Latest news with #TODDLEWYS
Winnipeg Free Press
28-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Winnipeg Free Press
Plenty of room for the whole family
When a large family looks at what they desire most in a home, their first preference is always function. That's entirely understandable. After all, home is where they'll be spending the bulk of their time, activities and social commitments aside. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS A true jaw-dropper, the island kitchen at 7 Adara Alley in Aurora at North Point is equal parts style and function. Big, growing families or large multi-generational families need a space that fosters both family time and privacy. As much as families love each other, it's essential that everyone have their own space and time apart to maintain a harmonious atmosphere. The Malibu — a fabulous new two-storey, 1,881 sq. ft. plan conceived by Daytona Homes — was designed to provide king-sized families with the flexibility they need to live life to the fullest, says Alana Yaren, Daytona's sales manager. 'We worked very hard to design a home that has everything a big family is looking for,' she says. 'Of course, the home is very functional — that's something we put into every home we build, whether it be a townhome, attached single family home or a single-family home like this one.' That's not to say the need for style was overlooked; all you need to do is step into the Malibu's main living area and take a look at the island kitchen. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Daytona's designers cleverly placed a handy prep kitchen and butler's pantry behind the smashing island kitchen at 7 Adara Alley. 'Right away, you notice the island and the countertops — they really stand out with all their beautiful grey highlights that pop on the off-white quartz,' says Yaren. 'We put up matching backsplashes to add an extra touch of class. There's also a fabulous prep kitchen with butler's pantry behind the kitchen that can be closed off by a pocket door.' To ensure the overall look isn't too busy, light taupe cabinets were installed along with stainless appliances to give the kitchen a modern feel. At the same time, natural looking, nicely textured wide-plank flooring was installed to add warmth and give the main living area a pleasing sense of cohesion. To that end, flow into the dining area from the kitchen is seamless, as it is into the adjacent great room, which features a quiet sense of refinement. 'Lots of natural light comes in from a large picture window on its rear wall, while the neutral colour scheme works really well with the flooring,' she says. 'There's plenty of room for people to sit around and visit, and the linear electric fireplace looks great with its colours, especially at night. It's just a very comfortable space.' The Malibu is one comfortable, well-organized home. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS A versatile space, the naturally bright second-floor bonus room can be used for a variety of purposes. And that uplifting, easy-living feel starts right when you walk in the front door, says Yaren. 'This home has four bedrooms, with one of them being placed conveniently on the main floor. A full bathroom was placed next to it, so if you have in-laws that want to come and live with you, you have a perfect in-law suite area for them.' She adds that the front of the house also offers another design feature that will appeal to large families. 'An additional entrance was put on the side of the home to provide direct access to the lower level. So, if you want to put in an in-law suite or rent out the basement, people can have their own private entryway to the home.' The Malibu's upper level is as functional as its main level. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Spacious and spa-inspired, the ensuite is a luxurious, calming space. In total, it holds six spaces: three bedrooms, a laundry room, main bath and a good-sized bonus room. The latter, says Yaren, is 'a versatile space that can be used by the kids to play, watch TV or study in apart from the grown-ups. Or it can be used as an office. Basically, it can be anything a family needs it to be.' The bonus room also serves another purpose: it deftly separates the secondary bedrooms from the primary one. 'As a result, it's a very private, peaceful space. A large window on its rear wall lets in lots of natural light, there's a big walk-in closet, and the ensuite is a beautiful space with its walk-in shower, dual vanity and marble-style vinyl tile floor.' Yaren says large families will like the community as much as the home's smart design. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The two-storey, 1,881 sq. ft. Malibu was designed expressly to cater to the needs of large or multi-generational families. 'There's a school being built, full transit service, and commercial services are coming. With its well- balanced design and great location, the Malibu is just what big families are looking for.' lewys@
Winnipeg Free Press
14-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Winnipeg Free Press
Live the dream
There are times when appearances don't always reflect reality. That's the case with a sprawling cottage that sits serenely on a huge, well-treed lot at block 11, lot three on Falcon Lake's south shore. From the front, it exudes modern-rustic charm — its wide front porch has a pristine pergola perched perfectly over the front door. SUPPLIED Essentially two cottages in one, this Maric-built masterpiece in Falcon Lake comes with six bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, fabulous finishes and enchanting lake views. But then you glimpse the peaked roofline, which features a series of 10 large windows placed precisely over the glass-lined front door. It's at this point you get the feeling that something special awaits inside. The feeling is accurate. Step inside and it's as if you've walked into a cathedral — one with a commanding and decidedly rustic air. 'The first space that you see is a huge great room with a towering, vaulted ceiling,' says Thor Sigmar of Lifestyles Real Estate. 'A huge bank of windows provides spectacular lake views, while a wood-burning fireplace with floor-to-ceiling stone surround and feature wall serves as its focal point.' Once you've taken in the majestic great room, you can't help but marvel at how fresh and new the cottage feels inside. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The great room, with its vaulted ceiling, wall of windows and gorgeous fireplace, is simply stunning. 'It was actually built in 2014 by Maric Homes for the owners,' says Sigmar. 'They've taken great pride in owning the cottage and have done an impeccable job of upkeep. It's in pristine condition throughout. There's not a chip or blemish anywhere. 'It has everything you might want or need, right down to the most minute detail,' he says. 'They spared no expense when they built it.' That's evident in the quality of finishes that envelop you in welcoming warmth as you make your way through the airy, free-flowing main living area. Hand-scraped hardwood flooring adds class and texture, while the spectacular kitchen has gorgeous custom finished cabinets, granite countertops, a taupe tile backsplash and a 12-foot, pine-lined ceiling. All these features work together to amplify the cozy, rustic ambience established in the stunning great room. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Chefs will love the spacious, beautifully finished island kitchen. The dining area is to the rear of the dazzling island kitchen. The latter comes with high-end stainless appliances, including a gas range and wall oven. 'It's in a perfect spot, just steps from the kitchen, and can easily seat 16 guests,' Sigmar notes. 'You can call your guests in for dinner from the adjacent three-season sunroom, which has built-in speakers, retractable windows and a door that connects to a huge, private deck that overlooks the lake.' The remainder of the main floor is filled out by a large secondary bedroom with ensuite, a laundry room and, of course, the primary bedroom. 'It's in the rear corner of the cottage, and offers a beautiful lake view, spa-like ensuite with walk-in shower and tile floor and large walk-in closet,' he says. 'It also has a patio door that leads out to the elevated deck where you can enjoy a cup of coffee as you look out over the lake.' Next comes the main floor's final feature: a staircase that leads down to a walk-out lower level. 'Basically, it creates two cottages in one, adding about another 1,900 square feet of living space, taking total livable space to over 4,000 sq. ft.' TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Perfectly positioned next to the kitchen, the dining area can easily seat 16. Just as the first thing you see on the main floor is the lake view through the wall of windows on the great room's rear wall, the first thing you see on the lower level is the water — and the backyard — stretching out in front of you. 'A rear wall filled with four windows lets in the view and tons of natural light, while a gas fireplace with stone surround serves as the focal point of the media area room, which also has a patio door that leads out to the back deck,' adds Sigmar. 'Families will also love that there are four bedrooms and a full bath downstairs. The lower level really optimizes livable space.' And while Falcon Beach is only a short drive away, you won't really need to go there if you'd rather have more privacy. 'You have your own beach here, along with a boat port, tons of docking and, of course, all the decks to relax on. There's also a double detached garage with a heated floor and its own bathroom … TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The three-season sunroom next to the dining area is a great spot to visit with guests. 'Well suited to host family and friends, this truly is a dream property.' lewys@
Winnipeg Free Press
10-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Winnipeg Free Press
Capacious yet cosy
There are times you walk into a home, and a certain design detail immediately catches your eye. In this case, as you step into the foyer of Hearth Homes' spectacular bungalow show home at 29 Sarsprilla Bend in Sage Creek, you can't help but notice the flooring which appears to be engineered walnut-hued hardwood. But that's not actually the case, says Ryan Miller, a key member of Hearth's design team. 'It's actually a new type of laminate plank flooring we recently started using,' he says. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The 1,589-sq.-ft. Sherwood model was designed to be a calming refuge. 'Not only does it have a lot of wonderful colour variations to it, but it's also very water-resistant and durable. Unlike other laminate plank flooring, heavy furniture or pets won't cause any chips or divots.' Miller says having the flooring installed through the entire dwelling creates a different — and very positive — dynamic. 'Choosing to run the flooring through the home, I think, made it feel bigger,' he says. 'The continuity from space to space creates a great feeling of flow that makes an already spacious home feel even bigger. At the same time, it also gives the home a nice, cosy feel, which is what we were trying to achieve.' It would be no exaggeration to say the home possesses a certain serenity that allows the day's stress to lift from your shoulders the instant you walk in the front door. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Rich walnut-style laminate plank flooring endows the home with a welcoming sense of warmth the instant you step inside. Earthy colours — taupe and white make up the main colour palette — combine with wood accents in the foyer (lower-level staircase railing) and great room (mantel beneath the electric fireplace and TV niche) — to create a pervasive sense of calm. 'That's what the home is all about,' Miller says of the Sherwood, which checks in at 1,589 sq. ft. 'We wanted to it to be cosy and calm. With that in mind, we added other colours, like Prairie-forest green.' The result is that each space exudes serenity and warmth, as well as functionality. A prime example is the kitchen, which resident chefs will appreciate for its stylish look and practical layout. 'The shade of the cabinets is softer, with two-tone light-taupe and grey-taupe cabinets meshing beautifully with veined, off-white quartz countertops, a simple light-taupe tile backsplash and high-end stainless-steel appliances, which include a slide-in range and commercial-style fridge,' Miller says. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS There's plenty of space to create in the stylish and highly practical island kitchen. Meanwhile, a glass-filled rear wall, consisting of a large window in the great room and a sliding patio door with transom behind the dining area, floods the main living area with natural light. 'They get a lot of light in here, while a 10-foot ceiling increases the sense of space,' Miller says. 'Combine that with a very efficient floor plan, and the main living area is tremendously functional. We took this floor plan from an existing home and made it even better.' That enhanced functionality is reflected in the placement of the dining area and great room. The dining area was positioned to the rear next to the patio door, not only giving it seamless access to both the living room and kitchen, but to a large composite deck in the backyard. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS A calm, cosy feel pervades the beautifully laid-out main living area. Then, there's the great room. 'As I mentioned earlier, we added splashes of Prairie-forest green to the colour scheme to complement the other soft, calming hues,' Miller says. 'The routered backdrop behind the TV looks amazing with its herringbone pattern, and the soft-green colour fits in perfectly. It's bright, spacious, relaxing and perfectly placed.' He adds that the Sherwood offers more bedrooms than its predecessor. 'This model has three rather than two bedrooms, unlike the older plan it was modelled after,' Miller notes. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Entertainers will love the layout of the dining/kitchen area in Hearth Homes' Sherwood model bungalow in Sage Creek. 'The two secondary bedrooms on either side of the foyer — one bedroom with a full bath next to it to the left, and another next to a laundry room and mudroom to the right — are very well positioned.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Likewise, the primary bedroom's placement is exceptional. Tucked away down a private hallway next to the great room, it exudes a wonderful sense of isolation and luxury, occupying about one third of the home's footprint. 'You just need to close the door, and you're in your own private retreat. The bedroom is generous, and the spa-like ensuite offers a tiled walk-in shower and big soaker tub. The walk-in closet is perfectly placed, too,' he says. 'The Sherwood offers a perfect blend of functionality and tranquility, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking a peaceful and relaxing place to live.' lewys@ TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS An elegant Prairie-forest-green feature wall behind the bed adds a sense of calm to the well-isolated primary bedroom. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The spa-like ensuite comes with a gorgeous, tiled walk-in shower and deep soaker tub that's a perfect retreat at the end of a long day.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Secluded splendour
One of the more unappreciated neighbourhoods in Winnipeg is the enclave of St. Charles. Close to St. Charles Country Club, streets in the area were hewn out of the same mature forest that lines the storied golf club's fairways. And while all the streets are populated by gorgeous stands of trees, some have collections that stand out from others. Pine Valley Drive is one of those streets, says Chris Pennycook of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The stately 2,192-sq.-ft. two-storey home has been tastefully updated from top to bottom. 'I absolutely love this street — it winds beautifully through the trees, many of which are big, gorgeous pine trees. When you drive in, you feel as if you're out in the country,' Pennycook says. A feature that adds to that rustic feel is the oversized nature of lots that line the picturesque street. Pennycook says he has recently listed a move-in-ready two-storey home on one of the larger lots in the area. 'What I really love about this home, aside from the fact it's been beautifully remodelled in key areas, is that it sits on a large, pie-shaped lot that's surrounded by mature trees. With its Tyndall stone and stucco front, the home really fits in nicely with the scenery,' he says. He says the home's wide lot also paved the way for an amenity few, if any, dwellings in the area possess. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Anchored by a nine-foot island with double-sided breakfast bar, the kitchen is the essence of modern style and luxury. 'Not only did the extra lot width allow for a grand home, but it also allowed for an awesome triple detached garage and a stately circular driveway,' Pennycook says. 'Being able to get a home in this area with a triple garage is quite special.' As it turns out, the home itself is also very special. Meticulously cared for by its longtime owners, it was slowly but surely brought up to contemporary standards over the past five years or so, notes Pennycook. 'One of the most important updates involved changing the layout to make the home more functional. While this home was built in the 1970s, it no longer feels like a home from that period.' Essentially, the home's main-floor layout was reversed from its midpoint on. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS A wall next to the kitchen was removed to open it up to a roomy formal dining area with wet bar and lovely gas fireplace. Where the home once started off with a kitchen to the left and living room to the right, it now starts with a kitchen to the right and living room to the left. 'A formal living room with two huge windows and plenty of room starts things off,' says Pennycook. 'It then connects to the kitchen.' And what a kitchen it is, he adds. 'Of all the updates in the home, it really is the show-stopper with its bright-white, soft-close cabinets, quartz countertops, nine-foot island with two-sided breakfast bar that seats four and updated stainless-steel appliances.' To further modernize the space, a wall to the right of the kitchen was removed to open the space up and endow it with free-flowing, contemporary functionality. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Expansive and light-filled, the living room is a perfect spot to visit with company after dinner. 'Now, the kitchen opens perfectly onto a spacious formal dining area that was placed in between an awesome dry bar and cosy gas fireplace,' Pennycook says. 'There's also a patio door on the rear wall next to the kitchen that leads out to a private deck that's ideal for entertaining or relaxing on.' Head upstairs, and more pleasant surprises await. 'Most notably, the second floor holds not three but four bedrooms,' Pennycook says. 'Because the home is nearly 2,200 sq. ft., each room is a generous size, including the primary bedroom, which comes with a patio door that leads out to its own private balcony.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. As if that weren't enough, the primary bedrooms also comes with an updated three-piece ensuite. 'It's just spectacular with a walk-in shower with gorgeous marble-style tile surround, white vanity with grey-stone countertop and plenty of storage, and a rich grey-vinyl tile floor that's warm underfoot. There's plenty of storage space for your wardrobe, too.' TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The highlight of the huge lower-level rec room is a spacious media area complemented by an electric fireplace set in a grey-tile surround. Finally, there's the fully finished lower level, which holds a rec room with an electric fireplace set in a grey-tile surround, lovely two-piece bath, laundry room and plenty of storage space. 'This stunning, move-in-ready home — it also comes with newer windows — is in beautiful condition, offering a perfect blend of comfort, style and space,' Pennycook says. 'Just a short walk from St. Charles Country Club and minutes from parks, schools, shopping and restaurants, it truly is a must-see.' lewys@ TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS A patio door on the primary bedroom's rear wall not only lets in lots of natural light, but connects to a private, treetop balcony. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The updated ensuite features a tiled walk-in shower and elegant white, stone-topped vanity. TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Surrounded by mature pines, the backyard is a private paradise.
