The summer of 2018 brought a purchase of a lovely home with huge potential on Gabriola Island. COVID-19 has made it unrealistic to have an open house for friends and neighbours as we planned so we have decided to do this website instead. Thank you for your interest!
We are Siegfried and Nadine, both small business owners in the general contracting (Home-Suite-Home Improvements) and physiotherapy (Form Physiotherapy) industries. With busy careers in the Vancouver area, we wanted a weekend getaway for ourselves and a chapter in our lives where we built a home together.
We originally purchased a property in the Similkameen Valley for these purposes but came upon Gabriola quite by accident soon after while visiting friends who live there.
We were amazed at the ease of access to this special Gulf Island and at how rejuvenated and relaxed we felt after spending time there. Soon we found ourselves looking at real estate listings again.
Date: 2018 – 2020
Gross floor area: 1360 ft2 | 126 m2 (indoor living space) and 1600 ft2 / 148 m2 (oceanside deck)
Client: Siegfried Penner and Nadine Plotnikoff
Designer: Laura Vroom of Outpost Designs Ltd.
Contractor: Siegfried Penner of Home-Suite-Home Improvements, Inc.
Structural: Chiu Hippmann
Project Team and Vendors: International Cabinets, Norburn Lighting, StoneTile, EuroLine, Amuir Excavating, Arbutus Building Supply, Lee Dunbreck Electrical, Rob Holt Plumbing, Newco Enterprises (spray foam insulation), A Mudder Like no Udder (drywall), Terry Learmont Tile Setting, Northwest Landscape and Supply, Excel Railings, Coast Spa and Dick's Lumber.
In the summer of 2018, an unrenovated cottage on a beautiful 0.55 acre walk-on waterfront property in the Twin Beaches neighbourhood came up for sale and it was the perfect fit for us. Since then, we have undertaken a major renovation of the space and yard. It has been so special to have Siegfried himself, whose company is award-winning, build this wonderful paradise for us.
In building this sophisticated and tranquil island home, we incorporated green and high-technology features that truly position this as a home for the 21st century.
These features incude a state-of-the-art modern hydronic heating system with warm board flooring throughout the home and two natural heat sources (hydronic solar and hydronic fireplace heating) supplemented with a high efficiency on-demand Navion propane boiler system.
We have a fully compliant rainwater collection system with a 14,000 gallon on-site water capacity storage system, which is supported by the installation of an EPDM rubber roof, allowing us to do our part on a gentler footprint of the island's aquifer.
The 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom 1300 square foot floor plan is the perfect size for welcoming family and friends. In collaboration with Laura Vroom, we prioritized ease of maintenance and ensured that the home was built for the enjoyment and pleasure that we were seeking on our weekends and holiday times there. We are so happy with how it has turned out!
The 1600 square foot oceanside deck has such mesmerizing, panoramic views and interesting water activity. We enjoy the best summer sunsets and there is always something to look at on the water, be it the BC Ferries, the cargo ships or the seals, sea lions or orcas. One can sit on the deck for hours and never be bored. The infinity edge hot tub is enjoyable at all times of year as is stargazing from the comfort of the lounge area with its fire bowl.
The oceanside wall of the home absolutely justified an 18 foot wide expanse of accordion-style Euroline doors, giving the home and deck a true indoor-outdoor feel and connection. The roof of the house was also lifted 3 feet, adding to the open and expansive feel throughout.
Inside, we chose a palette of neutral colour tones for the open floor plan that beautifully compliments the serenity of the surrounding nature. The classic white walls and elegant floor tiles are warmed by custom light oak Shinnoki millwork throughout and modern-edge wood ceilings, hand-stained by Siegfried. We enjoyed accenting the home with brass and black accents and carefully curated and commissioned art pieces. Nadine spent a lot of time at EQ3 in achieving the coordinated look of the furnishings throughout.
The exceptionally efficient Walltherm fireplace unit is a strong feature for its contribution to the heating systems of the home, its cutting edge technology and its decor.
The chef's kitchen is built for entertaining, with a 50 square foot island and double wall ovens. We took care to preserve the open sight lines from the home to the water, choosing to install a downdraft hood fan which mechanically rises from and descends into the kitchen island on demand.
Our master bedroom has amazing water views and the comforts of a king size bed, cozy carpeting, wall to ceiling millwork and its own ensuite.
Our similarly cozy guest bedroom also has a king size bed, which we can split into twin XL's when needed. Similar to the ensuite, the guest bathroom has a rainhead showerhead and fresh and modern décor.
Now that we are done the renovation, it is time to enjoy our home! Siegfried has found favourable fishing conditions and fishing buddies on the island. Nadine has enjoyed exploring the different walking trails that Gabriola has to offer and entertaining in her dream kitchen. We have felt so genuinely welcomed by all whom we have met. We feel blessed to call ourselves part-time Gabriolans!
If you've not ever been to this island, do yourself a favour and make a visit. It offers so much and is so easy to get here.
