Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Nature Meets Nurture in a Canadian Island Retreat
Wood and nature-inspired artwork create a soothing oceanside condo for a traveling British Columbia family
Natural beauty, a thriving surf community and a laid-back, small-town lifestyle made Ucluelet, British Columbia, a perfect fit for Eoin Finn and his wife, Insiya Rasiwala-Finn. As yogis, ocean worshippers and the founders of Blissology — a holistic lifestyle and philosophy — they made their oceanside home an idyllic place for relaxing and reconnecting between international training sessions for yoga teachers.
The couple bought their ground-floor, open-concept condo five years ago as a vacation rental, "but now we live in it when we are not traveling and teaching elsewhere, so it really feels like a little piece of our soul," says Insiya. Collected furniture, artwork, colorful touches and what Insiya describes as eco-boho-modern style have since made the interior a place that both nurtures and inspires.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Insiya Rasiwala-Finn, Eoin Finn and their son, Ananda Lion
Location: Ucluelet, Vancouver Island
Size: 1,700 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The condo sits across the street from the open Pacific, which stretches unbroken to Japan.
The couple bought their ground-floor, open-concept condo five years ago as a vacation rental, "but now we live in it when we are not traveling and teaching elsewhere, so it really feels like a little piece of our soul," says Insiya. Collected furniture, artwork, colorful touches and what Insiya describes as eco-boho-modern style have since made the interior a place that both nurtures and inspires.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Insiya Rasiwala-Finn, Eoin Finn and their son, Ananda Lion
Location: Ucluelet, Vancouver Island
Size: 1,700 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That's interesting: The condo sits across the street from the open Pacific, which stretches unbroken to Japan.
A neutral tufted sectional from Gus Modern anchors the room with some cheery colored throw cushions, including one with an elephant-print fabric that speaks to Insiya's Indian heritage. The couple's treasures sit atop the Ikea Expedit shelves housing their book collection.
Perfect for reading, a leather armchair from Gus Modern that was Eoin's pick faces toward the patio and views. "We set a decorating budget of $25,000 Canadian [about US$24,416] for all the soft and hard furnishings, which we slightly exceeded when we splurged on this chair," Insiya says. "That is probably my husband's favorite piece of furniture ever. Otherwise we were pretty much on track."
Beyond the foyer the home opens to the main gathering spaces. Ten-foot-high ceilings and cedar beams frame the dining, kitchen and living areas. An earthy but bold Ferm Living wallpaper defines the living room, with matching hits of aqua found in the ottoman, throw pillows and area rug brought back from a trip to India, where Insiya is from.
The open mantel above the slate-wrapped gas fireplace holds votives and lanterns, while cozy oversize pillows create a spot for lounging in front of the fire.
The open mantel above the slate-wrapped gas fireplace holds votives and lanterns, while cozy oversize pillows create a spot for lounging in front of the fire.
The homeowners enjoy shared meals and gatherings in the dining room at a modern teak table and chairs passed on by friends. The set fits perfectly in the space with the other wooden pieces. On the far wall above the console is one of the couple's first home purchases: a hand-carved cedar moon by local artist Keith Plumley.
The wood and natural elements are carried into the kitchen with the cabinetry and butcher block countertops. Stainless appliances keep things modern. The openness and the views of the ocean while cooking together or washing up are two of the family's favorite things about their kitchen. "I love our big glass windows and doors that orient toward the ocean. I also love the high ceilings and the cedar columns that really ground the space," Insiya says.
"I would call our style eco-boho-modern. We are drawn to natural finishes, warm woods, yet love the simplicity of white against the wood," adds Insiya. Both bedrooms branch out from the main living space, and walls kept neutral showcase more artwork by friends. A glimpse into the master bedroom shows another graphic wall treatment.
A navy and white wallpaper, Family Tree from Ferm Living, wraps the wall in the master bedroom. Insiya says, "We got some recommendations from a friend who is a designer, Kelly Deck, in Vancouver on where to source the wallpaper for our home, but we chose everything ourselves and did not work with a designer or contractor." Another beautiful painting coordinates textiles collected from travels, especially India.
This is Insiya's favorite spot in the home. "The old antique white desk that I recently got distressed and painted white in our bedroom is the perfect spot to journal and write," she says.
On the opposite wall of the bedroom, the couple created a space for relaxing and enjoying the gas fireplace at the foot of the bed. "We’ve used sustainable furnishings everywhere possible — none of the upholstery has flame retardants, the bed mattresses are natural latex, and we use only eco cleaning products," says Insiya. The soft furnishings and pillows are all natural cotton or linen, and our throws are pure wool."
Opposite the tub in the master bathroom are his-and-her vanities with vessel sinks and sleek faucets. A large sculpture, evocative of seaweed, hangs on the adjacent wall.
The master bathroom features a large jetted tub surrounded by natural slate tile.
Guests use son Ananda Lion's bedroom when the family is away.
The condo's second bathroom features a large glass-enclosed walk-in shower and matching vanities.
A large foyer with built-in closets to the left and a vintage leather bench provides a great space for surfing or beachcombing prep. The slate tile flooring and natural-fiber area rug are perfect for accommodating wet gear.
A painting by Eoin's mother, Carole Finn, depicts the surrounding Vancouver Island landscape.
A painting by Eoin's mother, Carole Finn, depicts the surrounding Vancouver Island landscape.
The unit is in a condominium building that sits atop a ridge, taking advantage of the west-facing views. Large floor-to-ceiling windows and clear glass patio railings allow ample natural light and are terrific for nature watching. Cedar siding speaks to the unit's natural style.
The black and white tree photograph is by Alex Jowett of Toronto.
Coffee table: Drake, Gus Modern