Photos by Janis Nicolay

The complete interior-exterior renovation of this home in Saanich, BC, is actually the second project designer Emma Whiting Young has completed for her client. Warm teak furniture, walnut cabinets, and hickory flooring throughout the home make it feel cozy and comfortable, while colourful and patterned accents pop against an otherwise neutral pallet, kept minimal to showcase the client’s bright artwork and eclectic style.

To bring more light into the home and add a bit of farmhouse charm, a low ceiling in the living room and dining area was completely removed, highlighting the home’s high peaked roof. The newly exposed rafters, painted white, add striking contrast to the bold black wall in the living room and dining room and bring a definitive wow-factor to the home. “What’s nice about it, is the light playing in the shadows it creates,” says Whiting Young.

A vintage Vilas dining table sits on a bright patterned area rug by Nu-LOOM with large drum pendants by Z-Lite hanging overhead. (Photo: Janis Nicolay)

In the kitchen, the upper cabinets were painted white, complementing light Silestone countertops. Black, grey, and white bands in the backsplash were formed using leftover tile from the bathroom and a previous renovation, avoiding any wasted materials going to the landfill. Contrasting black, flush mount light fixtures from Kuzco Lighting were installed overhead.

The design incorporated many of the client’s existing pieces. The dark leather Ikea sofas are paired with brighter accents, including fun throw cushions that tie in with the colours in artwork and other décor. (Photo: Janis Nicolay)

The layout in the kitchen was significantly changed. Whiting Young’s team removed both the dated peninsula and the nearby walls to open the room up to the dining area. A new entry between the kitchen and the front door now allows for better movement around the home. “The hallways are a little bit more narrow given the date of the house,” Whiting Young explains, “but it doesn’t feel tight, it feels nice and open.”

Walnut cabinets add warmth to the black and white kitchen area. (Photo: Janis Nicolay)
The backsplash was made with leftover tile to create cool white, grey, and black bands. (Photo: Janis Nicolay)
The new doorway between the kitchen and the home’s entryway makes movement around the home easier. (Photo: Janis Nicolay)
A fun, yet elegant, bubble light fixture from Hinkley perfectly fills the space in the front entry. Black and white three-panel artwork, by Whiting Young herself, matches the home’s contrasting colour palette. (Photo: Janis Nicolay)

The primary ensuite was expanded, allowing for an addition of a stand-up shower. A neutral tile runs all the way up from the floor to the ceiling, its height creating a feeling of expansiveness in the space. A functional mirror on a swivel arm was installed next to the sink to creatively avoid obstructing the window.

Formerly a small powder room with only a toilet and sink, the primary bathroom was expanded to make room for a stand-up shower with a transom window. (Photo: Janis Nicolay)
A big space-saver, this mirror on a swivel arm can be tucked away when not in use. (Photo: Janis Nicolay)

On the exterior, the home’s original faux Tudor-style elements and stucco were removed, and the black side wall was painted to mirror the home’s interior. For longevity amidst rain, heat and Victoria’s dry summers, a metal roof was a must for the client, with the galvanized look of it playing into the home’s farmhouse-like structure. The front yard was kept low maintenance and environmentally friendly with xeriscape landscaping.

More photos of the renovation, below!