Gorgeous, large lakefront home + additional NEW living space for summer 2013. This celebrated, open concept home is perfect for a family or two who enjoy going on holiday together but appreciate having their own privacy in separate living quarters.
Situated on the sunny side of Shawnigan Lake, 45 minutes from downtown Victoria, this spacious, year-round vacation rental provides the perfect holiday spot in summer or get-away in spring, fall or winter.
The house is located on a beautiful, one acre lot with plenty of waterfront to picnic, play a game of lawn darts, hang out at the gazebo or relax on the private dock. With so much lawn at the waterfront, you have room to play in spring and summer and not just be limited to the dock!
In fall or winter snuggle up to the lovely carved, wood surround fireplace and enjoy a quiet retreat or go for a walk in the woods that back onto the large, wooded property.
The home's huge backyard is your starting point to access Shawnigan Lake's many hiking trails and a great spot itself to enjoy nature year-round. Deer can often be spotted here.
Find out for yourself why Shawnigan Lake House has earned rave reviews in the media. The Victoria Times Colonist described the house as a 'glorious getaway that brims with character - a dream cottage come true' in an August 11, 2012 front page article in the paper's 'House Beautiful' section.
The house has also attracted international attention in the international design blog called Apartment Therapy under the headline 'Kim's Inviting Lake House.'
(Links to both stories can be found by visiting the owner's blog on her website. A link to that website is below.)
Boulevard Magazine also gave a nod to the house in a May, 2012 article on Shawnigan Lake stating 'guests (can) enjoy the broad verandah, looking over the private dock in Strathcona Bay. The article noted just a short walk from the house, visitors will discover the cairn that marks the spot where Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, hammered in the last railway spike in 1886.
Also, not to be missed is the world's largest wooden trestle bridge - the recently restored Kinsol Trestle Bridge - just a 15 minute drive from the house.
History abounds here both in the community and the house itself. Shawnigan Lake House was once the home of the parents of Shawnigan Lake's most famous resident - well-known Canadian artist E.J. Hughes, according to the curator of the Shawnigan Lake Museum. (He lived next door for nearly 30 years.)
If you appreciate the architecture and soul of older homes then Shawnigan Lake House won't disappoint you. It is one of the last remaining homes on the lake that has maintained its character from a simpler bygone era, yet the home's renovations ensure visitors enjoy today's modern comforts.
Some of the home's character features include hardwood floors, exquisite wood-burning fireplace, oak doors and lead glass windows. It has an open concept living/dining area, which provides the perfect setting for enjoying the company of friends and families.
The house sleeps 6 people off-season and up to 10 in the summer. In summer besides the 2,100 sq. ft. main house with its 3 bedrooms there's also an 800 sq. ft. fully self-contained, contemporary one bedroom suite, which sleeps an additional two people. It's ideal for the in-laws or visiting friends. Also, new for summer 2013 the lake house boasts a charming, additional 400 sq. ft. guest cottage room that sleeps a further two guests just steps away from the main house.
All of the living spaces have been stylishly decorated to make you feel at home.
This house is a huge cost savings when you compare its rates to similar sized vacation rentals on Shawnigan Lake. Without a doubt this home offers the best value, especially considering the home's size, decor, and location.
A huge bonus is knowing that since the house faces west it will be in sun all day long - an important consideration in summer.
Both the main house and the suite have a flat screen TV, cable and high speed internet. There's also a newly created games room with a foose ball table and plenty of games and DVDS available.
Guests are also welcome to use the owner's canoe and life vests or bring your own boat to take full advantage of this sunny, lakefront property.
Why not organize a get-away with friends or invite your extended family to join you for dinner? The dining table can comfortably sit 10 guests in a spacious room ideal for entertaining adjacent to an English country kitchen, with its maple top kitchen island and charming antique china cabinet. You will be sure to appreciate the well-equipped home that allows you to lay a proper dining table with lots of china, flatware, glasses and table linens.
Finally, there's no better place to sit then the home's charming wicker chairs and watch Shawnigan Lake's acclaimed sunsets from the home's 40-foot long porch -yet another great spot for entertaining!
Keywords: lakefront home, with dock, on private one acre forested property close to town
