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.

This quaint and cozy home is situated on a tree lined street in one of the city's historic neighborhoods. The house's two stories rise taller than its surrounding neighbors which are mostly bungalows and built somewhat later.

Shrubs and a decorative concrete fence surround the property giving it privacy without the "stay back!" impression that currently popular fence styles convey. The boulevard's huge trees protect the home from cold winter winds, and help to keep it cool in the summertime.

Gisele and David have lived in their home for approximately 1 1/2 years. As any homeowner knows, the first few years is when a great deal of work is generally done on any new lodging. Upgraded electricals, a new furnace, and blown - in insulation on all exterior walls keeps the house warm and cozy during the cold winter months. The walls have been painted in wonderful shades of greyed green and gold - both colors that accentuate the patina of the oak arts and crafts furniture.

The dining room area faces north, and the large window takes advantage of the bright north light. It overlooks well trimmed shrubbery and the stone and concrete fence with its decorative cast iron gate.

What makes the space work is that it is not overly cluttered. The furniture is in scale with the size of the rooms. There is plenty of free space or 'breathing room" around the pieces and the same goes for the walls.

This room was the first one to be restored once they moved in. It was necessary to have an office available for David who is a historian and who uses the computer on a regular basis. The walls were repaired, mudded, and primed to even them out. Next, they were covered in anaglypta which is a great product to hide imperfect walls. Anaglypta was created in the 1880 's to provide homeowners of the time with a less expensive alternative to Lincrusta, a linseed based product that has survived intact in many British homes even today.

The embossed paper based anaglypta was primed then painted in this warm gold hue. Gisele's collection of antique photo frames adorn the top of the antique oak bookcase. Throughout the room there are paintings by David's father who loves to paint the picturesque areas surrounding his farm.

The room has become an oasis in the midst of the work that is in process and that which still needs to be done on the second floor of this heritage home.

There are many interesting and original details in this house. As can be seen from this detail the staircase survived intact. This is one of the reasons the house appealed to the owners. "It had not been renovated to death so there was still a lot of room to work with original details"said Gisele. "We wanted an older house in an established area. This house still had character, original woodwork, and the balcony off the main bedroom was a plus too". They both concede however that the property still requires a lot of work to get it looking the way they want it to.

The backyard was a challenge. During the first year they cleaned up the weeds and plants that had completely taken over the yard. They painted the old garage and installed trellises to create some pattern. The cobblestone patio is now a very pleasant place to sit and plan... the next project!

Written By: Johanne Yakula

From Times Past

Sources: From Times Past Antique Furniture and Accessories

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