TO EVERY SEASON

Dubbed Magnolia Manor, the trees on the grounds of this North London home offer a colourful display year round. BELOW The private yard provides a ‘cottage country’ feeling with its cedar hedge and garden space.

New owners find peaceful harbour

OLD NORTH HOME OFFERS RESTFUL AMBIANCE INSIDE AND OUT

By Ellen Ashton-Haiste

The peaceful allure of the Old North area of the city has proven itself a winner. This became evident by a recent quick and easy home sale despite current challenging business times.

John Crosby, sales representative with Royal LePage Triland Realty, listed the charming two-storey Tudor-style home and very quickly had it sold “without any undue concern on the part of the sellers,” he says. “I think, particularly in this climate, it’s important to let people know that this still happens.”

The open-concept main floor provides ample entertainment space. It is anchored by a chef’s dream kitchen (TOP) that opens to a formal dining room (ABOVE) and living room (RIGHT). The latter features a large fireplace to enhance the cozy ambiance on cooler nights.

Realtor John Crosby thinks that the former owners’ topnotch renovation efforts, coupled with the property’s outdoor features and ideal location, enabled a quick sale in an increasingly challenging housing market.

There is no doubt the location was one of the attractions of the property. It has been dubbed ‘Magnolia Manor’ for its three mature magnolia trees that often stop traffic when in full bloom.

The former owners describe it as a neighbourhood with “a magical feel that in some areas, on evening walks, resembles a Dickens’ village. The seasonal beauty from the stately trees are unique to this area,” they maintain. “We enjoyed watching the magnolias put on a show each spring and the shade of the maples in the summer.” They add that the maples and pyramidal red oaks are stunning in the fall, and they love the quiet beauty of the snow-covered spruce trees in winter.

Nearby Gibbons Park and the system of trails behind St. Peter’s Seminary provide miles of walking and cycling adventure, they add.

Crosby says the lure of the locale was complemented by the owners’ recent impressive and nautically inspired renovation. It incorporated a palette of off-white and soft pastel shades, plus art and décor pieces reflecting their 

love of being on the water. It also evokes the spirit and character of the Old North neighbourhood, he says.

The heart of the open-concept main level is a chef’s dream kitchen, a popular gathering spot for entertaining. It is offset by the formal dining room and living room anchored by a cozy fireplace.

The upper level includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a luxurious master ensuite and the

ABOVE A master suite, two additional bedrooms and two bathrooms are housed on the second storey. LEFT The main bathroom has a spa-like quality with a large walk-in shower and separate bathtub.

main bath with open glass shower and stand-alone tub.

A third-floor loft offers myriad possibilities. Outfitted by the owners as a home gym, other options could include an artist studio, home office or guest suite.

Crosby describes the exterior landscaping as “whimsical, casual elegance, highlighted by a manicured English garden in a private courtyard” and adjacent mature cedar-hedged grass area. It is a spot where the owners say they would relax in Muskoka chairs and relish the surrounding ambiance.

● FOR MORE INFORMATION

JOHN CROSBY Royal LePage Triland Realty 519-777-2659 www.johncrosbyproperties.com

JOHN CROSBY

MARKETING UNIQUE PROPERTIES ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO.

VIEW THIS PROPERTY AT JOHNCROSBYPROPERTIES.COM CALL JOHN DIRECTLY AT 519-777-2659

Equis Acres

18125 EQUIS TRAIL, CEDAR SPRINGS – $989,000 Five perfectly private acres in Kent County and a remodeled 3,200sf residence provides plenty of room for any family. An easy living floor plan offers formal living/dining rooms on the main floor with an open concept granite kitchen, dinette and family room that open to a large sunroom. Three generous bedrooms, updated 4pc bath, walk-out, plenty of storage, private office, laundry and billiards. Manicured grounds surrounded by white vinyl fencing, a paddock, pasture and a six-stall barn for horses. In-ground irrigation, a 2.5 car attached garage and a back-up generator. Loaded!

johncrosby@royallepage.ca Sales Representative Royal LePage Triland Realty, Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated