Our First Home

Two years after we moved into our first house we moved out again.

The back yard of our first home

We loved the house and the idyllic setting, but it was evident that some major renovations were in order. Our wish list included a new kitchen and dining area, new master bedroom and ensuite bathroom, finished basement with laundry room, playroom and downstairs sitting room, and four new sets of French doors to provide access to the back and side yards.

All this work was going to take some time. Fortuitously, my in-laws had accepted a job posting in Central America, so they offered us the use of their home while they were out of the country. Even when they returned, and our house still wasn’t ready for habitation, they went to live with their other son, rather than displace us from their home!

Of course I was thrilled to work on the interior design of this project. First up was finding an architect to translate our needs and desires into blueprints and specifications. We actually went through a couple of firms before hitting on the right one. It came as a surprise to me that not all architects have good taste or even a sense of what is appropriate for a century-old stone home.

Kitchen

Once we had the plans in hand, I worked with a kitchen designer to optimize the most important space in any house. At the top of my wish list was an appliance garage, at that time a pretty novel invention. When the tambour door scrolled up the tea kettle and toaster and mixers were all at hand.

Because the cooktop was located in the island, where the children would be sitting on stools for breakfasts and snacks, I insisted on a range fan that emerged from a recess to protect the kids from splatters etc., then disappeared at a touch of a button for a clean look.

My dream kitchen was nice and bright with an open beamed ceiling with a skylight. I loved the huge Sub Zero fridge, and the full height pantry cupboard for storage.

The new kitchen with hideaway cooktop fan and double appliance garage.

But the best part of the new kitchen was the view of the river that meandered behind and beside the house.

Laundry Room

The laundry room was located on the lower level, across from the kids’ playroom. We installed large interior windows so that I could keep an eye on the little ones, and also to bring in natural light. Off the laundry room was a wine/root cellar, with shelves custom-made by my father-in-law.

Master Bedroom and Bath

The original house had four working fireplaces and one of these was happily situated in the master bedroom. French doors opened to the back patio and flower gardens. We had a small table and chairs set up on the flagstones and imagined ourselves stepping outside to have our morning coffee. But with three active young children, I don’t think that particular fantasy ever materialized!

Downstairs sitting room. The leather furniture was purchased pre-Jane but I tried to make it work!

When we finally moved back into our home, we were delighted with the results. It was the perfect place to raise a family and the scene of many happy memories.

Ciao Bella!

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