The professional couple who lives in this Ottawa, Ontario, house calls their house a “Zen barn” for the rustic reclaimed hardwood exterior and chic design. Rich textures inside and outside warm up the modern appearance, and natural light flows into the home from all directions. “The stairwell, courtyard and second-floor deck over the dining area all let the interior space sense interconnected to the outdoors,” says designer Rick Shean, of the Ottawa company Christopher Simmonds Architect. Although this is an unabashedly contemporary design, neighbors adopted it, helping to win an award for the best new construct in the area in October 2012.
at a Glance
Location: New Edinburgh, Ottawa, Ontario
Size: 3,100 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Christopher Simmonds Architect
Christopher Simmonds Architect
One of the reasons Shean thinks the home delighted so many of his clients’ neighbors is your structure’s size. “It’s not a monstrosity of a house. The size is pretty consistent with the rest of the area, and its outside is warm and inviting,” he says. Functional yet decorative red bell lights from Axo Light add to the home’s curb appeal.
Lights: Alteriors
Christopher Simmonds Architect
“This home is as much about organic light and artistic, functional light since it is about the home’s design,” Shean says. “Light moves through the construction and changes the distance in reaction to the textures across the interior and exterior.”
Christopher Simmonds Architect
Shean used century-old reclaimed white oak from southwestern Ontario, as well as prefinished aluminum in some areas. “Studies show that this wood will lose around a quarter of an inch in depth every 100 years, so even though it’s 100 years old now, it has quite a few years to go before it needs to be replaced,” he says. The oak came from a local store, The Wood Source.
Christopher Simmonds Architect
Floating cabinets store items and include geometric interest. Book spines, a floral floral arrangement and the bell pendant give this part of the home a couple of unexpected doses of colour.
Floating cabinets: custom by CSA; live-edge table: Urban Tree Salvage
Metal bracelets by Tom Dixon hanging over the kitchen island follow the duration of the courtyard. Double-glazed Marvin windows help keep the warmth indoors.
The floor is a lightweight concrete having an epoxy topping, an elegant low-maintenance choice that resists scuffs and shoe marks. This component of the home makes the most of the available all-natural light, even in the very long Canadian winters.
Christopher Simmonds Architect
Ash wood treads warm up the metal stairs. Radiant floor heating keeps feet toasty on all levels of the home.
A number of wood textures and tones provides the room a cozy character and contrasts nicely with the stark white of the walls, flooring and ceiling.
Christopher Simmonds Architect
“My client known as the home a work of art when he noticed that the reclaimed wood siding move up,” Shean says. “It’s probably one of the greatest compliments a designer can get from his client.”