seaside inspiration - Our Homes Magazine
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Rolling landscape makes for a perfect toboggan run. LEFT: The couple have several horses on their acreage. BOTTOM: A stone fireplace is the perfect place to warm up after a day of winter activities.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOMEOWNER
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOMEOWNER
SEASIDE INSPIRATION
Elora
IN
26
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BY LISA BUCHER P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y S A N D Y M A C K AY
H
A large sunroom is decorated with a blend of traditional and eclectic pieces. BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT: (1) Art is an important part of the home décor with many pieces by family members. (2) The downstairs floors are aged hardwood, giving a rustic, seaside feel. (3) Neutral colours on the walls allow for decorative pieces to pop.
Hidden within the Elora countryside is a home that reflects the beauty and eclectic charm for which the area has become renowned. Rolling hills, mature trees and a five-acre lake add to the natural beauty of the property, which was one of the most important aspects of choosing the location. “For us, the house always came second to the location. You can change a home to make it your own, but the scenery is somewhat permanent,” says Martin Johanns who shares the spectacular home with wife Maddie. The couple have purchased, remodeled and sold eight homes over a period of 25 years. This home has an exceptional collection of art and photographs. Maddie’s sister created the painting in the front foyer. Every detail of the home is a reflection of their love of family and friends. Continued on page 28
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A hallway gallery displays images of family trips and portraits going back many years. The renovation began four years ago with both major and minor changes to better capture the couple’s lifestyle. But it was the small details that transformed their house into a beautiful sea-side inspired home. Maddie’s passion for creative living and style is evident in every room. While the walls offer subtle hues, the red pine floors offer rustic charm. In the basement, the floors are painted white, creating a bright space. For a more authentic look, the pine boards sat for a year indoors to dry before they were put down.
Local Mennonites distressed the floors to give the wood more character. Sandblasted door panels throughout the home add another dimension. Martin designed the look on his computer and had the actual blasting done by Grand River Glass Ltd. in Fergus. The trim throughout the house was purchased from St. Clements Trim. The vintage light fixtures are from Peter Harnish., while A.A. Tech Developments Inc. brought all of their locks, hardware, and European windows in from France. The bathroom hardware and classic plumbing accessories were purchased at Glenbriar Home Hardware. An open concept European-style kitchen looks onto the living room.
ABOVE: An open living area creates the perfect space for entertaining friends and family. TOP RIGHT: Blue hues draw inspiration from living by the sea. RIGHT: A vintage-style sink shines with gold hardware. FAR RIGHT: Bead-boarding adds a nautical feel to both bathrooms.
Continued on page 30
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LEFT: The kitchen features a large work space and ample storage for the busy chef. BELOW LEFT: Retro appliances are a throw-back to simpler times. ABOVE: Large glass doors offer a majestic view of the Elora countryside. RIGHT: His-and-hers vanities paired with a large jet tub offer the perfect spa escape at home.
Maddie, who designed the kitchen, says she referred to three different kitchens out of three different magazines to create this space. She used mirror fronts on all cupboards along the top in order to brighten up and visually enlarge the working space. Two different coloured woods are used in the kitchen to break up what is normally a one tone affair in present day designs. The retroinspired appliances are made by Northstar. The former kitchen was reinstalled in the basement, perfect for visiting family and friends. The magnificent colours give the feeling of being in an old-fashioned farm kitchen. When they purchased the house, the basement was just four square walls – another large undertaking. The landscape was regraded to let Continued on page 32
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more light in, taking it down four feet. Terry and Dan Ekert framed the basement and Ariss Concrete Forming sawed the concrete. Reclaimed materials were sought to add additional colour and character to the living space, including antique farm doors and 150-yearold solid pine doors. To add warmth to the living room, the original fireplace was replaced with a brick and stone installation and features a classic cast iron door and lots of space for wood storage. Adding to the feeling of living by the sea, Winston Reynolds, a third generation master carpenter, installed beams and swing shutters. “You can give him a tree and he will make a kitchen out of it,” says Martin. In the master bathroom, the floors were leveled and a jet tub added. Windows surrounding the tub offer the perfect views of the countryside. A skylight allows sun to cascade from above. When the cold weather arrives, heated floors keep feet toasty all season long. It is rare to find a home that offers such an intriguing mixture of architectural ingenuity mixed with the personality and creativity of the homeowners. OH
RIGHT: The downstairs of the home is fully equipped with a full kitchen to accommodate guests. BELOW: To allow for more light in the basement, the landscaping around the house was lowered.
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Rolling landscape makes for a perfect toboggan run. LEFT: The couple have several horses on their acreage. BOTTOM: A stone fireplace is the perfect place to warm up after a day of winter activities.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOMEOWNER
PHOTO COURTESY OF HOMEOWNER
SEASIDE INSPIRATION
Elora
IN
26
o u r h o m e s
w i n t e r
2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4
BY LISA BUCHER P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y S A N D Y M A C K AY
H
A large sunroom is decorated with a blend of traditional and eclectic pieces. BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT: (1) Art is an important part of the home décor with many pieces by family members. (2) The downstairs floors are aged hardwood, giving a rustic, seaside feel. (3) Neutral colours on the walls allow for decorative pieces to pop.
Hidden within the Elora countryside is a home that reflects the beauty and eclectic charm for which the area has become renowned. Rolling hills, mature trees and a five-acre lake add to the natural beauty of the property, which was one of the most important aspects of choosing the location. “For us, the house always came second to the location. You can change a home to make it your own, but the scenery is somewhat permanent,” says Martin Johanns who shares the spectacular home with wife Maddie. The couple have purchased, remodeled and sold eight homes over a period of 25 years. This home has an exceptional collection of art and photographs. Maddie’s sister created the painting in the front foyer. Every detail of the home is a reflection of their love of family and friends. Continued on page 28
o u r h o m e s
w i n t e r
2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4
27
feature
A hallway gallery displays images of family trips and portraits going back many years. The renovation began four years ago with both major and minor changes to better capture the couple’s lifestyle. But it was the small details that transformed their house into a beautiful sea-side inspired home. Maddie’s passion for creative living and style is evident in every room. While the walls offer subtle hues, the red pine floors offer rustic charm. In the basement, the floors are painted white, creating a bright space. For a more authentic look, the pine boards sat for a year indoors to dry before they were put down.
Local Mennonites distressed the floors to give the wood more character. Sandblasted door panels throughout the home add another dimension. Martin designed the look on his computer and had the actual blasting done by Grand River Glass Ltd. in Fergus. The trim throughout the house was purchased from St. Clements Trim. The vintage light fixtures are from Peter Harnish., while A.A. Tech Developments Inc. brought all of their locks, hardware, and European windows in from France. The bathroom hardware and classic plumbing accessories were purchased at Glenbriar Home Hardware. An open concept European-style kitchen looks onto the living room.
ABOVE: An open living area creates the perfect space for entertaining friends and family. TOP RIGHT: Blue hues draw inspiration from living by the sea. RIGHT: A vintage-style sink shines with gold hardware. FAR RIGHT: Bead-boarding adds a nautical feel to both bathrooms.
Continued on page 30
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LEFT: The kitchen features a large work space and ample storage for the busy chef. BELOW LEFT: Retro appliances are a throw-back to simpler times. ABOVE: Large glass doors offer a majestic view of the Elora countryside. RIGHT: His-and-hers vanities paired with a large jet tub offer the perfect spa escape at home.
Maddie, who designed the kitchen, says she referred to three different kitchens out of three different magazines to create this space. She used mirror fronts on all cupboards along the top in order to brighten up and visually enlarge the working space. Two different coloured woods are used in the kitchen to break up what is normally a one tone affair in present day designs. The retroinspired appliances are made by Northstar. The former kitchen was reinstalled in the basement, perfect for visiting family and friends. The magnificent colours give the feeling of being in an old-fashioned farm kitchen. When they purchased the house, the basement was just four square walls – another large undertaking. The landscape was regraded to let Continued on page 32
30
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2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4
o u r h o m e s
w i n t e r
2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4
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feature
more light in, taking it down four feet. Terry and Dan Ekert framed the basement and Ariss Concrete Forming sawed the concrete. Reclaimed materials were sought to add additional colour and character to the living space, including antique farm doors and 150-yearold solid pine doors. To add warmth to the living room, the original fireplace was replaced with a brick and stone installation and features a classic cast iron door and lots of space for wood storage. Adding to the feeling of living by the sea, Winston Reynolds, a third generation master carpenter, installed beams and swing shutters. “You can give him a tree and he will make a kitchen out of it,” says Martin. In the master bathroom, the floors were leveled and a jet tub added. Windows surrounding the tub offer the perfect views of the countryside. A skylight allows sun to cascade from above. When the cold weather arrives, heated floors keep feet toasty all season long. It is rare to find a home that offers such an intriguing mixture of architectural ingenuity mixed with the personality and creativity of the homeowners. OH
RIGHT: The downstairs of the home is fully equipped with a full kitchen to accommodate guests. BELOW: To allow for more light in the basement, the landscaping around the house was lowered.
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