Welcome to our “Featured Home”. You will see how creative homeowners solve decorating challenges and create wonderful interiors that represent the unique people that live there. Questions? Email us at johanne@fromtimespast.com . Your feedback is appreciated.

A special place indeed! Casual strollers who pass by this four square home in one of the city's older districts would first notice the wonderful gardens created by the homeowner (award winning I might add) but they wouldn't be prepared for the lavish detail and meticulous attention focused on the interior of this seemingly modest home.

"Four Square" houses got their name from the layout of their rooms. They are two story homes that feature four rooms on the main floor: entrance, living room or parlor, dining room and kitchen. The second floor houses the bedrooms and a bathroom. The shape is essentially square, thus the name was coined.

When asked why she chose this house, Audrey, a human resources specialist and landscape consultant, said she wanted an older home with some character, a veranda, a large yard to garden, trees on the boulevard, - all in a settled community. She got all she wanted and more: a house that had been split into suites, had its staircase hidden by poorly built plasterboard walls, hardwood full of holes from many carpet installations,and a bathroom that saw its last reno in the 1950's- just to name a few!

A lot of work has been done on this house, and it has taken many years of on again, off again work to create the effects we see today. "I took my house right down to the studs and then put it back together again, piece by piece" said Audrey ." I added some architectural interest - it had all been stripped away when the house was divided into two separate suites. I embellished where I felt it was suitable"

Technically speaking, the work done in this home is a recreation rather than a restoration. Starting with the entrance, Audrey had to remove orange indoor -outdoor carpeting from the stairs. The wall hiding the stairwell was removed ( the staircase still existed) and Retro Art, a new easy - to -use product that simulates tin was installed as a wainscot to give the entrance impact.

The floor was covered with black and white tile inspired by Edwardian country houses of the same era. It is extremely practical especially considering the various critters that call this house home.

In addition to beautifying every room, Audrey replaced all the wiring, and plumbing in the home (only the upstairs bathroom remains to be done). She added a functional basement where none existed and installed a full bathroom downstairs as well.

The first room one sees next to the entrance is the living room. Beautiful antique furniture lives side by side with other elements of Audrey's passion : gardening.

Plants and flowers - both real and silk jockey for the best position amongst the owner's belongings. Audrey decorates her home with Victorian sensibilities. She believes in abundance and every nook is filled with beautiful as well as quirky objects. Books live here too - everywhere!

Audrey has made concerted efforts to find light fixtures that suit the style of the house. Her many visits to the USA has resulted in made interesting finds. She also has wall sconces originally from the Banff Springs Hotel. The warmth of brass works well with the colors she has chosen for her rooms - warm terra cotta, blue and golden yellow - no white walls for this home!

Ceilings are not forgotten either! Lincrusta borders, crown moldings and picture rails help to recreate that period decor flavor, as do the ceiling medallions and hand painted wall corners.

Plans for the future include bringing the exterior of the home back to its original ( This means removing green siding off the entire home - a costly venture), and creating a studio in the attic.

When I asked Audrey what home means to her she answered "Home is the place that envelops me and allows me to be comfortable, creative and allows me to put my stamp on it with the things that I love to have around me".

Nothing is ever really finished when your home is your canvas - Audrey's next project is on the third floor where she intends to create a loft office / den which will provide this writer with fodder for another article!

Sources: From Times Past Antique Furniture and Accessories

Check out the article on Audrey's award winning garden here

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