INDOORS AND OUT.
LIGHT IT UP
MARTIN CHUM
As with interiors, the right outdoor lighting adds functionality and ambience. The new Bonbori collection, created by world-renowned Japanese designer Fumie Shibata, is available in both indoor and outdoor variants. The lights were inspired by the traditional paper lamps that line the paths to shrines and temples during the annual paddy harvest festivals in Japan. The outdoor version boasts a simple stainless-steel base, finished in an environmentally friendly, weatherresistant powder coating. The easily removable LED light source, which can withstand below-freezing temperatures, shines through a diffuser and laser-cut openings, casting a gentle glow. Available through lightform.ca
RISE AND SHINE
The West Coast’s wet weather can put a damper on outdoor entertaining — and can damage your outdoor furniture over time. The Mimosa Pod, built by Live Edge Design, is a “roofed table,” which comes in two sizes. The automated sunshade allows you to choose the elevation of its roof, to protect from all angles of the sun and from all kinds of weather. When the evening draws to a close, you can lower the roof to encapsulate the table, chairs and cushions — and even table settings, dramatically extending the life of your outdoor table. Available through liveedgedesign.com
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
13
SHOWERS TO MAKE YOU SING
25 years of finely crafted, handmade cabinetry, furniture & millwork 259 Esquimalt Road 250.360.2123 douglasgrantcabinetmakers.com
With people using their bathrooms more as places of retreat and pampering, the “wellness bathroom” is on the rise, with specialized luxury touches. Gessi Hi-Fi is a cutting-edge showering system with the streamlined design of a classic stereo. Temperature and flow rate are adjusted by dials (which click like a hi-fi when turned up or down), and waterflow can be selected at the touch of a button, with rainfall, waterfall, hand shower and nebulizer options. Available through cantubathrooms.com
O
O U T L OOKS
D E S I G N L
T
D
Outlooks Design is proud to carry the handwoven, earth-friendly Hartmann&Forbes lines of shades, drapes, wall coverings and fabrics. For an in-home or studio consultation, phone Paula Grypma
250-656-7659
OUTLOOKSDESIGN.COM 101-9818 Third Street, Sidney
Create your sanctuary through natural design.
GET CYCLING
Many homeowners love the idea of composting, but hate actually doing it — given the odours and potential for mess. The Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50 is a compact food recycler that addresses these concerns. Its carbon-filter lid eliminates odours, so you can keep the removable waste bucket under your sink or on your countertop and fill it with scraps after every meal. The unit then turns these food scraps into fertilizer, reducing your family’s food waste. Available through vitamix.com/ca
14
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
Best-Dressed Windows BLINDS, SHADES AND SHUTTERS COMPLETE THE LOOK OF A ROOM WHILE PROVIDING SHADE AND PRIVACY.
T
he summer sun is lovely, but its early appearance in the morning and the heat it can generate in our homes can have one looking for solutions. Luckily there are stylish options, with lots of variety to appeal to a range of personal tastes. Window coverings can provide darkness for improved sleep or create the ideal environment for television watching. They can also provide insulation at the window to control heat and help you save on energy bills. Along with these functional purposes, treatments can transform a simple window into something more visually pleasing. Cellular honeycomb shades, which come in a wide range of fabrics and colours, are one of the more multifaceted window treatments available. Fabric window shadings can give a clean, modern line and allow variable light control. Window shutters are also extremely versatile and can look modern, transitional or traditional, depending on how and where you use them. Find local retailers at hunterdouglas.ca
Top: Duette Honeycomb Shades have a honeycomb construction to provide insulation and energy efficiency. The new LightLock iteration promises “unparalleled darkness,” and optimizes absorption or deflection of incoming light. Above: Pirouette shadings feature softly contoured, front-facing fabric vanes attached to a single sheer backing. Left: NewStyle Hybrid shutters are made from a wood composite material with a special polypropylene coating to help it last.
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
15
DESIGN FIX BY DANISHA DRURY
Decorating Tips for Awkward Spaces INTERIOR DESIGNER DANISHA DRURY USES SMART FLOOR PLANNING TO MAKE THE MOST OF HER IRREGULARLY SHAPED LIVING ROOM.
A
common decorating problem is dealing with all the factors that can interfere with your ideal furniture layout. My own living room presented a challenge with its multiple entryways, large window and fireplace. There wasn’t an obvious place for a sofa that didn’t bump up against one of these elements. It took planning, but I was able to set everything up in a way that was both functional and visually appealing. There are general tips you can follow when dealing with your own awkward space.
Entry
Entry
Nothing affects ease of movement and functionality like spacing. Measuring a room and also knowing the dimensions for the pieces you plan to add not only improve the room’s flow, but can make the space feel balanced, drawing attention away from any tricky nooks. • Find your centre focal point by measuring the space, and then centre furniture, art and décor around that focal point.
Shelf
To deal with the space challenges in her own living room, interior designer Danisha used creative space planning, with round side tables and ottomans instead of a traditional coffee table.
1 | Know Your Numbers
18-inch Side Table
• Allow for three to four feet for entry around furniture. Even if you have just one entry to the room, try to keep this area clear for at least three feet for passage. • If hanging art or mirrors, always hang at eye level. If you’re planning an art wall, start with a central piece hung at eye level and work your way up, down and sideways from there.
Chair (33"W x 29"D)
16-inch Side Table
Fireplace
• When hanging drapery, mount 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the floor to allow for proper draw without drag.
2 | Furnishings that Fit
You may have to let go of some existing pieces. For the best outcome, furniture and décor should be curated to the room.
20-inch Ottoman
• Leggy furniture can add an airy feel, but too many legs can also look busy and overly traditional. It’s important to balance this detail.
Sofa (81"W x 27"D) 23-inch Ottoman
16-inch Side Table
22-inch Side Table
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
• Sometimes it’s okay to forgo the coffee table and opt for ottomans and interesting side tables instead. • Side tables for each seat allow guests to feel more comfortable and enjoy their nibbles or beverages close at hand.
Window Seat
16
TV Console
• If a space is small, large sectionals can emphasize the size and also be difficult to navigate around.
• If you need to divide the space, try arranging a sofa, a long ottoman or even two chairs to define the living room as a separate area.
FURNITURE FOR TRICKY SPACES
Why work with Robyn?
Here are some Spruce picks for adaptable pieces that work in most rooms, no matter the size or shape.
“Robyn is so knowledgeable, courteous and insightful. She certainly has a keen awareness of the market. Her negotiating skills are outstanding! I feel very fortunate to have had her as my REALTOR®” - P.K.
1
2 5 3
4 1 With narrow legs for an airy feel, the Mercana Colburne II Series A Three Seater Upholstered Sofa offers comfortable deep-padded seating in a selection of stylish finishes.
2 The staggered glass globes of the Currey & Co. Farnsworth Floor Lamp add vertical visual interest and a touch of midcentury modern style.
3 The Valerie, from Made Goods, can be used as an ottoman or accent table. It is set off the ground with small feet and the woven seagrass adds rich texture.
3 | Decorate to the Space
Esthetic cohesion is one way to focus the eye and detract from a room’s awkward shape. • To anchor the space, add a textured area carpet. It’s definitely “the bigger the better” when it comes to area carpets, as this will give the illusion of a larger footprint and will draw the eye outward (whereas a smaller carpet draws the eye inward, making the space feel smaller).
4 Available in a variety of sizes, the Genesis Ges30 rug from Jaipur Living features a painterly abstract design inspired by the expressionist effect of modern art.
5 Kravet’s Anya is a set of three antique brass metal tables with white marble tops. Each table is a different size, and the set can be grouped together or around the room as needed.
colour (but different shapes and textures) and greenery. Treasures from travels can be a good jumping off point for inspiration too. • Try to seasonally switch up décor, even if it’s just moving around the same pieces. This allows for a fresh take every three months so you don’t feel ho-hum sticking with one look.
4 | Layer in Lighting
• Avoid too much of the same texture, like leather on leather. It’s better to have a variety, even if it’s tone on tone. This will add more texture variety to the room, increasing visual appeal.
Gone are the days of just adding lamps. Lighting plays one of the biggest roles in our homes. It can stimulate so many moods and provide wonderful vignettes. Consider it as the final “pièce de résistance” that will make a room or area come to life.
• Make sure your house plants are on plastic feet or a stand so you don’t ruin your floors. Stands can be fun if you have the space, as a range of heights will also add visual interest to a room.
• Upwards, downwards and sideways — that’s how I like to see lighting being used in our modern-day world.
• When decorating built-ins, pick a décor theme that resonates with you — and stay with it, layering in consistent colours and styles. An example would be a coastal theme, which could incorporate shells, books, vases of similar
• Add sconces to an unexpected wall. • Place floor lights to cast cool shadows on a fireplace or feature wall. • Use an art light over or under a favourite painting or object.
Robyn Wildman Top rated in Customer Service Multiple MLS® Award Winner BUYING OR SELLING REAL ESTATE CALL
250.818.8522 rwildman@sothebysrealty.ca robynwildman.com
sothebysrealty.ca Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Independently Owned and Operated.
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
17
THE SUITE LIFE Two interior designers transform the underused bedrooms in their home into a welcoming private guest suite. BY NESSA PULLMAN PHOTOS BY JODY BECK
T
ucked away in the corner of a waterfront home in View Royal lived two underused bedrooms in isolation from the rest of this Craftsman house. Before COVID, when local designer JC Scott, of eco Design, and his partner, Anita Rydygier, wanted to create a self-contained space to house out-of-town guests, they decided to ditch the bedrooms and make better use of the space. “We wanted to give our guests a space of their own,” says Scott, “to provide them with the same feeling as if they were staying in a hotel.” When it came to planning the space, Scott had only one vision in mind: complete livability. Having only two bedrooms as a footprint meant that Scott and Rydygier had to get creative in their arrangement. “The challenge was designing a space with 320 square feet when I usually have a minimum of 500,” says Scott. Scott’s experience with hotel design allowed them to map out the basics, while Rydygier’s experience renovating small spaces while managing properties in London gave them an informed approach to using the limited space. “Merging our two unique experiences into this project was the only way we were going to make this work,” says Scott.
An inset shelf above the bed makes the room seem larger, and acts as a storage area above the headboard. The glass doors, which open onto a private outdoor seating area, also adds to the effect that the space is bigger than it is.
18
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
“ T HE CHALLENGE WAS DESIGNING A SPACE WITH 320 SQUARE FEET ...”
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
19
CREATING CHECKLISTS To achieve the requirements of a fully liveable, self-contained suite, there was an extensive list of items to account for. “When we were planning, we asked ourselves, ‘What would we want if we were guests?’” says Rydygier. “It was like a big jigsaw puzzle.” With this in mind, they knew it needed a full kitchen, full bath, washer, dining space and sleeping area. To keep the suite from looking too congested, they separated the bathroom into a stand-alone shower and water closet. A galley kitchen divides the bedroom area from the main home. “Every square inch needs to be beautifully decorated when you’re in a small space,” says Rydygier. “Because the eye will see it.” Rydygier added thoughtful accents throughout, such as marble steps, sliding barn doors and custom millwork sourced from Vancouver Island.
HOSPITALITY INFLUENCE To achieve the beach boutique-hotel feel, they kept the esthetic light and natural with grey-green paint, warm woods and classic wainscotting. They installed a glass sliding door to open up the space and provide access to a separate entrance. A private patio was built in the front garden for visitors to BBQ and soak up the sun. “We wanted our guests to have a safe space of their own to resort to while they were staying with us,” says Rydygier. “Whether that was to wash clothes or watch TV — we didn’t want them to ask permission to do as they wished.”
20
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
Scott’s motto is “100-mile design” and the locally quarried Vancouver Island white marble in the shower (from Matrix Marble & Stone) was chosen for its subtle book-matched element.
BUILDING LASTING IMPRESSIONS for 18 years and counting
Below: The kitchen was inspired by Scott’s sailing experience. As with kitchen galleys, “every inch counts,” and the lower cabinetry contains drawers within drawers. Overhead cabinets were avoided, so as not to overwhelm the small space.
QUALITY PEOPLE, QUALITY CONSTRUCTION
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT
250-360-7343 | www.outlookpm.ca
Victoria, BC owes much of its personality and appeal to the unique homes that line its streets.
OWNER’S APPROVAL Scott’s biggest advice to a DIYer planning a small space is to pre-buy each item and bring it onto the site, then go in with tape and mark all the items to make sure everything will fit prior to beginning construction. “After it was all complete,” says Scott, “Anita and I gathered all of our belongings and moved in to test the space out.” What was intended to be a short stint evolved into an entire summer: “To our surprise we actually enjoyed spending time in there,” says Rydygier. “And we have a large waterfront property!” Visit sprucemagazine.ca for a list of trades and suppliers.
Buyers and sellers, find your character homes at
w w w.V I C TO R I AC H A R AC T E R H O M E S . c o m Andrew Hobbs* 250-884-2766 *Personal Real Estate Corp. | The Condo Group Real Estate Ltd.
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
21
■ CUSTOM ARCHITECTURAL HOME
SPLENDOUR IN THE TREES Wrapped in dark bronze metal and angled cedar slats, this custom home in Sooke features striking architectural details and was designed to frame the stunning views of the surrounding rainforest. BY LINDA BARNARD | PHOTOS BY EMA PETER
22
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
W
eary of urban life, this homeowner asked Vancouverbased Campos Studio to build a house for her and her dog in the forest near Sooke. Principal designer Javier Campos and senior designer Czarina Ray embraced the forest-dwelling idea with the resulting Sooke 01 House. The 1,450-square-foot custom home seems part of the woods, inside and out. Surrounded by forest, the design follows the natural curve of the rocky knoll at the heart of the site. Inside, narrow hemlock slats run along walls and across the high ceilings, creating a sense of looking up into the treetops. The house, which was finished in 2018, is a dynamic building that seems to punch from the earth. The roof and a portion of the exterior is wrapped in vertical pieces of dark bronze metal that Campos likens to a turtle’s shell. Angled, narrow cedar slats cover the rest of the house. The building site rises to a rocky clearing, then drops sharply to the ocean. Anyone fixated on having a house on the water here would be disappointed. That wasn’t the case with this client. The ocean was accessible, she said. She just had to walk down to it. “She was very much part of the process,” says Ray of the homeowner, who prefers not to be named. “She moved there early and was at all the site meetings we had. She was the perfect client.” To get a feel for how the house should be situated, the design team spent a night and two days camping there. It’s something Campos learned when building his first commission in Mexico. “If your goal is to be sensitive to the land and to integrate into it and to get the most out of it, then spending time there is one of the biggest things,” he says. He placed the house on the clearing at the top of the land.
THE ADJACENT POSSIBLE Asked what challenges he and Ray faced in designing the home, Campos replies he doesn’t use the word. “We really see them as opportunities,” he says. “These so-called challenges are the things that bring an opportunity to do something. We like to talk about this thing called the adjacent possible,” Campos adds. “What’s possible that’s adjacent to what you currently see, you can’t see it at the beginning?”
24
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
Above: The home’s placement on the wooded lot was finalized after the design team from Campos Studio spent time camping on the property. They added a modest outbuilding for the client to store firewood. Right: A building element diagram shows the shape of the house, including the dark bronze-coloured metal exterior. Akin to a turtle’s shell, it’s low maintenance, making it beautiful and practical, says principal designer Javier Campos. A drawing shows how the house is positioned around a rocky knoll at the heart of the site. Opposite page: A central column mimics the forest outside. The flash of red where it attaches to the beam is designed to “draw attention to this one moment,” says Campos. The hemlock slat ceiling feels like looking up into the forest canopy.
Left: The designers wanted the building to change over time, so the cedar exterior was left untreated. The wood will age to a rich silver-grey. Right: A basswood and metal concept model for the house and site, with a floor plan showing the home’s layout as seen from above.
26
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
Ray joined the firm in 2015, about a year into the project. She says it was important to make the most of all the opportunities the site had for views, and the forest experience. Each window presents a different glimpse of the ocean, mountains, mossy rocks and forest. The goal was for the client to have changing experiences inside, even if she was only walking a few feet. The house is low maintenance. There are no gutters, skylights or flat roof areas. The cedar exterior is untreated and will weather to a beautiful silver. Radiant floor heating keeps the house warm, with a woodstove for ambiance and colder days. The two-bedroom interior flows from a central ridge beam, with the guest bedroom and master bedroom at opposite ends of the house for privacy. A single column, the same size as a tree just outside the home’s entrance, meets the interior roof beam. A bright flash of rusty red at the top seems to say, “Look here.” To underscore the tree’s importance, the roofline is cut out, framing it. Angled thin slats climb up walls and even across the ceiling in some rooms, making the light-filled spaces feel like secluded areas in stands of trees. Rich red-brown sapele wood is used for millwork. Some walls and windows tilt. “Although it’s open plan, the different variants of the roof and the walls tilting on an axis allows the proportions of these rooms to be diverse and have these different experiences,” says Ray.
ahhh, the
Romance of a fire... Is there anything more symbolic of home, of warm hearts, and the gathering of loved ones? At Wilk Stove, it’s our mission to keep these sentiments alive — with the perfect stove for your living space. Amy and Tim
The best in wood and gas heating appliances
A WORK OF ART An engineered hanger system allows the walls to drop from the roof, rather than starting at the ground and rising up, explains Sooke-based builder Paul Clarkston of Clarkston Construction, who spent 16 months building the house. “It’s like they’re falling away from the building,” he says. Clarkston says every inch of the home was highly detailed. He echoes the Campos team’s observation that this was a dream client, someone with good taste and a discerning eye who knew what she wanted and was uncompromising in seeing her vision become reality. “There are 27 elevations on the house,” says Clarkston. A box, for example, has four elevations, or sides. It’s extraordinary to have so much detail on such a small dwelling, he says. “When you are in the space, you appreciate it for being a work of art.” About six months after the client moved in, Campos called to see how she was doing. She was opening a bottle of champagne. What’s the occasion, he asked? “She said, ‘Oh, silly. I’m celebrating my house. Every month or so I buy a bottle of champagne and I open it, because I love my house so much.’”
160 East Burnside Road, Victoria | 250-382-5421
wilkstove.com
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
27
THE GOAL WAS FOR THE CLIENT TO HAVE CHANGING EXPERIENCES INSIDE, EVEN IF SHE WAS ONLY WALKING A FEW FEET. Above: Using slats made from yellow-tinged hemlock for some of the walls inside the home makes the rooms appear brighter, says Campos. Far right: A view of one of the pair of trees that frames the entrance, with a glimpse of the master bedroom to the right. The second bedroom is at the opposite end of the house to maximize privacy. Right: “The different variants of the roof and the walls tilting on an axis allows the proportions of these rooms to be diverse and have these different experiences,” says senior designer Czarina Ray.
28
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
RESOURCE LIST ARCHITECTS: Javier Campos, Czarina Ray, and Alix Demontrond BUILDER/GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Paul Clarkston of Clarkston Construction ENGINEER: Equilibrium Consulting MILLWORK: Nigel MacMillan INTERIOR AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Campos Studio COUNTERS: PaperStone FLOORS: Architectural Concrete WINDOWS: Marvin HARDWARE: Custom by Campos Studio, products by Ashley Norton
SHOWER: designer selected, floor to ceiling, book-matched, Island White Marble, quarried on Vancouver Island, fabricated, and installed by Matrix Marble. TEAM: True Line Contracting, Island Floors, Moen fixtures, Maax shower door and base, Coastal-Flo Plumbing, Black Dog Painting.
100 MILE DESIGN
jcscott.com SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
29
DESIGNER PROFILE
DASHWOOD Passionate about meaningful interior design and good planning
D
ashwood was founded by Carly Neal, offering a holistic and practical approach to design and planning. As a Registered Interior Designer with over 10 years experience, Carly will help you navigate local requirements and integrate accessibility considerations for quality long term living. Her process guides clients towards meaningful choices that reflect their values, while celebrating the building’s architecture and location. Dashwood delivers time-honoured interiors that are beautiful, honest, and easy to live in.
TONY COLANGELO PHOTOGRAPHY
Dashwood Design & Planning 778.533.3035 | carly@dashwooddesign.ca | dashwooddesign.ca
BUSINESS PROFILE
GABRIEL ROSS Timeless, iconic and authentic modern furniture, lighting and accessories
F
or over 30 years, Gabriel Ross has proudly offered authentic modern furniture, lighting and home accessories from the most sought-after and respected designers and manufacturers of our time, including Herman Miller, Knoll, Alessi, B&B Italia, Vitra, Artemide and many more. From the perfect living room retreat to working from home in style and comfort, you’ll find exceptional, beautifully crafted pieces made to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Gabriel Ross Showroom: 2500 Rock Bay Avenue | 250.384.2554 | grshop.com
30
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
PHOTOS: DASHA ARMSTRONG
BUSINESS PROFILE
THE PEARL RESIDENCES The Pearl of the Harbour
Y
ou’ve seen it around town, and you’ll even spot it up Island — the blue rectangle with prominent, white letters in all-caps: FARMER. It’s not just another logo, it’s a stamp of quality and integrity. As a privately owned, family business incorporated in 1951, Farmer Construction has been contributing, developing and building in Victoria and area for decades. In fact, they are so intrinsic to the fabric of our communities here, and keep such a low profile, that the full scope of the tremendous value they’ve added to our city and neighbourhoods often flies way under the radar. Their latest development in Victoria’s Heritage District promises to be another shining example of why so many have called on Farmer Construction for their expertise and vision, proving once more their ability to take a blank landscape and transform it into an impressive and
decadent addition to our cityscape. The (aptly named) Pearl Residences, in its prime location next to the new Johnson Street Bridge, is a legacy development for the Farmer family. As the neighbourhood itself is under massive re-gentrification, there is incredible potential in increasing property values. The Pearl Residences offer an opportunity to live, own or invest in the most beautiful city in the world, with homes to suit a variety of needs, whether downsizing, upsizing, purchasing a second residence, or investing. When finished in late 2022/early 2023, it will be an eightstorey, 133-unit, mixed-use condominium residence with ground-floor commercial space. One of the many improvements that construction of The Pearl Residences will bring to the neighbourhood is the completion of its section of the David Foster
pathway, which will allow homeowners to enjoy direct access to the future seawall. The vibrancy and beauty of living right on the water cannot be missed, while city amenities like shops, entertainment and restaurants are mere minutes away. “Our concrete and steel construction is backed by the Farmer ingenuity,” says Jessica Pryde, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Pearl. “With architecture by award-winning powerhouse D’Ambrosio Architecture + Urbanism, and visionary design by the talented team at Kimberly Williams Interiors, this is not an opportunity to be missed.” With an iconic location, design and team, it’s no wonder that homes in The Pearl Residences are selling quickly. Visit www.thepearlresidences.ca today to learn more about this rare and exciting development.
Sales Centre: 508 Herald Street | 778.432.2778 | thepearlresidences.ca
■ BUNGALOW RENOVATION
Bringing the Outside In A 1949 BUNGALOW NEAR THE GORGE WATERWAY UNDERGOES A FAMILY-FRIENDLY, GARDENINSPIRED RENOVATION. BY DANIELLE POPE | PHOTOS BY DASHA ARMSTRONG*
*Excluding garden photo on page 33 and the under construction photo on page 34.
32
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
W
hen Becky Julseth and her family found the property they now call home, it wasn’t the house that convinced them. In fact, it may have been a clear “no” until they saw the backyard. “It was like walking into the Butchart Gardens,” says Julseth. “I remember thinking, ‘Are you kidding me?’ The woman who lived here clearly spent her entire time gardening. There was this incredible catalpa tree with its huge elephant ear leaves and we just knew. We wanted our child to be in this backyard.” Even though the surroundings clinched the deal, the 1949 art deco-inspired bungalow by the Gorge Waterway would need some serious revisions to work for a young family. To help with the transformation, Julseth recruited designer Raubyn Rothschild, principal of Rothschild West Design + Planning. The first pillar of the mission: bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside. “We love the art-deco and mid-century motifs, but my 6'2" partner was ducking through the alcoves and we realized this would be a serious renovation project,” says Julseth. “When this place was built, the garden and its tree weren’t out there and there were no windows on that side of the house. We wanted to prioritize that scene, like you would an ocean view.”
DOWN TO THE STUDS
The kitchen is the epicentre of this home’s transformation. Doubling in size, the layout was revised to incorporate the previous dining area. Windows take the place of a traditional backsplash and bring in natural light, as well as picturesque views of the home’s backyard.
Rothschild was able to bring the family’s wish list to life with a down-to-the-studs reno that included reinventing the layout, opening the house to the backyard and creating storage to suit family needs. “The house was very closed in, so we started on the perimeter first. We wanted to bring in light and openness to create vistas while you’re in the space, while maintaining some definition of the rooms,” says Rothschild. “Becky has such great style, but how she and her family interacted with the interior fell flat too, so we wanted to create appropriate areas for things like storage, TV and art in a way that worked for how they actually lived.”
“WE WANTED TO BRING IN LIGHT AND OPENNESS TO CREATE VISTAS WHILE YOU’RE IN THE SPACE, WHILE MAINTAINING SOME DEFINITION OF THE ROOMS.”
While Becky Julseth and her family loved the art-deco look, her 6'2" partner, Daniel, risked hitting his head on the alcoves, and the house felt disconnected. The entryway corridor was removed, allowing for clear views straight to the kitchen. Windows were brought in to highlight the south-facing backyard, and the balcony’s single door was replaced with French doors. One of the biggest esthetic shifts was the fireplace, which was updated with a concrete plaster face.
34
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
We are your Valor sales and service specialist Valor continuously refines its innovative designs to create the most energy-efficient fireplaces on the market.
The spaciousness of this open-concept design allows Julseth to keep close watch on her little one — even while busy preparing meals, having dinner or enjoying a moment by the fire. While Julseth says the oversized kitchen is her favourite space in the house, and one where people naturally congregate, her three-year-old daughter’s preferred location is right by the fire. “She always asks us to turn on the fireplace so she can sit there and eat her snacks,” says Julseth.
OPEN DESIGN The relatively modest 1,140-square-foot main floor underwent serious structural change, which included bringing elements of the home up to code and reinventing the kitchen to encompass the former dining area. Broad windows were incorporated into the kitchen, to look onto the yard, and cabinetry focused on lower drawer-based storage, so views remained unobstructed. “The whole upper half of the wall is pretty well windows, so it does more than just bring light in from the garden,” says Julseth. “With the big tree in the backyard, when you walk into the house the tree is actually an accent colour — it pops with green.” Along with the drastic changes, the original carpet was pulled up to reveal a solid beechwood floor, which was refinished with a natural stain. While the coved ceilings stayed, the walls in the living areas were opened. Rothschild says the open design isn’t just about style. Her own experience has changed the way she envisions designs.
Feel Feel the theWarmth Warmth
2519 Government Street 250.383.3512 feelthewarmth.ca
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
35
Left: The nearly all-white kitchen adds to the brightness of this room, and Kings Granite countertops offer a durable solution for family cooking activities. The cabinetry and appliances were sourced through IKEA, offering a Scandinavian motif. Designer Raubyn Rothschild opted for a minimal tile backsplash and exclusively lower-level shelving, letting the windows take centre stage. Right: The home’s original hardwood flooring was refurbished and refinished, thanks to the work of Cherry Point Hardwood Flooring, bringing modernity back to this space. The grey concrete plaster face of the fireplace was a strategic decision, updating the look of the room while offering a renewed source of central heating.
FULLY RENOVATED TUDOR REVIVAL FOR SALE TO BE MOVED! 6,100 sq.ft. | 4 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms
Call 1-866-320-2268 Ref. #02-22-3150 Price includes house with local delivery and installation, restrictions may apply.
nicklebros.com/residential/mydreamhome
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
37
gardenstone.ca 250 715 7220
Old Farm Garden Stone, 5174 Francis Street, Koksilah B.C. Just south of Duncan, next to the Old Farm Market
WE’RE MAKING BACKYARD ENTERTAINING “EASY-PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY”! Set the table for summer fun with crisp lemon-print linens, farm-style platters and natural woven placemats.
PHARMASAVE BROADMEAD Broadmead Village Shopping Centre 310-777 Royal Oak Drive 250-727-3505 pharmasavebroadmead.com
38
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
The master bathroom is Julseth’s second favourite spot in the home, and her soaker tub (not pictured) is where she can unwind after her busy days. The white tile shower with multiple soaker heads offers a flexible spa experience, and decorative wall sconces, sourced by Julseth, give the room a touch of glam. Natural wood finishing on the floating vanity, as well as the dark tile flooring adds durability to the room and fits in with Julseth’s preferred gold-and-black design motifs.
“I had a toddler myself at the time of this renovation, so designing a home for a family was a totally different story since I was living it,” says Rothschild. “You’re thinking of sight lines in a whole new way, needing to see your child in one area while working on something in an adjacent space. You’re also thinking about where things can go, so they belong somewhere when there isn’t a lot of square footage. Those are the things that matter to you every day, and create a relaxed feeling at home.”
NATURAL ELEMENTS Another element that adds to the relaxed vibe is the reduced colour palette, with hints of black and gold, that focuses on natural materials and texture to build interest in the space. The concrete-plaster fireplace adds striking modernity. “Now, the house feels like a penthouse condo on a quarter-acre lot,” says Julseth, noting the oversized kitchen seems to be everyone’s favourite space in the house. “Everything looks really intentional. My partner and I are both into the modern look and we’re really excited to be in something that works for our family.”
LO C A L LY H A N D C R A F T E D D E S I G N E R K I TC H E N S
B U I LT F O R L I F E
DREAM KITCHENS REALLY DO COME TRUE
RESOURCE LIST INTERIOR DESIGNER: Raubyn Rothschild, Rothschild West Design + Planning BUILDER/CONTRACTOR: Matt Kinnee, Kinnee
Contracting
KITCHEN: IKEA
Custom Jason Good kitchens and bathrooms are built for inspired living. From initial sketch to final installation, we transform design dreams into functional masterpieces.
COUNTERS: Kings Granite FLOORS: Cherry Point Hardwood Floors LIGHT FIXTURES: Wayfair, CB2, Illuminations WINDOWS: Starline Windows WINDOW COVERINGS: Ruffell & Brown Window
Covering Centre
FIREPLACE: Pacific Fireplaces HARDWARE: Richelieu LANDSCAPING: Living Harmony Landscapes
250.384.4663 | Victoria, BC | jasongoodcabinets.com JOB # JGOF-15756 CLIENT: JASON GOOD CUSTOM CABINETS PUBLICATION: YAM MAGAZINE INSERTION DATE: MAY/JUNE 2014 ISSUE SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021 SIZE: 7.5" X 4.7" (HALF PAGE) PREPARED BY: ECLIPSE CREATIVE INC. @ 250-382-1103
39
■ URBAN CONDO
ALL ABOUT THE VIEWS
W
hen Justin Tse was planning his ultimate bachelor pad and work/ live space, he knew he wanted all the bells and whistles technology offered. His condo is where he films many of his YouTube tech and home videos. The 23-year-old entrepreneur and social influencer has a social media following of 1.4 million across different platforms, with 657,000 YouTube subscribers. Even with its impressive work set-up, the 1,200-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bath corner unit’s true wow moment comes from its floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the Empress Hotel and Victoria harbour. Not that Tse spends much time enjoying the water view from his minimalist living room. Tse estimates he spends only 10 per cent of his time enjoying the open-concept, kitchen/ living and dining room. The rest of his time at home is spent in the office, which used to be the master bedroom, or sleeping in the smaller, second bedroom adjacent to the office.
Above: Homeowner Justin Tse’s custom work desk, where he spends the majority of his time at home. This room was originally the master bedroom, but Tse turned it into his office to give him the space needed for editing his social media videos — and for the better view of downtown. The open-concept living/ dining area and the kitchen enjoy views of the nearby Empress Hotel and the Victoria harbour through the corner suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
40
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
A YouTuber’s downtown condo features a sleek custom kitchen, an inspiring home office and a stunning panorama of the city — the perfect backdrop for his video content. BY KIM PEMBERTON | PHOTOS BY DASHA ARMSTRONG
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
41
A major renovation was done in 2019 of the 1,200-squarefoot, two bedroom/twobathroom condo that has a 200-square-foot deck off the living/dining room. The view of downtown Victoria and the abundance of sunlight were two of the main reasons the homeowner bought the condo. The front entrance (left) is where the homeowner displays some of his many sneakers. The hallway also has LED lighting strips in the walls that cast a unique glow in the evenings. Given the modern dining room table and chairs’ proximity to the kitchen island, the homeowner opted to forgo bar stools on the side of the island and placed two at the far end instead.
42
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
DESIGNED FOR WORK Tse’s office centres around an L-shaped desk he custom made from a $2,000 BoConcept desk, which he already owned and then enhanced with an Ikea wood kitchen countertop and legs from Uplift Desk. There’s also an overhead projector to watch hockey games and NASCAR races in the background as he edits videos. “A lot of times I don’t even go to my living room or kitchen for one to two weeks,” says Tse, who admits he tried cooking at the start of the pandemic, but like a true bachelor, prefers Skip the Dishes and home-cooked meals with his parents. “The work stuff doesn’t feel like work. I’ve built my life around work,” says Tse, who works seven days a week, 13 hours daily. Tse has been a content creator for 10 years, beginning at age 13 with his first YouTube video. Since then he has created over 1,000 videos and now has influencer partner contracts with businesses like Google, Samsung, Best Buy, Amazon and Dyson, to name a few. After his business took off, Tse was able to buy this first condo in 2017, at his parents’ urging. “When I started making a decent amount on YouTube, I was wasting it on shoes,” says Tse. “No one knew how long that income would come in, so the original intention was to rent it out as an investment property.” But after six months it made more financial sense for the then 20-year-old Tse to move into the condo so he could start filming videos in the newly updated space.
LET US BUILD A LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU USING ADVANCED FINANCIAL PLANNING TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES, OUR EXPERIENCED WEALTH MANAGEMENT TEAM CAN HELP YOU GROW, PROTECT, AND TRANSITION YOUR WEALTH.
Chris Gerow, CFP®, RRC®, RIS Senior Wealth Advisor | Investment Advisor Island Savings Wealth Management, a division of FW Wealth Management ltd. | Credential Securities
250-413-2025 cgerow@islandsavings.ca
Mutual funds, other securities and securities related financial planning services are offered through Credential Securities, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. Financial planning services are available only from advisors who hold financial planning accreditation from applicable regulatory authorities. Credential Securities is a registered mark owned by Aviso Wealth Inc.
islandsavings.ca/wealth
Wealth Management
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
43
A TOUCH OF GOLD He did a major kitchen renovation in 2019 and when it was completed, filmed a “Modern Luxury Apartment Tour” for YouTube of his own place. Millwork designer Heather Stewart, of Thomas and Birch Kitchen and Bath Boutique, says the renovation goal was to give the kitchen a “higherend feel.” It previously had entry-level cabinetry that wasn’t the best quality when the condo was built in 2009, she says. Tse chose the ever-popular Shaker-style cabinetry in a neutral color with a lighter kitchen island cabinetry colour. “I expected something more contemporary from Justin, but this [the Shaker cabinets] was the direction he led us,” Stewart says. “He also had a collaboration with Buster + Punch, so their gold hardware with a polished industrial look was used. It’s definitely a statement piece, and ties in with the Brizo faucet.” Tse has no regrets with going for a more transitional modern look since he’s all about good business sense. After all, although he plans to keep the condo indefinitely, one has to consider resale. “I’m pretty happy with the way it all turned out,” he shares.
44
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
The kitchen was updated to give the condo a more luxe esthetic, according to kitchen designer Heather Stewart of Thomas and Birch Kitchen and Bath Boutique. The homeowner chose Shaker style cabinetry because of its timeless appeal and resale value should he ever decide to sell the condo. The gold hardware used throughout the kitchen is from Buster + Punch and was provided free-of-charge to the homeowner, as part of a social media collaboration he has with the U.K. company. Silver pulls in the same style were used on hallway closets. The sink faucet is from Brizo and complements the gold hardware.
RESOURCE LIST CUSTOM KITCHEN: Thomas and Birch Kitchen and Bath Boutique KITCHEN DESIGNER: Heather Stewart
@gray.bird.design
COUNTERS: Caesarstone Canada APPLIANCES: Samsung Canada (except
refrigerator)
LIGHT FIXTURES: West Elm HARDWARE: Buster + Punch
Complete Complete Complete Your Vision YourVision Vision Your
blinds I motorization blinds motorization roller blinds shades II custom draperies I motorization roller shades I custom draperies roller shades I custom draperies VISIT OUR SHOWROOM VISIT OUR SHOWROOM VISIT OUR or SHOWROOM call for a
or call or call for for a a Complimentary Consultation
Complimentary Consultation Complimentary Consultation
250.475.2600 250.475.2600 250.475.2600
Designer
esigner Designer Banded Shades Banded Shades anded Shades
3381 Tennyson Ave. Victoria, 3381 Tennyson Ave. Victoria, BC BC 3381 Tennyson Ave. Victoria, BC islandwindowcoverings.com islandwindowcoverings.com
islandwindowcoverings.com
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
45
Life Al Fresco
WITH ITS SPORT COURT, SWIM SPA AND INVITING KITCHEN, THIS SPACE — A CARE AWARD WINNER — OFFERS A MULTITUDE OF WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF OUTDOOR LIVING. BY DAVID LENNAM | PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN J. STEWART
46
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
F
or one Victoria family, the pandemic’s regimen of lockdowns and restrictions hasn’t cramped their get-out-and-play style. Instead of rec centres, gyms and outdoor parks, they’ve enjoyed their own backyard games and fitness compound. And they’ve done it in true five-star, country-club style. Built before the challenges of the last 18 months, the all-action/all-fun layout — which includes a swim spa, sport court, trampoline and entertainment-ready outdoor kitchen — has been taken full advantage of during these stay-at-home times. Shal and Pooja* and their two young children were grateful to have their custom outdoor space when the outbreak began in March 2020. Like most of us, with no idea how it would all play out, they took to the garden regularly — each of them favouring one or more of the components. “We really were excited for everything, and I think if you asked each of us, we’d say [we liked] something different,” says Shal.
A 30' x 60' sport court (from BC Sport Court) features a surface designed to mimic an indoor sprung gymnasium floor, with lots of give and bounce. The family can gather for dinner in an outdoor kitchen (designed and installed by Capital Iron), cooking on premium stainless steel appliances or relaxing in front of a 55-inch flatscreen. The ceiling and kitchen wall is Sagiper, a long-lasting PVC faux wood that is resilient to the elements. The same material is featured on the trim of the house. An after-dinner swim in the all-weather pool (from Arctic Spas) could be a warm soak or a brisk workout using the harness and current system for resistance.
A TECHNICAL BUILD The couple moved from a home on the Portage Inlet where they could play on the water, kayaking with their kids, to a half-acre Oak Bay property that was sized just right for what they had in mind. The lot (where their new, ultra-modern 5,000-square-foot house was built by Amandeep Gill of Patriot Homes) was heavily sloped — a 14-foot drop — and had to be tiered to fit a landscape set up for both maximum activity and serene relaxation. “This outdoor space was complex,” says Gill. “The slopes and the restrictions (Oak Bay building bylaws) made it very technical.” Building the retaining walls and getting machinery and materials into the garden behind the house was a challenge. “We had to crane the swim spa over the house.” The homeowners felt the biggest compromise they had to make was to adjust everything to account for the steep slope,
something they didn’t realize until the lot was cleared for the new build. “We didn’t want to have three tiers to the property, but quickly realized we had to tier it to be able to design it as we wanted and maximize the use of the space,” says Pooja. “We had envisioned the entire yard as one level, but this wasn’t something we could achieve because of the slope. In the end, each tier has its own purpose and value.” The outdoor kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, 55-inch flatscreen and gas fireplace, feels like part of the home’s interior thanks to 12-foot sliding patio doors. Pooja wanted a natural flow from inside to out. Inside, all rooms on that side have sliding doors to the patio. Gill, whose project received a Gold CARE award for Best Outdoor Space, notes that his clients are demanding outdoor living spaces: “Everybody wants them, especially since COVID. Every house I’m building right now in Oak Bay has an outdoor kitchen.”
*Last names withheld for privacy. SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
47
Professional, stadiumquality LED lighting (from BC Sport Court) keeps the fun going well into the night. The half-acre lot provides ample space for all the fun and games, as well as several areas for seating between sets of mini tennis. Surprisingly, there’s room left for a lawn and a vegetable garden on three tiered levels. The back of the custom 5,000-square-foot home makes extensive use of 12-foot Starline vinyl sliding patio doors for a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. The entire space is wired for sound by Sight and Sound Home Theatre, with a speaker system that can be controlled from a mobile phone.
48
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
GAME ON (DAY OR NIGHT) The centrepiece (if judged on impressive size alone) is the multi-use, multi-game sport court from BC Sport Court. It’s a customizable all-weather surface that fits the couple’s appetite for games. Tennis, specifically. Shal has been a competitive player since high school, so they’d hoped to fit in a full-size court. When that proved just too big for bylaws governing hardscape surface, they opted for a pickleball-sized court (which BC Sport Court Island rep Darwin Schellenberg says now constitutes 50 per cent of their sales). While they’ve yet to gear up for pickleball, the court has been thoroughly christened for mini tennis, basketball, baseball, cricket, street hockey, volleyball, badminton, soccer, running and personal training. “I’m sure, as we age, pickleball will be something we take up,” says Pooja, “but for now mini tennis it is.” Professionally lit for night games, the Sport Court features a highly resilient, high-performance modular sports surface called Power Game, resting atop a concrete base. “The tile itself is designed to have lateral and vertical absorption,” explains Schellenberg. “You would see, over time, you can play longer because there are less forces transferred through to your joints.”
SWIM AND SOAK Arctic Spas calls them all-weather pools — the luxury of a swimming pool and a spa combined. The homeowners wanted something the family could share for exercise and soaking, something more versatile than a pool. The 8-by-14-foot Ocean Signature model is a salt-water hot tub for six and a year-round swimming pool with a harness system and current for resistance training. At 51 inches, the water is deep. There’s a nohassle motorized cover that, when up, is a roof for shade and protection from the elements and, when lowered, keeps the water warm and clean.
Landscaping Your Lifestyle
acaciavictoria.com
250.595.0527
Garden Makeovers Garden Coaching 2D & 3D Modelling Development Permits Site Design
PRIVATE MATTERS Incredibly, even after all the swimming and bouncing and playing and cooking, the backyard has ample green space for growing vegetables and relaxing on cool grass. Pooja grew up on a blueberry farm so has added a blueberry and raspberry patch. “We plant fruits and vegetables every spring and the whole family enjoys tending to them,” says Shal. Framed by mature trees — cedar, chestnut and a huge eucalyptus — the expansive lot backs onto a municipal park, providing a natural sanctuary. Yearround privacy is assured by the variety of bamboo the couple planted. Shal and Pooja have been grateful to have this amazing space to keep the family busy, active and entertained during the lockdown. “We wanted to create a space that our children could enjoy and use 365 days of the year,” says Shal. “We believe in living a healthy, active life, and want our children to love to be active and healthy. So we wanted to give them the opportunity to stay active at home.” Visit sprucemagazine.ca for a list of trades and suppliers.
Outdoor spaces for all seasons
We are Vancouver Island's largest retailer of awnings, rollshutters, louvered pergolas and retractable roof systems.
Visit our Victoria showroom Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm 2745 Bridge Street
250-361-4714 info@PacificAwnings.ca Serving Vancouver Island since 1991
PacificAwnings.ca
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
49
DESIGN INSPO BY ATHENA McKENZIE
CONVERTING AN UNDERUTILIZED GARAGE IS A GREAT WAY TO ADD MORE LIVING SPACE.
ALEXANDER KRUPCHENKO
Garage Talk
W
ith everyone spending more time at home — and desiring separate areas for specific activities — people are getting creative with the available space. One spot sparking ideas for creative use is the garage. On the South Island, with its temperate climate, many homeowners don’t actually park their cars inside, making that expanse available for a myriad of other functions.
50
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
“The space is full of possibilities,” says Mika Nishimura-Pennimpede, interior designer and project support at LIDA Homes. “It depends on where — or if — it is attached to the house. Around 80 per cent of our clients interested in garage conversions are actually looking to build guest suites above their double garages. It’s often a 25-by-25 foot footprint, so it can be a bachelor or even a one-bedroom. But we’ve also seen
For this conversion in North Carolina, the homeowners embraced an industrial feel with smooth concrete floors and by maintaining the garage door’s function. It serves as a recreation room, but there is also an area that acts as a home office.
PEARL REMODELING
For this garage conversion by Pearl Remodeling in California, a detached two-car garage was transformed into the home’s primary recreation room, and also serves as the pool house. Glass bi-fold doors allow an abundance of natural light and impart a modern, minimalist feel.
interest in using the actual space to extend kitchens or create luxury ensuites. People have also inquired about creating home gyms. One woman who missed going to the yoga studio wanted to make one in her garage.” Depending on the municipality, any homeowner looking to convert garage space to living space will have a number of considerations to work through, advises Sheldon Johnson, manager of engagement for the City of Victoria. These include permits to comply with building code and confirming the use is permitted under the zoning bylaw.
“The BC Building Code has minimum building requirements to ensure that if space is intended for human habitation, it is properly built — structural adequacy, fire safety, proper insulation and other aspects, ensuring it meets minimum standards for the safety and health of the intended occupants,” he says. “We recommend anyone considering going down this path check all of the guiding documents we have online under Development Services and discussing their project with staff in our Permits and Inspections Division, as well as our
B+G DESIGN
Left and below: This impressive project by B+G Design in Miami converted a traditional attached two-car garage into an inviting media room. To allow the space potential to be converted back, the designers removed the garage door mechanisms and built a wall in front of the garage door.
Development Services Division, who would be happy to offer early advice before a property owner commences the permitting process.” Another thing to keep in mind is that some places may require the availability of other on-site parking before approving a garage conversion.
LIVEABLE SPACE Converting your garage into a living space goes beyond décor and furnishings. While much of the necessary structure is already in place, various things need to be done to make the space habitable and comfortable. These include: • The door: Installing an insulated garage door makes it more energy efficient to maintain comfortable temperatures, while still providing easy outdoor access. • Walls and ceiling: One of the most important steps is to fully insulate the walls and ceiling and to put up drywall. If you want the space to have direct access into the house, you may need to open up a partition wall. • Flooring: Insulating the floor and installing flooring above the concrete slab will raise your floor from its original height. Maintaining a distance of at least seven and a half feet between the finished floor and the ceiling is recommended. • Windows: Adding windows will provide more natural light and air. • Plumbing and electrical: Depending on the scale of your conversion, these utilities may need to be added or upgraded. Finally, esthetics are also important. Consider adding walls or panels to cover up pipes or machinery, such as water heaters. In terms of interior decorating, the sky is the limit for finishings, including flooring options, paint and fixtures.
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
51
ASK THE EXPERT BY ATHENA McKENZIE
Taking the Plunge ADDING A POOL TO YOUR HOME
JODY BECK
Jim Brown and Dustin Wiffen of Kilo Pools have seen a surge in demand over the past year. The concrete pool specialists share their insights into building a backyard oasis.
B
etween cancelled beach vacations, increased time at home and the fact that many people are looking for ways to stay physically active, the appeal of owning a pool has never been more clear. “Our customers are staying home — like they’re supposed to — and they’re saying they typically would take their families on two or three vacations a year, so they’re putting that spending into their property,” Brown says. “People are basically creating a resort in their yards. With the high-end finishes you can put into a pool — the deck work, the beautiful tile work, the inside finish of the pool — it looks even better than a resort.” Brown and Wiffen have, combined, more than 40-plus years in the pool industry. They both initially worked for other local pool companies, and Brown also ran his own business for 11 years. Three years ago, they joined their expertise to form Kilo Pools. The company specializes in concrete pools and hot tubs and does everything from new builds and renovations to retrofits. They also offer maintenance services, scheduling
52
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
regular visits to clean and balance chemicals. “We have a crew that does weekly maintenance for clients with every kind of pool, including concrete, fiberglass and vinyl liner,” Brown says. The pair believe that a pool can add value — and wow factor — to one’s property at any time, regardless of travel restrictions. Add-ons, such as lighting, water features and fire pits, increase its visual sophistication and add to its enjoyment factor. “A pool is a fantastic feature to have,” Wiffen says. “The type of weather and the seasons we have here are very conducive to using it yearround. It’s also a great respite for a family. So don’t be afraid to put one in.”
What are the questions a homeowner should ask themselves before they embark on a pool project? Brown: The biggest things are your budget and the type of pool you want, which can be difficult, given the varieties of pools — concrete, fiberglass or vinyl liner — because they do vary so greatly in cost. But having an idea of what you would like is
Jim Brown (left) and Dustin Wiffen of Kilo Pools, standing in one of their many ongoing projects. Left: For this 16' x 36' pool-spa combo by Kilo Pools, the spa can be set up to overflow into the pool or it can be set up as separate circulation systems. “This type of set up has a dedicated heater for each body of water, and both pool and spa can be heated at the same time, says Jim Brown.
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
53
JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE MAGAZINE
A UNIQUE APPROACH TO WEST COAST STYLE
a good starting place. Most of the clients we deal with have already done some research. It’s not a feat you jump into without looking at the cost.
Are there advantages to a concrete pool?
Elham Khezri INTERIOR DESIGNER • FENG SHUI
1-778-513-6823 info@elhamdesign.com www.elhamdesign.com elhamdesignca
Whiffen: Absolutely. You basically can make any shape you want and you can do a freeform pool. The sky’s the limit on the details and things you can add. With a few of our projects currently underway, we’re incorporating spas into the pool with Baja ledges. You can make custom steps into the pool and put them where you like. One we’re working on right now has a water feature in the deck with lighted streams of water. Now you can do some of that with other styles of pools, but the nice thing with concrete is that sometimes as you’re building, you decide you want to add a bench or a deep-end feature, and you can do that.
Can you explain the Baja ledge? Brown: A Baja ledge is an area in the pool that has only a few inches of water on it to allow a lounge chair to be put on it — such as what you would see in resorts. These areas in the pool can have anywhere from a few inches of water on it up to 14 inches of water
Say someone is building a custom home. Is there an ideal time to plan the pool? Whiffen: We deal with this all the time. If you’re considering building a house and putting in a pool, that’s when we want to get in and have a chat. We go over options and placement, and try to make a rough budget and timeline. Especially over COVID, we’ve had calls where they want us to start building them a pool tomorrow. That’s not realistic and a lot of people don’t understand that. There’s a lot of planning involved on both ends. Even if you’re just considering it, it’s never too early. We have a customer who thinks they may want a pool and a hot tub, but they’re not quite sure. We went in and we did all the plumbing and the mechanical room, just in case. It may or may not happen, but at least we’ve done all the prep work for it.
What does the planning process look like? Brown: We create a plan with the customer. Then we take that and we have somebody who assists us with design. We then need to submit that to our structural engineer, who gives us stamped plans that we need to submit for permit. So, the timing of all that can take
54
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
months. Once you get that ball rolling, it generally leads to a smooth transition. You can dig the hole, but there’s a whole lot that goes into it before that.
What other costs should a homeowner factor into their budget? Are there ongoing maintenance costs?
This modern 15' x 24' pool with Baja ledge is a complete renovation from an older existing pool that had round corners and a free-form shape. Both this pool and the one on page 52 are set up on an automation system, which allows the owner to control the heater, circulation pump, spa jets and lights from an app on their phone.
Whiffen: Chemical costs can be significant over a year. You’d want to look at that as well. A lot of people don’t really understand that. If you don’t have a pool cover on your pool, it’s getting rained on, it’s getting diluted and there’s evaporation happening. So you’re adding more chemicals and that can increase the cost.
What are the advantages of using a pool cover? Whiffen: We install these incredible covers that come from California. It’s not just a pool cover, it’s a safety cover. It’s on tracks and it automatically opens and closes. It prevents debris from falling in your pool, which helps the chemistry, and you’re not losing any water from evaporation. Brown: When you’re talking about budget, the safety covers initially have a higher set-up cost. But over time, when you look at how much effort you want to put into cleaning and maintaining the pool, the safety covers decrease that tremendously, versus having a bubble cover. And most customers are good with that initial cost, because the safety aspect sells them on it: you can have children walk on it and not go through.
Ethical, dedicated, reliable. VIC T 1921
D AR
REAL ESTATE B A I O OR
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS Co n m tio mu a or nity & Collab
2021
Every day your REALTOR® goes to work - for you. www.vreb.org SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
55
JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE MAGAZINE
REAL ESTATE BY SHANNON MONEO
Tasha Medve — with Modern Real Estate Team at Royal LePage — in front of a passive home built by Sol Sustainable.
The Market for Green Homes
T
here’s no black and white slot for green homes. Whether they’re called environmentally friendly, energy efficient, sustainable or passive, they fall under one roof: A home where heating and cooling costs are minimized and comfort is maximized. Imagine walking across the kitchen floor and never having cold feet, sitting by a window and never feeling a draft or never getting a whiff of bad-smelling air. Chalk it up to great design, which is often invisible but is what makes a home sustainable and cozy, says Victoria architect Graeme Verhulst. “Comfort is luxury,” says Verhulst, a specialist in passive homes at Waymark Architecture. A house with high-quality windows, lots of insulation and a heat pump are the hallmarks of a carefully designed, green home, he says: “Energy efficiency is the best measure.” Verhulst is dismayed that instead, many buyers
56
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
Whether you’re buying or selling, the increased interest in energy efficiency is something to keep in mind. want high-end appliances, marble countertops and fancy fixtures in their quest for luxury. Tasha Medve, with Modern Real Estate Team at Royal LePage, has been a realtor in Victoria for eight years and says buyers don’t often ask for “green” homes, but they are concerned about energy costs. “An energy-efficient home is a green home,” she says. “It’s rare that I see people selling a home based on how eco-friendly it is.” But the market is changing. New homes come with an EnerGuide rating which shows the energy use. The lower the number, the better the performance, with the best result being zero. Often referred to as net zero, it’s a home that produces as much energy as it consumes. So an older home with an oil furnace, single-pane windows and lack of insulation would get a high rating. Medve recommends that buyers request heating bills. As well, the shape of the home and size of the windows are important, Verhulst says.
A lot of jigs and jags, evident with dormers and bay windows, is not green. “Keep the overall shape simple,” he says. To add character, porches and verandahs do the trick. And if a buyer really wants to get a handle on energy efficiency, they can request a blower door test, which indicates how drafty a home is. A fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the inside air pressure. The higher outside air pressure causes air to enter the house through unsealed cracks and openings, revealing the problems. Not often done, Verhulst says it’s worth the cost.
THE GREEN SPECTRUM Builder Mark Bernhardt is a fan of the BC Energy Step Code by which homes are built beyond prescriptive codes and can be 40 per cent more efficient. While the code won’t be mandatory until 2032, the municipalities of
TRINETTE REED/STOCKSY
Updates to make if you’re putting your home on the market
Today’s energy-efficient, double- or triple-pane windows are the beneficiaries of better science that render them far superior to products from even two decades ago. Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich, North Saanich and Central Saanich are following the protocols, making new builds in those communities greener than the outliers. Bernhardt acknowledges that buyers are often enamoured of what they can see and touch when touring a home instead of what’s not been staged. “We design for conservation first,” he says. As for solar energy, Bernhardt says solar panels continue to drop in price and are not much more expensive than insulation. The challenge, and cost, is where to store the solar power. Other signs that a home is on the green spectrum are flooring and paints. Thanks to LEED standards, off-the-shelf paints are now low VOC (volatile organic compounds), Verhulst says. For flooring, wood, engineered wood, bamboo or cork are green options, while cheap and durable vinyl is not. Highly toxic when burning, vinyl’s production is not green. Medve likes programmable thermostats because they can be remotely controlled, and at a cost of about $150, have a quick ROI. And don’t forget the yard. Native or pollinatorfriendly gardens are far greener than chemically treated, esthetically perfect lawns. “It’s about changing our mindset,” Verhulst says. “A well-designed building means the right choices. You get healthier buildings that are less expensive to maintain over the long term.”
Even in today’s quick-turnover market, homeowners can generate more dollars out of a sale by doing a couple of key, green upgrades. When homes are selling for top dollar, buyers don’t have the appetite to inject further funds for renos. Medve is well aware of two gripes: “The most common negative feedback I hear when showing a home is that the house is heated with oil and has older windows,” she says. When she bought a 1950s home, she gladly gutted it, knowing that fix-up funds are available. “Right now, there’s so many government grants. People don’t realize it,” she says. Provincial and federal programs are easy to find online. One example is BC Hydro’s, where homeowners can get rebates for windows, doors, insulation, space heating and water heating. “Windows can easily be changed,” says homebuilder Mark Bernhardt. “You can do it without the family moving out.” He adds that windows are the weakest point in a wall, providing minimal insulation. In older homes, you can sit by a window and feel cold. Today’s energy-efficient, double- or triple-pane windows are the beneficiaries of better science that render them far superior to products from even two decades ago. The second significant upgrade would be installing a heat pump, which is 10 times more efficient than electric baseboard heaters and far cleaner than using oil or gas, Bernhardt says. Heat pumps work by using electricity and refrigerant to move heat from one location to another, either heating a space or cooling it. The Victoria area’s mild climate is an ideal setting for heat pumps. “They generally cost under $10,000 and cut the heating bill by onethird,” Bernhardt says. Medve has further pre-sale tips: ensure a home is well insulated, install an on-demand hot water tank, put in high-efficiency taps and toilets, have LED lights throughout the home and install a programmable thermostat.
250-881-1001 info@exoticstone.ca 1-3956 Quadra Street
Contact us today for a countertop estimate or visit our team of professionals at Exotic Stone.
exo t i c s t o n e . c a SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
57
FINISHING TOUCH
A Retreat for All Seasons A state-of-the-art pergola system extends the usability of this stylish backyard.
58
SPRUCE | SUMMER 2021
JOSHUA LAWRENCE
F
or this backyard renovation in Colwood, the homeowners wanted to cover their patio in order to provide protection from the elements — both rain and sun. It also needed to be suitable for use with their outdoor kitchen. “We added a three-zone StruXure Pergola louvered system with a rain sensor, which causes the louvers to automatically close when it rains, providing a waterproof roof cover,” says Peter Stofko, owner of Pacific Rollshutters & Awnings, who partnered with Flintstones Design & Build on the project. “In addition, a wind sensor was installed, which opens the louvers in high winds to prevent uplift and damage to the system. The all-aluminum construction is the best solution for outdoor kitchens and can handle proximity to barbecues, smokers and heaters.” The three separate zones of the pergola system can be operated individually, meaning one area can be closed and one open, offering full customization for specific uses. The louvers can be set at any slope between 0 to 170 degrees, to let in as much or as little sun as desired. Stofko advises that installation of the StruXure system requires experienced and properly trained installers and can take several days to do. “Challenges can include proper slope and drainage; precise fit, if adding our system into an existing frame (as was this case); and wiring the motors, sensors, etc.,” he says, but the end result is worth it. “The StruXure Aluminum Pergola system was named a Best Outdoor Product at The International Builders Show in 2020.”
The Forget-Me-Not Bracelet A superb piece of hand-crafted jewellery is very special. The care, thought, and craftsmanship that goes into an idar piece makes the final creation incredibly personal and beautiful. That is exactly what Idar Jewellers has been doing for more than 45 years.
The Calla Lily Ring
Idar’s vision is to create distinctive lines of jewellery that are exceptionally designed and made by hand, using time-honoured techniques and intended for a lifetime of everyday use. That original idea and inspiration lives on in every piece he produces. To ensure you are purchasing an original work of art, Idar’s signature bee trademark is stamped on the inside of each piece. At Idar, the piece of jewellery you buy today becomes the heirloom of tomorrow one to be treasured for years to come.
Located in the heart of Fort Street in Victoria, idar serves as the retail showcase and working studio of award-winning master goldsmith and nationally renowned jeweller Idar Bergseth.
INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING JEWELLERY DESIGNERS • SINCE 1972 250-383-3414 • www.idar.com Now located at 950 Fort St, Victoria, BC
Jewellery Designs © 1972 - 2021 IDAR
The Summer Series
COME SEE THE EXPERTS — LET’S DESIGN YOUR DREAM KITCHEN.
48" PROFESSIONAL SERIES CLASSIC
36" FRENCH DOOR BOTTOM MOUNT FREEZER
Make an iconic stainless-steel statement, inside and out.
Professional series handles, advanced air purification system, and food preservation at its finest.
PRO4850G
BI-36UFD/S/PH
30" DUAL FUEL, GAS TOP AND BLUE ELECTRIC OVEN
48" DUAL FUEL RANGE
Glide-out rack, probe cooking, and dual convection system for even heat cooking every time.
Many configurations are available on this beautiful gas top electric oven. Choose from three coloured knobs, dual true convection fans to create amazing results.
DF304
DF484CG
lansdowneappliance.com | 2517 Douglas Street | 250.383.1275
24" COVE DISHWASHER Available in stainless door versions or panel ready. The most flexible and quiet dishwasher on the market today. DW2450
30" GAS TOP AND GAS OVEN Cook with perfection using Wolf’s exclusive dual stacked gas burners. GR304
30 Years in Business