Glebe House Tour

You know how sometimes you’re out walking the dog and you pass a house that catches your eye and you wonder what it looks like inside?? Well, today was the perfect opportunity to satisfy that curiosity — six houses in a neighbourhood just south of downtown Ottawa were open for the public to visit.

The Glebe House Tour featured six beautiful character-filled homes — a couple of traditional homes, a couple of contemporary homes, one new-but-looks old home, and one home that used to be a convenience store and is now a true work of art.

Interior by Maureen Coates — Ottawa Magazine

We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside the homes, but I did find pictures online of some of them. So let’s start the tour… (Exterior pictures from gnag.ca)

Classic Beauty

This house is typical of many red brick houses house in the Glebe.  I really like the black porch and railing. And these pretty planters:

The main floor has been opened up, with the living room to your right when you enter and the dining room in front of you. The staircase up to the second floor is pretty narrow and steep, and then it gets even narrower and steeper going up to the third floor. (Kind of reminded me of the Belfort Tower in Bruges.) The third floor is sort of a mega-master suite, with a bedroom, bathroom, and dressing room. There’s also a nice skylight at the top of the stairs.

Entertain with Elegance

Love the combination of stone and grey wood on the exterior of this home. And the hardwood floors inside are gorgeous. The two kid’s bedrooms are painted in bright colours, including the ceilings. (Interior pictures from Ottawa Citizen)

The dining room also has a beautiful painted ceiling, as well as wallpaper and silk curtains.

The kitchen island has a really unique countertop made from granite that came from a riverbed in Brazil. Not sure why they have three family rooms!!

Painted Rocks

As you can see, this is one of the contemporary homes on the tour. The interior is mostly white, with accent walls in some rooms. The kitchen has a fabulous red tile backsplash — large tiles (maybe 12” x 18”) in a horizontal stacked pattern. Really sharp with the dark maple cabinets. The home has dark oak floors throughout.

Engraved House

This was the most unusual house on the tour. When the current owners bought it, the building was a convenience store. It’s now the wife’s business on the main floor and the family’s home on the second floor. The owner, Christopher, told us a bit about the home’s unique exterior. He used this tool made from a bone to create all sorts of interesting carvings in the concrete. (Important note: Never ask a man if you can take a picture of his tool).

Here are some of Christopher’s carvings…

The wood on this wall is from the original building. It adds wonderful history and character to the home.

Even the driveway has carvings :-) The couple’s daughter is also quite artistic :-)

Back of the house. The whale carving represents water.

Love the river rocks between the wood walkway and the driveway:

The horizontal wood slats are carried through from the house to the walkway to the fence…

Christopher agreed to do an interview with me, so I’ll be writing more about this artistic and unique home soon. Stay tuned!!

Renewal

On Hallowe’en 2008, the house that was on this lot burned down. I’m sure it was devastating for the homeowners to lose their home and all their possessions, but luckily everyone escaped unharmed. And two years later, the family lives in this absolutely breathtaking contemporary home. I love the combination of exterior materials — steel, brick, and wood. And the front porch is great:

Now let’s go inside!! (Pictures from Renewal on Morris Street)

This sitting are is to the left of the entry. Love the blue on the back of the shelving unit, the ladder, and the huge wall clock.

The kitchen is in the center of the house. The backsplash is back-painted glass.

The family room…

Love the everything about the dining room!! The stone wall, the chandelier, the combination of the old table with the modern chairs…

There’s a bar and small seating area at the back of the house. See the garage door to the left?? When it’s open, it creates a fantastic indoor/outdoor space — perfect for parties!!

View from the back of the house to the front:

The ensuite has one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. See the wood frame in the middle of the mirror?? That’s a window!! As someone pointed out, the large window to the left of the vanity doesn’t open, so this small window in the mirror allows fresh air into the room. Genius!!

Love the bright colours in this girl’s bedroom…

The TV room is at the top of the stairs. The rug in this room made my feet soooooo happy!! It’s amazingly soft & cushy — I want one!!

Downsizer’s Dream

And finally, my favourite home on the tour — which just happens to belong to my friend, Maureen Coates :-) Maureen is an interior decorator here in Ottawa and her company is called Modecor. Her home was featured in the September issue of Ottawa Magazine.

I absolutely adore the coffered ceilings that Maureen designed for her dining room and living room. (Pictures from Modecor)

I love her mantel and the built-ins — simple and elegant.

How gorgeous is the wall colour in Maureen’s dining room??

And Maureen’s beautiful kitchen…

 

And that’s the Glebe Home Tour. Hope you enjoyed the virtual visit!! If you live in Ottawa, I highly recommend checking out next year’s tour.