Decorating & Design
October 1, 2021
This Vancouver Island Duplex Is Big On Coastal Charm
Can one house have both a colorful apartment for a daughter and a rental unit designed for income generation? Well, yes, it can. This 910-square-foot Vancouver Island duplex has all that and more: outdoor spaces on both levels, a private beach and a separate art studio, all of which take in views of a quiet inlet that’s minutes from downtown Victoria.
Local restaurateurs Shellie and Mike Gudgeon worked with BoForm architect Chris Foyd and designers Christi Rivard and Kyla Bidgood of Bidgood + Co. on the clever build. When the couple’s daughter, Isabella, wanted her own space, the time seemed right to take down the existing 1960s house — worn from its long years of service as a rental property — and build anew. The new house would be a duplex with a top-floor apartment for Isabella and a ground-floor rental suite.
In Isabella’s apartment, the decorating is vibrant and eclectic, layered with deep, jewel-toned furniture and dark wood to balance the lighter white oak used in the wide-plank flooring and rift-cut millwork. “I love color and showcasing art, and I wanted the rooms to feel warm and collected over time,” says Isabella. Several pieces, including a pair of ladderback chairs, came from a former family home. Everything is carefully chosen to be both durable and beautiful, a mix that defines the decorating style. “Shellie wanted things that would hold up over time,” says Kyla. “She was able to inject some practicality into Isabella’s wish list. It was a true collaboration.”
Scroll down to explore this small duplex with incredible views!
Q&A With Isabella
How do you make small-space living comfortable? “By assigning each area a task — otherwise my art supplies would take over!”
How many people can you host for a dinner party? “Fifteen to 20! I’ll make it work!”
What’s your biggest sanity-saver? “Limiting the amount of closed storage. It helps me control what I can bring in or accumulate.”
If you could add one thing to your space, what would it be? “Nothing. It feels very complete.”
Whose work do you follow? “My favorite local artist Luis Merino, and linework artists like Frédéric Forest.”
The kitchen’s long counter serves as a prep area and dining table. It creates a natural divide between the kitchen and living area. A pair of paintings by local artist Luis Merino inspired the living room palette.
Wide-plank flooring and a classic woodstove add a coastal cabin feel.
The kitchen is a combination of artful display and practical storage. Shellie asked for a La Cornue range and the design unfolded from there.
The central hallway has plenty of space for Isabella’s treasured keepsakes. A feature wall of built-in cabinets has display at the top and closed storage below.
A wall-mounted roll of kraft paper is used for notes and doodles.
A rolling library ladder leads to a rooftop lookout.
Vintage chairs are used as bedside tables, and a hanging rod holds Isabella’s clothes.
A sculptural tub looks serene in the ensuite.
A custom floating vanity maximizes space in this compact bathroom.
The apartment is on the top floor, with a rental suite below.
A grassy slope leads down to a shared studio for making art and music.
James Jones
House & Home September 2021
Christi Rivard & Kyla Bidgood