A COUNTRYRetreat

FFor Paul Jakubek, choosing the location for his custom home was easy. He knew right away that he wanted a cosy family retreat near the banks of Lake Ontario in Port Credit.

The area, once an attractive spot for summer cottagers in the early 1900s, has preserved the feeling of a vacation destination. Close to the lake, the traditional Cape Cod-style home is rich with character and blends effortlessly into the Port Credit landscape.

To make his vision come to life, he called in Jan and Karl Bach, the father-son team of Prestige Homes to construct the 4,500 sq. ft. home.

“Jan stood out as one of the best out there,” says Paul. “I talked to others, but they didn’t come close to what Jan is doing. They have an unparalleled attention to detail. Jan got things done on time, and I’m really happy.”

LEFT: A simple sitting room with some furniture in the Arts and Craft style provides a cottage feel. BELOW: The focal point of the foyer is the dark oak door, rustic in style, that gives a cottage-like ambience. BOTTOM: Downstairs, a bar area fully stocked with premium beer and liquor, is a relaxing area to entertain and lounge.

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BY G INA MAKKARPHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON HARTOG

Fresh roses by Stavebank Florist set off the formal dining room, and set the stage for spring and romance.

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When Paul first approached them about the project, he did not yet have a design in place. Jan and Karl sat down with Jarret McNamee from AJM Architectural Designs and designed a space that would not only complement the neighbourhood but also deliver on the style that Paul and his family wanted. They discussed the must-haves and functionalities that Paul and his family expected of their home, and after several meetings, the team developed a blend of style, functionality and sustainability.

The exterior, crafted of stone and wood siding and accented with white trim is exactly what Paul had envisioned. “I like this style. It’s traditional but has the appeal of a cottage. It’s cosy but elegant.” The reclaimed brick on the exterior was handpicked by Karl. The natural buff colour, which Karl says is rare and difficult to find, was sourced from a century-old farm house in London, ON.

A custom handcrafted mahogany craftsman-style entry door built by H&Z All Custom Woodworking opens to reveal an elegant foyer.

Beyond the hallway, the home brims with lavish details. Solid oak hardwood flooring throughout the home was left unstained to retain its beauty and colour.

Eyes drift upward to the textured wallpaper installed within the coffers of the 14-foot high family room ceiling. Bright white cabinets flank the floor-to-ceiling fireplace surround. Cosy leather furnishings create warmth. Extra deep baseboards and crown over the windows add luxury.

The kitchen, custom designed by H&Z All Custom Woodworking, is bright with details, from the face-framed cabinetry to the addition of small, glass-panelled doors with a simple mullion insert. The integrated appliances and range hood maintain the light and breezy feel. Beautiful Statuario marble kitchen countertops, imported from Italy, create a beautiful and functional work surface.

The most dramatic addition of all is the wine cellar situated just off the kitchen. With a fully insulated double-pane glass wall and door, the natural stone-clad cellar is on full display. With its close proximity to the kitchen and dining room, it’s a wonderful talking feature that also creates easy entertaining.

ABOVE: A breakfast nook in the kitchen is bright and sunny, and a glass table gives a simple, clean look. RIGHT: Top-of-the-line appliances, and a pot filler make the kitchen a dream for a culinary enthusiast. FAR RIGHT: A wine cellar is located right off the kitchen, instead of the traditional basement location, making it easy to grab the perfect vintage. OPPOSITE: The family room is open to the kitchen which makes it a cosy place to entertain large or small groups.

Continued on page 34

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Jan and Karl, along with Jan’s daughter Anita – a real estate professional with extensive design experience – helped Paul define the space and what it would look like. “They know the area well, and between the three of them, they had it pretty much covered.”

The quality and the character was important to Paul, but he said he wasn’t worried to leave the project in Jan’s hands. “He really does what he says he’s going to do. It was easy from start to finish.”

A walk-through before the drywall was installed revealed to Paul that everything was solid. “What was important was the simple things, like putting more nails in the floor or the trusses to omit squeaking and rattling on the stairs and the railings. They don’t cost all that much more but not every other guy will do it for you.”

There’s plenty of details that can’t be seen but make a big impact. The home is green-build friendly. The foundation features a spray application provided by Advanced Coatings Inc. The membrane, made of 100 per cent rubber, surpasses any waterproofing and ensures the basement remains free of leaks and dampness. The spray foam application within the walls and ceilings exceeds the building code insulation ratings.

Upstairs, the master bedroom boasts a vaulted ceiling, a beautifully

papered feature wall with a tree branch motif and a vaulted ceiling. The master en suite’s unique layout includes a custom oversize shower that seems to float in the centre of the room. The Statuario marble on the floor creates a dreamy spa-like feel.

Paul says part of the Prestige Homes success can be attributed to the trusted trades that the team works with again and again. Karl says the relationships they form with the trades they use allow them to come together and work as a team to provide a great home-building experience for their clients.

Karl adds that they educate their clients about the building process and the building envelope so they understand how their home will withstand the Canadian climate. “At Prestige Homes, we create a home-building experience for our client that is very rewarding and satisfactory in the sense that the client is involved in every aspect of the home design through to implantation.” Every step they take is to ensure that their clients enjoy a lifetime of satisfaction in their homes.

Paul wanted a home with the functionality and quality of the modern touch but the beauty and timelessness of a country abode. Even now, he says he wouldn’t change a thing. OH

The master suite features a papered feature wall, and cool tones make it a relaxing space. TOP RIGHT: The shower in the en suite is uniquely positioned in the middle of the room, a great space-saving concept. BOTTOM RIGHT: The tub lies in the middle of his-and-hers vanities; no one needs to fight for counter space.

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