“Lots of people have difficulty visualizing what something can be,” says George Shafer. He and his artist wife, Jean, looked in a dark unit filled with woodworking equipment within an old woolen mill in Almonte, Ontario, also found potential in its exposed brick walls, original beams, Mississippi River views and artist civilization.
Seeking a slower pace compared to one of the high-rise condo in downtown Ottawa, the Shafers transferred to Almonte and spent annually at one of the mill components while working closely with architect Peter Mansfield to transform their distance into a creative retreat.
in a Glance
Who lives here: George and Jean Shafer
Location: Almonte, Ontario
Size: 1,100 square feet;1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, with an art gallery area at the entrance
Esther Hershcovich
An extendable glass table defines the dining area space. George enlarged a picture he took of the mill and then wrapped it upon the brick wall to remind the few of their building’s heritage.
Esther Hershcovich
Floor-to-ceiling windows replaced previously small ones. “We wanted it completely to the floor so we’d be very able to see the water,” says George.
The Shafers then used leftover concrete in the job to create an L-shaped bench topped with reclaimed barn wood.
Esther Hershcovich
The Shafers are avid cooks and desired a kitchen that would be practical and modern. They included solid walnut wood countertops to conventional glossy Akurum cabinets from Ikea.
Before Photo
BEFORE: Woodworking gear filled the living room once the couple bought the unit.
Esther Hershcovich
AFTER: The few eliminated the Gyproc in the back wall to trim and install new windows, and were happily surprised to discover exposed brick. They asked the contractors to leave it.
Just outside the windows on the terrace is refreshing water that still comes from the first mill. There’s also a functional wheel that came in the Mississippi River.
Esther Hershcovich
The homeowners in the construction share a kayak. From their construction, the few can row up the Mississippi River to the small nearby town of Appleton.
Esther Hershcovich
A Jotul gas fireplace adds heat during frigid winters.
Esther Hershcovich
The Shafers sold almost all their furniture along with their preceding downtown Ottawa condo and had to begin from scratch. They bought an oversize couch and placed it asymmetrically within their living room area. A giant barcode decal adorns the wall socket.
Esther Hershcovich
With only one side of the condo having windows, the couple wanted to add as much natural light as possible. It was architect Mansfield’s idea to expand the bedroom walls and put in full glass panels.
Jean especially likes it when you walk in their unit, it is possible to see straight through to the Mississippi River.
Esther Hershcovich
Glass doors open to the bedroom.
Art: Jean Shafer
Before Photo
BEFORE: A door opening nonetheless stands where the bathroom now is, beneath the brick arch.
Esther Hershcovich
AFTER: A flat glass panel between the bedroom and the kitchen brings light into the room.
Closet: Pax wardrobe with Uggdal doors, Ikea
Esther Hershcovich
The Shafers moved out of a 700-square-foot condo and desired a large bathtub in their new residence. It’s now set against glistening black ceramic tiles also combines heated flooring. The couple saved money by buying all their fixtures from eBay.
They also included a strip of brightly colored LED lights within a wall-mounted dressing table from Home Depot.
Wall tiles: Delfos Grafito
Esther Hershcovich
Maple flooring runs throughout the unit. The wine cellar is built in, and a workspace runs across the side of the hallway.
Esther Hershcovich
Developer Stephen Brathwaite of Almonte Heritage Development Group, who is also a local glass artist, created the sliding barn door that divides the living room from a semiprivate art gallery located in the entryway. The door is made of hand-blown pieces of glass that change color during the night depending on the light filtering through.
Esther Hershcovich
Jean’s art studio doubles as a gallery and workspace with perspectives into the building, which houses other galleries and commercial areas. “We didn’t have an art gallery in our old location,” says George. “Jean desired a place to paint where she would leave all her things setup — the art gallery grew from that requirement, and it seemed like a natural to the distance.”
Esther Hershcovich
George and Jean Shafer, reveal here, feel completely at home right off the primary avenue in their little town.
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