New Home Inspiration

12 years ago

A mere two years after moving into this

antique 1964 home, I've decided on the inspiration homes for its replacement. (The original idea was to do a reno, but I gave it up as a hopeless waste of money.)

Burgie House, a northern Scottish country home dating from 1800 but with large additions in 1912.

Now a "holiday home", it is partially built from stones from the ruined 17th Century Burgie Castle.

An early 21st Century Georgian-influenced home in the York Mills area of Toronto by noted local architect Lorne Rose

The 28,175 sf city lot with restrictive zoning poses some challenges. The footprint--with hoped for zoning variances--will be 110'-120' wide by 43' feet deep; the front is on a curve; height is limited to 36'; and where the heck do you put the garages.

We shall see.

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Comments (10)

User
12 years ago
Delusions of grandeur at your age?
worthy
Original Author
12 years ago
At least, I'm not being dissed with the Mc word!

In truth, there are no taxes on gains from the resale of a principal residence in Canada. And that's been working out pretty well for many small builders in hot areas for decades. The home will be for sale from the concept to whenever it's sold.

So where do you put the garage? Discreetly off to the side as on the Lorne Rose design? Looks better, but it's damn awkward to move vehicles in and out.
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mcfromct, Hi, I live in Mystic. I love both of the houses in your original post but neither of them are anything like what's around here on the CT coast. In fact, it would be hard to actually define a single style house since the New England coastline's development spans 400 years of building. I 'think' though what you're thinking about is sorta what's known locally as the Nantucket Style which dates to the first quarter of the 20th century...think Newport. It can be spotted by the shingle siding & front porches; but is also known for its distinctive landscaping without which it just wouldn't be a Nantucket. Anyway, searching plans under 'Nantucket' may be worth a try. Features you will see here along the CT coast are windows that have been replaced with salvaged ports. There's a marine salvage yard here in Mystic but they are all along the shore area. Garage & doors lights again from marine salvage. Instead of a wreath, we hang PDF Type IV life rings either on the siding or front door. We use a lot of teak...for instance, we have an all wet-room bath & the cabinetry is teak. You'll also see small floor areas done in teak...as example, a small galley kitchen. MUST HAVEs for an authentic New England coastal look in the landscaping include: Hydrangeas (and more hydrangeas!), lilacs, Black-eyed Susans, Shasta daisies, lots of ornamental grasses, lavender-lined walkways, rosa rugosa (beach roses) & clemetis vines. If you have enough of these plants you can create a coastal look with the addition of just 3-5 trees typical of New England (maple, white pine, etc.). We live on a small peninsula jutting into Mystic Harbor about 75-100' from the shore on 3 sides. The architecture is typical varied New England...everything from cottage to Victorian to Nantucket to Italianate to New Englander to Cape to Saltbox...to Colonial...well, you get the picture. No one style defines the shoreline. Might be a fun afternoon to drive our coastline & snap pictures of your favorite houses along the way to use as inspiration. Heck, if you're near the Connecticut River...just drive down to Old Saybrook & Niantic. Lots of inspiration! Good luck...sounds like it's going to be a wonderful house! /tricia
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Click thru this pic for the original. [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Minneapolis General Contractor Hendel Homes, Rick & Amy Hendel I also love the look of this kitchen. It's a little bit country but I'm building in the rural midwest, so it's perfect for me. I think the soft yellow paint really brightens up the space. [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Other Metro Kitchen And Bath Fixtures Ferguson Showrooms running_mom- LOVE the color combo as well! Will check out your new thread....
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Thanks aktillery - yes, you too were right about adding warmth and dimension - we have decided for sure now - wood floors it is. :-) I've had enough negative feedback about floating over the tile to decide we have to rip it up as well. This way we won't have to cut down doors, build up extra sub-flooring where carpet areas will go, change baseboards, or have awkward thresholds. The British/Tropical Colonial vibe we like best would be impossible to achieve leaving the shiny white tiles. We're looking at a dark wood to replace all main areas where the white tile exists, and a light sisal/jute/berber carpet in the family room and dining room areas (without round cutouts!) I am losing the battle with my husband to rework the entertainment wall while tackling the floors. He just wants a cabinet guy to update it - in place - and keep the wet bar. :-( Also thanks desert_solitaire - sorry but for us, the tile just has to go - even though some people may like it. IF - there is nothing structural in the kitchen island soffit, and IF - we can figure out a downdraft or slimline pendant stainless hood setup AND - it's reasonably affordable THEN - we would consider replacing the island countertop. I shirk away from doing a wood top there though, due to it easily showing marks/wear - and a slightly unreasonable fear of potential absorbent properties not desirable in food preparation. (I know, I know people are using it all over the place) BUT - you're absolutely right - the cooktop is going to be replaced for sure - as is the hood, regardless of a major or minor island overhaul. Both are hideous. I was confused by your reference to brass at first, then I figured out you're talking about bathrooms. They are further down the road. The ladies master bath wallpaper is so wild, it's almost attractive in an odd way. lol KIDDING The small Jack & Jill "guest" secondary bath is the one visitors would see the most and first to get done. The green vanity is awful. The while tile floor in there actually works well. I'm hoping the tile removal guys can cut it at the entry in a straight line without having to continue into the bath and take it all up. 6 more weeks to go before the adventure begins! Will update this thread - or maybe even start a new one about the work in progress, before/after.
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kelhuck
12 years ago
Should be gorgeous! Can't wait to see what u come up with. Can u do a "carriage house" at the back of the property for a garage? Maybe connected with a breezeway for protection from the Canadian winter?
stinkytiger
12 years ago
Hi,

Full disclosure the Architect and Builder is my brother, so this is a biased view. However he did do something similar with a 10th century watch tower in Italy.

It has been featured in Vogue USA, Financial Times, Brides UK, American Express Black Card and numerous other publications. He runs it as an hotel. For a full list of publications check "moravola wikipedia" on Google.

It is sort of a romantic place, and weddings there are quite popular.

All the best, Mike.

Here is a link that might be useful: Moravola
ontariomom
12 years ago
Your York Mills house is gorgeous. It is possible that have even seen it once when in the area. Are the houses beside it large as well? The one to the right as you face the house does not look as grand. You say the depth is 43" deep, so am I correct that the backyard is rather minimal as most of the property is in front? Will you have room for a garage in the back? It will be a shame to put the garage in the front and ruin the symmetrical look, especially for a double garage. This is probably not a great idea, but do houses every have two single garages one on each side of the house, with of course two different side entrances and driveway access to both garages?

Anyway, good luck with your potential purchase assuming you have not yet bought it. Great area of town to live in!

Carol
robin0919
12 years ago
Is this going to be your house worthy?
lavender_lass
12 years ago
Worthy- You're making me feel much better about wanting to add a little more space to my remodel. Thank you :)

You have a nice home now, but I can see that it's going to be stunning, after you finish. What are you planning for your layout? Any ideas for interior style? I'd love to see what you're going to have to go with the exterior!
worthy
Original Author
12 years ago
Mike

Amazing dedication. Europe is full of ruined castles looking for lovers.

kelchuk

Maybe connected with a breezeway for protection from the Canadian winter?

The ideal look. But the property is not deep enough.

OntarioMom

No, no the York Mills home isn't mine. It's one of two existing homes I plan to use as an inspiration. I couldn't afford lots there! Tie Domi lived a block away on Oxbow--until his amour deStronach led to his divorce and his ex got the mansion.

When I say "footprint", that means the area the home itself takes up. The current zoning would only allow me a house about 22 feet deep, even though the lot is 119 feet deep, 250 feet wide and just short of 2/3 of an acre.

Till the link goes dead, here's a gallery of the Lorne Rose home interior. (Sadly in need of an interior decorator.)

, but do houses ever have two single garages one on each side of the house, with of course two different side entrances and driveway access to both garages?

Yes. For instance, here in my old neighbourhood:

Persia Meets Toronto

robin0919

Till I can sell it. It will be the fifth custom home I've built and lived in since '90. But if I'm lucky I can sell it before it's built. Did that a couple of times too.
sombreuil_mongrel
12 years ago
I have always liked this design for a wide lot. It is a two-family, but it could with some effort be modified. The access to the rear of the lot is solved quite neatly?

Floorplan and some details:

Sorry about the lousy snapshot, no time for an HD scan.
Casey
worthy
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, I like the drive-through and considered that design. But it would probably eat up more space than buyers would want.

In any case, I've downsized. More buyers with less money than more money. Especially today. (And even in Toronto's soaring real estate market.)

Here's the first draft--about 4,200 sf. plus the may-be finished attached four-car coach house.

And the inspiration.

New Home Inspiration

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