A few years ago, Martin Scaia and Pamela Lewis realized they needed a bigger home for their family. They were lucky enough to find a historic home in Victoria, British Columbia with good bones that they could restore and repair properly. It’s been almost three years, and in this home they’ve created a space that works for their family now and will live on longer into the future thanks to Martin’s handiwork. His work on their house goes beyond the regular sweat equity — they’re fortunate that it’s also Martin’s career (he owns Green Island Builders). Martin shares some of the issues the home had when they found it for sale online, “It was obvious that the house had a history of haphazard renovations, yet we knew that the bones of the house were solid. The carpets, wallpaper, light fixtures, kitchen cabinets were dated (1970s and late 1980s). The main floor had been carved up to make extra rooms. The upper and main floors were separated to create two suites. The paint was old and yellowed, grass wallpaper was on the wainscoting, the floors had old dirty carpet, the hall floor also had old vinyl tile adhered to the original wood. The dining room ceiling plaster was falling off.” Thankfully, Martin knew that would all be well worth it in the end.
As helpful as Martin’s expertise is, we can’t help but be impressed by the 15 years Pamela has worked in non-profit and healthcare. “Whether it is traveling to India to distribute the largest shipment of reproduced Tibetan texts for the exiled diaspora of Tibetan monastics or organizing ‘Papalooza,’ a space where sex trade workers can access free sexual health care on the downtown eastside in Vancouver,” Pam shares that her passions lie in community and service. Currently working as the Director of Programs and Licensed Care for Island Community Health, Pam implements programs for those needing mental health services using support, creative arts, and other therapeutic care.
Both Pam and Martin have traveled and lived around the world, but they couldn’t be happier with their life on island now. Particularly, their current neighborhood, as Pam explains, “We really like the neighborhood (Fernwood). There is so much character, so much life in this area. It’s nice living just uphill from the village; we often walk down to Stage Wine Bar on ‘Date Nights,’ the kids visit the little store in Gladstone Square and there [are] often small community events happening. It’s the kind of neighborhood where people stop and talk to you in your front yard and across fences. We both also like living close to downtown.”
Pam explains that their kids are pretty busy: “Morgan is 15 and plays violin. She just performed with Sarah Slean orchestra. Seamus is 13 and an active Minecraft aficionado. Wyatt loves baseball, soccer and math. Sawyer loves basketball and Harry Potter. Both love to throw on their wetsuits and surf.”
While the house looks wonderful as far as we can see, there are still a few more projects the family has in mind. “Our next goals are to take on the bathrooms, the basement and to build a tiny house in the backyard as a creative retreat space.” Scroll down to see how this 1911 Craftsman style home was lovingly renovated to create a welcoming retreat. —Rebekah
Photography by Jody Beck
Image above: Pam and Martin describe their renovation inspiration and ethos, “We also wanted to celebrate the existing architecture rather than impose something different into this space. Included in this view was the intent to preserve the patina of the house, not to mute or erase its history.”
from Design*Sponge http://www.designsponge.com/2017/12/a-family-made-home-in-british-colombia.html
from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/168430569214
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