Words Janice Henshaw
Photos Jody Beck Photography & Toby Moselen/Hussel Media
This grand three-storey home is nestled on a waterfront 5.3-acre lot that offers both the privacy and serenity of a surrounding forest, as well as a stunning ocean view of the Saanich Inlet, facing towards Finlayson Arm and the Malahat on Vancouver Island. The owners, Adam and Erin Tyrrell, have an extensive history in building homes. Together, they have renovated three homes, built three from the ground up, and subdivided property twice – they are workers extraordinaire!
Adam is a general contractor who worked full time at his own company, AT Contracting and AT Residential Development Ltd., while building their 5,800-square-foot home in 12 months. He worked 218 consecutive days and finished the house in time for their family to move in for Christmas 2021. Adam’s house-building skills were featured previously in the March 2025 issue of Seaside Magazine. He has been building high-end residential homes and commercial buildings for over 20 years.
Erin reflects: “We have moved a lot and it’s been a learning journey; we know what materials weather well. With experience, you figure out where to save and where it’s worth investing. We believe function and design are equally important.” Experience led them to make excellent decisions with Hoyt Design Co. regarding the design of their home. They moved away from an open-plan home and created a few more traditional rooms. Erin said that having dedicated, screen-free, cozy rooms for reading and family gatherings was essential. Adam and Erin managed all the interior design work, balancing their love for modern rustic finishes with classic features built to last.
The floors are hand-scraped, engineered hickory, chosen for its beauty and durability, and custom-stained to emphasize the knots and imperfections. This gives a warm, rustic look that both suits their aesthetic and withstands heavy use. Large black-framed windows add to the bold modern look. Thomas Philips Woodworking Ltd., which specializes in local woods and quality cabinetry, crafted all the exceptional millwork, including custom cabinetry, mirrors and the outdoor kitchen. Calibre Doors & Millwork provided the handsome custom doors. The doors were stained to match the weathered wood exterior shingles and the impressive posts and beams, which were milled from fir trees on their property.
A dedicated art nook keeps crayons and paints off the kitchen table, yet remains central to family activities. The kitchen was designed to be the family gathering space, and it serves as an excellent example of how functional and beautiful a kitchen can be. It features custom millwork, rustic white oak cabinetry, heritage brass hardware, a large island and quartzite countertops. KitchenAid appliances are hidden behind cabinet doors, and an extra dishwasher drawer is handy for pots and pans. The glossy white wall tiles are from the Centura Artisan series. Lighting is nearly all from the Hinkley brand, chosen for visual unity. A custom hutch provides both display and utility while defining the dining zone, offering a solution to their previous experience with open shelving. “Glassware and dishes feel less fussy tucked away in a hutch, rather than being on display,” Erin points out, “and we wanted everything close at hand.”
The vaulted ceiling in the great room soars to a dramatic 18 feet, and the handsome fireplace, finished with locally quarried rock, anchors the space with texture and warmth. Throughout the house, pops of forest green “Backwoods” paint from Benjamin Moore contrasts with airy whites. The main walls are painted with Swiss Coffee, in a soft eggshell finish. It is also used on the ceiling in a flat finish, while a satin finish was applied to the trim. The palette is calming and warm, providing visual interest without making the home feel cold or stark. Previous homes they’ve built leaned towards a more high-gloss and modern white aesthetic. Erin says: “We wanted something a little more cozy and timeless for our forever home.”
Located conveniently on the main floor, the principal bedroom is lovely with a vaulted ceiling and beautiful windows that fill the room with light, overlooking the land and sea. The walk-in closets have built-in cabinets, and the spa-like ensuite has two vanities with motion-activated under-mount lighting, custom-made mirrors, and a black and white free-standing soaker tub that offers a calming forest view. Countertops are super white quartzite, ironically called “super white” despite their grey tones. Large drawers, custom-built by Thomas Philips to fit around the plumbing, maintain the elegance of furniture rather than the functionality of cabinetry. There is a separate water closet and an integrated linen closet. All five bathrooms have heated porcelain tile floors. The house is heated and cooled by two heat pumps and two air handlers, which maintain a stable climate, even on the hottest days.
Throughout, thoughtful choices have been made, such as a carpeted stair runner built into the treads, which reduces noise and the chance of slipping. The children’s spaces are upstairs and designed for independence and fun. Hunter’s room is painted in – what else – “Hunter Green,” and features a built-in desk and a custom bench in front of the ocean-view window. Halle’s room is awash in cheerful pink “Wildflower,” complete with a raised window platform to maximize her view and provide a cozy reading nook. Closets have custom organizers that eliminate the need for dressers. The kids share a “Jack and Jill” bathroom with double vanities and separated shower access for easy, conflict-free mornings.
The home’s layout ensures an easy flow between indoors and outdoors, connecting family life to the surrounding landscape. The backyard features an expansive covered seating area, a custom-built outdoor kitchen, a mini pool by Kilo Pools, a custom fire pit and an outdoor bar, perfect for evening gatherings. Cedar shakes and Hardy Board “board and batten” sections are a beautiful choice for the siding. At 1,900 square feet, the detached three-car garage and oversized boat storage area are more than spacious. It also has a separate 500-square-foot caretaker’s suite with its own access, which is currently serving as the headquarters for Erin’s new skincare brand, Walden Beauty.
As for the land: “We left a lot wild and leaned into what is naturally compatible and sustainable with the south-west exposure and rugged terrain,” Erin notes. Extensive land prep and building site excavation were completed by Erdem Excavating. Gardens are minimal and modest, with herbs as the primary focus, leaving time for family boating! Walking trails zigzag through the woods and down to the beach below. One trail leads to a high viewing platform – Adam calls it his “Ponder Point.” Another path leads to a zip line for the kids. Black bears have even made appearances, captured on Adam’s wildlife cameras.
This home is not just a physical structure. It is a living, breathing testament to what’s possible when practicality meets creativity, and when the lessons of years spent building are gathered into such a marvellous home. It’s the setting for family life to unfold: holidays, birthdays, Thanksgiving dinners, muddy boots, Christmas celebrations, and everyday moments of connection. Every decision, from rugged materials to creative storage, from outdoor trails to dedicated workspaces, reflects a philosophy of beauty with function, and quality that’s built to last.
