Imagine this: getting up on a fine summer morning, grabbing a cup of coffee and sipping it on the balcony off your master bedroom -- as you watch the Seine River meander by below.
A nice way to start your day, indeed. Best of all, this setting is well within city confines, says Maximum Realty's Tom Haines.
"There are only about six houses that back onto the Seine in this area of Royalwood and this is one of them," he says of 786 John Bruce Road East, a 2,697 sq. ft. two-storey Amberlea Homes design. "The setting here is incredible, as is the home itself."
Building a home to take advantage of such a setting is no simple task, but the builders were equal to the task. Everywhere you go in the home, views of the stunning natural setting out back are front-and-centre due to wealth of windows.
"The design incorporates an abundance of windows into it, which does two things: it captures views of the forest and river out back, and also allows all kinds of light to flow into the home," Haines says. "This is a very bright and relaxing place to call home."
Haines' sales associate for 867 John Bruce, Sutton Group -- Kilkenny Realty's Bob Baudry, takes the accolades one step further:
"It's like being in the country," he says. "If you can't relax here, you can't relax anywhere. My favourite spot in the home is the four-season sunroom (with huge windows on all three sides) that overlooks the river. Sitting back here surrounded by all the natural beauty is so peaceful. There's also a covered deck off the sunroom, too."
That feeling of serenity extends back into the home itself, which features 1,470 sq. ft. of living space on the main floor alone. Included in the main floor layout is a front-oriented dining room, generous beige ceramic tile foyer and den (with double French doors) located midway between the foyer and great room. An added bonus comes in the form of a main floor laundry and powder room to the right of the foyer.
Then, there's the great room itself. With its large windows, open-concept design and rich palette of colours, it seamlessly complements the outdoor setting.
"I think the designers really got the design right here," adds Haines. "There's a huge (cinnamon stained) maple kitchen with pantry, centre island, granite countertops, (beige) ceramic tile floor and stainless steel appliances. An extra-wide aisle between the island and counter makes it easy to move around, and there's tons of room between the kitchen and living room for a table six."
A spacious yet cozy living room with another huge window -- plus gas fireplace with a grey/brown/copper tile surround and built-in nook for a 60-inch flat panel TV (with adjacent built-in four-level display/storage tower) then serves as the perfect spot to repair for a spot of dessert and conversation after consuming a gourmet meal.
"The high-end finishing quality is what makes this home -- it's as relaxing inside as it is out. It's built to the nines and so well-appointed," says Haines.
The home's upper level then equals -- even possibly surpasses -- the main level in wow factor. The start of that is a grand, curved white staircase that transports you majestically up to a bright, spacious upper level.
Within that space are two features that literally take your breath away -- a loft/sitting area (which overlooks the dining room) to the immediate left of the staircase, and (fittingly) a grand master suite with a view.
"What can you say -- the master bedroom is just spectacular with its vaulted ceiling, sitting area and private balcony," he says. "That's not to forget the ensuite, which has a corner jetted tub and four-foot shower on a brown ceramic floor with maple vanity. There are also two good-sized bedrooms, plus a four-piece bath with soaker tub. Again, there's all kinds of light due to all the windows."
Finally, there's an insulated lower level with structural wood floor that adds another 1,000-plus square feet of potential living space to the home.
"You really can't ask for much more," says Haines. "This is a well-designed, spacious and well-appointed home on a treed lot that backs on to the Seine River only minutes from all sorts of amenities in the south of the city. That's a combination that's hard to beat."
lewys@mts.net
