A million dollar view! This luxury home overlooking conservation land in exclusive Gordon Woods soars 100 feet above the Credit River. When the trees lose their leaves the prestigious Mississauga Golf and Country Club is visible in the distance. Privacy. Luxury. An entertainment playground designed for families (there's a putting green on the side lawn!). It's all here. Homeowners May and Francis are well aware that their reno rivals the atmosphere of a high-end resort — that's exactly how they planned it.

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2. A
A million dollar view! This luxury home overlooking
conservation land in exclusive Gordon Woods soars 100 feet above
the Credit River. When the trees lose their leaves, the prestigious
Mississauga Golf and Country Club is visible in the distance. Privacy.
Luxury. An entertainment playground designed for families (there’s a
putting green on the side lawn!). It’s all here. Homeowners May and
Francis are well aware that their reno rivals the atmosphere of a high-
end resort – that’s exactly how they planned it.
The couple bought the house about five years ago. They loved the lot
and the exterior’s warm brick and copper elements, but the interior,
not so much. It screamed 1980s. A reno was in order. “When our kids
were young, we took a lot of skiing holidays in Quebec. We wanted
to take advantage of the existing terrain and surrounding trees, and
incorporate some of the mountain-style architecture and outdoor living
areas,” says May.
The use of western red cedar is the standout element of the reno, but
stone, glass and iron play a crucial supporting role. Lighting was also
important. The pair spent hours creating the right amount of ambience.
Most of the lighting is LED. Very few walls were removed. The reno
was about modernizing and maximizing the ravine view on every level.
Particular attention was given to the terraced landscaping, including
new upper and lower decks and walkouts, designed and installed by
Evans Landscaping. Of course, it never hurts to begin a reno with a
million-dollar view as your starting point.
The clean, woodsy scent of cedar hits you like a breath of fresh
air as you walk into the all-season Muskoka room off the kitchen.
“This room’s our favourite all-year-round, but it’s especially beautiful
during the winter when the snow lies thick on tree branches,” says
May. “Family heads straight for this space when they visit.” A modern
gas insert would have fit the aesthetic, but the freestanding Vermont
Castings gas stove was a more organic choice. Classic travertine marble
floor tiles prevent cedar columns and beams from gaining an overly
rustic upper hand. Modern conveniences in the room’s outdoor kitchen
also help keep things contemporary – black quartz island, chef sink,
faucet and barbecue. The custom glass-top table seats 10. When it rains,
the sound plays on the room’s honeycomb, polycarbonate roof.
hilltop
HAVENSTORY JOYCE TURNER-GIONET
PHOTOGRAPHY JASON HARTOG
The all-season room provides spectacular views of the ravine.
OPPOSITE TOP: The outdoor kitchen houses an array of culinary
conveniences. BOTTOM: The warm tones of the brick allow the
exterior to blend into its natural surroundings.
Continued on page 21
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3. The resort atmosphere carries into the
lower level where cedar-wrapped walls, posts
and columns run the length of a second deck.
This level offers an eight-seater hot tub, sauna,
home theatre, wet bar, professional workout
room and wine storage.
The main-floor kitchen and family room
share a space. Hunter Douglas blinds hide in
a ceiling pocket above full-length windows,
although ravine views make privacy a moot
point. To gain height, the kitchen’s original
California drop ceiling was removed and creamy
cabinetry runs floor to ceiling with backlit
upper display cupboards. Five slim Hudson
Valley bronze pendant lights hang over a 13-foot
Nougat Caeserstone island, accentuating
ceiling height. Heated 24- by 24-inch polished
Crema Marfil tiles were used on the floor.
The backsplash is done in sheets of Botticino
Marble, split-faced mosaic tile. The splitting
process delivers a rugged finish that adds
texture. Two Blanco sinks – a main sink and one
for prep – are set into an antique-brown granite
countertop. Stools around an island are often
more for show than comfort. Not these, they’re
buttery soft and the taupe and chocolate brown
leather complements the cabinetry.
There are very few curves in this house;
where they appear, like on the rounded
kitchen countertop edges, they serve a specific
purpose. “We like the clean lines and linear
design,” says Francis.
ABOVE: The white kitchen is
flooded with light from the
exterior windows. FAR LEFT:
The island and raised bar
provide plenty of space for
food prep and seating. LEFT:
A sleek cooktop and prep sink
are delights in the culinary
kitchen. OPPOSITE, TOP
RIGHT: Rich, dark floors and a
roaring fire are the perfect
backdrop for the piano.
BOTTOM RIGHT: The dining
room is kept formal with dark
wood furniture. BOTTOM
LEFT: The focal point in the
spacious entryway is the
winding staircase.
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4. In the master en suite, his-and-hers
glass shower stalls include Rubinet rain
showerheads. A bidet is hidden behind
frosted glass doors in a separate water closet.
An unexpected touch of Victorian in the
cast-iron, claw-foot tub shows beautifully
against the expanse of Crema Marfil marble
and polished limestone. The vanity’s stool
was upholstered in burgundy, a small detail,
but a dramatic one. Paul of Designers Fine
Upholstery is a master at making everything
old new again, according to the homeowners.
The touch of burgundy makes a regal splash in
the monochromatic space. Millwork here and
throughout the house is by LT Contracting.
In the piano room, the standout is not the
piano, although it’s a beauty, it’s the stained
glass in the double French doors installed by
What A Pane Inc.
BCF Contracting Group was the general
contractor during initial demolition and
construction. May had input, but she gives
hubby the credit. “He has an eye for design,
I trusted him completely,” she says. During
any reno there’s a story. In this one, only half
the Crema Marfil tile order showed up on
installation day and the family had to live with
half a floor for over two months. Fortunately,
when it arrived, the second batch matched the
first perfectly.
RIGHT: His-and-hers
sinks integrate
nicely with a built-in
make-up vanity.
BELOW: Floral
artwork and a
branch motif on
the bedside lamp
bring organic
elements indoors.
BOTTOM RIGHT:
Built-in cabinetry in
the laundry room
maximizes space.
Continued on page 24
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— Exceptional Products Meet Exceptional Service —
1825 Dundas Street East – Unit 7, Mississauga, Ontario
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YOUR SOURCE FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL & CUSTOM DECORATIVE HARDWARE
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5. Achieving harmony in a reno isn’t easy. It’s
often easier to start fresh and build new from
the ground up. Working with an existing
structure requires artistic diplomacy to
perfectly balance original elements with new
ones. Kudos to the homeowners achieving that
balance so spectacularly. OH
This home is currently for sale by Hodgins
Realty Group Inc., Brokerage. Contact James at
905.855.8700 or visit jameshodgins.com.
TOP: The lower-level recreation room is ready
for play with game tables and a place to lounge.
MIDDLE RIGHT: The hot tub and sauna are placed
just outside the recreation room door for easy access.
RIGHT: A spare bathroom is kept fresh with neutral
finishes. ABOVE: The theatre room is set up to
showcase the next box office hit.
Saturday November 21st, 2015
10am – 4pm $30.00
a one-of-a-kind opportunity
to gain access to 6 beautiful and
uniquely decorated homes in mississauga
the homes will be decorated for the
holiday season by 6 top local designers
and decorators
Net Ticket Proceeds to The
Royal LePage Canada Shelter Foundation
Presented By Sponsored By
TICKETS
Will Be Available
Online As Of
September 1st
& At Retail Locations
October 1st
The event was a wonderful success and we would like to thank all
of our homeowners who opened up their homes for the tour!
The net ticket proceeds from the ticket sales and the silent auction
will be donated to Armagh, the local women’s shelter.
In Association with Royal LePage’s Shelter Foundation, which
supports local women’s shelters, a number of local Royal LePage
Real Estate Representatives sponsored the homes.
Loretta Phinney, Stephanie Hebb, Jess Wang, Rosemarie James,
Monique LeBlanc-Smith and Heidi Lobel.
The tour featured local designers and decorators such as Lionsgate
Design, Kalli George Interiors, Interiors by Jasmina, Dorota Decor,
Home Interiors for Easy Living,Alexcentrique Designs, Erin Mills
Paint and Decor Centre and student volunteers from Sheridan
College Decorating Program.
Local suppliers worked with the designers and decorators to make
these home spectacular, thank you Crate & Barrel, Sterling House
Interiors, Crescent Hill Art Gallery, and Herridge’s Farm Fresh Market.
Special thanks to the City of Mississauga in allowing us to decorate
Benares Historic House and Holcim Waterfront Estate!
The Glenerin Inn, our Host Venue Site, was a wonderful location to
hold our holiday decorating seminars, holiday marketplace and silent
auction.
Thank you to volunteers, Susan Pugliese, Megan Pugliese and
Rita McPhail.
The Second Annual Mississauga Holiday House Tour
took place on Saturday, November 21st
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