Houses
The Lakeshore Home
What was once the humble 1700 sq ft Baillie Estate Farm Manager’s cottage (designed by Pape & Warrington in 1926) is now a comfortable 3400 sq ft traditional craftsman bungaloft. With the guidance of architect Bill Hicks and the expertise of Rock Cliff Custom Builders, the home has been upgraded to modern living standards.
Repositioning the cottage to front Lakeshore Road takes full advantage of the expansive property. Painting the exterior shakes a moody “Mysterious” A5-565 colour helps to blend the home’s extensions. Care was taken by the owners in restoring 19 original doors by hand, with the former transom entry door now featured in the breezeway, along with a dog washing station.
Maintaining heritage status requires the adherence to the original roof height. This gives the home a cozy feeling upon entry. “Swiss Coffee” OC-45 painted shiplap unifies the home. Hickory flooring in a matte finish is featured throughout. A bright main floor office is a favourite work space and a luxurious oversized primary suite with private patio is a delight.
On Christmas morning, the light-filled great room will have extended family gathering around the tree in matching pyjamas enjoying the warmth of the home’s original fireplace.
The Brookside Home
After six years of living in a cozy bungalow, this expanding family decided to build their dream home on the existing lot. Close to schools, running trails and downtown amenities, it is their perfect community.
Architect David Small designed the 3314 sq ft Transitional home and SCOTTRYAN Design Build created it in 2023. Blending the elements of timeless hand-chiseled limestone, with clear cedar cladding and black iron features, the home has a welcoming atmosphere.
Designer Laurie Corbeth (Surroundings Home Interiors) uses black porcelain entry tiles and a dramatic “Bailey” fixture by Mitzi to bring the home added sophistication. A floating wooden staircase, wide plank pine floors, reeded wall details and trim, give it warmth. A striking moody painting is the dining area’s focal point.
The great room with piano and guitar on hand is the meeting place for this music-loving family. Adjacent is their favourite space, the 4-season radiant-heated sunroom, warm enough in winter to read The Night Before Christmas by the tree. The kitchen doubles as an entertainment hub with a easily accessible bar. Misani Custom Design walnut millwork, honed TajMahal quartzite counters, “Ballet White” OC-9 cabinetry, classic subway tiles and black fixtures bring a modern minimalist elegance.
The Highland Home
Sitting on a generous (90 x 130 ft) corner lot, this grand 4200 sq ft Southern Colonial home was created by Keeren Design Inc and built by Butler & Lowe in 2023. The longtime Oakville residents chose this quiet area because of its bike-ability and easy access to downtown.
The symmetry of the Georgian design is accented by a deep olive green arched entry door. “Swiss Coffee” OC-45 exterior paint adds a modern touch to this well-landscaped property. A soaring entry ceiling, white natural oak floors, 10” baseboards and exceptional millwork welcome you, along with the Christmas tree adorned in natural tones.
Hand painted Lewis & Wood, UK wallpaper, Visual Comfort bold brass “Iva” sconces and an oversized “Jacqueline” chandelier add elegance to the dining room that seats 8. Family and friends gather in the great room with its calming “Oxford White” CC-30 walls and a splendid oak cabinet. McNabb Furniture provided much of the home’s furnishings.
Quality kitchen touches are the 10 ft island, marble counters, traditional Perrin & Rowe fixtures and a Shaws 1897 farmhouse fireclay sink. A pantry, children’s playroom, laundry room, and office complete the main floor, with Top Notch woodworking used throughout.
Attending Oakville’s tree-lighting and Santa Claus parade are beloved family traditions.
The Riverside Home
Once dotted with charming 1950s’ bungalows, this neighbourhood is graced with numerous custom homes. The contemporary home was built in 2023 by Hummingbird Hill for the empty-nest owners, in close proximity to family. Architect John Willmott designed the 3850 sq ft double-gabled home. Black Ovvio windows, white wooden boards, and sleek black lanterns define its simplicity.
Upon entering, you are welcomed by a dining table for 10, a “Talia” Bubble fixture, and herringbone wide plank flooring. Designer Erica Sharp uses matching curved oak doors to complement the modern archways. A private office with iron and glass doors and ample built-in storage has an abundance of natural light.
Pass through the well-organized servery to the custom kitchen. A favourite gathering space, it features “Dekton” porcelain counters and matching backsplash. The cabinetry is given a “Simply White” OC-117 finish. The limewashed venetian plaster hood is flanked by black glass curved cabinets. Visual comfort lighting is used throughout. “Balboa Mist” OC-27 painted walls unify the home and give it a sense of tranquility.
This family celebrates the holidays with a traditional seafood meal, part of their German heritage. The home’s simple natural Christmas décor evokes a sense of harmony.
The Spruce Home
This handsome home sits on one of the friendliest streets in Oakville, known for its Santas. Built and designed in 2021 by Adam Schuler and his team at Inlet Homes, it stands as an example of modern living and blends seamlessly into the town’s streetscape.
The Maibec wood siding finished in a dark Coastal Charcoal is
on trend. Dramatic black floor-to-ceiling Sierra Pacific windows and oversized glass entry door take advantage of the natural light.
Wide-planked natural oak flooring, walls painted in White Dove OC-17 and stylish CB2 light fixtures create a calming palette. The media room with its white oak panelled walls and ceiling is the comfortable place to “chill”.
Simple white shaker cabinetry, Iceberg Blue quartzite counters, a large custom hood and backsplash bring elegant simplicity to the kitchen. A rear wall of windows connects the dining area with the outdoors.
The covered rear porch with shutters, BBQ, and stone hearth was added to extend the outdoor living to four seasons. A favourite for this family of five is the Nordic style sauna with a steel cold plunge tub. Fondue and the Christmas seafood chowder is part of their Latvian heritage.
The Spruce Home
This charming 3500 sq ft vernacular red brick house built in 1924 was extensively renovated in 2024 to suit the active lifestyle of a young family of four. Architect Wallace Brown (WJB Designs) preserved the heritage character of the property by maintaining the large porch with overhang and its supports.
Builder Ledgerock Homes undertook the 9-month reno, which included raising the ceiling heights, opening the floor plan, enlarging the bedrooms, adding an adjacent garage and expanding the back of the home. The generous 52x152 ft lot allow ample room for a large Porcea Coast porcelain tiled deck for entertaining, and a playhouse for the girls.
Off the entry is a private study with custom millwork. Velvet Grove - Silkwood Charm oak hardwood is laid throughout. VOV painting finished all walls in a warm “White Dove” OC-17. Wall-to-wall black framed expansive folding glass doors create a bold design statement. A minimalist gas fireplace with stacked logs adds interest.
The heart of the home is the Braams custom kitchen and pantry with “Balboa Mist” OC-27 cabinetry, Hanstone Quartz, Soho counters and industrial brass hardware. A large beaded hanging fixture makes a bold statement. Baking snowball and sugar cookies is a much-anticipated Christmas family tradition.
The Balsam Home
A single flickering gas lantern above the entry beckons visitors to this majestic 6500 sq ft home. Built in 2025 by architect Gren Weis and builder Butler & Lowe, the brick and stone residence exudes old-world flair.
Designer Hali MacDonald has created an English Country estate that is an ode to all lovers of antiquity and patina. Limed plaster walls and limestone floors welcome you. A rib-vaulted ceiling is illuminated by a classic “Needles” fixture.
A sophisticated den, drenched in deep blue Farrow & Ball paint, with ample seating, a bar and cozy fireplace, make this a space to linger. The relief ceiling detail is impressive. Past the custom curved plaster staircase is the dining room with three arched sets of French doors, a beamed ceiling and herringbone Belgian hardwood floor.
View the glamourous powder room through a custom curved door. The great room showcases an oversized mantle from a Belgian estate. Linen draperies add softness. The beamed kitchen’s La Cornue stove, stone counters and bronze hardware give rustic charm. An archway leads to a climate-controlled wine-tasting cellar and a servery featuring a Pierre Frey wallpapered ceiling.
The family celebrates their French heritage with a traditional tourtiere and attendance at Christmas mass.
The Esplanade Home
Overlooking the waters of Lake Ontario is this stunning custom
home, built for a family of four in 2010 and expanded in 2016. The
elegantly casual 7000 sq ft home is open and liveable. Designed by Gren Weis and Terry Martino, the Nantucket-style house has a stone and wood shingled exterior and gambrel or barn-style roof. It sits on a double-sized lot on which the original model home for the Esplanade development stood 100 years ago.
There is a kitchen with two islands and a spacious dining room
with lake views, for this family that loves to entertain. Adjacent is the
“gathering room” with its 20 foot tall limed oak ceiling, a traditional
location for the Christmas tree. A magnificent custom-designed Murano
chandelier, with matching sconces lining the room’s perimeter, complete the look.
The end of the room is anchored by a one-of-a-kind bar, with two
nooks for lounging. Multiple sets of doors open to the front terrace as well as the back yard, with access to an outdoor BBQ kitchen and an inviting pool.
A much-loved family tradition is attending Christmas mass, opening
presents and spending time together in their wonderful home.