Glebe House Tour will showcase five homes

[ezcol_1half]By Suzanne McCarthy
House descriptions by Stephanie Small

This fall take a self-guided stroll through Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood and visit five beautiful homes, thanks to the 16th annual fundraiser Glebe House Tour to take place on Sunday, September 18.

The public is invited to buy tickets and tour four renovated traditional houses and one condo apartment at a Sunday afternoon open house due to the generosity of homeowners and numerous volunteers.

A shuttle will provide easy access to each home for those who don’t wish to walk or bike. Volunteers at each home will have design details on hand, including sources of materials, paint colours, contractors and designers. Homes will be custom-adorned by Bloomfields Flowers.

Afterwards, tour participants are invited to the Glebe Community Centre to enjoy [/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]tea and baked goods, and a chance to win free tickets to next year’s tour, among other prizes.

Money raised will help Ottawa families, in particular new Canadians from Syria, to participate in community programs offered by the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group (GNAG).

The Glebe House Tour is on Sunday, September 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 on the day. Purchase tickets at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue; or call 613-564-1058 or 613-233-8713. You can also purchase tickets online at www.gnag.ca, under Events. Adults and children ages 11 and up are welcome, as are babes in arms.

Suzanne McCarthy is chair of the Glebe House Tour Committee and Stephanie Small is a member of the committee.[/ezcol_1half_end]

16th annual Glebe House Tour and Tea
Sunday, September 18, 1–4 p.m.

Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 on the day
Tickets available at:
Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue
Or by calling 613-564-1058 or 613-233-8713
Or online at www.gnag.ca, under Events

Adults and children age 11 and up are welcome, as are babes in arms.

Ticket are limited – buy early!

This year’s featured homes

Photos: Suzanne McCarthy

300 First Avenue

The homeowners lovingly preserved original features while adding contemporary touches in a way that’s both comfortable and classic in renovating this traditional Glebe home. They refurbished beautiful old radiators yet also added radiant-floor heating in the kitchen and bathrooms. They preserved the elegant trim and baseboards but brought them up-to-date with glossy dark paint. And they blended antique furniture – some acquired during time spent in Europe – with contemporary pieces. Be sure to look up to see the fantastic chandeliers and light fixtures throughout the home.

[ezcol_1half]60 Craig Street

The homeowners opened up and extended this welcoming home to suit their relaxed family lifestyle. In a nod to the age of the house, which was built in the 1920s, they used salvaged flooring from wood lost during log drives on the river, back when the lumber industry was integral to the local economy. As you explore, notice the delightful details in this treasure chest of a home: baskets full of homemade quilts, the sculptural staircase, old family furniture, online and curb-sale finds, art collected on northern canoe trips, and a third-floor master retreat treehouse that’s perfect for curling up with a great book.

[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]268 First Avenue

This gracious condominium is in the building that served as Carleton University’s first permanent home. The homeowners added wainscotting and crown moulding that respect the building’s history and that complement their elegant furniture for a classic overall look. Views of the church across the street and the surrounding leafy trees create a peaceful backdrop for the home, which in turn serves as a beautiful backdrop for the owners’ wonderful art. Take your time to admire the extensive and beautifully curated collection of works by well-known local and Maritime artists.

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[ezcol_1half]248 Queen Elizabeth Drive

Before you come in the front door on Queen Elizabeth Drive, take a moment to notice the gracious view on the Monkland Avenue side, where the owners stayed true to the home’s classical proportions when rebuilding the attached garage and side porch. Inside, they brightened the home and brought the house up-to-date by widening hallways and creating openings in some walls, all while keeping distinct rooms that respect the home’s traditional elegance, and made it a great space for parties. The furniture and art are a harmonious blend of antiques, custom pieces and finds from Home Sense and Ikea. The homeowners also have a flair for taking on DIY projects when they can’t find exactly what they want, like the fire pit and the water fountain in the backyard.

[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]504 Queen Elizabeth Drive

The owners were inspired by living in and working on other Glebe houses over the years and by previous Glebe House Tours! They maintained the traditional character and warmth of their home by having new oak trim carefully milled to match the original trim and floors, sandblasting and repainting the radiators, preserving stained glass, and keeping or reusing old fixtures in new places. They even used part of the old foundation and exterior brick from where the kitchen was extended to build a wine cellar. But they also added a gleaming new kitchen and bathrooms, doors out of the dining room to the patio, a wall of windows at the back of the house, and crisp white paint that allows their art and original furniture to shine.

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