tuscany A TOUCH OF feature

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1 Landscaping and intricate attention to detail in this century home is fashioned in traditional Italianate country style. OPPOSITE, TOP: The indoor garden walkway joins the addition to the original structure, as you would see in Italy. MIDDLE: Old world iron accents like this lion fountainhead adorn the walls inside and out. BOTTOM: The home and its natural setting are meant to flow into one another, says the homeowner. When the owners of this century home outside Fergus can t sip morning espresso or clink wine glasses at sunset in Tuscany, they can do both in the next best place their own home. tuscany A TOUCH OF STORY ADRIENNE BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY JASON HARTOG 28 ourhomes SPRING 2017 ourhomes SPRING

2 Their beautiful rural property has been transformed into a little piece of Italy, both inside and out. The home was originally designed and built by a railroad executive from Kansas. It has changed hands a couple of times since and the current homeowners have created a dreamy, rustic property, all while preserving some of the home s unique and original s. I tried to recreate the feeling I get when I am in Tuscany, says the homeowner of her design inspiration. She and her husband built an addition on the existing home, and then extended their living space even further by building beautiful terraces and outdoor living spaces on all sides. We wanted to be true to the original home, the homeowner remarked, so they didn t change the footprint of the building at all. They simply added extra s around what already existed. Architect Gren Weis of Gren Weis Architect & Associates and designer Ken Lomas from Ken Lomas Design helped turn their visions and dreams into concrete plans. They hired Robin Walker Construction to handle the renovation, and Pidel Homes was the lead contractor on the addition. This is a home where every detail has been curated and every surface draws your attention. It is comprised of many forms of art all coming together to form a beautiful and functional home. Continued on page 32 TOP: This multi-functional garden room just off the Cantina is used for potting plants, doing laundry and serving dessert after parties. ABOVE: Formal dinners are served in the original dining room. RIGHT: The crystal chandelier, traditional furniture and elegant draperies are as they might have appeared in the dining room at the turn of the century. Staying true to the home s heritage is paramount to the homeowners. TOP: The fireplace in the great room is a moulded limestone masterpiece by Tartaruga Design Inc. LEFT: The man of the house has his desk tucked into a sunny corner in the great room. The one in the library is reserved for the lady of the house. ABOVE: The loggia, covered courtyard, is designed with doors so that it can be used in all seasons. Transition from indoors to out feels seamless in this airy, old-world addition. 30 ourhomes SPRING 2017 ourhomes SPRING

3 The exterior spaces, intricately designed by Paul Brydges of Brydges Landscape Architecture Inc., are like rooms in themselves. There are distinct spaces with different purposes. Grand stone steps lead from the driveway up to the front terrace outside the front door. Just around the corner, through a stone archway, is a courtyard that contains the outdoor kitchen. It s modern amenities such as a built-in barbecue and bar fridge, and also a true Italian pizza oven. The homeowners serve their pizzas at a nearby conversation area and dining table. A covered villa, which the homeowners call The Ruin, protects another cosy sitting area from the elements. It s a large stone fireplace and wood beams in the ceiling. At the back wall of this terrace, a permanent serving area is topped with regal lion fountains. The homeowners keep their outdoor dishes and accessories here for easy access when they re entertaining. Rob Niezen Masonry Inc. contracted the masonry for the landscape projects. Plants in the gardens (also designed by Brydges Landscape Architecture Inc.) are based on European styling. Overall, landscape construction and installation was completed by landscape contractor, Greg Van Eerde, of CriVan Landscapes. Each person who has owned this home has added to it, says the current owner. She and her husband purchased it from a former university professor who was a famous horticulturalist. His focus on crop development means that this working farm property has a special history in its land, soil and plants. The original owner planted the trees surrounding the home, which now tower over everything. Now we get to enjoy them, the homeowner remarks. Continued on page 34 The use of all the natural stone was to keep the part that was humanly put there still true to the natural setting: a human celebration of, and respect for nature, as our natural home. 32 ourhomes SPRING 2017 ourhomes SPRING

4 Inside, every room has its own purpose, its own style and its own story. From the cantina and garden room to a three-season room that opens wide to the courtyard and the formal dining room the homeowners have put their special touch on all. They hired Maureen Fyfe of Inspired Designs by Maureen Fyfe to help them with the décor details during the renovation of the old home, the addition and the landscape detailing. The large kitchen walks out to a separate terrace on the opposite side of the home from The Ruin. Cranberry Hill Kitchens installed the creamy cabinetry here, which borders a long island. This space leads through to the great room, which s built-in shelving, a cream marble fireplace and a more casual dining space that looks out onto a terrace and country vista. It s a little less formal than the dining room down the hall, which begs to host multi-course dinner parties. Continued on page 36 EMPOWERING - TRANSFORMING - REVITALIZING LASER CLINIC & BODY WORK CALL VISIT COUTURELASER.COM thelillypad.ca The full line of KOHLER bathroom furniture and mirrored cabinets is created to perfectly complement their fixtures and faucets. The premium materials, beautiful designs and carefully considered details make them showpieces in their own right. Timeless Breathtaking design meets unrivaled craftsmanship in the KOHLER Tailored vanity collection. No detail was overlooked in the meticulous crafting of this collection, from the premium hardwoods to the specially designed hardware and vanity tops, all available in an array of finishes to create your own look. Need help planning a new bath or bringing new life to an old one? We re here to help you from design concepts to choosing products and accessories that fit your look, feel and budget. TOP LEFT: The eating area in the kitchen leads into the great room through a set of double doors. ABOVE: The homeowner fell in love with the hearth-like surround for the cooking area. The tiles are treasured finds from Italy. LEFT: The creamy cabinetry with detailed scrolling continues on refrigerator panels. Each surface in the kitchen has been carefully considered and finished with Italian country style in mind. 34 ourhomes SPRING 2017 Phone Fax Dawson Road, Guelph

5 Don t Be Left Powerless Keep Your Family Safe & Warm in the Worst Weather The Right Power Solution At The Right Price Call For A Free Quote Backup Power Solutions Elora, On backuppowersolutions.ca Service Dealer Just off that room, the fireplace in the sitting area is one of the railroad executive s original instalments, from when the home was built. The stone came from Italy, as have many pieces in the home although the fireplace itself was manufactured in Kansas. The library is a work of art. Latin inscriptions border the top of the rich wood bookcases, which also frame a fireplace across from the heavy desk. Parker House Furniture built the cabinetry in the library. As for more modern touches, the homeowners had Station Earth install audio and visual technology around the home. Continued on page 38 TOP LEFT: Although the marble on the fireplace in the living room is Italian marble, it was built in Kansas and shipped here by the original owner. TOP RIGHT: A new marble top and custom hand-painted design add old-world charm to this ornate powder room cabinet. RIGHT: These doors are solid wood and a work of art. The spectacular hand-carved library boasts a traditional Putnam rolling ladder. Helping You Get the Most from Your Backyard! ANNUAL SPRING SALE Saturday May 6th ddpools78@gmail.com 78 First St., Orangeville, ON Pool Installations Maintenance Repairs Openings/Closings Retail Store Open 7 Days a Week ROOFING & CONTRACTING LTD. Steel Roofing Shingle Roofing Cedar Shake Roofing New Roofing Construction: New Homes Vents and Valleys Trusses Soffit Renovations Additions Garages Board & Batten Cottages Decks and Doors Siding Fascia shelburneroofing@hotmail.com 36 ourhomes SPRING 2017

6 Upstairs, an Italian wedding bed, which holds special traditions, is the focal point in the guest bedroom. The master bedroom, with its blue walls and sparkling chandelier, has a classic and clean design. The homeowners added arches and trim work to continue the style from the main floor. They also remodelled a third upstairs bedroom to create an en suite and walk-in closets for a complete master suite. From the en suite, a door leads to an upstairs al fresco patio space. Small windows at just the right angles peer into the library and garden walkway, letting a little extra light into the main floor. Behind every door in this beautiful home is a unique, rich space, true to its Tuscan inspiration. It s nice to live in a home that has a history, says the homeowner, and now we have added our part. OH "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller angela@cbn.on.ca angelacrawfordhomes.com Angela Crawford Realtor 824 Gordon Street U201. Guelph, ON N1G 1Y7 Not intended to solicit properties already listed on MLS. ABOVE: The headboard on the master bed was hand painted by Czech- Canadian Vaclav Vaca. There are also pieces of his work in the Garden Walk and in the upstairs hallway. RIGHT: Hand carved mouldings and creamy cabinetry star in this dreamy en suite that leads out to the rooftop balcony. Custom design and precision control - of your home. Simplifying our clients technology needs for over 30 years. Home Theatre Design & Installation Home Control & Monitoring from your Smart Phone Pre-Wire New & Existing Homes Residential & Commercial Projects Motorized Shades Lighting Control & Outdoor Landscape Lighting HOME THEATRE DESIGN & INSTALLATION HOME CONTROL FROM IPAD / IPHONE / ITOUCH PRE WIRE NEW & EXISTING HOMES RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PROJECTS LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEMS MOTORIZED SHADES - StationEarth.com & WINDOW COVERINGS 38 ourhomes SPRING 2017