Home showoff

Posted By MARG BRUINEMAN

Posted 6 months ago

Most people have the jitters when decorators and renovators take over their home. Not Arch and Helen Brown.

"The more time we spent, the more impressed we were," said Arch, known locally for his business success and benevolence.

The Browns moved to a Barrie condo, leaving their east-end waterfront home empty and for sale.

At the same time Joanne McPhail was brainstorming ideas to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Way of Greater Simcoe County, which she chairs. She thought a design showcase would be great ; it could double as a fundraiser, incorporating a series of concepts and events.

And the Brown estate would be the perfect venue.

Introductions were made, McPhail made her pitch, the Browns agreed and then the recruiting began. A small army of decorators and skills people along with other volunteers are putting together the project they call Estate on the Bay. And the build began.

"We've been at the house two or three times a week," said Brown. "We're extremely impressed."

Already a bank of cupboards have been removed from the ceiling in the kitchen and the natural-coloured hardwood has a dark stain.

D'Arcy Geary of Dufferin-Simcoe Wood Floors has been working on the maple floors in the kitchen and adjoining family room for a week. It hasn't been an easy task.

"It's somewhat difficult because of all the obstructions," said Geary. "It's imperative you get all the old stuff off.

"I'm sure that when people see the finished product they'll be: 'Wow'. If you're going to do it, you may as well do it right."

Ricki Mintz of Interior Fabrications met with painter Rick Vellinga in the suspended gazebo overlooking Lake Simcoe, which is accessible at the end of a bridge from the sliding glass doors off the kitchen.

"We want to make it light and bright," she said.

The idea, she told Vellinga, is to white wash the interior cedar with one coat. That would brighten the interior but still allow the grain of the wood to show.

The centre pillar and the table encircling it would be stained a natural cedar colour and seats would be installed below the windows, which offer a beautiful view of the water. Mintz is using co-ordinated fabric throughout the gazebo to finish it off.

All the effort is being provided for free. For Mintz the concept of a design overhaul intrigued her. It's also a chance to work in Barrie, which she's called home for the past five years, and to showcase her designs. Most of her contracts have concentrated in the Toronto area.

Derek McColeman of Gianni's Tile Gallery is spending three days creating a soft, earth-tone design in the downstairs shower stall.

"It's getting updated," said McColeman. "This is an intricate one."

He's creating a pattern with a brick joint and a glass border at a 45-degree angle.

The house transformation has only begun, and there's more planning on the go.

"The gala committee has also been hard at work getting tents and tables and chairs ordered and arranging public washrooms," said McPhail. "The volunteer committee has been assembling volunteers to act as 'docents' to assist with the public tours, guiding people through the home and providing information on the various rooms."

The project represents a significant move for the United Way, serving to bring the community together for the cause.

"Estate on the Bay is giving us the opportunity to engage with new friends and partners that we never would have had the opportunity to meet before," said CEO Seija Suutari. "The scope of this project has increased beyond belief," pulling together people from across Simcoe County.

A gala will be held at the house at the beginning of September and then the house will be open for public tours Sept. 13, 18, 19 and 20.

For more information go to estateonthebay.com.Check out the videos at thebarrieexaminer.comor simcoelife.ca.