An “impossible” home brings an extended Saanich family together under one unique roof.
By Nessa Pullman | Photos by Joshua Lawrence
Living with your in-laws could be the makings of your worst nightmare — or not. With the cost of living at an all-time high, pooling resources with your next of kin isn’t such a bad idea.
For Geri and Frank Van Gyn, the idea of living with their daughter and her growing young family was a solution to an unexpected problem. The couple had purchased a nine-acre farm in the Blenkinsop Valley with dreams of one day building multiple houses for their kids on the land.
After discovering a covenant had been placed on the property due to Agricultural Land Reserve designation, they thought their plans were dashed. The covenant would allow only one single-dwelling home to be built. The Van Gyns contacted architect Dennis Moore, of D.H. Moore/Architect, to help them create the impossible.
Two Visions, One House
“I needed to design a single-dwelling home for two very different families,” says Moore. “One that allowed each family to feel as if they were separate from one another.”
The result became a partial two-storey structure designed like a letter “H,” with Geri and Frank’s home on one wing, and daughter Jill and her family on the other. A connecting room united the two.
This staggered effect allowed Geri and Frank’s side of the home to face the tranquility of the Galloping Goose Trail, while Jill’s side faced the convenience of the street. The vertical section of the “H” design gave them just enough distance from each other while the horizontal section gave them a connection.
“It was finding the balance between privacy and openness that was the critical challenge in the architecture,” says Moore.
Megan Cortini, interior designer at Velocity Projects, was brought in to help with this complex vision.
“For the most part, we treated these as two separate clients,” says Cortini. “Each family had very different needs and goals.”
Jill Van Gyn and her husband, Chris, who are raising a young family, needed a home that would be child friendly, while also creating a fun space for entertaining. Frank and Geri, on the other hand, were looking for a low-maintenance, tranquil space that would be future-proof as they grew older. Apart from having very different needs, their styles would also prove to be quite different.
“It was a challenge working with the two contrasting styles,” says Cortini, “knowing they would still be under one roof.”
Bold Convenience
To keep the home unified, the foundation of each side would need to be consistent. This meant using the same hardwood flooring throughout, along with aligned window structures and ceiling details. However, the interior touches were where each style could shine. Jill was drawn to a whimsical, eclectic and bold design style.
“I love bright colours and funky art,” says Jill. “I wanted my home to feel unexpected.”
To celebrate this, Cortini chose deep-saturated green cabinets, marble countertops and colourful patterned wallpaper to add richness to the space. To avoid visual overwhelm, however, Cortini balanced the bold accents with modern farmhouse elements that tie in the land surrounding them.
A kid’s playroom, cozy reading nook and a separate pantry kitchen for baking are also included within this two-storey side of the home.
On the other side, which was kept single-level for convenience, Geri opted for a more traditional and neutral theme, with Italian accents. Coming from Sidney Island, she and Frank wanted their home to feel bright and spacious while opening up to the views of the garden, pond and swimming pool outside.
“There are places everyone can go to have their own space when needed,” says Jill. “But then there are spaces we can all gather together as one family.”
Even with the barriers of contrasting lifestyles, there’s something to be said about multi-generational living, and how the Van Gyns found a way to make it work just for them.
“With the designated farmland restrictions, it’s clear Saanich wants to continue to influence multi-generational living,” says Moore, “to continue the legacy of farming [and living together] the way our ancestors did it.”
Two Great Rooms
For the fireplace on Geri’s side (left), a Neolith material was used to recreate the look of Corten steel for a cozy, lived-in feel. On Jill’s side (below), a sleek Italian plaster was used to match the range hood in the kitchen. Both living rooms share the striking beam detail in the vaulted ceiling, which was composed of stained and distressed Douglas fir. Both walls on either side of the fireplace are lined with similar large windows. However, Jill’s window trim is clean and modern while Geri’s is ornate and traditional — each matching their own unique style.
“For the most part, we treated these as two separate clients. Each family had very different needs and goals.”
Jill’s kitchen
The artwork-inspired tile backsplash easily becomes the focal point in both kitchens. On Jill’s side, she chose a custom-designed mural by local artist Paula Gonzales. Jill opted for quartz countertops and a deep farmhouse sink with open shelving to display her dishes. Both kitchens feature an oversized island with seating, as well as a separate scullery kitchen — Jill’s shown here — to support the family for messier meals.
Geri’s kitchen
The kitchens in each side of the home boast parallel features, but are distinctly different. In Geri’s kitchen, the stand-out tile backsplash resembles a classic Monet painting, offsetting the otherwise neutral walls with a gravitational and dramatic dark feature. Geri’s kitchen also has a concrete countertop in an aligned green as well as a stainless steel sink. This side of the house also features exclusively lower cabinets designed with accessibility in mind.
The Bathrooms
On Geri’s side (above), a free-standing green bathtub by Victoria + Albert overlooks the garden while a large walk-in shower gives this main bathroom a spa-like feel. Meanwhile, in Jill’s powder room (right), a vibrant custom wallpaper mural (designed by Paula Gonzales) brings a fresh pop of colour to the space. For the bathroom vanity (below), the designer used a rift-cut white oak cabinet with a V groove for an added flare to this flamboyant space.
Connections
The only connecting room in the house is used as a multi-function media and guest room. The TV, which has a hidden lift to be tucked away when not in use, is used for family movie nights between the two sides. On Jill’s side, a playroom is located next to the front door for her two young children.
Resource List
Architect: D.H. Moore Architects
Builder: Velocity Projects
Designer: Velocity Projects
Plumbing: Ensuite Bath & Kitchen Showroom
Flooring and tile: Island Floor Centre
Countertop: Stone Age Marble
Millwork: Thomas Philips Woodworking
Concrete countertop: Liquid Stone Studios
Mural artist: Paula Gonzales, Phaulet
Windows: Loewen Windows
Exterior stone: Adera Natural Stone Supply
Masonry: Heritage Masonry
Painters: Black Dog Painting
Electrical: Amped Electrical Contracting
Custom doors: Excalibur
Hardware: Victoria Speciality Hardware
