Resale Homes
Resale Homes
Contemporary living
It's a quality that not all resale homes possess: pride of ownership.
The moment you walk into 57 Lannoo Dr. in Assiniboine Woods, that quality is obvious, said REMAX Professionals' David De Leeuw.
"The owners of this home are really fussy and meticulous, and that nature is definitely reflected in the condition of this home," he said. "No matter what room you're in, pride of ownership is very apparent. Even though this home was built in 1994, it literally feels brand-new inside."
Built by Jaymor Homes two decades ago, the 2,574-square-foot, two-storey design -- which is surrounded by towering trees and the Assiniboine River -- feels very contemporary.
The centrepiece of that layout is a great room area that was a forerunner of today's modern great room designs, said De Leeuw.
"It's a wonderful, open plan that offers exceptional flow from the family room right through into the kitchen. It's a plan that was modified several years back, where the rear wall was bumped out and floor-to-ceiling windows (along with a pair of skylights) were installed."
The result of that renovation is nothing short of incredible. Not only is the family room filled with loads of natural light -- nine-foot ceilings also make a bright, spacious area feel that much more welcoming -- but the wall of windows essentially brings the outdoors indoors.
"All the glass on the back wall makes for panoramic views out to the beautiful backyard and the Assiniboine River beyond," he said.
"The view is absolutely incredible. You get a wall of green forest in the summer that frames the river, and a golf course view (St. Charles Golf & Country Club) in the winter. The home was deliberately oriented toward the river to take advantage of the view."
The backyard is a perfect spot to spend time in during the summer.
"There's extensive decking, a hot tub and all kinds of room to relax which makes this home just an incredible summer house," De Leeuw said. "You can spend time out back relaxing with family or friends on the deck or in the hot tub, enjoying a view that sees the river curve away gently on either side of the home."
Back inside, the island kitchen -- which features white oak cabinets with oak trim, beige and black granite countertops is a stylish, functional space with built-in cooktop, a double oven, built-in desk and a double sink with a river view that comes courtesy of a huge three-part window.
Meanwhile, the family room, with it oak hardwoods, oak cabinetry and wood-burning fireplace (set smartly in a black tile surround) adds warmth and character to the home's meticulously maintained main living area.
"It's an area ideal for entertaining," said De Leeuw. "And an area that will undoubtedly deliver great meals, memorable family times - and great views. It's a large, beautifully finished space that's as contemporary as most of today's great room designs."
The main floor also offers another feature that's rare for a home built two decades ago.
"There's also a main-floor laundry room with window, sink and cabinets, which is across from a walk-in storage closet and door that offers access to the double-attached garage," he said.
"The main floor is then finished off by a spacious dining room/living room combination surrounded by huge windows. The circular floor plan works extremely well, and is ideal for entertaining."
The second level contains three bedrooms -- the two secondary bedrooms are oversized with double closets -- a spacious main bath (with travertine tile floor and vanity with corian countertop), and the master suite.
"When you walk in, your blood pressure immediately drops," said De Leeuw.
"The taupe colour palette, along with the treetop views, is very calming, and it's exceptional width gives you all kinds of room to move and place furniture. A huge walk-in closet with built-in storage provides all kinds of well-organized space to store clothing and accessories."
Then there's the ensuite.
"With it's corner jetted tub (set in white tile with two oak-trimmed corner windows above), five-foot shower and extra-large vanity with corian countertop, it's a true retreat," he said. "Everything in it is absolutely pristine."
Descend to the home's lower level, and there's another 1,000-plus square feet of livable space that spreads out in the form of a media area, games area, play area, full bath and a den/bedroom.
"The great thing about the basement is that the ceiling is higher than normal at 81/2 feet," said De Leeuw.
"Best of all, it has the space that a family needs to provide an additional level of separation. There's space for everyone in this home; you'll never feel jammed together living here."
He added that 57 Lannoo represents a great opportunity for a growing family to enjoy a well-designed home in a superb location.
"This is a very well-built and beautifully finished home that offers something for everyone in the family," he concluded.
lewys@mts.net
Resale Homes
Distinctive dwelling
If it weren't for the fact you knew you were in Royalwood, you'd almost swear you were in Bridgwater Forest.
With its cultured stone facade, front porch and non-protruding attached garage, 75 Bridgeway Cres. greatly resembles many homes that line the streets in Bridgwater Forest and Bridgwater Lakes. However, the home pre-dates homes in the popular Waverley West community by approximately five years, said Tod Niblock of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate.
"This home was built in 2003 and is a former Hallmark Homes show home," he said. "It's a distinctive home right from the front elevation on. The cultured stone is classy, and the covered front porch is a nice touch. And even though the home is 11 years old, its interior design is still very contemporary. It's a design that's still desirable now, and that will be five, even 15 years from now."
While 75 Bridgeway is an open-concept design -- they came into vogue around 2000 or slightly before -- the design, which is now commonplace, is notable for the way in which it was executed. The front entrance -- which is defined by tan tile -- was placed next to an open, front-oriented dining room (defined by honey maple hardwoods) with a huge picture window.
Meanwhile, the front entrance features a double front door with glass centres, a transom window above and a large vertical window on the side. Combine all that glass with a vaulted ceiling that arches majestically over the foyer (and runs through the balance of the 1,702-square-foot home's main living area), and you've got a home that feels good the moment you set foot inside.
"The dining room/foyer area is one of the most unique I've seen and puts this home in a different class -- the high ceiling and huge windows make for a bright, welcoming home," said Niblock. "The outgoing owner put a frosted, tempered glass insert (a custom piece designed by On the Edge Glass Studio) between the foyer and dining room to divide the two spaces in style."
Not only does the home possess flair from a design standpoint, the floor plan also makes sense. To the left of the foyer is a bedroom den, followed by a hallway that contains a four-piece bath, with the home's master suite placed privately at the end.
The foyer opens up into the great room, which is preceded by a lower-level staircase defined by one-third walls on either side. Although the great-room area is wide open, it doesn't lack in definition. The staircase's right-hand stub wall defines the family room, while an island brings definition to the galley-style kitchen.
Even though both spaces are generous in their proportions, there's still plenty of room left for a dinette area for four. Like the foyer, the great room has a bright, spacious -- and eminently livable -- feel.
"Thanks to the vaulted ceiling and huge windows on the rear walls -- there's a huge (vertical) picture window on the family room's rear wall and two large (horizontal) windows next to the dinette area -- the entire space is filled with light and feels even larger than it is," Niblock said, adding a big window over the double window in the sink injects more light into the kitchen. "There's also a patio door off the dinette that leads to a covered deck."
With plenty of honey maple cabinets, tons of counter space -- the long island is ideal for preparing food for large gatherings -- and a corner pantry, the kitchen is functional and nicely finished. The adjacent family room -- which is further defined from the kitchen by beige carpeting that contrasts the kitchen's smart taupe/rust faux tile (vinyl) flooring -- is big, with a corner gas fireplace being its focal point.
"It's an area that would work well for empty nesters who like to entertain, or a young family," said Niblock. "Flow is excellent for entertaining; the dining room could also be used as a play area until the kids get older, then can be converted back to a dining room. It's a very flexible floor plan."
Back down the hallway off the foyer is the master suite, which contains a mid-sized walk-in closet, a three-piece ensuite, and another neat feature.
"Another feature unique to this home is the patio door on the master suite's right-hand wall that leads to the covered deck," he said. "It adds more light and allows you to access the covered patio and private backyard any time you want."
Downstairs awaits another 1,400 square feet of partially developed living space. Currently, there's a media room, bedroom, three-piece bath and plenty of storage space.
"If the new owners wanted, they could actually open up the media room's far wall into all the open (framed) space on the other side to add a games area," he said. "The mechanical/storage area is so huge that you could also possibly put in another bedroom. Again, that flexibility makes this a home that would work well for empty nesters or a young family."
It's also a home that's ideal for families looking to build new, or for empty nesters looking to downsize.
"The home is in a mature, desirable area, and would cost significantly less than building new," said Niblock. "It would also provide empty nesters with the space and amenities they're looking for. Overall, it's a well-maintained, well-designed home in a great neighbourhood."
lewys@mts.net
