Outside In
Like an ever-changing portrait in a majestic frame, the riverside landscape graces every room of this 3,300 sq ft home, bringing natural beauty from the outside in. Milne Homes built this house so the owners would have a view of their magnificent property from every vantage point. At the heart of the design, a sweeping curved staircase leads to a balcony overlooking the great room and the river beyond. A trademark Milne Homes creation, the staircase is split, dividing at a small landing down to the kitchen and up to the bedrooms and balcony. |
windows and columns, an inlaid carpet defines the great room. | |
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“The design of the
house is very modern,” notes Doug Milne, “despite the fact that it has
many traditional elements.” Throughout, custom-milled high
baseboards and larger casings replicate the heritage look, exuding
timeless craftsmanship. In the great room with its 18-ft ceiling,
stunning arched windows and towering columns set the classic European tone
of the home. Dark oak hardwood floors run throughout the main floor
providing just the right contrast to the walls and
furniture. “We were able to inject some bold patterning and colouring into the great room,” says Olenka Antymniuk, pointing out the inset carpeting. As the Interior Designer on the project, Olenka worked closely with Milne Homes to interpret the homeowners’ dreams and turn them into reality. For the walls throughout the home, she developed subdued shades of mauve, soft pink and light blue. “They had very specific furniture that needed the right backdrop,” she notes. | |
| In keeping with the
delicate tones, the fireplace mantel is finished in a soft white with
fluted columns and a crown moulding identical to the trim of both the
entertainment unit and the kitchen cabinetry. “We always try to
create a flow from one room to the next, particularly when there is an
open concept,” explains Larry Koop of Heirloom Cabinetry,
adding that complementing both the home and customer’s tastes are
essential. “The homeowners wanted a wood grain with a gloss finish in
something that would be very durable.” A silver ash gloss PVC cabinet proved to be the perfect choice. Above the crown moulding, a cove and bulkhead treatment embellishes the tops of the cabinets. Heirloom incorporated a glazed china display area to the fully functional cabinetry, complete with rollouts, built-in stainless steel appliances, and under-cabinet lighting. Below, full bull nose granite countertops grace the work areas, the built-in desk and the island, which doubles as a breakfast counter. Just off the kitchen, Milne Homes designed both a formal and informal eating area. A wide bank of windows surrounds the latter to maximize the feeling of being outdoors. On the other side, a butler’s pantry joins the kitchen to the formal dining room. “Whether you are entertaining in the living room, great room or dining room, the butler’s pantry serves as a central preparation facility,” notes Doug Milne’s wife and business partner, Janet. Complete with a small sink, countertop and convenient cabinets, the butler’s pantry is an ideal area in which to mix drinks and place the finishing touch on hors d’oeuvres or dessert. |
Kitchen:
In the kitchen, Heirloom Cabinetry’s careful
detailing reflects the arch of the windows, while concealing the hood fan
in a heavy mantel. | |
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A bevelled glass door
leads to a dining room, accessible from the foyer through a wide arched
opening. A ceiling medallion and heavy coving lend the dining room
its look of traditional elegance. Also flanking the grand staircase, the
formal living room features another fireplace with a unique mantel and
marble surround. Heirloom Cabinetry worked
closely with Olenka to create a mantel that would stand apart and define
the room. “The great room concept is wonderful but you do need to
balance it with private space,” adds Doug Milne, pointing out the study
adjacent to it. It is this mixture of distinct space within a unified theme that enabled the builder and designer to create a separate haven on the second level. To capture the wooded view from the master bedroom, Milne Homes designed a floor to ceiling glass wall opening onto a balcony with a glass railing overlooking the river. “With glass wrapping around the room, it feels as if they are outside,” says Janet Milne. To heighten the experience, artist Larry Rich painted windswept clouds on the tray ceiling. A rag-roll treatment gives the earth tone texture to the walls. “Knowing that the owners wanted clouds as a ceiling treatment, we wanted to make sure that they were visible,” explains Olenka. “This involved selecting contrasting colours to emphasize the sky.” The clouds continue into the ensuite on the domed ceiling beside the arched window. Surrounded by the reflection of trees in the adjacent mirror, the whirlpool tub is the perfect retreat into the arms of nature. Meanwhile, a convenient step and a co-ordinating listello balance the practical with the aesthetic in the tub surround. | |
| “It’s the details that
make the difference between something being all right and something being
very special,” says Olenka. In fact, the ability to deliver a wide
range of details is a characteristic that sets Milne Homes apart.
No detail is overlooked, either in the interior or the exterior of the
home. To maintain the classic European style on the outside, a yellow, trowelled stucco finish and a cedar shake roof were chosen. To give the house appropriate stature and eye-appeal, the cheery yellow finish is complemented by the heavy, off-white, detailed moulding framing the windows. Dentil mouldings under the soffits also enhance the front elevation. While making a bold statement, the home blends beautifully with the mature trees and generous foliage leading down to the riverbank. In striking this careful balance, the builder has truly succeeded in carrying the inside out while bringing the outside in.
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