Buying the worst house on the street with the intent to make it a beautiful home and a sound investment might seem daunting for some. But that is exactly what Shawna McFadyen (local area realtor) and husband Mason Wilmot of Land and Lake Custom Homes did with 109 Mill Street in Orangeville. With a wealth of experience completing custom built homes for clients and more than 15 years as a General Contractor, this was the first project that the husband and wife team embarked on together where they were not building specifically for clients. With a passion for design and an eye for real estate, they saw the potential for this property to be converted from the eyesore of the street to a the fully renovated, modern farmhouse beauty that it is today.
“When we first went to look at this home, the market was very competitive. We stood outside and listened to people who had viewed it and their comments that it was “so much work” and “not worth it”. All we saw was what it could be, and we jumped at the opportunity” says Mason.
The home was very choppy and divided, and the 1890’s balloon frame structure complicated the reengineering of the home, but they stripped it back to the brick and reframed it section by section, adding 650 square feet of space for the garage, master bedroom and mudroom. One of the most difficult challenges with homes of this era is energy efficiency and getting it up to modern functional standards, so they spray-foam insulated from basement to attic and installed all new windows throughout.
The location of the original brick and windows were definitive and somewhat dictated the layout, so Mason and his team compensated by installing a stunning glass wall that allows the natural light to flow throughout the main floor. “This was something we had never done before”, said Wilmot. “We were honestly not sure how it was going to work out. But it ended up being one of my favourite parts of this renovation”. It is easy to see why when you walk in the door. It makes the smaller living area on the main floor seem open and airy, and it gives the home a very modern edge which we were able to play on throughout the home.
The kitchen is contemporary and functional, and it features custom millwork by Rob Bourcier of Burly Kitchens. “This home is unique, and we wanted a kitchen that reflected that. We gave them full creative license and we were thrilled with the result. It is truly reflective of our vision and surpassed all of our expectations”, says Mason. The white cabinetry with black appliances are ultra-modern, and the oversized center island finished in a stunning soft green with gorgeous leather finished stone countertop is the centerpiece of the main floor, offering an abundance of hidden storage including a built-in microwave and wine rack. The apron sink and copper hardware and finishes bring in a hint of “farmhouse” to the space, along with the wide plank hickory engineered flooring which offers warmth and texture to the design.
The fully insulated mudroom is an unexpected delight and provides a quiet getaway to be enjoyed regardless of the season, and the laundry room offers additional storage space with more custom-built cabinetry and is every bit as stunning and functional as the kitchen.
The mono-stringer floating staircase is a visually breathtaking addition, and it was welded on site to ensure it was properly fitted and completely customized. It leads the way to a gorgeous upper level that is the perfect place to retire to at the end of the day. The generous primary bedroom features a spa-like ensuite with a standalone tub with waterfall faucet, a step-in shower with overhead rainfall shower head and finished in a stunning black porcelain tile. The walk-in closet and dressing area are spacious and well-thought out, with plenty of room for two. The black finishes with wood inserts keep the theme consistent and are warm and inviting yet still maintain a contemporary feel. The remainder of the upper level features two additional bedrooms and an office, as well as a fully finished loft that would make an excellent playroom or additional work/office space.
The exterior of the home features whitewashed original brick, with black vinyl windows and roof. Mason and his team added an interlocking brick drive in complimentary two tone grey, natural stone steps with a walkway to finish things off, and clean, modern landscaping that adds to the general aesthetic of the home.
Finally, they hired Amanda Steddy from Steddy Styles to stage the home and prepare it for sale. It was quite a large under-taking, and while they provided many of the larger furniture pieces, Amanda brought in the remainder of what was required as well as her style and expertise to bring together a cohesive feel throughout the home. “We were thrilled with the way the staging came together, and so thankful to Amanda for helping us to bring our vision to life”.
“With Mason’s experience in building and construction and my experience in real estate, we have always wanted to work together to complete a project and bring it to market. 109 Mill Street was the first project we worked on together as a team – but it certainly will not be the last” says Shawna.
Mason and his team have been building throughout Southwestern Ontario for more than 15 years, designing and building custom homes that stand alone in their quality and aesthetic. Land and Lake Homes was recently established as a Joint Venture between Mason and Shawna. They work hand in hand with each individual client to provide the expertise and inspiration to bring your dreams to life.
You can visit their website at http://www.landandlakehomes.ca
Shawna’s real estate website is: www.shawnamcfadyen.com,
and her Instagram page is: https://www.instagram.com/shawnamcfadyenrealestate/
WRITTEN BY: TANYA BOTTOMLEY | PHOTOGRAPHY: REAL MEDIA, MISSISSAUGA
RESOURCES: LAND and LAKE CUSTOM HOMES
