My Houzz: Custom Everything in a Newfoundland Transitional Home
Being a woodworker has its advantages when you're building from scratch — this Canadian home fits the family beautifully
Becki Peckham
October 31, 2012
Home tour contributor for Houzz, freelance photography and graphic design based out of St. John's, NL.
Check out our home renovation blog www.theuncommonlaw.ca
Home tour contributor for Houzz, freelance photography and graphic design based out... More
Ocean views from every room dictated the design of this Newfoundland, Canada, home. Woodworker Jeff Parsons and his wife, Ellie Brennan, searched for two years to find the perfect plot of land within driving distance of Newfoundland's capital. The beautiful location has a more isolated feel, but the amenities of city living are only a short drive away.
The couple designed their new house to embrace stunning waterfront views, include a large back deck and have the space for a basement carpentry shop. Parsons customized every inch, from the kitchen cabinets to the bedroom furniture, creating a design that maximizes the beautiful sights and maintains privacy.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jeff Parsons, Ellie Brennan and their teenagers, Timothy and Samantha
Location: Portugal Cove-St. Phillips, Newfoundland
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, basement carpentry workshop
The couple designed their new house to embrace stunning waterfront views, include a large back deck and have the space for a basement carpentry shop. Parsons customized every inch, from the kitchen cabinets to the bedroom furniture, creating a design that maximizes the beautiful sights and maintains privacy.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jeff Parsons, Ellie Brennan and their teenagers, Timothy and Samantha
Location: Portugal Cove-St. Phillips, Newfoundland
Size: 2,400 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, basement carpentry workshop
The entrance opens up into an open kitchen Parsons built. White walls and cream cabinetry contrast a stained solid birch island top and granite counters, while the backsplash has cream ceramic mosaic tiles and a band of contrasting red-brown glass tiles. Double wall ovens make mealtime easier; Parsons loves to cook and daughter Samantha loves to bake.
Wall paint: Wedding White, Glidden
Wall paint: Wedding White, Glidden
Windows surround the joint dining area. A chocolate wall color visually separates the space from the adjacent kitchen. While the home doesn't have a formal dining room yet, Parsons plans to tear out the existing pantry and laundry room and build a dedicated dining space.
A custom built-in circular banquette, which seats up to 10, provides a unique approach to seating in this square-shaped alcove. The mirror on the wall behind reflects views of the bay.
Mirror: Bombay, table: Hayward Interiors
Mirror: Bombay, table: Hayward Interiors
Brennan inherited this ship captain's chair from her father, who in 1965 received it as a gift from the captain himself. The antique stained glass in the window had been part of a cupboard door.
This built-in desk and shelving between the kitchen and living area stores cookbooks and shows off some of Brennan’s teapots. It also provides a convenient area for doing homework.
A floor-to-ceiling cultured stone fireplace adds texture to the living room, complementing the deep brown hardwood floors. A natural solid wood mantel finishes the look. "We enjoy the warmth of traditional finishings but also appreciate the minimalist aspect of modern design," says Parsons.
Vases: Winners, clock: Bombay
Vases: Winners, clock: Bombay
The couple loves to relax and spend time on their covered back deck. Outdoor infrared heaters surround the space to warm up those chilly Newfoundland summer nights. Glass-paneled rails maintain the clear view and shelter the space from the elements. Parsons painted a section of the deck to look like a rug he saw in a magazine.
Furniture: Canadian Tire
Furniture: Canadian Tire
The two-year hunt for this piece of land was well worth it. This deck view of the valley with Conception Bay and Bell Island in the background is breathtaking.
The entryway has a long custom-built bench. Stained glass sidelights custom designed with a product called Side Glass Overlay match the glass in the entry door.
The office's location, directly off the front porch, makes it easy for clients to visit without having to walk through the entire home.
The office's location, directly off the front porch, makes it easy for clients to visit without having to walk through the entire home.
The home's open concept has the main living area in the center, sandwiched by the bedrooms and bathrooms on both sides.
In Timothy’s bedroom, a custom headboard and built-in closets keep things tidy. Simple, minimalist bedding was chosen to give this room an adult feel. Both teenagers have their own private bathroom.
In Timothy’s bedroom, a custom headboard and built-in closets keep things tidy. Simple, minimalist bedding was chosen to give this room an adult feel. Both teenagers have their own private bathroom.
A bold black and white wallpaper adds style to this tiny half bathroom, which has no windows and little space to decorate. Parsons chose an undersize modern sink and vanity that sit tight to the wall to save space.
Wallpaper, vanity: Home Depot
Wallpaper, vanity: Home Depot
The gray master bedroom veers from the off-white hues in the rest of the house. Parsons made a built-in headboard that fits perfectly between the wall and the window. Each end table has its own lighting.
The couple enjoys the same beautiful ocean view here as from the deck, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.
The couple enjoys the same beautiful ocean view here as from the deck, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.
The master bathroom has a bathtub and a large vanity. A panoramic window above the bathtub lets in natural light without sacrificing privacy.
These stairs lead down from the home's main-level bedrooms to Parson's basement workshop area. The stairwell's high ceiling makes the wall a perfect place to showcase this old church window frame, which came from a church on Exploits Island, Notre Dame Bay.
Corner windows extend all the way up the stairway, letting in natural light and views of nature.
Parsons designed his basement workshop with a view of Conception Bay. The attached garage makes loading and unloading projects and tools easy. It also acts as a temporary storage area for large projects, keeping the main work area free of clutter.
Parsons outfitted his workshop with all the machines and tools needed for furniture building. A dedicated central vacuum system with in-floor ducting routed to the large power tools and a large air filtration system keep dust out of the main home. In-floor heating warms the cold concrete on cold winter days.
A large front veranda, dark brown wood clapboard and cedar shake siding, and large eave overhangs add to the charm of this Craftsman-style home. The color of the front door with stained glass windows plays off the cedar shakes.
Jeff Parsons and Ellie Brennan enjoy a cup of tea on their favorite part of the house, the back deck.
Even though they have been in the house for two years, there are still projects to be finished and things to be changed — including landscaping and building a massive basement home theater. Brennan says, "I don't think we'll ever be done. Once we finish a project, they always manage to find a new one."
Even though they have been in the house for two years, there are still projects to be finished and things to be changed — including landscaping and building a massive basement home theater. Brennan says, "I don't think we'll ever be done. Once we finish a project, they always manage to find a new one."
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Your home is lovely. Well done! The fine detail in the kitchen cabinetry shows. I love the wooden island top and neutral colors of your home. Do enjoy that lovely ocean view each and every day. I visited Portugal Cove last summer for the first time. My family and I were mesmerized by the beautiful vistas.