Driving down Kingston Row, it's hard to imagine improving on living in a 1930s-era St. Vital classic that backs serenely onto the banks of the Red River.
But it's not impossible, provided you take five years to transform a 1,690 square-foot, two-storey home from relatively ordinary to extraordinary, said RE/MAX Associates' Debra Ann Kaminsky.
"This is what I call an extreme-makeover home," she said as she surveyed 81 Kingston Row's fashionably rustic and eco-friendly interior. "This home, which was renovated by its owner, Todd Junneault of Natural Choice Carpentry, was a labour of love. He renovated it with attention to eco-friendly detail, with green materials that represented Winnipeg."
The result of those renovations, added Kaminsky, is a modern, organic-style home that's as natural inside as the natural setting that surrounds it. With large (not to mention newer) windows inhabiting almost every wall on both the main and upper level, 81 Kingston is an exceedingly bright home, unlike many designs of 1930s vintage.
There are garden doors in the kitchen and large picture windows in both the upper level loft/media room and double-size master suite.
Particularly impressive is the loft-style second floor, which is open, bright and provides an elevated river view.
"The second level was built to overlook the backyard," Kaminsky said. "It's simply a fabulous area. There's a wide-open media room/sitting area, with built-in media centre by the stairs, that has an added feature off the back that people will enjoy -- a private balcony where you have a drink while overlooking the river. There's also a big window that provides a picture-perfect view of the river and two windows on the far wall that face south to let sunshine in all day long."
The rest of 81 Kingston's upper level comprises the master suite and a beautifully finished main bathroom.
"Once you walk into the master suite, you quickly realize it's no ordinary master suite in more than one way. It's double the area of most master suites and is brighter than normal due to a huge south-facing window that soaks in the sun. It also has his/her closets with sliding (dark) maple veneer doors, and the same dark oak hardwoods that run through both levels of the home," she said. "A picture window on the north wall allows you to wake up to the gorgeous river view."
Though the master suite doesn't have an ensuite, that turns out to be a non-issue, due to the exquisitely tiled three-piece bathroom next door.
"That's actually honed travertine tile with a natural finish," Kaminsky said. "The vanity is actually made of fir floor joists that were reclaimed from a 100-year-old school that was being torn down, and the (tempered-glass) shower -- all seven feet of it -- is surrounded by tile. You can also see the river through another big window beside the shower."
The home's main level is no less spectacular than its second level, due to its open layout and the detail and artistry incorporated into its rich natural finishes.
Again, light pours in, thanks to four surrounding windows and the aforementioned garden doors. Those doors not only showcase the river, but a riverside fire pit as well.
"It's hard to know where to start," Kaminsky said. "The countertops are organic hemp (on both the island and butcher block), while the base of the island is reclaimed Winnipeg elm. The floor is cork, while the pantry, with its beautiful arched doors, is also reclaimed elm. The beams on either side and above the kitchen (which has an exposed ceiling comprised of original floor joists) are hand-milled tamarac that Todd reclaimed from an old sawmill."
Although the finishes, which also include birch plywood cabinets, low VOC paints and non-toxic glues, complement the natural surroundings outside, it's the windows that unite the organic materials with nature.
"It's like a cottage property with the beautiful lot on the river with all the vegetation and wildlife, so Todd used the windows to bring the outside inside," Kaminsky said. "The garden doors at the rear of the kitchen are a wonderful finishing touch."
Other finishing touches, such as a main-floor bathroom with clawfoot tub, south-facing den (with more windows) and second bedroom with a river view and, of course, the natural setting, make 81 Kingston a truly special property.
"You know, the owners never planned on leaving, so they did the renovations for themselves. The pride of ownership shows. They've decided to buy a farm where Todd can source and produce his own organic materials, so they're reluctantly selling the home. This is a modern, organic-style home that's been renovated with great care. Basically, it's like a country retreat. It's a home that someone else can come in and enjoy for all it has to offer."
lewys@mts.net
DETAILS
Location: 81 Kingston Row, Elm Park (St. Vital)
Year built: 1931
Style: Two-storey
Size: 1,690 sq. ft.
Lot size: 50'x184'
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Taxes: $4,124.78 (gross 2011)
Price: $449,900
Contact: Debra Ann Kaminsky, RE/MAX Associates @ 477-4444
