Advice on big project: ‘Learn to roll with it’

Instead, they hired WetlandsPacific of Nanaimo to create an innovative wastewater management and treatment system that involves a biologically passive, plant-based filtration system using organic matter (peat and hog fuel) to remove trace contaminants.

Inside the house, they have also employed some interesting materials, after Parker learned of wood from old growth, dead snags in Port Renfrew.

“These big coastal white pines had died of disease 80 to 100 years ago — some were four feet in diameter and they had no commercial value. But because they had stood for so many years, they drew up minerals and took on the tone almost of cedar.

“I bought tons of the stuff. It was kiln dried and milled and I used it for all the trim and the main floor ceiling,” which is also the floor of the upper storey, made into two-by-six tongue and groove.

“I got the mill to also give me some six-by-twelve tight grain pieces for staircases, posts and railings. It cost about $2.50 a board foot, custommilled.”

Some one-by-16 boards, salvaged from massive fir beams in two Second World War hangars at Victoria International Airport, were used for shelves.

His advice to anyone attempting to do something similar is simple: “It’s going to cost more than you think and about 25 per cent of things will either go wrong or turn out to be a challenge. So you gotta learn to roll with it.”

Cathi agreed, saying the first house they built in Abbotsford was easy, “but this was hard. There were so many rules and just trying to figure it out took time. The local district threw us some curve balls, which required us to hire an engineer and cost us about $17,000 extra. There was one thing after another.”

But they are delighted with the results and as she said: “I’m a tree hugger and we didn’t cut down a single tree. That’s one reason we went up to two storeys. I originally wanted a one-level house, but we would have had to cut down some trees.”

A 20-cubic-foot gas kiln in the garage, next to the studio, is used for high-temperature firing of stoneware.

• A display cabinet holds Parker’s collection of Bogdan and Hardy fishing reels dating back 80 years — “and still working as well as the day they were made,” he said.

Clockwise from above: • The large wall basket is a Japanese seed sifter, with small sifter inside. Shelves hold baskets, pots and treasures from around the world.

FAMILY PHOTO Above: Homeowner Parker Jefferson is an avid fly fisherman. Right: Cathi Jefferson works on a vase in her studio, which will be featured on the Cowichan Artisans Spring Studio Tour, April 21, 22 and 23.

• Looking down the dining table, toward a door that leads into Cathi’s parents’ suite, on the far right is a built-in desk made by Parker. At left, under the kitchen counter are ashtone platters and sculptures.