Home tour: A hockey player’s renovated family home in Victoria, British Columbia

To the left of the foyer is the living room, which McDavid wanted to transform into a haven for the young family about to move in. The living room showcases the art of maximising the space through thoughtful furniture groupings. Taking full advantage of the stunning front windows, a pair of elegant wingback chairs creates an intimate conversation area, while a playful upholstered window bench adds unexpected charm. 

The real surprise lies behind a hidden door—an olive office that dramatically shifts the atmosphere from bright and airy to dark and sophisticated, complete with heavy textured drapes and vintage writing pieces. Here, the team mixed inherited heirlooms like the piano with newer pieces like a lounger. “They may seem to be total contradictions, but they end up complementing each other perfectly to build a modern, moody space,” says McDavid. 

On the other side of the foyer is the dining room, which retains its identity while still featuring a seamless connection to the kitchen. One of the most notable details of the room is the scalloped ceiling, which McDavid sees as “a stunning architectural detail that anchors the room uniquely without disconnecting the larger spatial experience.” A carved backsplash at the coffee bar provides another subtle nod to the French contemporary influence that threads throughout the residence.

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Moving into the kitchen, McDavid takes pride in creating the heart of the British Columbia home. A gathering space through and through, the kitchen is centred around an expansive island with ample seating. To keep the space from leaning too traditional, McDavid and the team mixed a limestone slab with bold veining marble, resulting in a split stone backsplash. 

The kitchen also features a pass-through window leading to the back garden, framing views of the climbing wisteria that caught McDavid’s eye from the beginning. The backyard is what McDavid considers to be the property’s ‘showstopper,’ so they infused elements of Versailles design in Victoria’s climate through the hedged garden with a classic white pergola. 

The outdoor bar area is perfect for gatherings with family and friends, featuring a pizza oven and gourmet barbecue, seating up to fourteen people. On particularly sweltering days, guests are invited to dip into the pool, which is flanked by iron base loungers and an oversized outdoor fireplace area. Here, one sees a nod to the entryway tiling with the classic checker pattern, which is featured in a larger scale and with more contrasted tones. 

On the far end of the pool is the pool house, which features fully retractable doors and a wall of Veuve Clicquot that adds ease to any summer barbecue. The chic bunk room features a stripe-patterned carpet and a custom-built oak bunk, where up to five people can lounge around and beat the summer heat. 

Returning indoors, the home offers a space for children to build worlds of their own. The room features a soft blue-green colour to ensure that the space stays playful, while complementing the grand French doors that open to the rest of the property. Other notable features in the room are the limestone fireplace and chandeliers, which allow the room to shift in function as the family grows over time. 

Stepping up to the family’s private quarters, the primary suite creates a deeply luxurious experience. It begins with a small foyer, which features a drop zone coffee bar. The bedroom itself is a serene retreat, highlighting the original French windows and Juliet balconies that overlook the gardens and pool. The panelled vault ceiling lifts the space beautifully, ensuring that the couple can unwind after a long day. 

The nearby primary closet, painted in a cool French blue and wrapped in blue-toned tweed wallpaper, infuses the home with the energy of a Parisian boutique. The vanity table takes advantage of natural light from the balcony doors, suffusing the room with light at all hours of the day. The primary bathroom also features custom marble and limestone checkers in the shower, echoing the patterns from the first floor.  

For the bedroom shared by the children, McDavid went with a more neutral colour scheme. This turns the room into a canvas for both children to express themselves freely, turning the space into a reflection of their growth over time. Each space features detailed wallpaper and exquisite trimwork, ensuring cohesion with the rest of the home.  

Stepping down into the basement reveals one of the home's most unexpected pleasures: a speakeasy cigar lounge with vintage reclaimed entry doors and custom banquette seating. Whether your preference is aged whiskey, Guinness on tap, or a fresh cigar, this intimate space caters to sophisticated relaxation.

This British Columbia heritage home represents more than renovation—it's a thoughtful evolution that honours the past while embracing the future. Through thoughtful materials like natural stones, unlacquered brass, and oak millwork, every choice prioritises longevity and integrity over momentary trends. The result is a narrative-rich home where historic legacy meets contemporary family life, ensuring that the British Columbia home can hold space for all the memories yet to be made. 

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