These days, 34 years isn't considered all that old.
In terms of resale homes, however, being six years shy of 40 is verging on middle age. That is, unless the home in question has received a near-total makeover.
That's the case with 748 Cloutier Drive, a 2,680-square-foot bungalow built in 1976, says Royal LePage's David De Leeuw.
"This home has literally been taken down to the studs and transformed," he says.
"There isn't much in this home that isn't new. I think the outgoing owners kept the original ceiling and fireplace in the great room and that's about it. Everything else has been redone. It's also on a high piece of land at a spot on the (Red) river where there's been no erosion. The back yard is gorgeous."
The list of renovations is a long one.
New oak plank floors were installed, along with custom 7-feet-6 doors (under an eight-foot ceiling), the kitchen was opened up to increase functionality and remodelled to increase style.
"All the doors and windows, a huge bay window was installed between the kitchen and living room, and there's a new patio and stairs out back. The walls in the kitchen and living room were also re-drywalled to accommodate a hidden 12-speaker surround system, and the basement was recently redone. It's like a new home."
Outside, a dense stand of pine trees in the front yard of the St. Norbert home was thinned to open it up.
In makeovers, it's tricky to merge old design themes with new ones. That could have been the case with the kitchen and living room. However, the new features -- cherry cabinets, and island (with grey/green arborite countertop and double sink) -- co-exist in harmony with the brick fireplace and vaulted, dark beamed ceiling.
The roomy dinette area next to the bay window offers a park-like view and you have a main living space that's both rustic and modern.
"It's very quiet back here," says Doris, the outgoing owner. "It's like being at the cottage with the mature forest and river right there in the back yard."
The amenities don't end there, De Leeuw adds.
"There's a fantastic area at the end of the kitchen with a main-floor laundry room, back entrance, powder room and a hallway running to a service entrance at the front of the home," he says.
"At the very end is a huge room (with two large windows) that can be anything -- an office (it has a built-in mahogany desk and shelves), guest bedroom, or as it is presently, an exercise room. It's a very adaptable room, a great space."
Although the home abounds with room to move -- the floor plan provides a high level of flexibility and accessibility, its design also allows for privacy. Evidence of that is its bedroom wing, which encompasses three bedrooms, a bonus/flex room and four-piece bathroom.
"It's an extremely private area -- that's the way it should be. When you head off to your bedroom, you want to get away from things and relax," De Leeuw says.
"All the bedrooms are oversized with hardwood floors, new windows and tons of closet space. The four-piece bath even has a heated ceramic tile floor. The master suite is off by itself with a great view out back, an ensuite with corner shower and heated floor, and large walk-in closet."
Then, there's the newly finished lower level, which redefines the word, "cavernous."
"All told, there's about 2,000 square feet of livable space down here," he says.
"It was just redone with high-quality finishing materials like grey berber carpet, a maple and marble wet bar and oak-cased pillars.
"It has media and games area and three-piece bath, plus an area at the back that could be a sitting room, or be turned into another bedroom. This home might be 34 years old, but it's essentially a brand new home inside."
lewys@mts.net
DETAILS
Address: 784 Cloutier Drive
Size: 2,680 sq. ft.
Year Built: 1976
Style: Bungalow
Lot: 150' x 280'
Bedrooms: 3, plus bonus room
Bathrooms: 3
Taxes: $6,877.00 (2010)
Price: $779,900
Contact: David De Leeuw, Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate @ 989-6900
