Words by Adrienne Dyer. Photos by Jody Beck.
To accommodate their growing family, husband and wife duo Bryan Milkowski and Lindsay Trudeau of Lauma Properties designed and built this North Saanich home that showcases the couple’s dedication to crafting timeless homes designed around quality of life. The home reflects a theme of relaxed, warm East Coast style where fine woodworking takes centre stage.
Starting with exterior cedar shingles washed in a soft, driftwood grey, the home’s stunning curb appeal is accentuated by elegant wood detailing, carriage-style garage doors, and circular nautical windows as a nod to the family’s love of boating.
Inside, shiplap ceilings throughout the lower floor extend into the fireplace and bookshelves for a beachy look, with dropped beams that Milkowski says the eye recognizes as a natural separation of living areas within the open space. “We chose white oak flooring throughout the entire house,” says Milkowski. “We have a dog and two kids, and the light flooring was imperfect to begin with and will always look good.”
Downstairs, a home theatre, wine cellar, pool table area, and a 900-square-foot play area provides plenty of space for every member of the family. In the kitchen, floor-to-ceiling subway tiles and quartz countertops add subtle gloss to complement the beautiful millwork and marble backsplash encasing the modernist Dacor oven.
A built-in china cabinet offers kid-friendly storage for dishes, while the open butler’s pantry keeps food prep out of sight but easily accessible.
The kitchen leads to a stamped concrete patio and outdoor kitchen, for easy flow of guests that Milkowski says is wonderful for parties.
Upstairs, the master bedroom’s turret ceiling provides a stunning interior and exterior feature.
The marble fireplace harmonizes with the ensuite bathroom countertops and herringbone shower tile, with reflective chrome touches warmed by the wood floors.
High-end finishing mingle with stunning architectural detail to give this house a timeless quality while effortlessly accommodating relaxed family life. For Lauma Properties, that’s what makes a house a home.
