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Luminara, in Italy, is a traditional festival in which an entire town is illuminated by candle light. The resulting glow is echoed in award - winning custom - home builder Terry Johals recent project at Victorias Bear Mountain Golf Resort Properties. And so, when the time came to name the luxury property, Luminara fit the bill to a tee.

"The lighting is a key aspect of this house," says Johal, the second - generation craftsman behind Terry Johal Developments Ltd. "It was used to highlight the architectural detailing in the home. The real show stopper is the coffered ceiling of rare figured anigre that is illuminated by the lighting behind it."

Wood and light work in tandem to achieve the contemporary homes warm, inviting feel. An energy - efficient Lutron Whole Home lighting system was used to set various moods throughout the property. Appointed with recessed and indirect lighting, the foyers 18 - foot coffered ceiling carries through to the open living space, where a handsome slate fireplace anchors a wall of softly lit figured anigre. Finished in the same stain, birds - eye maple is showcased in the adjoining kitchens custom cabinetry. Recessed and toe - kick lighting enhance the woods stunning natural grain.

Perched adjacent to the Mountain Courses 15th green, Luminara is set on a picturesque 22,000 - square - foot property, which originated as two lots.

Johal calls the two - year project the result of a true collaboration between himself, the owners and late interior designer David Lockhart of David Lockhart Designs Ltd.

A tranquil retreat for its owners, the three - storey, 5,000 - square - foot home is a study in fine crafts - manshi p. "The owners wanted a very comfortable home that wasnt over the top, and I think we achieved that," says Johal. "The quality is outstanding and the fit and finish is very meticulous." Adding to his already impressive collection of accolades, Johal garnered three awards from the Canadian Home Builders Association for his work on Luminara: the 2009 Gold Care Award for Best Kitchen under 200 sq. ft.; a 2009 Silver Care Award for Best Custom Millwork over 4500 sq. ft.; and a 2009 Silver Care Award for Best Single Family Home $1,000,000-$3,000,000 over 4,000 square feet.

A wood - frame construction, Luminara was finished with HardiePlank® Lap Siding, cedar shakes and natural local stone from K2 Stone. The company —which also crafted the living room fireplace —sources its natural metamorphic slate from its Ocean Pearl quarry in Port Renfrew. Unique to Vancouver Island, the stone is valued for its strength and durability. "Careful thought was put into where the stone was going to go," says K2 Stones Michael Melo. "The stone is integrated. It looks like its supposed to be there."

MATRIX MARBLE & STONE

QUARRIERS AND FABRICATORS OF NATURAL STONE

Inside, Luminara is a flawless execution of refined luxury.

The three - bedroom, four - bathroom property showcases a subdued colour palette of Benjamin Moores Nordic Grey and Cloud White and Sicos Storm Belt that gives focus to the homes natural elements: the custom wood cabinetry and millwork, stone fireplace and polished cross - cut limestone flooring. Fine artwork, sculptural vases and tasteful decorative touches set a curated tone, which is especially evident in the lower levels exquisite library. The circular room is lined with figured anigre shelving and appointed with Barcelona chairs and an exotic zebra - print rug.

Stas

In the award - winning kitchen, a custom walk - in refrigerator provides ample storage, while a Wolf wall oven and cooktop support the spaces refined look. The stylish island boasts a raised bar, Sub - Zero wine refrigerator and bar sink. Honed - and - etched black granite, which carries through from the countertop to the backsplash, lends an elegant, urban feel. The timeless product was supplied by Matrix Marble and Stone, an innovative, Duncan - based company which sources its rare Black Carmanah, Tlupana Blue and Island White marble from the Tahsis and Lake Cowichan areas on Vancouver Island. "We chose the Cambrian Black Antiqued because of its colour and texture," says Matrixs Tim Kyle. "When antiqued, this unique Canadian granite gives the feeling of fine leather to a granite countertop."

Coast Wholesale Appliances, which houses a range of quality brands in its sleek Victoria showroom, supplied a Miele dishwasher and Sub - Zero undercounter all fridge, which ties in seamlessly with the cabinetry thanks to a panel overlay of birds - eye maple.

The resulting kitchen is chic space that commands attention for its tasteful attention to detail. "Its a very well planned out kitchen, and the effect that it has on people when they walk in is wow," says Coast Wholesale Appliances Brian Hanna. "Its one of the most unique kitchens Ive ever worked on."

The master bedroom suite echoes the tranquil mood in the living spaces. Spread across two floors, the suite features a spacious walk - in closet with site - built cabinets, along with a spa bathroom and Juliet balcony. The upper level serves as a private observatory and meditation room which boasts views of the emerald - green fairway.

The focal points of the property, the views are framed beautifully thanks to Designer Series frames and doors in solid ponderosa pine, which are clad with black aluminum; the glass is triple - glazed and features built - in shades to minimize glare.

The owners time spent in Japan is reflected in the serene, peaceful nature of the garden. Jason Parks of Allen Parks Projects Ltd. designed a garden that he describes as a fusion of Japanese and West Coast styles. Working with the topography and the walk - out configuration of the lot, Parks designed the sunken garden to flow from the propertys main patio, which was crafted from Old Country Stone from Abbotsford Concrete Products. In a nod to traditional Japanese gardens, he incorporated elements such as rocks, water and ornaments, along with two varieties of Japanese maple trees; West Coast ferns, rhododendrons, firs and cedars are among the many plants and flowers that were incorporated. The sprawling outdoor space features stone pathways, and a meandering stream connects a tea pavilion with a seating area that overlooks the fairway. At night, the garden is perfect vantage point for looking back at the property and taking in the luminous glow that earned Luminara its name.