Can an accent wall in a bathroom capture the bucolic spirit of an entire home? Absolutely yes, in the case of this reimagined lakefront vacation house designed by Andrea Rodman. The wallpaper, with its floral trellis and Impressionistic shades of green, blue and yellow, helped lock in her vision for the property. It’s the classic Pimpernel pattern by the 19th-century British designer and artist William Morris, whose stylized motifs often depict foliage, fruit and flowers, and whose prints have been deployed by designers in houses both new and old. “I knew this wallpaper could deliver the element of historical expression my client wanted for his modern weekend getaway house,” says Rodman.

The two had worked together previously on his primary home in Victoria’s Oak Bay neighbourhood, which is a cool and contemporary Scandinavian design; for this property, located north of Victoria on the summer paradise of Shawnigan Lake, he wanted something with more of an Escape to the Country vibe, she says. The client also cited the Hamptons in his design brief, as he was enamoured with the beachy-glam Shingle-style homes, all expansive decks and glass galore.

The lakeside property is a jewel: three acres that include a forested area, ensuring privacy; a pickleball court; a Finnish spa; and a little private beach (a rare find in the area). The original house, though? Nothing special—a sprawling yet simple design from the 1990s that leaned heavily into polished river rock and cedar wood siding. It was charming and rustic, but it lacked a point of view. “My mandate was to use the existing house and see what we could turn it into,” says Rodman.

One of the first design decisions was to maximize the windows all over the house, particularly in the kitchen, to capture the pretty views of the lake. The original eating nook featured oversized skylights that felt dated, so Rodman brought in Russ Barry and Jodi Roach of Interactive Construction to create a modern sunroom with a wood slat ceiling, French doors and floor-to-ceiling glass. “We even pulled up the door heights and created these little single windows above the entrances, which just flooded the kitchen with natural light,” says Rodman.

The CornuFé induction rangetop from French ovenmaker La Cornue is now a dramatic focal point (“I can’t begin to tell you how long it took us to settle on the right hood fan,” says Rodman, wryly), and it shines against medium ash oak wood floors and a lighter whitewash oak for the tall millwork cabinets, painted with Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore. The wood countertop, the white marble accents and the traditional white walls with applied moulding give the room a relaxed, ethereal feel.

In the living room, Rodman whitewashed the immense river rock fireplace to lighten the strong grey colours and play into the home’s soft and gauzy look. The Venua Seagrass coffee table from RH is a nod to the beach house aesthetic, while the custom club chairs invite cozy gatherings. The kids’ room similarly beckons, with custom bunk beds that promise all the fun of sleep-away camp.

What Rodman’s client wanted most of all was a place where friends and family could congregate, where they’d be inspired to slow down and enjoy life, and where they could move from indoor to outdoor spaces seamlessly. “When I think of indoor-outdoor living, I also think a lot about how to bring the outside in,” says Rodman. Her favourite room is the “dreamy” primary bathroom, with its glass-fronted cabinets, deep soaker tub and, of course, that verdant Morris and Co. wallpaper—an element of nature-inspired lushness for a home that embraces old and new.

Keep scrolling for more photos and for designer Andrea Rodman’s local favourites.

Designer Andrea Rodman’s Local Favourites

For Breakfast

Café Medina in downtown Vancouver has a European feel and a menu that’s creative and consistently delicious. I love their lavender latte and classic waffles with rosewater pistachio syrup. 

For Lunch

Tractor Foods is my go-to for something healthy and satisfying in the middle of a busy day. It’s clean, nourishing food in a bright, modern setting.

For Dinner

Published on Main offers inventive, seasonal dishes in a beautifully styled space. It strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and refined.

For Coffee

Elysian Coffee off West 7th Avenue is a minimal space with a calm atmosphere and excellent coffee—I have it with their homemade almond milk. It’s a daily ritual that sets the tone for my workday.

For Design

Inform Interiors in Gastown is a design lover’s dream. Their collection is always forward-thinking, and it’s where I often go for inspiration or that one piece to complete a space.

For Shopping

Old Faithful Shop is great for thoughtfully sourced goods and timeless design objects. Their edit always feels fresh yet enduring.

To Get Away

I find stillness and beauty in nature on Salt Spring Island. The landscapes, the people and the slower pace offer a reset I deeply value. It’s also where we’re building our home and spend a lot of time in the summers. I love the farm-to-table lifestyle and the vibrant, creative community.