A 1930s Pointe-Claire Farmhouse Gets a Thoughtful Restoration

When a time-worn 1930s farmhouse found its way onto the market, few would have possessed enough vision to see the property’s extraordinary potential.

As with all classic love stories, however, from the first moment the homeowner stepped foot on the property and took in the historic home surrounded by a lush garden full of lilacs and peonies, he knew it was meant to be. The home, he thought, was simply suffering from a bit of faded glory and with some thoughtful planning and old-fashioned hard work, the charming farmhouse could be restored. Shortly after the home was purchased, however, new pandemic restrictions were implemented which set the owner on course for an arduous two-year journey. 

The goal from the outset wasn’t to simply fix the place up — it was to ensure that as much of the home’s original character could be preserved. During the deconstruction process, a considered effort was made to protect and sort any and all reusable materials. Features like the solid wood doors and brass hardware were brought back to life and lend authenticity to the rustic yet refined interior. Red cedar was originally used throughout the home to make the doors and window trimmings. Though sturdy and local to the region, red cedar is known for the wild colour variance of its grain which makes it particularly hard to restore. Over 18 hours of research were put into finding a stain that would treat and preserve the wood while making it uniform enough to match the interior staircase which is made of oak. While the bulk of the interior received a fresh coat of white paint, the wood was treated with a deep-brown, verging-on-black, stain that added depth and contrast to the home’s Old World aesthetic. 

In what is now the dining room, a derelict wood-burning stove and its chimney were removed to expand the living space on the ground level and open the floor plan of one of the second-floor bedrooms. During this process, some original floorboards were kept and refurbished to be used as shelving throughout the house. 

Perhaps the room in the worst condition, the cramped and frankly worn-out kitchen was sorely in need of a full transformation. A wall separating the small dining room and kitchen was removed, allowing for the creation of an informal dinette flush with an abundance of natural light which pours in from the patio doors which were added to replace an existing window. The cabinetry (which was replaced in the 1960s),  was carefully dismantled, sanded, and repainted in order to be repurposed as above-counter storage for the ground floor’s laundry room. In its place, a new beautifully designed custom Miralis kitchen was installed and serves as a prime example of the homeowner’s philosophy regarding craftsmanship and materiality. A massive central island topped with a beautiful single slab of quartz now occupies the space where the dividing wall was torn down. Compact yet highly functional, this workhorse kitchen comes equipped with state-of-the-art Fisher & Paykel appliances. Optimized for utility, the layout has been structured to prioritize efficiency and storage. As the centrepiece of the home, this kitchen offers views into the sunroom, the combined living/dining room, and the verdant and spacious back garden. 

Where original materials couldn’t be repurposed, the homeowner made it a point to exclusively source high-quality materials that not only fit aesthetically but are also built to last. This proved easier said than done. With worldwide supply chain shortages, materials were often delayed by months or simply not available. Refusing to compromise on his vision, the homeowner went through painstaking efforts to acquire materials and finishings that would endure the test of time and prolong the lifespan of the home. In some cases, the homeowner was required to make difficult decisions, for example at the time of purchase, the home was covered in a layer of brown low-pile carpet. When removed, the original hardwood floors were revealed, but, after much debate, the flooring was ruled to be unsalvageable and so new flooring needed to be installed. Using the original floorboards as a reference, flooring that was congruous with the era was selected. The home’s original cast-iron and enamel tub, however, was fully refurbished and now serves as the focal point of the ensuite bathroom in the spacious primary suite.

Though restoration was at the centre of this project, the home was conceived as a confluence of history and modernity, meaning comfort and convenience were also given precedence. The idea was to reconstruct a home that emanated the charm and beauty of days gone by while being completely outfitted to offer its residents all of the luxuries that come with contemporary living. To achieve this, the home has been retrofitted with all new internal wiring and plumbing and had floorboard heating installed in the rooms with ceramic tile flooring. The result is a home that feels utterly timeless; simultaneously rooted in the history of the region while feeling every bit a part of the present era. 

The real beauty of the home is, perhaps, all the intangible qualities that come with it. During the restoration, the home served as an escape from the tumult of the world. It was a place of refuge and contemplation for the homeowner and his family and a safe space for friends and colleagues who simply needed a place to be. There’s a warmth and permanence to the home that make it feel as much a part of the landscape as the forest in Terra-Cotta park and the towering pines that line the home’s back garden. It is one of the rare places that transcend the notion of home as a place and taps into the word’s emotional essence. Gazing into the tranquil garden through the sunroom’s panoramic windows, it's easy to become overwhelmed by a profound sense of belonging.