ASK THE EXPERT
BY ALEX VAN TOL
THEORY OF DESIGN
ACHIEVING YOUR DREAM CUSTOM HOME TAKES SOME BIG-PICTURE THINKING — AND KEEPING AN OPEN MIND. Spruce looks to local luxuryhome designer Keith Baker for his insights on the custom-home process, from site optimization and energy efficiency to sustainable design.
B
orn and raised in Victoria, internationally recognized home designer Keith Baker actually started his career as a professional musician. But the dog-eat-dog Los Angeles scene didn’t appeal, so he ditched it for something a little more soulful. He discovered a beautiful knack for woodworking while helping a realtor renovate houses in Monterey, and followed his passion to become a ticketed cabinetmaker. When he returned to the Island, Baker reconnected with a friend from his music days — Grant Gislason, who by then owned Vintage Hot Tubs. Gislason put him in front of clients needing wood elements designed for their high-end backyard decks and retreats. The rest is history. Now heading up renowned KB Design, Baker has been designing locally and internationally for 38 years. He specializes in luxury residential homes and brings a distinct environmental consciousness to his design work.
Be open-minded. That’s a good place to start. Some people don’t have all the answers of how they want it to go together; they just know it needs to feel this way, and they need this number of rooms. And some people are very specific and very prescriptive — that’s actually harder. I encourage people to have an open mind in terms of the home showing
22
FALL 2019
JEFFREY BOSDET/SPRUCE MAGAZINE
What should people know before they embark on a custom home build?