Todd Lewys / Free Press
The home’s upper level starts off with a well-placed loft that can be used as a computer or media area serving as a hangout for the kids.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
Warm finishes and stylish light fixtures give the main living area a cosy, character-filled feel.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
Families will love the utility and style offered by the cleverly integrated kitchen/dining area.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
Style and function intersect well in the beautifully designed island kitchen.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
Spacious and stylish, the great room is an entertainer’s delight.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
A riff on parlours of the 1950s, the home’s front area can be closed off by a sliding door that makes for a private space in which to enjoy a cup of tea after dinner, or a private living room for in-laws occupying the main-floor bedroom.
Todd Lewys / Free Press
Naturally bright and well-appointed, the primary bedroom is a true haven for work-weary parents.
Over the past five to seven years, a trend has emerged in how builders design the front of their homes.
Whereas plans were once straightforward with a foyer opening onto a hallway that connected to a home’s main living area, front portions of homes now often come equipped with a flex space on one side and a bedroom and bathroom on the other.
Noting this, the design team at Hilton Homes determined they were going to take that design element to a whole new level with their new 2,104-sq.-ft., two-storey show home at 31 Yaleton St. in Prairie Pointe.
“This is a brand-new plan — it’s called the Paisley,” says Spencer Curtis, Hilton’s owner, who’s intimately involved in the design of every home the company builds. “The home has lots of new and exciting features.”
It turns out Curtis and his design team didn’t waste any time in rolling out those new features, as the Paisley’s front section is markedly different from most homes on the market.
“Basically, the front of the home is a riff on the old parlours of the 1950s,” he explains. “The idea behind its design was to come up with another way to provide balance between open concept and privacy in a home.”
In this instance, a generous foyer transitions smoothly into a long, nine-foot-wide area that’s occupied by four comfy-looking armchairs — with a small coffee table in the middle.
“It’s something our buyers said they were looking for — an area where you can sit and have tea after dinner, and close off. With that in mind, we put in a sliding door that can be pulled across to neatly separate it from the main living area.”
Curtis notes the design is also beneficial in another sense.
“If you have in-laws living with you, it allows them to pull the door closed to give them their own private media area that’s next to their bedroom and bathroom. To add style, we tied a feature wall’s design into the design of the door to add a bit of extra style. Designing the front of the home that way creates lots of options, as does a hidden side entrance.”
A generous, five-foot-wide entryway then provides access to the home’s main living area, which features a deft blend of style and functionality. And even though it’s a large area, its inviting warmth beckons you in.
“The idea was to infuse it with tons of texture and warm colours that gives the area a nice, cosy feel,” he says. “There’s a bronze-tile backsplash that goes beautifully with light-taupe cabinets, and the island has a woodgrain look that works well with the wide-plank flooring’s warmth and texture.”
At the same time, light-taupe quartz countertops and striking light fixtures do their part to complete the well-balanced colour scheme.
“The darker-taupe veins in the countertops add an extra bit of texture, while the lights — we spent a lot of time sourcing them — add punch and style. Everything works so well together. A great room with linear electric fireplace set in a grey-tile surround with subtle rust tones and spacious dining area next to a large window finish off the main living area perfectly.”
A pleasingly wide staircase leads to the Paisley’s upper level, which is also packed with style and utility.
“We started it off with a bright, lovely loft that can be used as a TV area, computer space or just a hangout for the kids,” says Curtis. “It has a bedroom on one side, and a big laundry room with a window on the other. As much as we wanted this new plan to be different with its design and sense of style, we made sure we didn’t overlook function.”
No danger of that happening, as both secondary bedrooms are oversized, providing plenty of space for kids to grow into as they get older.
A well-placed bedroom wing then builds on the home’s striking yet balanced design with a well-appointed main bathroom that impresses with its space and elegant finishes.
Then there’s the primary bedroom, which serves as the upper level’s unquestioned pièce de résistance.
“It’s a private retreat that has a nice relaxing vibe to it,” he says. “A big window lets in loads of natural light, and the colour scheme, with its soft tones, is quite calming. The bedroom is just the right size and is complemented nicely by a deceptively large walk-in closet and a lovely ensuite with a walk-in shower featuring a tiled surround that matches its tile floor.”
Curtis says he’s ecstatic with the way the Paisley turned out.
“I think all the little touches add up to make for a great family home that’s unique, yet very functional. There’s been lots of positive feedback, which has been great.”
lewys@mymts.net
The Details
Builder: Hilton Homes
Address: 31 Yaleton St., Prairie Pointe
Style: two-storey
Model: the Paisley
Size: 2,104 sq. ft.
Bedrooms: four plus loft
Bathrooms: three
Price: $747,863 (includes lot & GST)
Contact: Soren Frederiksen, Re/Max Executives, 204-226-3571 or Kim Fyles, Re/Max Executives, 204-291-2220
