A WATERFRONT DREAM HOME

From ‘crappy into happy’: Manotick couple’s dated bungalow now a modern oasis

Quirky. That’s the only way to describe it.

Three-and-a-half years ago, perched on the shore of the Rideau River, was a yellow-brick bungalow with pink accent stone, two front doors and an unlikely gazebo that protruded into the living area.

It needed a total gut job, but one thing was for sure — you couldn’t beat the view.

Now, the house’s four walls and roof are all that remain after a Manotick couple hired Gordon Weima Design Builder to transform the dated home into the waterfront property of their dreams.

“He turned crappy into happy,” said homeowner Joanne Mack with a chuckle.

“(They) surpassed our expectations. I can’t emphasize enough what it looked like before to what it has transformed into today. It’s a brand new house.”

A six-month renovation converted the dated home into a modern oasis and won Gordon Weima Design Builder the award for best renovation between $350,001 and $500,000 at the 34th annual Housing Design Awards last month.

The inside of the home was stripped to create an open-concept living area with light cascading from large windows stretching the length of the home, and the yellow-brick exterior was ditched for a contemporary black and beige veneer with wooden accents.

“Every house we attack is a new story,” says veteran builder Gordon Weima.

“It’s a new relationship with clients and you try to put yourself in their shoes, learn about their lifestyle and what their goals are.”

For the Macks this home was a lifelong dream. They wanted a place that felt like a cottage yearround, while still having the best of both worlds — the city and the water.

But it wasn’t an easy transformation, said Weima. Budget restrictions and existing structural conditions meant attention to detail was key.

Weima said he practically had to flip a traditional house design, because on a riverfront property the “back” of the home is really the front as that’s what people see from the water.

Street appeal was important, but capitalizing on light and the view was also vital, meaning all the living areas were strategically placed at the “back” of the house and utility spaces, like laundry rooms or parking garages, remained street side, he explained.

The dining area, kitchen and living room now span about 60 feet with an eight-foot ceiling and no walls.

Although Weima feared it would have a “bowling alley” effect of being too long and narrow, he was quick to add budget-friendly details to frame the unique spaces.

He layered drywall on the ceiling and used potlights to define each room while keeping the layout open and inviting.

Mack said it was those small details that made all the difference and ultimately turned her dream into a reality. “The best part, for me, is sitting on the dock, reading a book and watching the world go by,” Mack said. “I feel like we’re at the cottage all the time.”

“He made all our wishes come true.”

PHOTOS: GORDON WEIMA DESIGN BUILDER Walls that separated the living room, dining area and kitchen were torn down to open the space and give an uninterrupted view of the Rideau River.

AFTER: The award-winning renovation by Gordon Weima Design Builder turned the house into a modern waterfront dream home.

BEFORE: The yellow-brick home in Manotick was built in the early 1970s. An addition constructed in the mid-1980s left the home with two front doors.

Glass panels and open risers were added to the entryway so when people walk in, they can see the river despite being half a level lower than the main floor. Attention to detail was key to this transformation.

With the changed layout, natural light floods the open-concept living area, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere.