Heritage projects provide a mixture of challenge and interest. This Oakville historic home belonged to a local tanner in the 1800s and was used as a hospital in the mid 20th century. The tree-lined street, Victorian façade, and quaint English Garden welcome you. However, once you pass under the gingerbread-trimmed porch and enter through the heavy oak front door, the sparingly modern, yet luxurious interior offers a pleasant surprise! Being in the family for years, this home is full of memories, so after some soul searching, our clients decided to stay put and renovate! The Chatsworth team was entrusted to give this elegant Victorian home a makeover, transforming it into the breathtaking modern family home it has become today.

Notwithstanding fresh paint and much-needed repairs, the home’s charming exterior had to remain historically true as per Oakville’s Heritage Committee. The brick shell of the home was all that remained. Stairs, doors, trim and horsehair plaster walls were demolished and removed, leaving only a few original floors to be re-supported and straightened out for the new laser-straight modern design. New walls were constructed to create an open floor plan that is rigidly supported by a steel frame. High-performance foam insulation envelops the home providing a cozy, well-sealed shell. The ancient boiler system was replaced with a state-of-the-art, high-efficiency heating system designed to optimize family comfort.

The owner’s eye for design is evident in the selection of interior materials and finishes. A glass-enclosed staircase floats off walnut wall paneling as you feel the almost cavernous spaces of the living and dining rooms as they interconnect with the kitchen. As you wander through the kitchen and great room, the importance of family space becomes clear in the easy furniture and big TV found in this historical home that was delivered on time and on budget, all offered with the white-glove approach we are so well known for.