Art By Timbers
By Laurel Fortin // Photography by Sandy MacKay
Featured in OUR HOMES Grey Bruce Winter 2012
Excerpt from story:
Ann and Greg Becks’ blended family sees three teenage boys living in the
home plus two adult children whose families join in for holidays and
special occasions. “We’ve got the space now to fit everyone,” says Ann. “Our
entertaining is in keeping with our house style: relaxed. We’ll serve a nice
hot chili and fresh cornbread and wine.” Guests are also treated to great
music played in each room, easily controlled through a Control4 smart home
system from Fast Forward Audio-Video in Owen Sound.
In winter months, the family explores the acreage by snowshoe,
serving hot cocoa and warming up at the wood burning fireplace in
the sprawling basement family room, which also features acid-etched
coloured concrete f loors heated by the home’s geothermal system by
Northern Heating & Ventilation in Berkeley.
Meal preparation is shared among the family. “We use the counter as
a buffet for gatherings,” says Ann. The kitchen is a pleasure to work in
with hickory cabinetry designed by PineRidge Timberframe. Space is maximized with
creative and practical cupboard placements. The massive granite-topped
centre island (City Stone) allows ample separate workspaces. Ann loves
her baking centre with the mix-master on a hinge-lift stand plus extra
deep drawers for supplies.
Overlooking the kitchen, a loft tucked in the rafters houses a quiet
sitting area (furnished by Legates Fine Furniture in Owen Sound), with
floor space for Ann to practise yoga plus a home office. “We went for a
more rustic flavour in the loft,” says Ann, where PineRidge built shelving
with rough-hewn wood and designed a special desk for her. “We had a
portion of a cedar tree in our yard that dated back almost 500 years,” says
Mader, “so we took a slab of that to build her desk.”
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