LOVING AN
OLD FACE
Lachine Semi
In my early days of house hunting, I came across this little gem. Not far from the Lachine Canal, a buzzing farmers market and school right opposite, she had good bones, great location. But this sad 3 bed semi needed a mega exterior facelift to flip and grab buyer interest. Stuck in the 1940’s, its tiny windows, un-glam poke-y porch and blah garden had ZERO curb appeal.
Dress To Impress
This poor property hadn’t seen much love in a long long time. The miss-matched broken brickwork and cramped interiors all cried out for help & more light. Updating its front windows would bring it in to 2024.
An open plan veranda stretching across the entire houses width would balance its proportions & create an airy, welcoming entrance.
Hey Good Looking
Gardens don’t have to be a slog. Keeping them minimal means more chill, less weeds. So whether you dig a dramatic black refresh (always on trend) or a cottage-y creme fresh , both paint schemes would scream ‘Look at me’.
Around
the back it
was sad
news to.
But with some imagination, and a pre-vis render, you can go a long way. New windows. Fluted wood siding. Open up the deck and initiate some landscaping chops, and it’s insta transformation for any potential buyer.
I’m a huge fan of Crittall windows & doors. They’re simply gorgeous to look at and to look through - so this was the perfect house to showcase them, even if they have been around for ages. 1860 Francis Henry Crittall, an ironmonger in Essex, first used this method to create steel-framed windows. A decade later Crittall designs still feel as contemporary as ever. Edgy and versatile, the sturdy, slim-profile frames have an ability to transform a space. By installing elegant pencil thin upper windows plus pivoting patio doors would give this house a cool, modern vibe. Inside transparent wall panels would partition the open plan lounge- dining - kitchen areas, letting the glass define specific zones without compromising on light or space.
Photo credit: David Butler.