Truth be told, we all could use a makeover from time to time.
That especially applies to homes. When they hit the 30-plus-years-old mark, what looked good back in the late 1970s might, well, appear a little (OK, more than a little) dated in 2011. However, when you combine tasteful, high-calibre renovations with a functional floor plan, the result can be a home that's at once stunning and highly livable.
Such is the case with 55 Newbury Crescent, a two-storey Tuxedo-area home built at a time when bell bottoms and big, pointy collars were still in style -- and Three's Company was a hit TV sitcom.
"The home was built in 1978," says Royal LePage Dynamic Realty's Lainey Danzker, who's marketing the 3,540-sq.-ft. home (plus developed basement) with Chris Pennycook. "When the current owners bought it, it was quite dated. Consequently, they had it totally remodelled from 2007 to 2009."
First, let's look at the floor plan. After all, as masterful as renovations might be, their impact can be negligible if the home isn't livable. A generous foyer starts things off. Framed by a chandelier overhead, ornate white wainscotting on the walls and an adjacent grand staircase with white railing that provides access to the second floor, space and style are abundant.
A double-wide entrance then provides access to a sitting room that's filled with natural light courtesy of a huge five-section bay window. Next, another double-wide doorway leads to the formal dining room, which then opens on to a family room with brick fireplace and wall-wide brick surround.
To the right is a most pleasant surprise: a four-season sunroom with heated (tan) ceramic tile floor, surrounded by no fewer than 16 windows. Although the floor plan isn't open-concept, flow is excellent because of the sequential room placement.
Meanwhile, natural light flows freely through the various rooms thanks to a plethora of large, well-placed windows. Warmth comes via two-and-a-quarter-inch ash hardwoods, which were installed in 2007.
"It's a wonderfully bright home," Danzker says. "There are windows everywhere, which provides lots of crosslight. That shows a home doesn't have to be an open-concept design to be bright and livable."
The livability of 55 Newbury goes up another notch or two thanks to a front-oriented quadrant that includes a huge, highly functional (and well-appointed) gourmet kitchen, den and expansive rear entrance (that includes a powder room with Klassen customized concrete sink and tiled floor) which is presently used for storage, but could be converted into a main floor laundry/mudroom.
"The only word to describe the renovations in the home are top-quality," she says. "The kitchen was redone in 2008 with (extra-length) custom maple cabinets, full-extension soft-close drawer sliders, bevelled glass doors and shelves in the beverage areas, granite counter tops, new kitchen window and lighting (pot lights, pendant lights, under-cabinet). All finishes are high-quality, as are the appliances."
As elegant as the angled upper level staircase is, it's also four-plus feet wide for ease of movement (something large families will appreciate). Due to the home's square footage (remember, it's nearly 3,500 sq. ft.) the second floor offers all kinds of space. Once again, it's well-used, with a den (right off the landing with its own private balcony), five bedrooms and a remodelled main bath and ensuite to boot.
"All the bedrooms are huge with big windows. The main bath has an air tub, and the master bedroom's ensuite was re-done with a steam shower. Both bathrooms have granite vanities and (dark grey) porcelain tile floors, and one of the kids' bedrooms even has a walk-in closet," Danzker says. "And the master suite is elegant and classic with all kinds of space, wainscotting on the walls and a big walk-in closet."
Should more space, utility and style be required, the expansive, beautifully finished lower level delivers on all fronts with a sixth bedroom, exercise room, four-piece bath and laundry/storage room.
"It's a great family basement, and a wonderful, inviting family home that's located in a beautiful, well-located neighbourhood close to great schools, a playground and soccer field, Assiniboine Park and Tuxedo Golf course," she adds. "This is an easy home to live in. Best of all, you can just move in and enjoy all it and the area has to offer."
lewys@mts.net
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DETAILS
Address: 55 Newbury Crescent, Tuxedo
Size: 3,450 sq.ft.
Style: Two-storey
Year Built: 1978
Lot Size: 75' x 130'
Bedrooms: 6
Bathrooms: 3
Price: $749,900
Taxes: $7,617.19 (Gross 2010)
Contact: Lainey Danzker or Chris Pennycook, Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate @ 989-5000
