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Kyst Hus
Union Bay, Vancouver Island
When a home has been on the market for more than a year, and resembles more of an out-building belonging to the adjacent property than a proper residence in and of itself, a prospective buyer might be hesitant to invest in it. However, all this neglected A-frame needed was a creative vision to make it shine.
Christine and Antonie were en route to meet with a realtor on Vancouver Island when they first drove past what they now call Kyst Husâthe dilapidated property stopped them in their tracks. Although the home and its lot were forlorn and wild, they realized this place had the potential to become something very beautiful.
Christine and Antonieâs home at the time, located in the Beaches neighborhood of bustling Toronto, did not even have a backyard. This overgrown parcel of land on Vancouver Island would allow their three children (ages four, six, and eight) to run free and unrestricted. Their city life had been enjoyable, but the island A-frame tugged at their hearts. Themselves both raised in rural areas, Christine and Antonie realized how much they wanted to raise their children in a place where they could really roam.
Four weeks after discovering the property, Christine and Antonie had sold their home in the Beaches, resigned from their jobs, said goodbye to friends and family, and moved across the country into their A-frame.
Over the course of the next four years, Christine and Antonie oversaw major renovations to restore Kyst Hus to a home of simple beauty and modern design. They were able to find a builder from the outset who agreed to work closely with them to bring their vision of minimalism and high-function design to life. Kai Lawrence of Standingbear Construction is a local custom home builder who patiently listened to all of Christine and Antonieâs ideas and needs, and helped the family to make the most of their small space.
Due to the condition of the home and surrounding property, nearly everything had to be modernized. In the interior they overhauled the layout; upgraded the kitchen and bathrooms; redid the flooring and stairs throughout; extended the loft area; and replaced lighting, windows, and doors. They updated the unstable outbuilding, originally a garage and carport, to serve as a woodshed and artistâs studio. Christine, an artist by trade, is now able to work in what has been christened âKyst Hus Studio,â just a stoneâs throw from the house.
Landscaping was perhaps their most interesting hurdle to tackle during the massive renovations: the area contains a high volume of rocks and boulders, similar to beaches nearby. Rather than fight the natural topography of their new home, Christine and Antonie chose to incorporate the rockwork as an integrated feature in their landscaping.
Living minimally has become a way of life for the family of five. Everything in the home does double duty: something canât just look good, it also has to provide storage. Limiting the color palette to white and natural tones provides an open feel that extends to the outside; the airy feel of midcentury and contemporary furnishings complements the architecture but also works to make the small space feel larger.
Both Christine and Antonie have family ties to...
