Renewed and resplendent

As striking as innovative home designs are, such dwellings can lose some of their grandeur over time as original style elements and finishing materials come to feel out of step with contemporary tastes.

As such, homes of this type — such as 319 Bower Blvd. in Tuxedo — may need to be refreshed or made over to bring the residence back in line with current design trends and standards.

Built in 1965 and architecturally designed, the two-storey home — which is solid as a rock throughout — was purchased by a meticulous renovator and given a major makeover over the past two years, says Viktoria Fazekas of Re/Max Executives Realty.

“Basically, the home is about 60 per cent new,” she says, noting the classic design has been remade to modern standards in key areas and expanded by about 1,000 sq. ft. “The exterior has a modern, linear look to it with huge windows and an amazing roofline. It really draws your eye from the street.”

That said, the home’s tremendous curb appeal is just a prelude of what awaits inside.

Suffice to say the attention to detail and creativity that went into the home’s reimagining is off the charts. Step inside, and you find yourself standing in a visually arresting space that takes your breath away.

“It takes you a minute or two to take everything in — the high ceiling, gorgeous crystal chandelier and the stunning staircase that splits off in two directions,” says Fazekas. “And the wallpaper behind the stairs is beautiful.”

Once you’ve absorbed all the superb handiwork and style in front of you, you’re then left to make a quick decision: whether to take the staircase to the left or to the right. It’s a relatively easy choice, considering you can see part of a cool-looking space to the left.

“A quick walk down a light-filled hallway takes you into an amazing oval media room surrounded by huge windows,” says Fazekas. “There’s a window seat, an area for a desk — both next to windows — and a media area with a retractable big-screen TV. When the trees bloom in the spring and summer, you’ll feel like you’re up in a very luxurious tree house.”

Speaking of luxury, it exists in full, 3Dreality on the opposite side of the elaborate staircase.

“That’s where the bedroom wing is,” she says. “There are two huge bedrooms and an awesome four-piece bath on one side. The primary bedroom is over on the other side in its own private corner of the home.”

Not surprisingly, it exudes opulence.

A huge, black-trimmed window looks out onto the mature trees lining the street below, simultaneously allowing tons of natural light to stream in.

The recessed window allows for placement of a sofa, while an ornate chandelier hangs over a built-in wardrobe/change area with an island offering far more than a spot to lay out wardrobe while deciding what to put on for the day that lies ahead.

“It holds a retractable big-screen TV that can be put up for use or retracted with the touch of a button. It’s an amazing feature,” says Fazekas.

She adds that the ensuite is just as amazing.

“There are two entrances on either side of a six-foot-wide wall,” says Fazekas. “A vanity was placed on either side of a wonderful tempered-glass and tile enclosure that holds a walk-in shower and huge soaker tub. A grey-tiled barrel ceiling overhead adds style while champagne-bronze fixtures add a classy touch.”

Meanwhile, the home’s main living area is a study in functional artistry.

It starts off with the great room featuring a massive window and white honeycomb ceiling, which is followed by a jaw-dropping dining area with medallion ceiling, custom chandelier and stunning serving/storage area behind it on the side wall.

An extraordinary island kitchen with custom tile backsplashes and Thermador appliances, and a spectacular sunroom with an eye-popping butler’s pantry cap off the main living area with more functional flair.

“Everything just comes together perfectly, from the red-oak wide-plank flooring to the different ceiling designs to the amazing light fixtures,” she says. “And all the huge windows let in so much natural light and offer wonderful views of all the mature trees that surround the home.”

Last (but certainly not least) there’s the fully finished lower level.

“There’s a media area, dry sauna, two more bedrooms, bathroom, storage room and laundry room, as well as two furnaces, two hot water tanks and two HRVs. It finishes off the home perfectly,” Fazekas says.

“As incredible as the home is, its location is just as good. You’re in an area that feels countrified and removed from the city, yet you’re close to everything. This home has it all.”

lewys@mts.net