From Portland to Mayne Island: The Making of a Dream Home
Hey there!
Okay, settle in. This is a long one…but there are pretty pictures! When longtime Portland clients asked us to help design their dream home on a small island in Canada — during a pandemic — we knew it would be unforgettable. What followed was a journey of trust, laughter, community, and deep creative joy. Here's the story behind one of the most meaningful projects of my career.
I really should’ve taken more pictures. Like reams of them. But, I found myself so taken in by who I was with and the surroundings we were in that I didn’t want to stop taking it all in. This was a special, special trip.
Our clients, Amy and Antony, whom I met over 20 years ago while discussing a remodel of their home, which included the discussion of bathroom flooring that could withstand the pee of two young boys. 😂 Over the years, we have worked together to shape their Portland house into a home that grew with their family. Those boys are now out in the world and will someday be thinking about the flooring of their own bathrooms.
About four years ago, the best thing happened. Amy and Antony came to Kim and me and asked us to help with the design and build of their dream home on Mayne Island in Canada. 🤩 There is something extra special about this kind of opportunity. When dear, awesome clients come to you to help them with such a special project, a new build, in another country, during a global pandemic, having given the architect the heads up that the design team will definitely be designing the kitchen, bathrooms, and anything else, really, that they think needs to be addressed. Well, that is the trust and deep respect that leaves me speechless and also launches a spectacular project. Amy and Antony deserve nothing less.
Their love for this place and their enthusiasm for the project were infectious. Mayne Island has 1200 residents, and among them there is only one licensed electrician, one licensed GC, one amazing architect, and 1197 characters. Amy and Antony were having a blast meeting THE excavator guy and THE mason, and so on.
The thing is, this island has drawn in or trained up some truly talented, skilled tradespeople, and they left it all on the field for Amy and Antony. You know why? Because they respected every last trade that walked onto their property. They shared their enthusiasm with them and gave them room to do what they did best, and they absolutely did their best. And as you can imagine, things didn’t go perfectly, but trust, respect, professionalism, and humor got them to the finish line. Humor is a very helpful tool in the toolbox for sure!
I mean, think about it. A complicated build of your dream house on a small remote-ish island, with an architect you don’t know well, your design team is in the US, the minor inconvenience of a pandemic, and the temperance of, shall we say, creative types, who have their own schedules in mind, just to name a few of the obstacles.
Even just a couple of these things could have driven Amy and Antony into being day drinkers. But, no. They got through it all with grace and gratitude. And, true to form, they extend their graciousness by inviting all involved in the build and design to a party so everyone can meet and see the finished product in person.
So, last month, Kim and I, with husbands in tow (Jake and Jeff), took off on a road and ferry trip to the island. Jeff and I took the opportunity to do some antiquing along the way (shocker!). We did some apologizing to Canada as we ate sandwiches with Canadian cheese 😉. The Canadian’s could not have been more kind, actually. The only cranky person was from Ireland, oddly enough. Ha!
Amy and Antony hosted Jeff and me and Kim, and Jake for a gorgeous dinner with the best bread (looking directly at you, Amy!), the first night, which was my first time seeing the house in person after 4 years of seeing it in 3D or in pictures or video. Surreal is the best description for that feeling. As for the view? Epic. Having a thoughtfully prepared meal that was soooooo yummy, sipping wine, and hanging out with some of the very best people I know in a home that Kim and I worked on together on behalf of the people sitting across from us. Man. I hope each of you gets to feel that deep of a feeling of gratitude at least once in your life.
Amy and Antony have the best coffee! The next day, Jeff and I got up early, as usual, and sipped our body weight in amazing coffee from a coffee maker that they will have to remind me where they found it, because I believe it was from the 70s! It was super simple to use, impossible to screw up; simplicity at its best. Then we walked their property and the beach with them before getting ready for the party.
This was a slice of heaven. The NW has its own color palette, scents, and vibe. Walking the beach and learning about all they did and are doing to restore native plants and create access to the beach so even Antony’s Dad, who is in his 90s, could make it down to there, was so enriching. Hat’s off to the mason for his work, and then hand that hat over to the carpenter for the amazing stairs to the beach. All done with careful consideration and the handwork of artisans.
A feather, beach glass, and stones—each found on the beach on Mayne Island. A small collection of treasures from a truly special place.
While wandering the beach, Amy was teaching us about the stones we found, and she and I became like little girls searching for as much seaglass as we could find. She came across an Eagles feather, which I have always wanted to find myself, and, of course, she gifted it to me. It’s who she is. We lost track of time and had to hustle back up to the house to get ready for the fantastic, catered party they were hosting for all involved in the build and design of their home. It was perfect. It was like hanging out with old friends…and that was the new people we met!
The house doesn’t have window treatments yet…🙃 and they warned us of the morning light waking us up, but it didn’t bother us at all. Honestly, I loved it. The last night we were there, I woke up to see the moon between the trees hovering over their bay, and I sat for a while and just took it in. I also enjoyed watching and hearing the morning wake-up. We slept with the sliding door wide open. It was heavenly.
There is so much more that I want to describe and share, but I’m surprised if you're still reading at this point. 😛
This is really a love letter to Amy and Antony for first, entrusting me with your home so many years ago and then again with this one. I deeply admire how you treat people and saw, first hand, how the community embraced you because of who you are. Your love of family, the way you celebrate life through good food, good friends, getting out in nature, and getting your hands in the earth is admirable. I deeply appreciate you both for bringing us into your lives. My passion is to help people feel at home in their homes, and you have turned the tables and made us feel at home in yours.
From the depth and breadth of my heart, thank you! 💕
‘Til next time,
Arlene