By Adriana Ermter
Photography by SOARE Productions
The township of Puslinch may be only a one-hour drive from Toronto, but it has the quiet tranquility that is usually sought much farther afield. The peaceful region is known for its lakefront estate homes on Puslinch Lake, one of which is on the market. Coveted for its exclusive locale inside a gated community, this shoreline property is situated on the point of the lake. It’s a blend of modern luxury and natural beauty, and the private lake access offers opportunities for summer boating and winter ice fishing not far from the urban buzz of Toronto. And then there are the sunsets, says Steve Bailey, a broker and managing partner with The Agency (Waterloo, Brantford, Oakville, Muskoka, Toronto West and York Region offices) and the listing agent for the property. “People move here specifically for a view like this,” he says. “With this home you can sit next to the water with a glass of wine and watch the sun go down every day. The sunsets frame the lake and their colours reflect off the water. Plus, it’s a getaway from the noise, where you can live peacefully and comfortably.”
Comfort that is defined by the home’s French-country style. Behind its wrought-iron gates and semicircular driveway, the 3,200-square-foot home is on one level. Set on a half-acre, it boasts a façade of Montreal stone and mullioned windows. The property has an attached three-car garage. A detached coach house has a garage for a single car and a bedroom. Beneath an arched stone entryway, the estate’s curved wood and etched-glass front door leads to an expansive foyer with marble floors and a hand-cut stone feature wall mirroring the exterior. A sparkling crystal chandelier illuminates the space. Around the foyer’s corner, an open-concept kitchen is open to the main living area. Sixteen-foot ceilings afford a sense of expansiveness, while a large-scale island, dark hardwood floors, wood ceiling beams, and a two-sided wood-burning stone fireplace that extends into the adjacent library create a sense of casual comfort and warmth.
“IT’S A PLACE TO ESCAPE TO RECHARGE AND TO ENJOY THE CALMING EFFECTS OF THE LAKE AND THE INCREDIBLE SUNSETS.”
“It’s a great space for entertaining,” says Bailey. “On the living room side of the room, you’ve got a wall of windows that look straight out onto the lake. Beyond the walkout doors is the patio with its pizza oven, barbecue, and outdoor stone fireplace. On the other side of the room, you’ve got the perfect kitchen and dining area to host parties and dinners.” Ideally suited for large and small gatherings, the chef’s kitchen has ample space for cooking and dining. With a soothing creamy colour palette, it has traditional cabinetry, granite countertops, and a marble backsplash. High-end stainless-steel appliances include a Wolf gas range and pot filler. A walk-in wine cellar is located through an open doorway to the kitchen’s right.
Past this open-plan area, spacious hallways lead to the main house’s primary suite, two guest bedrooms, and four and a half bathrooms. The main suite, with its wall of windows and French doors leading to a patio for a close-up view of Puslinch Lake, is the showstopper. “It’s one of a kind,” says Bailey. “You wake up to the water. It’s literally steps from the bedroom,” as are the deep walk-in closet with its hanging racks, multiple drawers and shoe shelving, and the large marble-tiled spa-style ensuite bathroom with its stand-alone soaker tub, glass-encased shower, and dual vanity sinks. “The flooring in the ensuite and throughout the home is radiant-heated too, so you’ll never feel cold even when it’s snowing outside,” Bailey says.
Outdoors, beyond the main estate with its additional laundry, mud, and office rooms, is a 699-square-foot guest cottage, replete with one bedroom and bathroom. Styled in complementary French-country design, this cozy retreat is perfect for visitors or for family members seeking time alone. “Everything here is so unique because it’s off the beaten path,” says Bailey. “It’s a place to escape, to recharge, and to enjoy the calming effects of the lake and the incredible sunsets.”
