It’s about enjoying the atmosphere and the colours at Heron Croft gardens.

Inside and out, Nancy and Paul Grigg’s home perfectly matches their personalities. It’s hard not to smile in the presence of this fun-loving couple and their country home in Balaclava.

Paul and Nancy Grigg have combined old and new at this 100-acre farm. The field-stone farmhouse was built in 1957 and houses an antique collection that speaks to its history.

Their bright auras seem to attract an abundance of wildlife. Blue herons eat fish from the pond, foxes have two dens on either end of the property, a couple of ducks lay eggs around the pond, flocks of birds hop around the trees and a bear sometimes deters Paul from napping too long on his outdoor chaise lounge.

Nancy, a retired florist, now spends her days in the perennial gardens surrounding the home – gardens that were once tomato and potato fields. She has chosen whimsical garden sculptures to tie in with the swing she received for her 50th birthday and her grandsons’ playhouse and loft, built by Tim Singbeil.

Nancy and Paul planted hundreds of trees on the property 18 years ago. “We did it so we could put some oxygen back into the air,” says Nancy, taking a deep breath. Paul maintains a collection of trails throughout the 100-acre property, making tranquil walks easy and enjoyable.

A pool and hot tub add an extra bit of fun and relaxation to this expanse of yard. Paul gets up every morning at five to soak in the tub with his cup of coffee. “Morning’s the best time – the best light, the best energy,” Paul explains.

The 1957 field-stone farmhouse has been slightly renovated to bring out more of its character and charm. “We’ve really enjoyed doing it,” says Nancy, who loves the spring and summer at this hidden spot. “There are lots of memories. That’s what these old homes are about really.”

This custom kitchen by Brubacher Kitchens was designed by Nancy, along with the rest of the 1990 addition. S She left enough space above her cabinets to display more of her antiques and collectibles. The blacksmith’s countertop makes the island the focal point for this space.

“I love the isolation, the birds, the water flowing across the property and especially the view from the back of the property,” says Paul, who walks to the lookout at least once a week. From the lookout you can spot the islands, see as far north as Cape Croker – including the mouths of Colpoy’s Bay and Owen Sound harbour – and as far south as Thornbury.

Nancy and Paul aren’t the only ones who adore this place. Their daughter was married on the property six years ago. Nancy perfected the gardens for the occasion and created gorgeous flower arrangements for the arbours and old wooden fences. Four white ducks from the pond attended the ceremony.

Inside, the library is bathed in a hunter green shade – the trim a hue darker – and has been revived with solid panel shutters and a breathtaking storm window from an old church transformed into a giant mirrored work of art. Cabinets by Singbeil hold a varied collection of books. A quilt Nancy made brightens up one corner of the deep room, and a framed painting of driftwood on a rocky shoreline suits the setting of this Georgian Bay farm.

The living room finds its personality in a daring mustard wall colour. Maple flooring and louvered shutters bring out the country charm in this home. The front door features a tiny window, framed by a floral wreath. The butter yellow porch with cranberry accents provides a magnificent view of the rolling countryside.

A crank phone sits on the wall beside an old store till. The original paper scroll from the till remains with written accounts of purchases from November 1950. A hockey stick, most likely for a young boy learning the great Canadian game, cost $1.25, while a dollhouse for a dreamy little girl was purchased for just $1.95. These treasures remind Nancy and Paul of a simpler time – a time they are more than happy to find themselves surrounded in.

The dining room features an antique maple corner hutch to store Nancy’s great-great-grandmother’s dishes. Decorating the brick surround for the fireplace are a rooster, chicken and sheep, among others. F Family members gave them as a gift, stating that they needed animals for their farm.

The till sits on top of a butternut cabinet that conceals electronics and the Griggs’ CD collection. A schoolhouse clock ticks away at the bottom of the stairs to the second floor. To the left is an antique boat wheel, just one of a collection of sailing memorabilia dispersed throughout the home, paying homage to Paul’s greatest passion, aside from dentistry.

“We started buying antiques because, at the time, it was too expensive to buy new furniture,” says Nancy. “They weren’t antiques then though.” Many pieces in the home have been handed down to the Griggs from family so they have that added meaning and sentiment. Nancy has lovingly united the old and new in this beautiful home.

A one-room schoolhouse bookcase now holds special treasures. Two toilet seat masterpieces find display space here. Painted in oil by the harbour master in Lion’s Head, the shoreline views were purchased by Paul from the artist as he painted them on the side of the road.

Nothing, however, can hold a flame to Paul’s graduation gift from his father. Protected under a glass cover sits the porcelain depiction of an 1800s Italian dentist. This priceless treasure was broken into 300 pieces during the move, but a china repairman in Belleville was able to meticulously place each piece into its original location, with no photo to work from. Not even a single sign of the break can be seen today.

The second floor features original beech flooring and another collection of antiques. Grandson Zahne’s yellow room takes up one corner of the second floor. The new single sleigh bed, from Country Charm Mennonite Furniture in Rockford, with storage drawers looks inviting with blue and yellow quilt bedding and an adorable butterfly hand-me-down quilt. A charming collection of wooden, hand-carved toys, lovingly created by Ron Mower, lines a bookcase. A playful reproduction horse tricycle gives this five-year-old’s room a carnival feel.

This black and white country guest room looks over the pond and the family of ducks. The room features the only original closet in the farmhouse. The closets were small as most garments were hung on the back of the door.

Grandson Hendrix’s room is furnished with a matrimonial bedroom suite from Nancy’s Aunt Shirley. A colourful bowtie quilt now dresses the seven-year-old’s bed, and a handmade dollhouse of Nancy’s sits on the floor in a corner under the slanted roof.

Down the hall, the master bedroom is grand and comforting. The deep rose wall colour is carried to the ceiling. A rust-hue settee – found in a dump and reupholstered – sits under the angled ceiling. The flower theme of the en suite bathroom and border is reiterated on the bedding of the four-poster bed (also by Country Charm). Matching wash stands make unique bedside tables. The balcony is accessed from the master bedroom through a custom-made gingerbread screen door by Manuel Rocha and includes stairs to the yard and mature perennial gardens. This way Nancy can enjoy all of her hard work.

The cedar addition to the farmhouse was designed by Nancy 20 years ago and has a character that blends well with the original structure. Nancy’s brother carved ‘Fred the Indian’ who stands across the room from the main entrance. “He kind of welcomes everyone, don’t ya think?” asks Nancy with a smile. An antique decorative corner hutch in maple holds Nancy’s great-great-grandmother’s dishes.

The kitchen combines modern and country. Stainless steel appliances make food preparation a breeze. The island’s eye-catching blacksmith’s countertop in alternating bird’s eye maple and cherry is a conversation starter and always displays one of Nancy’s beautiful flower arrangements to keep the open space fresh. Four swivel stools make this an easy social centre for the Griggs and their grandchildren.

Every inch of Heron Croft offers a new, equally impressive view. This huge Rouen duck and his wife, a Harlequin, enjoy their own corner of this peaceful place.

The limestone countertops from Ledgerock in Wiarton – installed by City Stone – are easy to maintain and complement the sage green walls. Brubacher Kitchens crafted the custom oak cabinetry in a white-wash finish. Self-contained lighting under the cabinets, installed by electrician Kevin Camp, illuminates the stone with two intensity settings. Collectibles cover the tops of the cabinets, bringing hints of the old into the country kitchen.

Although the Griggs have decided to find something a little smaller in which to spend their retirement years, they have extended the life and memories of this farm and created an outdoor haven.