Intentionally crafted for day-to-day enjoyment and long-term livability.
Tucked away on their farm in Erin, Terry and Paul have built a spectacular modern farmhouse bungalow.
Driving in, your eyes feast on the sprawling creamy gray stonework and white peaks, large windows trimmed in black with a handsome front door, which sports a massive BC timber decorative frame, above it.
Walking in the front door, the floors of wide plank red oak, expand ahead and continue throughout the home. A bright office, to the right, features a wall of built-in shelves and cabinets crafted by Touchwood Custom Carpentry.
Restful and inviting walls of taupe in the foyer support a large black framed mirror over a rustic barn-wood table that Paul designed.
Walking through the foyer, you are amazed by the 16-17-foot-high cathedral ceilings and wood-beamed great room. The feature wall of white shiplap extends upward. Here, a large tv hangs over the simple black gas fireplace, flanked by built-in white shelves and cabinets. A curved leather reclining sofa is set up to watch the television, and two comfy armchairs sit in front of the wall of windows. Most of the furniture throughout the house was purchased at Orangeville Furniture. Twin wrought iron and faux candle chandeliers hang dramatically from the centre beam. Standing in the great room, your eyes are drawn to large windows and panoramic views.
Between the great room and open kitchen, stands an impressive harvest table and dining chairs. Paul built the table from one of his thrashing barn’s floorboards. It is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship.
The countertops of the large island and kitchen are stunning white quartz, and continue up the walls, as a backsplash. Within the island, there is a bank of large drawers painted black and a cleverly concealed microwave.
Hanging over the island are large, round, cream coloured farmhouse lamps. Across from the island is an induction stovetop and built-in hood vent. Below the quartz counter are multiple drawers.
To the left is the large steel sink with black faucets and more convenient drawers. The window above the sink makes doing dishes more pleasant as you can look out on the amazing view of their fields. Two open wood shelves, decorated with vintage pieces reside to the left.
On the right side of the kitchen is the door to a fully equipped butler’s pantry. One of the most innovative designs to this room is one of the lower cabinets opening to an ingenious pass through from Terry’s garage. This was created so groceries or whatever, could be passed through to the kitchen area, eliminating the carrying of parcels and bags from the garage. Next to the butler’s pantry are two state-of-the-art wall ovens, stainless steel refrigerator, and a large pantry. All the hardware in the kitchen and pantry are an attractive black. Touch Wood Custom Cabinetry built the cabinetry and built ins.
French doors onto the heated floored patio extends across the back. There is a floor to ceiling stone gas fireplace. Terry tells me that they hand picked all the natural stone to build this fireplace and it is the same beautiful creamy gray as the exterior. In front of the fireplace, comfortable outdoor furniture sits to enjoy the warmth.
At the opposite end of this expansive patio, sits an outdoor dining table and chairs. We stood for quite a few minutes looking at the magnificent view over their acreage, breathing in the natural beauty.
Next, entering Paul’s wing. We admired a guestroom with full bathroom, featuring a built-in white bathtub and shiny textured subway tile surround. A Toto toilet sits against the wall and white quartz counter around the single sink.
Paul’s room has a masculine flare with a combination hammered brass, black and aluminium chandelier hanging over the bed. A large television hangs on the wall opposite the bed. Paul’s room includes a walk-in closet. The ensuite has a stand-alone bathtub with white quartz countertop and a Toto toilet.
Opposite the principal bedroom, Paul’s mudroom features a bench and built-in storage, and provides direct access to the outdoors. Adjacent is a shelved library, along with an outdoor bathroom for easy outdoor convenience. The three-car garage, accessible from the mudroom, has heated floors that slope toward a drainage trench and includes a soft water hose hookup for both hot and cold water. A wide staircase leads down to the lower level, and above the garage, there is a finished loft space ready for future use.
We access Terry’s wing through the kitchen. Terry mentioned that the house was first planned as a standard sized bungalow, but due to her need to use a walker, it expanded to include 36” doorways, lowered electrical switches and an elevator.
First, we come to the two-person elevator behind the kitchen, which is also next to the staircase to the lower level. This hallway continues as Terry’s mudroom. Across from the elevator is the doorway into Terry’s suite and next to this door is a striking guest powder room.
Walking into Terry’s suite, we notice a flood of natural light from the large windows. All the bedroom windows have clean built-in automatic blinds. Her bed is flanked by two side tables; the one on the right used to cleverly hide all the room’s controls and wires.
Opposite the bed is a white shiplap wall, showcasing a black gas fireplace and large television. Next to this wall is a beige armchair and table tucked into a nook next to one of the windows. Hanging in the centre of the room is a glittering crystal chandelier.
Terry has a large walk-in closet and next to the bed and night table is the entrance to her white porcelain tiled ensuite, featuring two sinks and a handy open under-counter space for Terry to slide under with her walker. The crystal lighting from the bedroom is repeated over the counter and the two black rectangular mirrors. Next to the sinks is a Toto toilet and across is a large barrier-free glass shower, fitted with double shower heads and built-in bench.
A door from the ensuite leads to a fully equipped laundry room with another large window over the farmhouse sink and counter, and upper and lower cabinets and drawers. Next to the bank of cabinets boasts a black, built-in steamer.
Across from this counter, are the state-of-the-art washer and dryer. A pull-out drawer sits under the washer to accommodate Terry’s laundry basket, eliminating the need to bend over to the floor!
We exit the laundry room back into Terry’s mudroom, and from here, we access Terry’s two car garage.
When I asked Terry what her favourite part of her home was, she smiled and said, “The basement game room. I love to see the smiling faces of my grandchildren!”
On the walls in the basement, by the elevator and stairs, Terry and Paul have hung vintage board game art, collected by Terry over the years. These are especially dear to them as they used to play the represented board games with their children. This space is a wonderland for any visitor, but most of all for their adored children and grandchildren.
Taking up real estate down here are a pool table, foosball table, pinball machines, slot machines, jukebox, large television and fluorescent signs. They also purchased a beautiful table from Lloyd’s Mennonite Furniture in Schomberg, which adds charm and character to the space. There is a large, curved reclining couch which they acquired from Butcher’s Furniture in Hillsburgh to watch movies or just sit and watch the activity.
At the far end of this “Party Central” is the door leading up to Paul’s garage. Paul explains that all the floors in the home are heated, including the garages and outside patio. The front porch is equipped with ice melt heating. There is a heat pump for heating and cooling as well as a propane furnace. Paul and his crew at his company, Plumb Perfect in Erin, supplied all the plumbing expertise.
Paul pointed out that the exterior doors are all secured with triple latch locks. Additionally, Ram Audio Security of Newmarket handled the prewiring for the Wi-Fi, security lighting, alarm system, and cameras.
Terry and Paul were conscious of enlisting local talent as much as possible. Michaela’s Homes & Interiors of Acton was responsible for the choice of paint colours, flooring and light fixtures. K.C. Design Group of Orangeville sourced the furniture, bedding, artwork and accessories. Future Painting in Orangeville completed the painting of the entire house.
As you see from the beautiful photos, Terry and Paul have built their dream home. We were amazed by their home and appreciated their gracious invitation.
WRITTEN BY: MARILYN LEGGETT | PHOTOGRAPHY: PAUL SPEARS | RESOURCES/PHOTOS: PLUMB PERFECT
