New Homes

New Homes

Farmhouse feel abounds in Headingley

You’d think that if you were building a new home in the country, it would be designed to fit in with its rustic surroundings.

That wasn’t the case when Sterling Homes sales representative Reinhart Wittmaier ventured out to take a look at the lot where a new show home was to be built at 8 Fetterly Way in Headingley’s Taylor Farm.

"All the homes on the street had a modern look, so I asked our designers to come up with a home that had a country exterior and an interior that combined a farmhouse feel with modern function," he says. "They hit the mark in every area."

Right from the get-go, the Ashton, a 1,706 square-foot, three-bedroom, two bath bungalow, stands out from all the other homes on the street.

With its timber-framed front porch, taupe-tinted roof peaks and grey siding, it fits in perfectly with the rustic setting.

Inside, it seamlessly combines rustic and modern design themes while maximizing function.

"The home gets off to a good start with a generous foyer the size of one you’d get in a much larger home," notes Wittmaier. "An excellent layout makes the home feel like it’s 2,000 sq. ft., not just over 1,700 sq. ft."

That sterling layout starts to the left of the foyer, where a hallway leads past a spacious mudroom to a highly functional area that contains two bedrooms and a four-piece bath.

"For this show home, Sterling’s design team took the wall off one of the bedrooms and opened it up to the other two spaces to make it into an office," he says. "People have liked the office area, especially with COVID, as it would make a great home office. They’ve have also liked the fact that the area could be used as an in-law suite, with the office being turned into a sitting area."

He adds that he’s received numerous compliments on the positioning of the primary bedroom.

"People have really liked how separate it is from the other bedrooms. It’s way across the home on the other side of the foyer, making this a home that’s great for empty nesters, with families who still have older kids at home, or a young, growing family."

Situated in its own corner of the masterfully-laid-out home, the primary bedroom makes an immediate statement with a double-door entrance.

In a word, its layout is impressive.

The bedroom is tucked away neatly to the left, while a big walk-in closet was placed in the centre to separate it from the ensuite.

Meanwhile, the ensuite is simply magnificent.

"It offers a five-foot walk-in shower with tile surround and bench, floating maple vanity with raised dual sinks, laminate plank floor and huge obscured glass window on its rear wall that lets in light while maintaining privacy," Wittmaier says. "It’s a beautiful space that’s the jewel of the bedroom."

If the ensuite is the jewel of the primary bedroom, then the great room is the Ashton B’s crowning glory.

Centered around a feature wall clad with tile that perfectly replicates the look of weathered wood, it’s everything a great room should be: bright, spacious, well-laid-out — and quietly luxurious.

The kitchen is situated to the left, with a huge informal dining area just steps away to the rear next to a triple garden door.

"The off-white New Haven Maple Alabaster cabinets give the kitchen a bit of a farmhouse feel, while an island and hood fan with a gunmetal blue finish add a modern touch," he says. "The dining area is huge, and the garden door behind it leads out to a 16-foot by 12-foot composite deck."

Meanwhile, the spacious family room finishes the great room off in warm, rustic style.

"Its focal point is the tiled centre feature wall with its gas fireplace. It not only provides visual separation with the kitchen, but also ties in beautifully with the laminate plank flooring, which has a textured, weathered look," adds Wittmaier. "A pair of huge windows on its rear wall also let in lots of natural light."

Finally, there’s the Ashton B’s lower level, which offers 1,277 sq. ft. of livable space.

"You can easily add a fourth bedroom, third bath and huge rec room," he says, noting that the mechanical system was tucked off to the side to maximize space. "The Ashton B is a stunning, well-designed bungalow. It’s perfect for families or empty nesters, and is in a great location that’s just 10 to 15 minutes from shopping, services, restaurants and more."

lewys@mymts.net

Todd Lewys
June 12