They’ve never regretted the purchase. “It has a unique ‘upside down’ (or at least that’s what we call it) layout, with bedrooms on the lower level, and I love this because the term fits our unconventional family perfectly,” Alicia begins of the house they bought 10 years ago and now share with sons, 13-year-old Jack and 10-year-old Ben, and their pet hamster, Taco.

Two years ago, the family returned from a trip to find their entire lower level flooded. “I had always dreamed of (and still do!) of having a house with a pool — just not an indoor one,” Alicia admits. “Vancouver experienced an unusually cold winter that year, and despite having the heat on, the outdated plumbing in our downstairs bathroom, which was on an exterior wall, failed in three places.”

“We considered tearing it down after the flood but chose to preserve it because we LOVE older homes and the stories they hold. It comfortably accommodates our family of four (five with Taco) and will continue to serve us well when our sons eventually leave,” she explains.

She also says they could have just renovated the flooded first level, “but past experiences with electrical issues and outdated plumbing throughout the home convinced us that a more comprehensive approach was needed. After a very serious discussion, Alex and I chose to invest significantly in renovating the entire interior of our home to make it exactly as we envisioned.”

“The renovation process was initially estimated to take a year but ended up stretching to nearly 18 months due to delays with permitting. The budget started at $450,000 but ultimately soared to around $750,000 due to numerous unforeseen issues such as framing, leveling, and bringing everything up to code. Hello, the joys of renovating an older home!” Alicia admits.

“We have no intention of ever selling this home, as it holds too much love and significance for us. Alex and I plan to pass it along to our sons, as there is no way in hell they will ever be able to afford a home in Vancouver otherwise.” 

• Pink — Benjamin Moore “2077-20 Gypsy Pink”
• Purple — Benjamin Moore “2071-10 Exotic Purple”
• Yellow — Benjamin Moore “2019-10 Mardi Gras Gold 2019-10” (Glossy Finish)

• Ceiling Light — Sazerac Stitch
• Hooks — The Lermont Hupton
• Tile — Fifth + Fir
• Lazer Cutting (BEER) — Edgewater Studio (Permanently Closed)
• Console Table — The Apartment
• Vase — Scout Design Studio
• Family Photograph — Felicia Chang Photography
• Electrical Fixtures — Buster + Punch

• Wallpaper — Milton & King
• Sofa — CF Interiors
• Rug — Lulu and Georgia
• Pillows — Anthropologie, CB2, Etsy
• Bar Cart — IKEA
• Neon Light — NuWave Neon
• Bubble Gum Machine — Gum Ball Dreams
• Art — Urban Outfitters
• Electrical Fixtures — Buster + Punch
• Wallpaper Installation — Jade Walls

• Wallpaper (Wall) — Lucy Tiffney
• Wallpaper (Ceiling) — Hygge & West
• Palm Light — CB2
• Ceiling Light — CB2 (No Longer Available)
• Table — CB2
• Chairs — CB2 (No Longer Available)
• Rug — Ruggable
• Sideboard — CB2 (No Longer Available)
• Art — Etsy
• Electrical Fixtures — Buster + Punch

• Fridge — Big Chill
• Stove — Big Chill
• Tile — Fireclay Tile
• Wallpaper — Wallshoppe
• Chandelier — Lighthouse
• Cabinetry — Lower Coast 
• Banquette Upholstery Work — The Living Lab
• Banquette Fabric — JF Fabrics
• Countertop — Cosentino
• Pulls — Buster + Punch
• Pedestal Table Base — Rusty Design
• Pedestal Table Top — Patra Stone Works
• Electrical Fixtures — Buster + Punch
• Wallpaper Installation — Jade Walls

• Built-In — Lower Coast
• Cabinetry Door Hardware — Buster + Punch
• Ceiling Light — Lighthouse (Spray Painted Hot Pink)
• Rug — Scout Design Studio
• Desk — Wayfair
• Desk Chair — CB2 (No Longer Available)
• Accent Chair — Four Hands
• Drink Stand — West Elm
• Plant — CB2
• Phone — Amazon
• Howdy Decal — Speedbolt
• Electrical Fixtures — Buster + Punch

• Painter — Cassidy Danger Jordan Lead Singer of The ROCKSTAR Painting Co.
• Bed — Parliament Interiors
• Wallpaper — Wallpaper Direct
• Bedside Table — Wayfair
• Bedside Light — West Elm
• Rug — Scout Design Studio
• Mirror — EQ3
• Dresser — Thrifted
• Artwork — Home Sense

• French Fry Bed — Lower Coast
• Fry Foam Matress — Foam Shop
• Wallpaper — Milton & King
• Wallpaper Installation — Jade Walls
• Skateboard Light — Relic Lighting
• Hamburger Stool — Layback Living
• Bedside Table — Best Buy (No Longer Available)
• Desk — Wayfair
• Chair — IKEA (No Longer Available)
• Nightlight — Amazon
• Bedding — Bed Center
• Ketchup Pillow — Etsy
• Wall Hook — Etsy

• Skate Ramp Bed — Built by Lower Coast
• Mural — WKNDRS
• Skateboard Light — Relic Lighting
• Donut Stool — Layback Living
• Cabinet — Mustard
• Desk — Facebook Marketplace
• Chair — Walmart (Unavailable)
• Desk Lamp — Amazon
• Quilt — Urban Outfitters
• Hook — Etsy
• Floor Pillows — Society6
• Happy Face Accent Pillow — Red Bubble
• Checkerboard Accent Pillow — Simons (Unavailable)
• Yellow Wiggle Pillow — Etsy (Unavailable)

• Custom Vanity — Lower Coast
• Tiles — Fifth + Fir
• Flooring — Tarkett
• All Bathroom Plumbing — Cantu Bathrooms
• Vanity Light — Bulbsquare
• Cabinet Handles — Bradford Hardware
• Bath Mat — Amazon
• Art — Amazon
• Towels — H&M
• Bathroom Accessories — CB2 (No Longer Available)

• Granite Slab — Ceramstone
• Bathroom Floor Tile — Fifth + Fir
• Shower Tile — M2 Tile and Stone
• Cabinetry — Lower Coast
• Crocodile Pulls — Scout Design Studio
• Drawer Pulls — Etsy
• Crocodile Wallpaper — Contrado
• Texture Wallpaper — Graham & Brown
• Mirror — Wayfair
• Vanity Light — Lighthouse
• All Plumbing Fixtures — Kohler
• Bathroom Accessories — CB2 (No Longer Available)
• Electrical Fixtures — Buster + Punch
• Wallpaper Installation — Jade Walls

• Wallpaper — James Crossing
• Wallpaper Installation — Jade Walls
• Laundry Cart — Amazon

Thanks, Alicia!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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