After 6 months of searching for a new home and being outbid on no less than 5 multiple offers, Doug and Kari-Anne walked away from the property market for a few months. However, while nearing the end of an overseas holiday, they decided to take another look.
“We were looking for a house in the country with a couple of acres that was either old or dated that we could put our stamp on.” When a house they’d previously loved in Erin dropped substantially in price, they immediately went to look, put in an offer and closed the deal.
The house was a 2-bedroom Post & Beam home with 16ft ceilings and a walk out basement to a stunning swimming pond fed by an artesian well. Upon moving in, their friends and family were horrified they were planning on painting all the pine posts, beams and ceilings. However, the couple felt it was akin to a hunting lodge and was in desperate need of a lighter, more modern colour palette.
While working on the vision and drawings of the new addition to the house, they started updating the existing house. Their son-in-law, Andrew Woerlein, owner of Northern Craftsman Custom Homes orchestrated the design, permit processing and the building of the new project. The new addition would house the new main bedroom, ensuite, a laundry room upstairs, and a new entrance hall and three car garage downstairs.
From the original front entrance, the main level spreads out before you. The renovated kitchen is as eye-catching as the 12ft etched, zinc countertop island that dominates the space. Although the kitchen has been modernized with stainless steel appliances, the feel is that of a bygone era. The surrounding off-white kitchen counters, the grey wood flooring and the deep farmhouse sinks softened the surrounding metal finishes, creating a welcoming area that encourages cozy coffee chats at either the island or at the dining table.
To the right of the kitchen, through the large double doors is the new addition, the bulk of which is taken up by the primary bed and bathroom, dominated by earthy flowing tones and 12” wide floor boards. The large king bed, deep wooden table “office” and sitting area complete with arm chairs and faux fireplace are all framed by large windows, providing natural light and a view of their sprawling yard, including the swimming oasis.
Rather than close the space off, you simply walk past the bed on either side, through the arches and turn the corner to reach the primary bathroom, with the eye-catching steel wall fountain which will rust over time giving it a deep beautiful patina. Even without the fountain, the room has a tropical feel, emphasized by the spacious open walk-in shower, with double rain shower heads, wooden slatted floor and climbing vines draped through the slatted shower ceiling. Your tropical spa escape is carried into the main portion of the bathroom, helped along by the delicate carvings in the dark wooden vanity. The unique vanities in each of the bathrooms were imported from India, purchased through Wood Sense Interiors and repurposed to custom fit each of their individual spaces.
Leaving the addition, it’s a quick walk up the stairs to the loft bedroom, gentle and welcoming in pastel pinks and bright whites. Kari-Anne felt she had more freedom to play in this space, without needing to mirror the bulk of the house so closely; as such, she honoured her grandparents in the design. Something that stands out, particularly in the delicate floral wallpaper and unique gold finishes, such as faux candelabra sconces, solid brass floret basin and a stunning mirror in the attached bathroom. Despite these callbacks to a time gone by, the room still feels modern – as if someone had taken a scene from Lucy Maud Montgomery and pulled it into the 21st century, carrying all the right feelings, together with modern comforts.
Looking out from the open concept loft, you are treated again to views of the flowing fountain of the pond through large windows and views of the rich cream and brown of the living room, centred around a stone fireplace and a large coffee table made out of an antique wagon.
Completing the balance on the opposite side of the house, lies the original main bedroom, now guest room. This area is self-contained with an ensuite bathroom. With its ice pond-coloured walls, it is more colourful than the rest of the house, with 4 unique prints that help shape the design. A fun, nautical-beachy vibe leaves you feeling a lot more relaxed having spent time there.
Regardless of location, Kari-Anne enjoys finding unique pieces to refurnish, recreating ideas seen in magazines, and layering rooms until they feel finished. It’s a love she shares with her husband and it’s easy to see it in all aspects of their home, as well as carrying through to Kari-Anne’s salon, Indaba Hair Studio, in Georgetown. It’s that love of what they have created, and sharing it with others that really makes both her spaces special.
WRITTEN BY: JILLIAN KENT | PHOTOGRAPHY: PAUL SPEARS
