Fresh paint and flooring add shine, but the nostalgic feel is still intact.
Supplied photos
The kitchen in this River Heights home has been masterfully renovated.
Even the exterior of this charming home has been transformed.
Check out the beautifully renovated and restored classic home of Winnipeg real estate agent extraordinaire Marcia Bergen.
Marcia purchased her gorgeous old River Heights 2.5-storey this past spring, and has since been renovating pretty much non-stop. The result, still a work in progress, is just stunning.
"Since taking possession I have converted the 30-year-old renovation from open concept back to rooms by adding walls where they would have originally been and preserving the original feel of the house," says Bergen. "When I purchased the home the back screen porch was part of the house, but had been a separate space from my kitchen, so that wall I did remove, exposing the original and still functioning chimney of the house. It is the anchor of my kitchen and I would suggest one of the nicest features of the home."
Agreed. Your kitchen looks amazing. So what led you to buy classic instead of new?
"I’ve always had a love for older homes. I think it began with spending a lot of time with my grandparents on their farm in rural Manitoba. I have so many fond memories of the old farm house — it was like a warm blanket wrapped around me when I was a child," she says. "Everything from the creaky wood floors to the unique storage spaces which double as amazing hide and seek spaces, to the large trees and the comfort of ‘rooms’ as opposed to the newer open concept style homes. For me old homes have a certain romance about them — a life lived before you, and sometimes many lives."
Many of us can surely relate to a fondness for these charming old two-storey or taller homes. I lived in two of them growing up, and one as an adult (the last one was definitely haunted by the way), and I think any home where you have to climb the old wooden hill to go to bed is just a wonderful place to be.
To date, the renovation list on Bergen’s new/old home has included dropping the main floor ceilings to incorporate pot lighting, opening up the original semi-closed in staircase and adding wainscotting to the walls, replacing the partly covered wood floor with a wider pine plank, painted off-white to add texture.
The word CHARMING keeps coming to mind.
Bergen says perhaps the biggest change she’s made was taking the main floor fireplace den room and converting it into a large walk in mudroom with an adjacent half bath with laundry.
Has it all been smooth sailing? It’s a reno, so no.
"One challenge I encountered was the stone foundation mortar needing some attention, a situation that was allowing the mice to share my space. So the foundation was fully repointed (external part of mortar joints renewed), then the basement was foam insulated and is now in the process of having a full bath, a theatre room, and a home gym added," she says.
Along with the foundation repair, another upgrade included completely transforming the exterior of the house by opening up the front porch to its original build style. The yard will also be fully landscaped to include multi-level decks and stone patios in the front and back as well as new sidewalks.
Such talent — outstanding Marcia, thanks for inviting us in.
Comments or feedback always welcome.
lmustard1948@gmail.com
