Old coexists with new in century home
Cruikshank House retains original features amid new kitchen, family room
Location: 8972 Oak Ridges Dr., Burnham St. N. and Oak Ridges Dr. Asking price: $459,000 Size: about 2,600 square feet Lot: 0.72 hectares, no garage, large private drive Taxes: $3,256 (2015) Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 A century home just south of Rice Lake presents an affordable option for buyers looking for a family home outside the GTA.
Sitting on nearly one hectare of land in the rolling hills of Northumberland County, this is a designated heritage home, built in 1873. It has more than 2,500 square feet of living space and a name of its own: Cruikshank House.
“We have been told by friends that our house has a welcoming presence to it, with its white wooden exterior and dark shutters. This is a solidly built home,” says homeowner Dorothy Hargreaves.
“We have maintained many of the original features, such as the beautiful ash ceiling that runs from the kitchen to the front door, the handbuilt and crafted staircase and the panelling under the windows in both the living and dining rooms, while at the same time adding modern conveniences,” Hargreaves adds.
“My brother and I renovated the kitchen, making sure to keep the style of the kitchen aligned with the rest of the house. The family room is another room we built, which evolved out of what was once an old summer kitchen and work room. From this room there are views of Rice Lake and of Peterborough at night.”
This 1 1⁄2- storey home is about a five-minute drive north to Rice Lake. Cobourg and Port Hope are nearby for shopping and, with light traffic on Hwy. 401, Toronto is about 90 minutes away.
“This unique home represents one of the first families and homesteads in the Rice Lake Plains,” listing agent Nathan Copeland says. “Cruikshank House is located in a pastoral setting at the end of a tree-lined drive with views of the Northumberland Hills and Rice Lake.
“As well, country living is enhanced from the multiple walkouts and verandas,” Copeland says.
This sprawling house has wood panelling, shutters, three chimneys, a varied roofline and a large wraparound veranda.
The yard is landscaped with gardens and stone pathways, and has many mature trees.
The front door is solid wood with stained-glass window panels and a transom. Inside, the foyer has a closet, wood floor and wood trim.
Off the foyer is the living room with a wood floor, a wood-burning fireplace with a floor-to-ceiling brick surround, a detailed ceiling medal- lion, high baseboards and three windows with floor-to-ceiling wood frames.
The spacious dining room features a wood floor, a ceiling medallion with a chandelier, crown moulding, high baseboards and two windows with painted white floor-to-ceiling wood frames.
In the kitchen, a huge V-shaped island/breakfast bar has a wood counter, a deep sink, cupboards and a built-in dishwasher. The rich, dark wood ceiling extends to the breakfast area. The kitchen also has a pantry, a window, wainscotting, a wood floor, crown moulding, lots of counter space, stainless-steel appliances, a ceramic-tile backsplash and a walkout to the yard.
The adjoining breakfast area has a floor-to-ceiling exposed brick wall, a window, wainscotting and a wood floor.
The family room contains a darkstained hardwood floor, a wood-panelled vaulted ceiling with ceiling fan, an airtight wood stove, two built-in display shelves, three windows and a walkout.
There is a small wood room that is entered from a door off the kitchen. It features a vaulted wood ceiling, wood walls, a wood floor, two windows, built-in shelves and a walkout to the yard.
The main floor has a laundry room and powder room.
A wooden staircase with crafted wooden spindles leads to the second level. The hallway features a ceiling medallion, a seating area, a ceiling fan, a wood floor and a peaked transom window over a door that opens to a widow’s walk balcony.
The roomy master bedroom is outfitted with a closet, fireplace, wood floor, wainscotting, seating area, ceiling fan, two ceiling medallions and three windows.
There are three more bedrooms on this level, all with wood floors, ceiling medallions and windows. A fourpiece bathroom completes this floor. The basement is unfinished. The large and private backyard has lots of green space, many mature trees and a large shed or small barn.
To view this property, contact Nathan Copeland, Coldwell Banker R.M.R. Real Estate, Brokerage, 905-372-9323 or 905-376-0092. Although we try to provide the most up-to-date information available, we cannot guarantee features as listed. Please contact the realtor for latest details. To make a submission to House of the Week, email soldhome@rogers.com.