The Oke Woodsmith Collection of Homes - Spring 2007

Building Innovative Homes since 1984

first edition, Spring 2007

FEATURES: n Nestled in the Forest n Mexican-Themed Retreat n Bayside Beauty n Renovation‌Dereliction to Dignity n Designed for Family n The Natural Beauty of Log Homes

www.okewoodsmith.com

Daring to Dream

from one home to six hundred...

…the history of Oke Woodsmith Building Systems

above-grade exterior walls with Insulated Oke WOOdsmith Building systems was launched Concrete Forms (ICF). The partners believed in 1984 with just one client and a tremendous they were headed in the right direction vision. In the years since then, the Hensallbecause of the improved energy efficiency and based company has built and renovated 600 distinctive custom homes from Muskoka to sound resistance of concrete.

Rondeau Provincial Park for clients who have Home buyers, however, were skeptical come to expect the unusual. until the company began incorporating concrete The idea for the company came about floors with in-floor radiant heat into the design. in 1983 when the four Oke brothers – Brad, Visitors to two of the company’s model homes Wayne, Randy and Kevin – reunited with in Grand Bend came specifically on cold days their parents for Christmas. At that point, to experience the warm floors.

Brad, an architectural technologist, was em“Concrete floors are warmer and the ployed by Bell Canada in Saudi Arabia and colder it is outside, the better they are inside,” The Oke family, from left: Randy, Brad, Betty, Wayne and Kevin.

Wayne, an engineer, was working in the tar Randy says. sands in Alberta.

At that point, clients began to appreciate the floors and recognized the value of building Over Christmas dinner, Brad enlisted his family’s aid to help him build a home in Southcott exterior walls of concrete to the eaves because of the added comfort and energy savings.

Oke Woodsmith has since become one of the leading builders of ICF homes in Canada and Pines in Grand Bend. Wayne volunteered to quit his job in Alberta to work on the project, Kevin quit his job as a welder in the agricultural sector, and their father, Don, decided to resign from his is also the distributor throughout Ontario and Quebec for Lite-Form, an ICF building system. The management position. Many years before, Don had owned his own construction company. company sells the systems to builders and to private individuals throughout Ontario.

With just one client, Oke Woodsmith was born. It was a courageous move, given the Over the years, the partners’ roles in the company have changed very little. Brad is recession of 1981. responsible for the design and sales of the homes, Randy is the general manager of the Oke “How foolish were we to think we could start a construction company?” Brad recalls. Woodsmith office and manager of Lite-Form, Wayne acts as construction supervisor and Kevin, a “Three guys quit their jobs, I bought them each a brand new truck and we started to build my finish carpenter, looks after the drywalling and fine details. Don and his wife, Betty, who joined house, so we were going to be a one-house wonder. the company in 1990 as general manager, have since retired.

“The only reason we were successful quickly was the fact that my father had 33 years of Altogether, 45 staff members comprise Oke Woodsmith, including a team that is building experience and was very well-respected as a builder in the area. Even though we started responsible for the company’s framing, trimming and concrete work. Employing in-house staff instead of subtrades ensures consistency in each home from the time a site is excavated to the off fresh, people weren’t looking at a bunch of kids building houses.”

Don, who was an equal partner in the company, priced the homes and ensured his sons time a client moves into a home. correctly estimated the time needed for each stage of construction. After completing Brad’s Annually, the company builds about 20 new homes and undertakes up to 10 renovation house, the partners landed a contract for a $1-million home in Grand Bend, which raised their projects. The partners have also designed and built many commercial projects, including a fire profile in the area. hall east of Toronto, as well as office complexes and agricultural buildings in Huron County.

Randy and Brad worked for the company on evenings and weekends until the business Oke Woodsmith is currently building homes in the Grand Bend area, and in Muskoka, grew. Brad, who was still working for Bell, was the last to join full-time in 1986.

Windsor, Niagara Falls and points in between. The company specializes in the unusual, which “It took us two years from inception until the company was large enough to pay five. The attracts clients from young professional couples to empty nesters.

“I like the challenge of taking an unusual site and making it work, or taking a budget for day I came in, we had three new contracts,” Brad recalls. “We went out to dinner to celebrate a small home and giving clients what they want,” Brad says. because we figured now we were a construction company.”

Brad’s role centred on selling the homes, which involved providing architectural drawings While the company will always be a custom home designer and builder, the partners are to clients based on their ideas, budget and property. That was a new concept in an area where turning their attention to the aging population. One new project, Stone Meadows, a one-floor clients normally chose a stock plan and contracted a builder to construct it. condo community in Zurich, is geared toward retirees. The development is one of the first of its There was no charge for the drawings, which included three revisions and pricing. If clients kind in Huron County and a first for Oke Woodsmith. weren’t happy with the results, they weren’t obligated to work with the company.

“What we’re trying to do is provide similar qualities that we offer in a custom home, but in “With nine out of 10 people that we did that for we were able to achieve a smaller square footage and a more economical package,” Brad says. the budget and the design to their liking,” Brad says.

Randy hopes to create other similar communities as the company evolves.

He believes Oke Woodsmith’s future will be in the Oke children who, like The five partners undertook all aspects of the construction work, from their parents, joined the company after working farther afield. roofing to drywalling the homes. Randy believes that was a benefit.

“It’s very satisfying when you start a job from the ground up and “I’m hoping our growth is in family members – our kids finish it. Any one of us could build a house from start to finish and lay – joining the team,” Randy says. “That’s where you get genuine the carpet, lay the tile, lay the hardwood – finish it completely.” interest in the company and the ability to expand it.”

In 1987, the company began building foundations and, later,

oke woodsmith, spring 2007 | 3

Made to Measure …Oke Woodsmith crafts custom homes to fit clients’ lifestyles Since 1984, Oke Woodsmith has worked closely with clients to develop a vision for their home. We believe achieving outstanding results in design and construction start with good planning – and a keen grasp of how our clients live in their homes.

As a design/build company, Oke Woodsmith acts as a partner with our clients from the design stage to the completion of a project. Although most buyers are focused on the end result, reaching that stage can be a long and sometimes challenging process. Listed below are the key steps we undertake during the design phase: Make a list… We ask clients to write down their ideas and arrange them into four lists. The first is an inventory, by floor, of the rooms they most desire. What one spouse considers a necessity, the other may discount altogether.

The second is a must-have list with critical elements for each room, such as a sitting area in the master bedroom. We also ask them to make observations about the way in which they live in each room. Knowing whether they dress in their bedroom or in their ensuite bathroom helps us to design the most functional floorplan for them.

The third list is comprised of five to 10 elements clients would love to have, but which may not be financially possible. They may want a see-through fireplace between the master bedroom and the ensuite bathroom, but realize it’s not an absolute necessity.

The fourth – and most important list – details features couples absolutely don’t want in their homes. This list allows us to eliminate certain possibilities and gain insights into their tastes. Some clients compile magazine clippings of rooms or features they admire, which also helps us to determine their likes and dislikes.

Prioritize… We ask couples to prioritize their top three rooms. These may vary drastically from one spouse to another. If each person, however, has omitted a certain room, but indicated they wanted walnut cabinetry in that room, we question their decision to spend a great deal of money in an area that isn’t a priority. Although most people know what they want, many don’t understand how much it will cost to achieve it.

Preferences… We ask our clients why they’re moving from their present home. Many want a maintenance-free home that will be brighter and warmer, or larger or smaller, than their current residence. Some in

Oke Woodsmith Magazine’s production team…

4 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

lakeside areas, such as Grand Bend, are looking for a cottage instead of a traditional home.

Point of view… Clients may not want a certain feature because of a

previous experience. Broadening their point of view is often a matter of informing them about products, however. Clients may think they don’t want a skylight, for example, because of a bad experience they had in the past when the problem was actually due to incorrect installation. Other clients may prefer certain window or door manu­ facturers over others.

Lifestyle assessment… We meet with clients at their home and assess, first-hand, how they live in it and what they enjoy most about it. If they want to retire in a resort community, we remind them their lifestyle as retirees will be quite different to what it was when they were working full-time. Our goal is to ensure their new home is designed for their future needs since their present needs may no longer be relevant when they move.

Fine-tuning… We visit the client’s new property to check the views

and the exposure they want to capture. We sketch a design by hand, paying particular attention to the traffic flow of the floorplan. Once we’ve worked out any problems, we create an exterior elevation and price the home. We may change a design three or four times in an effort to make it mesh with the budget. Once our clients are happy with the results, we ask them to sign a contract. We then create a working drawing and proceed to the construction phase.

Construction phase… We maintain close contact with our clients

from the time the foundation is poured until the home is finished. We help them choose elements such as stone, brick, stairs, trim, floor coverings, plumbing and lighting fixtures.

Because the home and its components involve custom design and fabrication, clients must be prepared to make many decisions within tight timelines. Our job is to confirm they have made the right decisions, show them what a certain change will look like, or offer new alternatives.

At Oke Woodsmith, we enjoy helping our clients transform their ideas into a distinctive home that was crafted specifically for their needs, tastes and budget. We value each of our clients and look forward to building a relationship with them that will last for many years to come.

production manager: Lana Breier writer: Judy Liebner art director: Nancy Greenfield photography: Richard Bain & Tony Boros printing: Sportswood Printing

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Designed for Living

Southcott home reflects a love of entertaining

J

location: G RAN D B E N D

w ri t t e n b y: J U DY LIE B N E R

pho t o g r a p h y: R I C HA R D B AI N

im and Jackie Southcott felt a strong sense of responsibil­ity when they began planning a home in Southcott Pines in Grand Bend. Not only was the setting beautiful, in the midst of a Carolinian forest, but Jim also had a connection to the land that dated back many years.

The Southcott family purchased the 250-acre parcel of land on the shores of Lake Huron in 1892. In 1946, Jim’s father and uncles began transforming it into an upscale residential com­ munity. Jim and three relatives later inherited the property and spent 25 years developing it before completing the project in 2001.

Jim and Jackie, who lived in Mississauga for 30 years, chose their lot in the early 1990s with a view to retiring there. Their goal was to build a fairly traditional home that would comple-

6 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

ment the pine and oak forest. “We wanted it to fit into the surroundings,” Jackie says.

The couple contracted Oke Woodsmith Building Sys­tems of Hensall to design and build a one-floor home. Because they entertained frequently, a large kitchen within an open-concept floorplan was important to them, as were a separate dining room and a self-contained lower level for visiting family members.

Brad Oke, an architectural technologist and a partner in Oke Woodsmith, developed a design based on their needs and lifestyle. “We liked what he came up with right away and we hardly made any changes to the original plan,” Jackie says.

The Southcotts opted for a home constructed of Insulated Concrete Forms and heated with radiant in-floor heating. The

The spectacular view is everywhere

an immediate view of the trees that sur­ round the property.

A gas fireplace in the great room is flanked on each side by built-in cabinetry with recessed panels and leaded glass doors. A cathedral ceiling accentuates the room’s airiness, which was also achieved through a neutral palette of linen-coloured walls and white woodwork.

The great room is separated from the kitchen by an angled island with a finely detailed cherry base and a deep granite counter. The counter combines shades of

“It’s a wonderful home to live in!” floors in the main living areas were fin­ish­ ed with engineered hickory wood flooring, which decreased the possibility of shrink­age inherent in natural hard­woods.

The couple moved into their $800,000 home in June 2005.

Constructed of textured grey stone, the front of the home features a recessed entry flanked by a round Victorian-style covered porch supported by four columns.

A side entry connects the home with a two-car garage faced in pine board-andbatten siding.

Inside, light from two dormers illu­ minates the foyer, which is distinguished by a rectangular-cut slate floor and a massive oak door. A curving oak railing with pineapple-shaped newel posts sweeps down to the lower level and up two steps to the great room. An arched transom above a set of french doors continues the theme of curving lines, drawing the eye deep into the room.

The doors open out to a concrete deck that spans the length of the home. Tem­per­ ed glass railings with stone posts provide

chocolate, grey and peach and effectively bridges the transition between the natural cherry island and the cabinets, which are painted a warm coffee tone.

The cabinets and the stainless steel appliances are arranged on a rear wall be­ hind the island. Finished with deep crown mouldings, the cabinetry extends to the height of the 12-foot ceiling, maximizing storage space for items that aren’t fre­ quently used.

Off the kitchen, sunlight filters in to a rounded sunroom through narrow case­ ment windows that provide a 180-degree view of the backyard. “We had a similar room in our last home and we wanted to take advantage of the sunlight and the view,” Jackie says.

A small screened-in porch off the kitchen allows the couple to comfortably dine outdoors in summer. A hall leads to a walk-in pantry on the right and Jim’s office on the left; a laundry room and a staircase to the lower level are located in a side entry off the garage.

Behind the kitchen, a short hall leads past a powder room to the dining room, which was designed for the couple’s Italian pecan dining suite. Two side walls were

recessed to create niches for a china cab­i­ net and a buffet. A vaulted ceiling, rimmed by a bulkhead, further defines the area.

On the opposite side of the great room, double doors lead into the master bedroom retreat. A vestibule links a dra­ mat­ic ensuite bathroom with dark cabi­ net­ry and marble counters on the left with the bedroom on the right. Like the sun­room, the bedroom incorporates a round­ed sitting area that overlooks the rear deck.

In the lower level, a sunken home theatre room is located off the staircase at the front of the home. Furnished with two comfortable loveseats and rattan chairs, the room features an oval Mexican-style fireplace and a bank of casement windows that offer a view of a rear patio. Two steps lead up to a raised counter with bar stools, which provide additional seating for television viewing.

“You can be up on the second level and have a great view,” Jackie says.

The lower level also includes a kit­ chen­ette, a games room, a workshop and a bright guest bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. A vestibule to the left of the theatre room connects two additional bed­ rooms with a full bathroom.

At 4,634 square feet, the South­cotts’ home is well designed with rooms that reflect their lifestyle. “Our home, overall, didn’t turn out to be that much smaller than the one that we had before, but the

areas that we use are more functional,” Jackie observes. “We eliminated a formal living room and I think we get much more use out of the rooms we’re using.”

Jackie believes it’s important for couples to know what they want in a home.

She and Jim toured many homes that Oke Woodsmith had built and accumulated a portfolio of magazine clippings to help them refine their likes and dislikes.

“I think the more you know about what you want, the better it is,” Jackie says.

Jim agrees. “It’s a beautiful home; it’s a wonderful home to live in.”

Sources: County Heritage – Trim Dashwood Industries

– Windows, Doors Geddes Sheet Metal

– Soffit, Fascia Roes Stairs – Stairs Turnbull’s Plumbing and Electric Underfoot – Flooring Woodecor – Cabinets

oke woodsmith, spring 2007 | 9

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M E X I C A N - T HE M ED R E T R E AT

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Small Size, Big Impact

modest square footage with striking features

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location: G RAN D B E N D

w ri t t e n b y: J U DY LIE B N E R

pho t o g r a p h y: R I C HA R D B AI N

an and Trudy Bustard’s home exudes a sense of world travels that’s apparent to visitors as soon as they enter the front door.

Great expanses of tile floors, paired with terracotta and goldcoloured walls, form a dramatic backdrop for the unusual pieces the couple has collected over the years.

The Bustards have created interesting vignettes right from the front foyer where a leather elephant appears to stand guard on a hall table. Beside it, a bench upholstered in a leopard print introduces an exotic note that’s balanced on the other side of the foyer by a tribal mask and drapes imprinted with tropical leaves and monkeys.

Several of the pieces came from previous homes and were a consideration when Brad Oke, an architectural technologist and a partner in Oke Woodsmith, planned the home.

“When Brad helped us design this house, we designed it with those items in mind,” Trudy says. “We wanted to reuse them because we loved them.”

The couple also hoped to create a living space that would be small enough for two, but with enough room to entertain comfortably. Because they worked long hours, they needed a floorplan that would allow 12 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

them to be part of the activities on the main floor even while they were conversing with clients on the telephone.

“Brad was very, very creative and he knew what we wanted probably more than we did,” Trudy recalls. “We just talked to him about our lifestyle and what we thought we wanted. We had no idea that this was what it would look like.”

Oke created a one-floor plan with a lower-level walkout that would allow the Bustards to locate rooms with secondary functions – two guest bedrooms, a bathroom and an entertainment area – downstairs. Having a lower level walk-out meant he was able to restrict the main floor to a modest 1,562 square feet.

The Bustards decided to incorporate an elevator shaft, sized for an elevator car, to increase the home’s accessibility as they age. The elevator would take the couple from the lower level, where they enter the home from the garage, to the main floor.

As project manager, Oke kept the couple focused on the goals they wanted to achieve and helped them adhere to their $500,000 budget.

“Whenever we tried to spend money, or focus where our priority was

“We just talked to Brad about our lifestyle”

small home office that offers a view, through wrought-iron spindles, of a staircase with an antiqued maple railing that leads to the lower level. Without a door, the office allows the couple, who are realtors in Grand Bend, to integrate work into their lives.

“We love to cook together and we love to entertain – that’s why it’s an open concept,” Trudy explains. “I live in the office and I want to be able to communicate with Ian when he’s in the kitchen. When one of us is in the office, we’re not closed off.”

A half wall with two round columns vis­ ually separates the foyer from the kitchen/dining area to the left. Painted a deep shade of

Off the bedroom, a sunny ensuite bath­ room features a corner whirlpool bathtub that separates two vanities, each with a gold marble counter and a furniture-style base finely carved with a leaf motif. A laundry room, concealed behind double pocket doors at one end of the bathroom, maximizes the space.

The staircase from the foyer leads to a hall­ way in the lower level that opens, on each side, to a guest bedroom. The main living space, painted a cool shade of lime green, includes a games room with a pool table and a comfortable family room decorated with framed folk art.

The grey stone home is accessible from a long driveway that winds through a wooded

gold, the area is a welcoming spot that imparts its own sense of energy.

Two garden doors open off the dining area, which is furnished with a simple oak Missionstyle table and six chairs. One door leads to the front deck and the other to a side patio, blurring the boundaries between the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

In the kitchen, Shaker-style maple cabinets in staggered heights rim the perimeter. A textured ceramic tile backsplash, laid on the dia­ gonal, gives the workspace a distinctly Mexican flavour.

An eight-by-eight-foot island, illuminated by two skylights, forms a central entertaining area. The island pairs a maple base, stained in a dark finish, with a granite counter that reveals a surface of cut stones. The island incorporates bar stools, a bar fridge, a microwave oven and open shelving for Trudy’s cookbooks.

Trudy is particularly fond of the island.

“We live around it, just the two of us or when we’re entertaining – that is what I love the most,” she says.

The kitchen opens directly into the great room at the rear of the home. A forest of tall pine and oak trees is visible through a wall of curved feature windows that incorporate a gas fireplace with a granite surround. Tropical plants spill from wicker baskets on pedestals, emphasizing the home’s southern theme.

A small hallway leads past a powder room to the master bedroom, which overlooks the front lawn. It’s a dramatic room with warm gold walls, a tray ceiling and a contemporary sleigh bed inset with leather panels.

area. Steps to the right of the home lead up to the front deck where tempered glass railings provide a view of the lawn.

The deck connects the stairs with a cov­er­ ed dining area on the left. Ledgerock steps and feathery ornamental grasses bridge the upper and lower sections of the property where the home was built into a sand hill. Three stone arches below the deck define a covered patio.

The Bustards decided to use their front lawn as their summer outdoor living area, main­ ly due to its south-facing exposure. Their backyard was bissected by a walkway used by residents to gain access to the beach, which limited the couple’s privacy.

The Bustards, who moved into their home in April 2005, are delighted with the results.

After being away for an extended vacation, they were surprised by their reaction when they drove up the laneway.

“It really wowed me,” Trudy says. “It’s a very special home for Ian and me – it’s us, we just love it.”

Brad spent a year planning with the couple not supposed to be, he would take us back to our priority,” Trudy says.

Oke spent a year with the couple planning their home, which is constructed of Insulated Concrete Forms and heated with radiant infloor heat. The result is a stunning lakeside residence that features large, airy rooms within a surprisingly small square footage.

Square-cut limestone tiles in shades of tan and stone, used throughout both levels, convey the sense of a tropical retreat. The tiles provide a neutral contrast to the vibrant walls, rich woods and wrought iron that form a consistent theme throughout the home.

Unusual ceiling treatments and bold colours define the main-floor living areas, which were designed for a sunny exposure. Oke made the front foyer seem larger by incorporating a vaulted ceiling and an arched transom above double doors. The foyer opens on the right to a

14 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

Sources: Brander Steel – Steel Beams Canam Hambro

– Concrete Floors Systems County Heritage – Trim Continental Cabinets

– Kitchen Cabinetry Dashwood Industries

– Windows and Doors Geddes Sheet Metal – Soffit, Fascia McCann Redi Mix – Concrete Rona Cashway – Building Supplies Turnbull Plumbing and Electric

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oke woodsmith, spring 2007 | 15

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B AY SIDE B E A U T Y

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Picture Perfect

inspired byBruce Peninsula’s rugged shoreline

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l o c a t i o n : W IA R TO N wri t t e n b y: J U DY LIE B N E R pho t o g r a p h y: TO N Y B O R OS

ric and Lisa Heinrich put so much thought into their new home north of Wiarton they were in no hurry to complete the planning stage and start construction. They particularly wanted to ensure the design did justice to its exceptional waterfront location near Georgian Bay. While they gave painstaking consideration to the rooms and features they most wanted, their lack of experience in planning a new home made them second-guess some of their decisions. The couple worked with Brad Oke, an architectural technologist and a partner in Oke Woodsmith Building Systems of Hensall, for 2½ years before construction began.

“It was our first house, so we were just winging it,” Eric recalls.

“We knew every room we wanted on each floor, so we made a scrapbook for Brad.”

The scrapbook included magazine clippings of features the Heinrichs admired, from rooflines and balconies to flooring and cabinetry.

18 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

The couple, who have two young daughters, Alex and Sophie, particularly wanted a comfortable year-round residence that would reflect its cottage setting.

Oke drew a detailed plan after discussing the couple’s ideas with them. “Brad had done a lot of extra work for us without knowing if we were going to be committing to anything,” Lisa says. “He drew up a beautiful plan and we went from there.”

At one point, Eric and Lisa were ready to start building, but decided to defer construction for a year while they were expecting their first child, Alex, now 3. In the meantime, they continued to fine-tune their plans.

“They were really good to let us make changes,” Eric says.

Although the property was flat, Oke found he was able to position the home on a higher area of ground, which allowed him to create a lower-level walkout. He also built two separate two-bay garages stacked

A floor-to-ceiling feature window frames views of Colpoys Bay

first- and second-floor rear decks, which face southeast.

A screened-in porch off the dining area at the side of the home, and an upper deck off the second-floor master bedroom, face northwest and catch the evening sun. “The deck upstairs is quite high, so it has a nice view and it takes advantage of every minute of the sun,” Eric says.

The home’s connection to its natural setting is evident right from the front door.

Gleaming maple flooring, rich oak trim and soft caramel-green walls blend the colours of nature from the outdoors in.

A heavy oak door with an arched transom above opens into the front foyer, providing an

A luxurious ensuite bathroom forms part of the 914-square-foot master bedroom retreat

above and below one another. The lower bays are accessible from the rear where the driveway winds around by the side of the home.

“We built the equivalent of a four-bay garage in a two-bay footprint – that was kind of fun,” Oke says.

Eric and Lisa opted for a home constructed of Insulated Concrete Forms and heated with radiant in-floor heating – a priority in a location exposed to high winds and extreme cold.

The couple moved into their 5,537square-foot home in July 2005. The five-bedroom, six-bathroom home and property are valued at $2 million.

The exterior of the home resembles a

one-floor plan, inspired by Craftsman design.

It features a combination of natural Owen Sound ledgerock, quarried in the Wiarton area, and cedar shingle siding, both chosen for their low-maintenance qualities. Two stone piers at the front entry anchor massive timber frame posts joined by an arch.

Copper rain chains hang from the corners of the eaves, giving the home a distinctly Asian appearance. The rain chains act as an alternative to downspouts by breaking the fall of the water and guiding it downward, preventing ice from forming in the eavestroughs.

Because the two-acre lot boasts 365 feet of waterfront property, Oke designed the home to capture views of the sunrise off the couple’s

all-encompassing view of the main-floor living areas. The two-storey great room is balanced, on the left, by the kitchen and dining area and, on the right, by Alex’s bedroom, her ensuite bathroom, and Eric’s luxurious home office.

Just beyond the foyer, a freestanding oak staircase with textured wrought-iron spindles curves dramatically up to the second floor and down to the lower level. It introduces the twostorey great room, which lies directly ahead.

A floor-to-ceiling feature window with an arched top forms a wall of glass that frames a view of Colpoys Bay and the rugged shoreline of the Bruce Peninsula just beyond. Sliding glass doors open out to an angled deck that overlooks the property as it slopes down to the shoreline. Surrounded by the deep blue waters of the bay, two islands – Cloud and Griffith – give the scene a picture-postcard quality.

The vaulted ceiling in the great room allowed for the creation of an arched niche above the window, drawing attention to the curving lines that form a recurring theme throughout the home. An immense stone fireplace, flanked on each side by built-in cherry cabinetry with fluted pilasters, reaches to the full height of the 22-foot ceiling.

A curved raised-ledge breakfast bar with a granite counter cleverly separates the kitchen from the great room and offers an unobstructed view of the bay while Eric and Lisa are preparing meals. Craftsman-style cherry cabi-

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nets are positioned on a rear wall behind the island on either side of a stainless steel range and hood. Designed by Lloyd Vandenberg of Wood Decor in Stratford, the cabinets feature deep crown mouldings and recessed-panel doors.

The angles of the tray ceiling in the kit­ chen and dining area are repeated in a second island, which also functions as a casual eating area. It distinguishes the kitchen’s workspace from the dining area, which overlooks birch, pine, spruce and cedar trees on three sides of the room.

Behind the kitchen, a small hallway leads to Sophie’s bedroom and her ensuite bath­ room, as well as a powder room. Another hall connects a second entry at the front of the home with a mudroom, a laundry area and a walk-in pantry off the kitchen.

The second floor comprises a 914-squarefoot master bedroom retreat that’s decorated

in shades of tan and caramel. A three-sided gas fireplace divides a cosy area for viewing television from the bedroom, which features an angled tray ceiling and a stunning view of the bay through a wall of windows.

The adjoining ensuite bathroom is illuminated by light from two skylights, which gives the yellow and peach tones in the marble floors a soft glow. The bathroom incorporates a corner bathtub surrounded by casement win­ dows, a glassed shower with marble tile floors and two vanities, one of which conceals a laundry chute.

From the foyer, the oak staircase leads past a curved wall to the lower level walkout.

Designed as a guest retreat with a separate entrance, it features a sunken family room with a stone fireplace, a raised bar area with a games room, as well as an exercise room and a bathroom with a sauna. To the right of the family

room are two guest bedrooms, one of which features a rounded sitting area, and a full bathroom behind pocket doors.

Eric says he and Lisa are glad they took their time planning their home. He believes it’s particularly important to seek good advice when building in a resort area where homes should reflect elements from their natural setting.

“We’ve seen houses being constructed even on the water here that have small windows that just don’t take advantage of the views,” Eric says. “We feel we did that quite well.”

Although the Heinrichs haven’t lived in their home for very long, they have high expectations of it. “It’s going to suit our life­style quite well because of the space and the design,” Eric says.

Sources: Brander Steel

– Steel Beams County Heritage

– Trim, Doors Harold Sutherland

Construction

– Concrete Supply Owen Sound Garage Door

– Cedar Garage Doors TimBr Mart

– Lumber Woodecor

– Cabinets Turnbull’s Plumbing and Electric

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oke woodsmith, spring 2007 | 23

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[

DESI G N ED F O R F A M ILY

]

Carved in Stone

reflecting its riverfront setting from the inside out

D

l o c a t i o n : N O R T H O F LO N D O N

w ri t t e n b y: J U DY LIE B N E R

pho t o g r a p h y: R I C HA R D B A I N

etermining the optimum location for a home on a property is a critical part of the design process – particu-­ larly when there are outstanding views of forests, rivers and ravines to take into consideration.

That was the challenge for Brad Oke, an architectural technologist and a partner in Oke Woodsmith Building Systems of Hensall. He was contracted by a couple to design a home on a 23-acre parcel of land overlooking the Thames River in a rural area north of London.

The couple wanted to maximize their view of the valley’s gentle hills and dense forests from their main living areas. Because their property was flat, and sloped away abruptly to the river, the view wasn’t evident except at close range.

“We spent a long time on the property trying to figure out how we could see down the valley the most and provide privacy to the couple,” Oke explains. “I was trying to get the house as far back on the property as possible so you could take a look down the ravine. If it had been up at 28 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

the road level, you would never have known the valley was even there.”

The couple already had a preliminary plan for their home that was drawn by another designer. The ranch-style residence, however, wasn’t designed for the lot and didn’t reflect the family’s casual approach to country living. The husband and wife approached Oke Woodsmith after an acquaintance recommended the company.

“We chose our property fairly carefully and had an idea that we wanted a home that was welcoming for family,” recalls the homeowner.

“We both have extended family that’s quite close in the area and we wanted them to feel as welcome as possible. The plan that Brad provided met those needs that we were looking for.”

The couple particularly wanted to avoid formal rooms they wouldn’t use. “That’s not what we’ve ever experienced or had envisioned for ourselves,” the homeowner notes. “We wanted big, open, practical spaces that would be comfortable, welcoming, hold lots of people and be used.”

Oke decided to excavate the rear of the property for a lower-level

Fine cherry millwork, and tiered granite counters,

visually define the main-floor

roundings. Stone piers support heavy timber frame posts and an arch that curves over the front entry.

Inside, the foyer offers an unobstructed view of the main-floor living area, which is unified by rich cherry woodwork, engineered pecan flooring and warm gold walls. The rolling countryside, visible through a wall of feature windows trimmed in cherry, resembles artwork.

The vast proportions of the great room are brought down to human scale through a variety of elements. Built-in cherry cabinets with deep crown mouldings and fluted pilasters flank each side of a wood-burning fireplace, spanning the length of one wall. The cabinets

At the opposite end of the home, a small vestibule links the great room with the master bedroom retreat. Decorated with pale grey carpet, white woodwork and stone-coloured walls, the bedroom evokes a feeling of serenity.

The ensuite bathroom is flooded with light from an arched window above a raised whirlpool bathtub. White vanities, separated by a makeup area, are balanced on the opposite side by a glassed shower with a bench and a separate room with a commode.

A cherry staircase leads from the foyer to the lower level, which incorporates an open-concept family room with a games area and a bar, as well as a sewing room. A self-contained wing was

“We wanted a home that was welcoming for family” walkout that would accommodate the chil­ dren’s bedrooms. Excavating the area around the foundation also allowed for the creation of full-height windows and a patio.

Because of their exposed rural location, the couple opted for a foundation and ex­terior walls made of Insulated Concrete Forms, which are known for their energy efficiency and sound resistance. They also chose radiant infloor heating as their heat source. The couple and their two young children moved into the home in March 2004.

“It’s a comfortable, quiet place to be. We can really relax here and have our life the way we like it without a lot of intrusions from the outside world,” the homeowner says.

Clad in Owen Sound ledgerock, the 5,000square-foot home is a natural fit with its sur-

combine open shelves where the homeowners display a collection of decoys, books and photographs, as well as doors that conceal their audio-visual equipment.

The fireplace, faced with cut fieldstone, extends up toward the 14-foot cathedral ceil­ ing. Two long leather sofas are arranged at each end of a conversation area, balanced by two reading chairs.

Fine cherry millwork and a tiered granite counter create visual separation between the great room and the kitchen, which is located to the right of the foyer. The bar is a focal point for entertaining and also shields the kitchen’s workspace from view.

Detailed cherry cabinetry in the kitchen combines visually arresting elements, including a flared range hood of cherry beadboard, a built-in china cabinet carved with a rope motif, and a low window bench with drawers beneath for storage. A centre island forms the kitchen’s main work area, just steps away from a built-in desk with open shelving above that holds the homeowner’s recipe books.

In the adjoining dining area, a garden door opens on to a flagstone deck where stone posts link railings of clear tempered glass.

Casement windows on three walls provide a view of landscaped retaining walls and stone steps that bridge the transition from the deck to the patio below.

A wide side entry off the garage – a prior­ity for a busy family – provides access to a pow­der room on one side and a laundry room on the other.

30 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

created through a vestibule that provides access to a full bathroom and two bedrooms.

The homeowner says it’s important for couples to thoroughly plan the design of their home and to be involved in every stage of construction. Oke Woodsmith helped her and her husband to streamline their ideas.

“It’s a family-based business and we were very pleased with the companies they work with,” she says. “They were super, quality people and good companies.”

The thought the couple put into their home is reflected in visitors’ comments. “They think it’s beautiful,” the homeowner observes.

“They’re happy to see that we were able to bring the outside in, especially folks coming from the city – they just don’t get that at home.”

Sources: Brander Steel – Steel Beams Cliff’s Plumbing

– Geo-Thermal Heating County Heritage – Trim Dashwood Industries – Windows Elroy Wagler Masonry

– Stone Mason Geddes Sheet Metal

– Soffit, Fascia Insulpro – Insulation Marshall Decorating – Drywall McCann Redi Mix – Concrete Roes Stairs – Stairs Rona Cashway – Building Supplies Turnbull’s Plumbing and Electric

Roes Stair Co.

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Moffatt & Powell Lumber London, ON 519.472.2000

Shouldice Design Centre Walkerton, ON 519.881.1333

Ed’s Concrete Products Stratford, ON 519.271.6590

Home Hardware Stratford, ON 519.271.4370

Multiple locations servicing the Grand Bend area

32 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

Multiple locations servicing the Grand Bend area

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oke woodsmith, spring 2007 | 33

[

R e no v at i on … D e r e l i ct i on to D i gn i ty

]

BEFORE

Return To Grace

From dereliction to Victorian stateliness

G

l oc a t i o n : B ELG R AVE

wri t t e n b y: J U DY LIE B N E R

pho t o g r a p h y: R I C HA R D B AI N

eorge and Elizabeth Procter had always admired a stately yellow-brick Victorian house across the road from their own home south of Wingham. Located on a rise, the twostorey residence had a commanding presence, as well as a sweeping view of f orests and farmland for miles around.

When the owner died in 1995, the Procters decided they had to act quickly to change the inevitable outcome of the home. Built in the 1890s, it had a multitude of structural problems, as well as no indoor plumbing, running water or even a kitchen. Several windows had been broken and the house was inhabited by a raccoon.

The Procters were particularly captivated by the exterior, which boasted a deep veranda with wooden gingerbread trim, lintels etched with a graceful scroll motif, and bay windows that created a rounded effect on the main floor and the second storey. They purchased the home in 1997 and began the long process of returning it to a state of dignity.

“It was just so unique,” Elizabeth Procter recalls. “We haven’t ever found any other house that’s exactly the same.”

34 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

As much as the couple appreciated the exterior, the interior proved to be unworkable. The main floor consisted of a hallway, a living room and a small bedroom behind it with a staircase that led to the second floor. Upstairs, there were two tiny bedrooms and a larger bedroom.

“It was a total rebuild; we had to rework everything,” Elizabeth says.

The couple hired John Rutledge, a Goderich architect, to redesign the interior. During the two-year planning process, Rutledge suggested the couple contract Oke Woodsmith Building Systems of Hensall to carry out the interior and exterior renovation work. The Procters particularly wanted to heat the home with radiant in-floor heat, a technology in which Oke Woodsmith specialized.

In 2001, Oke removed an addition at the rear of the home, leaving only a shell of four walls and the roof rafters intact.

The company then gutted the interior, which included removing the original wooden floor joists and installing a Hambro composite floor joist system on the first and second floors. The combination of steel joists

Flagstone-look ceramic tile floors and off-white walls accentuate the great room’s open-concept design

built the house in the same fashion as we would build a new house, but we had to retain the feel and the look of the pro­ject,” he explains.

“The biggest thing was trying not to lose the character of the home, but putting in all of the new technologies. The house is a new home, barring the brick.”

Although the interior is new, the Procters have made an effort to incorporate features found in the original home. Ash hardwood, grown in the area, was used for deep baseboards, as well as heavy window and door casings. The couple also salvaged two of the original ash doors; one became a pocket door leading into the sunroom and the other was used in

a rustic fieldstone fireplace, and an exercise area.

The second floor is accessible from the home’s original cherry staircase in the front foyer. It features a hallway that leads, on one side, to a home office and, on the other, to the master bedroom and a full bathroom.

The Procters are delighted with the level of comfort they’ve achieved in their home – from the floor-to-ceiling warmth provided by the radiant in-floor heat to the design of the interior layout. The couple will be able to use the main floor exclusively if mobility problems prevent them from gaining access to the second floor. Shallow exterior steps also increase the home’s accessibility.

Salvaged and reclaimed brick create a seamless blend of old and new. and poured concrete allowed for wider rooms and reduced the need for structural supports.

Radiant in-floor heating was installed in all three levels of the home.

In the process of rebuilding the home, Oke used Insulated Concrete Forms in the exterior walls of two additions on the main floor to increase the home’s energy efficiency and sound resistance.

To the right of the front foyer, Oke created an open-concept living and dining area balanced by an east-facing sunroom on the opposite side. The area beneath the sunroom was excavated and the original basement deepened by two feet to accommodate a finished lower level; that work involved underpinning the stone foundation.

At the rear of the home, the company built an addition with a kitchen, a side entry, and a garage faced with board-and-batten siding. Upstairs, a master bedroom, a home office and a bathroom were created.

Oke used a combination of salvaged brick from the home and reclaimed brick to create a seamless blend of old and new. The brick was also repointed, the double-hung windows replaced and new concrete windowsills made to duplicate the originals. Elizabeth stripped and painted the gingerbread trim, as well as the columns on the front veranda, a pale shade of yellow to match the brick.

Brad Oke, an architectural technologist and a partner in Oke Woodsmith, says the greatest challenge in the renovation lay in incorporating new technologies into a century- old home. “We 36 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

the master bedroom.

One of the most striking features of the home is the impression of light and spa­ciousness that’s evident to visitors as soon as they enter the front foyer. Off-white walls and pale ceramic tile floors create a contrast to the dark woods used throughout the interior.

The sunroom, which is filled with tropical plants and furnished with a rattan dining set, opens to the left of the foyer. Sunlight streams through five sets of casement windows with deep windowsills and transoms above.

The windows create a rounded effect that balances two sets of bay windows in the living room across the hall.

To the right of the foyer, deep cove mould­ ings unify the living and dining rooms, which form an open-concept area ideal for entertaining. Behind the dining area, a streamlined kitchen pairs deeply grained oak cabinets with granite counters in soft shades of peach and cream. A built-in desk, an island with a cooktop, and a pantry accentuate the kitchen’s efficient design.

A side entry opens from a recessed porch in to a long hallway with a full bathroom and a laundry/hobby room at the rear. The laundry room also accommodates a boiler that heats the water for the radiant in-floor heating system and the domestic hot water.

From the rear of the home, an ash staircase leads to the lower level. It incorporates two wellproportioned bedrooms with full-height windows and pine ceiling beams, a cold room for storing Elizabeth’s preserves, a family room with

“Planning the layout was extremely important and getting the spaces we wanted,” Elizabeth says.

The Procters agree that collaborating with Oke Woodsmith was a rewarding ex­pe­ rience. “They were wonderful to work with,” Elizabeth notes. “Brad was so helpful in helping us find the right trim or the right hardware. If there was something that we felt wasn’t going to work, we just changed it. They couldn’t have been nicer.”

The renovation was completed shortly before the Procters moved into the home in July 2002 at a cost of $350,000.

While many people questioned the couple’s decision to renovate the home instead of demolishing it and starting over, George says he’s glad he and Elizabeth invested in their property.

“Rejuvenating a house that’s old gives you some satisfaction,” he adds.

Sources: Canam Hambro

– Concrete Floor Systems Insulpro – Insulation Puglia Mouldings and Plaster Works Ltd

– Plaster and Mouldings Ridley Windows and Doors

– Windows and Doors Roes Stairs – Stairs Underfoot – Flooring

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[

T h e N atura l B e auty of Log Hom e s

]

Whisper Creek Log Homes

modern amenities with rustic charm

H

location: G RAN D B E N D

wri t t e n b y: J U DY LIE B N E R

pho t o g r a p h y: R I C H A R D B AI N

ome buyers who plan to build a lakeside retreat now have another option in cottage properties. Pre-engineered log homes offer the appeal of traditional log homes, but with all of the conveniences of a year-round residence.

Whisper Creek Log Homes, a Canadian company based in Alberta, builds log homes made of pre-manufactured panels in a factory setting. Each 2x6 exterior wall is custom-built using hand-crafted half logs, which are fastened to the walls at the top and bottom at 16-inch intervals.

Entire walls – complete with windows, sheathing and a house wrap to protect the home against moisture, and exterior half logs that have been stained and chinked – are shipped by truck to a building site.

Oke Woodsmith Building Systems of Hensall recently built a Whisper Creek log home just north of Grand Bend. The company’s clients are a couple from Detroit, Michigan who researched pre-manufactured log 38 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

homes as an alternative to a cottage.

That desire is common to many of Oke Woodsmith’s clients, says Brad Oke, an architectural technologist and a partner in the familyowned company. Clients choose log homes mainly for a lakefront or a wooded property.

“They’re looking for a retreat, but they want the efficiencies that you would have in a new home,” Oke observes.

The couple’s log home represents the first Oke Woodsmith has built, although the company has constructed four timber-frame homes in conjunction with Pineridge Timber Frame Homes in London.

“We’ve stayed away from log homes, traditional log homes, because of the inherent problems that log homes typically have,” Oke says.

Some of those problems include drafts and heat loss caused by the settling, cracking and shrinkage of logs. Insulating and wiring those homes can also be difficult because of their solid log construction.

Inside, the scent of pine is evident

The Whisper Creek log homes are assembled in a kit that represents 25 per cent of the value of the house. The kit includes the exterior walls, structural beams, rafters, framing material, and a staircase; the interior can be finished in half logs or with drywall.

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home features central air-conditioning, a heat re-covery ventilator and a backup natural gas generator. Special exterior elements include wraparound porches on three sides and two balconies that are accessible from french doors.

The 6,000-square-foot home was completed in a six-month period last July at a cost of $750,000, excluding the property.

With its dark green steel roof, dormers and chalet-style balcony tucked into a gable, the home’s front elevation has a commanding presence. Wide slabs of Owen Sound ledge­ rock form steps that lead from deep perennial flowerbeds up to the front porch.

faucets. A slate backsplash in shades of rust, gold and green is paired with charcoal and tancoloured quartz counters.

A two-storey wall of casement and trapezoid windows in the great room provides a breathtaking view over Lake Huron. The view is particularly arresting from the vantage point of a second-floor loft, accessed by a solid pine staircase. Slanted pine ceilings and a railing of straight spindles give the room a particular sense of grandeur. The loft overlooks a twosided, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace that warms the great room and a screened porch at the side of the home.

The homes are available in a variety of designs that range in size from 725 square feet to more than 6,000 square feet. They feature maintenance-free, double-glazed, low-e vinyl windows and 2x6 exterior walls that exceed R-20 insulation values.

Because the homes are assembled in a factory setting, they can be manufactured to exacting specifications. “The advantages are that you have the factory quality-control,” Oke explains.

Once the panels arrived on the building site in Grand Bend, Oke Woodsmith’s role involved pouring the foundation and erecting the outside frame. The company also looked after installing the heating and cooling system, as well as the plumbing, wiring, insulation and drywalling of some interior walls. The last step involved completing the interior finishes and installing the cabinetry.

Because the kit allowed for flexibility in the layout of the interior walls, Oke designed the rooms to take advantage of the beauty of the structural logs. They face all of the exterior perimeter walls and are also used as ceiling beams and massive structural supports.

Concrete floors throughout the home are warmed with radiant in-floor heat and finished with engineered maple flooring, which decreases the possibility of shrinkage inherent in natural hardwoods. Radiant in-floor heat also heats the home through a boiler system.

Inside, the scent of pine is evident in the foyer, which features walls of exposed half logs and slate-coloured porcelain tile floors. The front hallway leads, on the left, past a full bathroom, also accessible from the rear of the home, to a home office and a master bedroom.

The owners invited natural elements into the home’s interior through their selection of custom wood furnishings. In the master bedroom, two casement windows flank a bed with a high headboard and footboard made of gnarled, knotted wood in light and dark tones.

A blanket box at the foot appears to be wrapped in twisted branches.

In the ensuite bathroom, a whirlpool bath­tub is tucked between two vanities with quartz counters and cabinet fronts made of half logs. Stone-look porcelain tile floors and tile walls topped with a mosaic border create a spa ambiance.

The main living area is located on the opposite side of the home and opens on the right from the foyer. Double stone arches separate the great room, with its soaring 20-foot ceiling, from an open-concept kitchen and adjoining dining area. A raised-ledge breakfast bar with a lacquered pine counter further defines the two areas.

On the kitchen’s perimeter, rustic cabinets of cherry and pine create an unusual mix of light and dark wood tones that set off the stainless steel appliances and brushed nickel

A hallway to the left leads to a bathroom and three children’s bedrooms, each decorated with rustic wood furniture. Each bedroom is distinguished by a stained glass transom above the doorway.

The lower level walkout includes a comfortable family room with a gas fireplace and a full kitchen that open on to a covered patio. A wellappointed bathroom completes the living area.

Although the home was a first-time venture for Oke Woodsmith, it was an experiment the company plans to repeat. The homeowners were delighted with the results and Oke has two more log homes in the design stage. “Our clients were very pleased with the outcome,” Oke says.

There is a wide range of designs

40 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

Sources: Brander Steel – Steel Beams Canam Hambro

– Concrete Floor Systems Coni Marble

– Quartz Counter Tops County Heritage – Trim Dashwood Industries – Windows Insulpro – Insulation Innovations in Wood Ltd.

– Cabinets Lakewood Garden Centre

– Landscaping McCann Redi Mix – Concrete Rona Cashway – Building Supplies Turnbull Plumbing and Electric

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42 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

Transform your landscape into a…

AFTER

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SPECIALISTS IN COPPER AND ALL TYPES OF SIDING PRODUCTS

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C.E. Reid & sons 6hgranular materials

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46 | oke woodsmith, spring 2007

VONNIE OVERHOLT MOVED from an apartment to a condo at Stone Meadows in late February.

Her daughter, Sandy Overholt, says her mother is thrilled with her new home.

“She has the best of both worlds where she can feel that she has her own home without the responsibilities of a home. I just see how much happier my mom is – she’s not in a small apartment, she has beautiful big windows and she can go outside. Her happiness makes me feel happy when I see how content she is and how much she loves it. I think it’s perfect for her.”

Sandy was also delighted with Oke Woodsmith’s approach to sales and service. “Randy has gone above and beyond to make sure all our questions were answered. I was just blown away by their customer service approach to everything.”

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LITE-FORM® is a concrete wall containment and forming system which produces a continuous, insulated, monolithic concrete wall requiring no stripping and ready to receive finish materials.

www.okewoodsmith.com/liteform/Default.htm