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IT WAS A BIT OF KISMET and a whole lot of persistence that landed homeowners David Schayes and Ed Pountney on this sprawling bit of waterfront north of Victoria, in North Saanich. Cruising along Arbutus Bay in their boat one afternoon, the pair spotted the acreage from the water and fell for it hook, line and sinker. Avid travellers and collectors, the couple was residing in Deep Cove near Vancouver, but their home, nestled on a 50-foot lot, had become too confining. They dreamed of creating a space that mirrored the homes they’d come to love abroad. While it was love at first sight for this piece of land, it took two years of perseverance to finally land the spot—and start plans for their dream home.
“We wanted a place large enough for our friends and family, and still have our own space,” says Schayes of the elegant three-storey home they dubbed Ardmore Hall. Working with architect Nigel Banks, builder Michael Knight and interior designer Richard Salter, the couple drew inspiration from European hotels they’d visited, along with the architecture of modern traditionalist Robert A.M. Stern.
But this is not the stuffy mansion of old. As Schayes notes, “This is supposed to be fun.” A series of programmed fountains burst into the air when you enter the stone pillared gates, heralding your arrival as you drive down the cobbled driveway.
The exterior is richly landscaped with a mini-Versailles-meets-West Coast esthetic. Designed by landscape designers Rusnak Gallant, custom-cut granite coping surrounds the water features. The grounds are abundant with colour and texture that changes with the seasons. Japanese maples that line the driveway turn from a deep burgundy to an electric red in the fall.
Inside, it’s all in the details. Walls are hand-painted (three coats, all with a brush), some frescoed. Hand-set porcelain floors decorate the bathrooms, with the master featuring Venetian glass mirrors and Carrara marble floors.
The home’s personality is strengthened by the owners’ often-quirky collections, which now have breathing room. Over 1,500 Royal Doulton figurines and 17th-century Sèvres porcelains are displayed throughout the main floor, on marble plinths and in custom-designed cabinets. They’re joined by a collection of silver trophies awarded to long-passed celebrities, and a library of first-edition biographies.
The south-facing windows and patio provide ample views of the ocean for the guest safely ensconced in one of the many down-filled couches and chairs. Custom stained-glass windows in the kitchen’s lounge and the living room depict several trees on the property.
Pountney and Schayes put their favourite memories into their property to reflect their years of travel, with ample space for their circle of family and friends—inviting them also to dream, to relax and to have fun.
“It’s such as beautiful piece of property,” says Schayes. “We’re caretakers of the place. We feel privileged to have found it.” wl
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New HomeOld World
Homeowners David Schayes and Ed Pountney wanted the home to look as though it had always been there. Here are their tricks for making modern materials feel timeless.
PAINT BY HAND
Using a brush instead of a roller, though time-consuming, achieves the look of classic techniques.
HIRE ARTISANS
The staircase leading to the basement wine cellar was made by traditional stonemasons Benito Brothers, who reworked it twice to achieve a time-worn appearance.
CHOOSE CLASSICS
The couple used marble and stone throughout, and opted for English walnut flooring for its uneven grain and texture, to mimic the look of vintage homes.
WALLPAPER
Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper has been around since the early 1900s, and continues to produce era-appropriate reproductions. The couple chose several designs to use throughout the home.
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