A dramatic Bear Mountain estate gives one family the space to blend.

Their Side of the Mountain - YAM Magazine Jul/Aug 2024
When the Ratcliffs transformed a vacant hillside lot into their dream home, they knew they would need to create enough space for each member of their blended family, and furnish it with materials that are as durable as they are beautiful. To do so, homeowner Amy Ratcliff worked with interior designer Sam Scott to create a cohesive look of light creams, warm browns and inviting textures that link each room with the rest.

 

BY DANIELLE POPE  |  PHOTOS BY SERGIO PETRACCONE (unless otherwise noted)

Lewis Ratcliff considers himself an expert on all things Bear Mountain — especially when it comes to real estate. So, when a lot came available with a full ocean view and south-facing light, he knew this was the moment to build his family their own dream home. 

“We’ve lived on Bear Mountain for about 10 years and discussed building, but rarely do lots this good come up,” he says. “It’s never the perfect time to do it, but it was as good a time as any to bite the bullet and go.” 

The choice would win Ratcliff, Realtor with Engel & Völkers Ratcliff Group, a three-minute commute to his office, unobstructed views of the ocean, mountains and Malahat — and significantly more space for his blended family, which includes two teens and a preschooler. The family transitioned from their 3,800-square-foot home to a fully customized three-floor, six-bedroom, six-bathroom, 5,500-square-foot estate, complete with an additional 500-square-foot garage and secondary suite.

The home was chosen in part for its mountain views.

Award-winning Design

“We loved our old home and it worked well for us at the time, but we knew we needed something we could all grow into,” says Amy Ratcliff, who helped design the home. “We also knew we would have to mix Lewis’s and my design preferences together. Lewis prefers modern and I like more traditional designs, so we struck a balance.” 

The family drafted in the help of designer Sam Scott, along with LIDA Construction and Munro Engineering, to forge into reality a cliffside luxury villa that aligned with the Bear Mountain community while standing out the way the Ratcliffs wanted. Due to the complexities — and successes — of this geotechnical build, the home has won awards at the local and provincial levels, including project of the year in the 2023 CHBA Vancouver Island Building Excellence Awards, and has been nominated for national awards.

Their Side of the Mountain - YAM Magazine Jul/Aug 2024
The homeowners almost decided against the full cedar ceiling in the great room, but now it is Amy’s favourite feature. The unparalleled views and connection with the rest of the home make this space welcoming and social for family nights or hosting. Photo by: Hussel Media.

 

“The end product was very successful, and it came with challenges: This was a home built on the side of a mountain and, at the time we built this house, we were facing massive supply-chain issues around ordering materials,” says Dave Stephens, principal and president of LIDA Construction. “Our clients make the final decision as to what they want in their house, but we are here to be consultants and guide that experience until we get to construction.”

The transitional design of this home exudes elegance, with soaring cedar ceilings, a concrete feature fireplace, butler pantry, clean lines and arched doorways that carry a flow throughout the home’s levels. With five people living there, plus each person’s array of friends, extended family visits and plans to entertain, this house had to accommodate a dynamic set of needs. 

“This home came with a big wish list, but most of all a desire to emphasize family — from open spaces where everyone could connect to the playroom for their youngest daughter and even space for the kids to do homework while people are in the kitchen,” says designer Sam Scott, who, at the time of this build, was the West Coast representative with Boss Design and now heads Sam Scott Interior Design Studio. “That was a theme we continued throughout the house.” 

Amy, who has her own background in interior design, chose the archway from the dining area through to the kitchen to create an entrance between two areas of the home, which, like the rest of the rooms, are linked by the oak flooring that runs throughout.
Amy, who has her own background in interior design, chose the archway from the dining area through to the kitchen to create an entrance between two areas of the home, which, like the rest of the rooms, are linked by the oak flooring that runs throughout.
Throughout, custom details like curved millwork and arched doorways keep the space warm and welcoming.
Throughout, custom details like curved millwork and arched doorways keep the space warm and welcoming.

 

Scott says the family wanted to give the older kids a place they could escape to when needed, complete with a private kitchenette/bar, living and laundry area, entertainment media space, private bathroom and patio retreat. The Ratcliffs also needed a space their four year old wouldn’t grow out of soon, so her bedroom came complete with an ensuite and a designated playroom. A special sleepover bunk room can generously sleep four friends. 

“We wanted to make a place where people would love being home together, and still have the space they need, so that meant making room for sleepovers and giving everyone room to hang out,” says Amy, who manages the Ratcliff Group team. “Being in real estate, we understand the layout might not work for every family, but we built this home for us.”

Different areas of the home have been designed for each family member — whether it's the wet bar for grownups or the teen zone on the lower level — but the house maintains a feeling of cohesion throughout. Warm neutrals and layered textures keep each space comfortable and inviting so everyone looks forward to being home together, even when they aren’t in the same room.
Different areas of the home have been designed for each family member — whether it’s the wet bar for grownups or the teen zone on the lower level — but the house maintains a feeling of cohesion throughout. Warm neutrals and layered textures keep each space comfortable and inviting so everyone looks forward to being home together, even when they aren’t in the same room.

 

At One with Nature

To keep street cohesion, the family had to adhere to certain Bear Mountain guidelines. For instance, they had to use all-real materials on the exterior, and the natural stone cladding on the front of the house upped costs and engineering calculations. While almost nothing was sacrificed, even with supply-chain issues, the family did compromise on expanding the backyard, which, given its cliffside location, would have added a significant cost. 

Their Side of the Mountain - YAM Magazine Jul/Aug 2024
In keeping with Bear Mountain’s build standards (which don’t allow faux wood or flashing) the face of the home’s exterior is made from pure stone and natural wood. The design keeps cohesion along the street, but also demands additional architectural considerations due to weight and height parameters for this hillside structure. Photo by: Hussel Media.

 

Lewis himself grew up in Victoria, but has found the Bear Mountain atmosphere idyllic. He’s also seen the demographic shift in the time he’s lived there, and firmly believes it’s the place to be.

“Once we got out here, we knew we were never going to leave Bear Mountain. You can get downtown in 20 minutes; you’re surrounded by golf courses and mountains. We love it,” he says. “When we first moved here, there were a lot of young families moving in. Now, you’re seeing more people coming here to semi-retire, play golf, slow down — your neighbours are a nice mix of people.” 

Project Support

Designer: Boss Design

Interior designer: Sam Scott; LIDA Construction interior design team; client

Builder: LIDA Construction

Engineering: Munro Engineering

Plumbing fixtures: The Ensuite Bath & Kitchen Showroom

Cabinets: Thomas Philips Woodworking

Doors, hardware and windows: Slegg Building Materials

Millwork: Amberwood Floors and Fine Finishing

Tile, stairs and flooring: Hourigan’s Flooring

Countertops: Colonial Countertops

Light fixtures: McLaren Lighting

Stair Railing: Quality Aluminum Railings

Fireplace: Heat Savers Home Comfort 

Exterior Finishing: Vic City Exteriors, Stonecrest Masonry

Roofing: Perrier Roofing