Glebe House Tour returns this fall

By Suzanne McCarthy
Home descriptions by Stephanie Small

Those of you who gaze admiringly at homes featured in design magazines and blogs and long to take a closer look are in for a treat. Join us for the Glebe House Tour of five fabulous homes on Sunday, September 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.

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A volunteer-run, 11-member committee starts organizing this fundraiser several months ahead by identifying potential homes to be featured. Which house in the neighbourhood has undergone renovations? Who has a great art collection or a flare for decorating? Who would be willing to open their home to more than 400 strangers? For each of the past 14 years, we have found generous and gracious Glebe homeowners to participate in this community event.

Come and see how to make older Glebe homes work for the modern family. Get inspired by the creativity and simplicity homeowners bring to their renovating and decorating. This is a self-guided tour with volunteers stationed throughout each home, with information on-hand about sources of materials, names of paint colours and contact information for contractors and designers. Want to see amazing art, sculpture, pottery, landscaping and architecture? The 2014 tour can offer you this as well.

Tour-goers are invited to a complimentary tea to be held at the Glebe Community Centre from 3 to 5 p.m., hosted by a Cordon Bleu pastry chef. At the tea, tour participants may fill out a survey and enter a draw to win a free decorating consultation. A shuttle bus provides easy access to each home for those who do not wish to walk or bike.

Money raised supports the Glebe Neighborhood Activities Group (GNAG), in particular a fund used to offer financial assistance to families for child and youth programs.

Suzanne McCarthy is chair of the Annual Glebe House Tour. Stephanie Small is a member of the house tour committee.

15 Thornton Avenue

15thornton

This happy family home embraces fun for all ages, with room for everything from toys and a play kitchen to beer on tap. At the same time, it’s a beautiful calm haven, with soothing colours, flowing spaces and an indulgent master bedroom retreat. The homeowners recently gutted this 1911 home and extended it to create an open-concept design that makes entertaining easy while featuring intimate, comfortable spaces, as well as sought-after functional elements, such as a mudroom, pantry and roomy closets.

3 Allan Place

3allan place

Take a world art tour while exploring this classic Glebe home, which is elegantly decorated with paintings, sculptures and furniture collected over the course of the homeowners’ many travels. The home’s lovingly preserved wood trim, beamed ceilings, original light fixtures, beautiful rugs and refurbished antiques help visitors imagine how it would have appeared when it was built in 1917.

52 Gordon Street

52 gordon

This funky new build showcases creative yet affordable design, with features that were partly inspired by the homeowner’s past work in theatre. It all sets the stage for comfortable living, great parties and movie nights. Be sure to check out the eclectic collection of paintings, sculptures and whimsical pottery. Discover how to transform your backyard into a three-season urban oasis.

160 Third Avenue

160thirdave

The homeowners were drawn to this spacious semi because many of its original features (dating from 1904) were still in great shape – such as intricate crown moulding, a luxurious fireplace surround, a maids’ staircase and window transoms above the second-floor bedroom doors. They’ve freshened it up and made it welcoming with a creative touch that shines in the third-floor play room, with its secret nooks, racing-stripe carpet and a poster-sized version of favourite toys.

182 Clemow Avenue

182clemowave

Working closely with an architect and interior designer, the owners built this new home with traditional, old features yet including all the comforts and conveniences of the new. Natural light floods in through abundant windows and interior transoms, shining on elegant yet family-friendly interiors. Don’t miss the beautifully decorated daughters’ rooms upstairs or the huge comfy couch in the multi-purpose basement retreat.

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