By Adriana Ermter
Photography by Negin Milan
Pow” may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of a tear-down and rebuild. But, according to Ruby Gill, a real estate agent for The Agency Oakville, that’s the word that comes to mind when you walk through the front door of 221 Ascot Place in Burlington. And she’s right. “Homeowners often think that only big is beautiful. But with this home, there’s beauty and a real ‘pow factor’ from the exterior to the interior,” Gill says. “It is all about the design details. That’s what makes it so wonderfully special.”
Nestled in south Burlington’s pretty Aldershot neighbourhood and just a short walk away from Lake Ontario’s waterfront, this bungalow is an absolute standout. Situated on an expansive lot surrounded by mature trees, the home’s white exterior is punctuated with grey and wood accents, exuding a calm Hamptons-like vibe. Framed by four columns, the front porch has a picture-perfect outdoor seating area that overlooks the well-manicured front lawn. The light grey asphalt driveway, conveniently positioned to the side, complements the exterior’s aesthetic and parks six vehicles comfortably, paving the way into the home’s attached garage.
When you step into the space, you’re met with white wall panelling and earthy-toned herringbone slate tile floor that shines beneath a large, multi-circle, metal chandelier. Off to the right is an expansive laundry room that doubles as a mud room. Across wide, plank hardwood floors, the open-concept living room and kitchen beckon.
“Everything from the primary bedroom and living room to the kitchen and exterior is sexy, serene and packs a huge punch.”
Contemporary in style, these two rooms blend beautifully with their neutral grey, black and white tones accented with hints of metal, stone and wood. Creamy, pewter and steel-hued furniture border the dining room table and surround the living room’s gas fireplace — a warm, cozy addition that is embedded into the room’s floor-to-ceiling panelled feature wall that’s finished with a wood-beam mantle. All combined, it is the perfect juxtaposition to the kitchen’s sleek grey, black and white design.
The gourmet kitchen’s full-height white upper cabinets gleam against its lower black counterparts. Silver hardware mixes beautifully with the dark pewter pot filler located overtop of the five-burner gas range stove. Wood panel detailing in the hood vent and against the white marble backsplash echoes the living room’s interior materials, while white with grey-veined quartz countertops give the space a clean and fresh aesthetic. “There’s a Fisher & Paykel double drawer dishwasher, which can be run separately using just the top or the bottom, a warming drawer in the stove to keep cooked dishes nice and hot, as well as convenient built-in sockets in the island to plug in countertop appliances or to use as a charging station for the family’s devices,” she says.
Down the hallway, off the main living space, are three of the home’s five bedrooms. The primary is an airy, sunlit, open retreat that’s roomy enough to hold a cozy seating area alongside a king-sized bed. Its ensuite, one of three full bathrooms, exudes a spa-like atmosphere. Its heated white-with-grey-veined marble floor is mirrored across the super-sized shower walls. A large gun-metal rain shower head works beautifully with the shower’s grey pentagon-shaped tile floor and black seating bench. A large white soaker tub, double sinks, marble countertops and a modern light fixture bookended by two cylinder-shaped silver-framed mirrors complete the Zen style.
“This entire house — everything from the primary bedroom and living room to the kitchen and exterior — is sexy, serene and packs a huge punch,” says Gill. “Nothing was spared when it came to design and function. From the gorgeous backyard featuring the bungalow’s third fireplace and covered deck to the interior’s 14-foot alcove above the dining room table, this home is truly a gem that was meticulously designed. And because there is no second floor, every room, every space is spread out and gives off a very expansive, yet inclusive feel that you just don’t find in many homes. It’s easy to imagine yourself living here because you instantly feel like you are home.”
