LACHINE FACELIFT
A sad semi in fabulous location.
In an early foray into flipping, I came across this gem. Not far from the Lachine Canal, a buzzing farmers market and a school right opposite, she’d
be an easy peasy flip and sell.
But the little 3 bed-er needed a mega exterior facelift. Stuck in the 1940’s, its tiny windows, un-glam pokey porch and blah garden had ZERO curb appeal.
REAR VIEWS
An ghastly eyesore, the exterior siding was sagging and full of dry rot. Hmmmm. Not much wow factor here.
Pre-Vis Design by Caroline Wrinch
Dress to impress ‘cos the outside matters.
This is what I would have done (if eagle-eyed developer hadn’t nabbed her first).
The bricks needed repointing, the windows needed repositioning to let the sun into the (somewhat cramped dingy) interior. Extending the front veranda across the house would create both visual and very useable space to watch the world go by (with a glass of vino) or to plonk down the groceries.
I imagined any future buyer would love to see as much urban nature as poss. With this in mind, i’d reclaim the unused balcony space to expand the master bedroom, install an ensuite bathroom, shift the staircase and position vertical windows across the house’s entire width to showcase the parkland views.
Inside was a warren of cramped dark rooms. The bathroom overlooked a closed in (and badly sloping) 3 season balcony. Precarious 70’s cupboards hung over hideous yellow/brown Linoleum, and the one tiny kitchen window offered no light and zero view. Euuuwww.
Hey…Are you looking at me?
Front gardens don’t have to be a slog. Keeping them minimally stylish means more chillin’ less weeding.
Whether you dig the urban matte black siding (and yes it’s pretty on trend) or sweeter cottage-y crisp white, both designs make this once drab family home stand out and scream ‘Hey Look at me’.
While the garden was postage stamp small the rear gate led to a local park and cute laneway, which looked quite chipper and well maintained. Ah ha..nice neighbours I surmised. As my dog Harry explored the grassy knoll and other doggie delights I mulled my flip.
Bespoke Crittall bi fold patio doors would let much needed light into a new open-plan kitchen, which would transition onto gracious contemporary deck (echoing the front of course). All providing a fabulous indoor/outdoor space. Perfect for afternoon naps, bird watching or fam-fam BBQ’s!
