change IS GOOD BY SARAH MCGOLDRICK // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SANDY MACKAY home & builder

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1 FAR LEFT: An open living space is inviting for family and guests alike. LEFT: A traditional Indian wood carving welcomes guests as they enter through the front doors. BELOW LEFT: A marbled umbrella stand holds a collection of unique walking sticks. BELOW RIGHT: A grand spiral staircase off the main foyer leads to spectacular rooms throughout the home. change IS GOOD BY SARAH MCGOLDRICK // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SANDY MACKAY A home just outside of Guelph has been redesigned to accommodate even the largest family gatherings. Continued on page o u r h o m e s w i n t e r / o u r h o m e s w i n t e r /

2 BELOW AND RIGHT: A culinary dream comes true for chefs with ample working space and state-of-the-art appliances. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: (1) A stunning buffet is the perfect place to store your table settings and wine glasses. (2) A chandelier gives the dining area a renaissance feel. (3) A cosy sitting area off the main entrance is the perfect spot to receive visitors. (4) An elephant carving inspires luck and good fortune throughout the home. Located in rural Wellington County, between the lush farmlands of Mennonite country and the bustling city, a growing family has found the ideal oasis. This three-storey home has practical yet stylish details for every member of this extended family, which includes toddlers and grandparents. The family took the original 2,000 sq. ft. bungalow and expanded, creating a luxurious residence that now includes more living space for their family of eight and extra space to entertain up to 100 guests. The main focus was for future accessibility, family living areas and entertaining areas, says project manager Jack Miehm of Miehm Design Build Inc., Guelph. The huge renovation included custom cabinetry in both the main floor kitchen and another kitchen on the second floor, all by Bamco Custom Woodworking. The home also has an impressive wrought-iron spiral staircase from Alpa Stairs And Railing Inc. One of the more unique features of the home is the three-storey elevator by Cambridge Elevating Inc. It was never an original thought, says Miehm. We had to reconstruct and redesign it a few times in the floor plan in order to have the access door facing the same direction on each floor. A home for a large family often presents many challenges, especially when building around an existing home. Continued on page o u r h o m e s w i n t e r / o u r h o m e s w i n t e r /

3 Miehm says he and his team quickly rose to the challenge, finding new and innovative ideas to add unique style and design while maintaining functionality. Existing parts of the structure sagged and were often not level. In addition, the clients and their family members never left the site they endured all the construction and commotion and lived in the existing bungalow through the winter months. The perseverance paid off. Halls Heat and Cool Inc. installed heated floors, making the journey across warm marble floors in each room a delight. Mechanically the home is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, says Miehm. Dallsons Electric Ltd. gave each room its own keypad, which controls the lighting and mood. Complementing the electrical system is a superb whole-home sound and communication system by Station Earth. A custom, marble-topped bar is nestled between the kitchen and the living area. The fireplace is a favourite spot to share a drink in the company of good friends. The home theatre (Station Earth) features surround sound and a large picture screen for a true cinema experience. Continued on page 28 TOP: A state-of-the-art in-home cinema brings Hollywood home. ABOVE: A chromatherapy tub provides a peaceful experience while you soak after a long day. FAR LEFT: A bright red tiled shower provides warmth on a cold day. LEFT: Plenty of storage makes getting ready in the morning a snap. HOME THEATRE DESIGN & INSTALLATION HOME CONTROL FROM IPAD / IPHONE/ ITOUCH PRE WIRE NEW & EXISTING HOMES RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PROJECTS LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEMS MOTORIZED SHADES & WINDOW COVERINGS 26 o u r h o m e s w i n t e r /

4 CROWNING TOUCH With several teenage girls in the home, bathrooms were among the most critical parts of the redesign. Each bedroom now has its own en suite with custom sinks, showers and bathtubs by Crown Bath & Kitchen. The bathrooms reflect the needs of the home s residents, each offering a spa-like experience, from the fun and functional bathroom off the girls rooms to the steam bath in the master en suite. With a steam shower you don t have to go to the gym when you want a spa experience, says Crown Bath & Kitchen owner Harvey Singh. Additionally, each bath is fitted with a rain shower, which saves energy while distributing water more evenly. These are easier to use than conventional showerheads, says Singh, adding they are powerful and fast, a bonus when trying to get teenagers out the door in the morning. A bathroom off a secondary master bedroom features a unique chromatherapy tub, which emits several colours of light to offer a relaxing and soothing experience while bathing. Continued on page 30 Marble floors are found throughout the home, including the bedrooms. TOP RIGHT: Glass shelves and a chic purple chair provide an elegant feel to this bedroom. BOTTOM RIGHT: A deep porcelain sink is one of the many unique features found in the bathrooms. Nadine Sofa Pollack Sofa Visit our 6000 sq. ft. showroom today! The world has changed. Pretty is no longer enough. Standard is no longer enough. The world wants more. I want more. Your complete home decorating service Kim Green greengateinteriors@rogers.com 137 Norfolk Street Guelph, ON Custom Vanities Shower Stalls Air Tubs Faucets Toilets Bidets Whirlpool Tubs Quality Kitchen Sinks Mon-Wed 9am-6pm Thurs 10am-7pm Fri 10am-6pm Sat 10am-5pm HOURS: MON-SAT: 11-6 RETAIL STORE OPEN TO EVERYONE 221 Woodlawn Rd. W., Guelph (at Arrow Rd.) Please visit 28 o u r h o m e s w i n t e r /

5 home & builder LEFT: An elevator was installed to accommodate guests of all abilities. FAR LEFT: An elegant chandelier hovers above the master bed. BOTTOM LEFT: Stunning his-andhers vanities with ample storage space. BELOW: A sunken tub and a private steam bath offers a variety of relaxing options after a long day. HOME MADE As the sun rises over the hills and valleys of Wellington County, breakfast is prepared on marble countertops by HGH Waterdown. Fresh homemade pancakes are made on a built-in stovetop from Goemans Appliances. The tranquility of this rural setting is apparent through the windows by VentraLux Window and Door Systems that line the kitchen dining area. Evening meals are enjoyed under the soft light of a gothic inspired chandelier from Chatelaine Lighting. Peer out over the abundant gardens where children run and play in the snow. The massive yard was carefully designed and landscaped for maximum family enjoyment by Turf Plus. The grounds also feature a pool, fishpond and large playground. Adjacent to the home is a six-car garage, ideal for storing collectible cars and guaranteeing a warm start on a frosty winter morning. While reflecting on the project, Miehm believes it was a culmination of talent and expertise that made this magnificent home a pillar of craftsmanship and design. With many years of building this level of home, it does create a niche market for future clients to become comfortable with the final product, says Miehm. He says communication between designers, framers and interior designers is paramount to achieving an impressive final masterpiece. We have produced many beautiful homes over many years of building, says Miehm. This home can certainly be counted among the best. OH life happens where you design it Fine Landscapes & Interior Design Solutions 30 o u r h o m e s w i n t e r /