By Christine Hanlon 
Photography – Doug Dealey

 Following the founding of
L’Ordre de bon temps (The
Order of Good Time),
Samuel Champlain quickly
realized that in order to
enjoy life, people need a
good home. Two years
later, he founded Canada’s
first permanent settlement
in Quebec City

.Much has changed in 200
years. Turning to a trusted
leader for building a home
has not. Having lived in
Quebec for many years,
this homeowner wanted to
bring what she loved in La
Belle Province to her new
prairie landscape. 

Double French doors and an elegant mantel for the gas fireplace emphasize the classical themes of the home.
 

 To transform this dream into reality, she turned to Dynasty Homes.
 “She came to us with an armful of magazines and clippings of houses in Quebec,”
recalls Dan Thiessen. “From her materials, books and research we had some very
definitive ideas of what she wanted in this home. From the interior to the exterior, it
all related to her love of Quebec architecture.” 

  The builder then brought in Alan Danley from Engineer Design and Drafting Services
to develop a plan that would reflect what the owner wanted.

The distance between the bulkheads and columns creates a spacious pathway between defined spaces.

 
“I cut and pasted different houses she liked,” explains Danley. “We tried to interpret what she said to us on paper. She had to see it visually to know if that was really what she wanted.” The client would then take the plan home, transfer it to her computer, make changes and bring it back to Dynasty Homes to see if the design would be structurally possible. This “back and forth” process lasted for many weeks.”

  In the end we decided on a
combination of different roof pitches
to give the home its unique Quebec
 architectural look,” says Danley. 

 
  Clad in Tyndall stone, the 2,600 square foot home is a local rendition of traditional Quebec stone fronts. Although the New France style is more evident on the exterior, the same classical elements unite the interior in a common theme.

 The grand entrance, for instance, approached by a circular driveway from the outside, is no less grand once inside. Build-outs around the double doors incorporate graceful white pillars. More pillars were used to delineate the living room and dining room. “The home flows from one space to another, while columns, pillars and bulkheads define both areas,” explains Thiessen.

 Elegantly shaped ceilings with angled corners are finished with cove moulding, a unifying element used throughout the house. Ceiling medallions add the final touch. 

 

 

The regal motif of the bed and window treatment echoes the pattern in the light fixture from Robinson Lighting.

Decorative rosettes and fluted columns give the kitchen that special touch.  A fireplace in the eating nook adds another element of class.
   

While creating ample room to move inside the dining room, the angled wall of windows translates into a striking architectural feature on the exterior.
With its raised step-up enclosure, the jetted tub is the centrepiece of the ensuite. Two fleurs-de-lis wall sconces from Robinson Lighting repeat the “thème Quebecois.”

 

 

 

The distance between the bulkheads creates a spacious pathway leading to the den and master bedroom.

  Double French doors herald the master bedroom. Personal space is important to all of us; it was definitely a priority to the homeowners. “Almost 400 square feet are dedicated to the master bedroom, ensuite and walk-in-closet,” Thiessen points out. Another set of French doors leads to the six-piece ensuite. A jetted soaker tub is displayed prominently in the centre of the ensuite. It is tastefully clad in ceramic tile from Curtis Carpets, detailed with a brass accent and decorative listello. Next to the tub, a large shower and adjacent steam shower occupy a 12-foot space. Two large windows bathe the room in natural light.

  Having ample large windows was important to the homeowners as evidenced by the bright and spacious kitchen and eating nook.

 

 In keeping with the subdued tones of the furnishings, Kitchen Craft used a Lexington cabinet door style in maple with a natural finish. Fluted columns and rosette accents clinch the classical form with the on-lay piece above the angled range hood adding the finishing touch.

  Kitchen Craft Certified Kitchen Designer Lynn Giard also staggered the cabinets for interest. She then pulled the fluted columns forward, using the crown moulding to complete the look of a classic column. On the island, the arched valance fits perfectly into the entire theme.
The dishwasher was incorporated into a raised portion of the island for easy access.

 

 

  Both beautiful and functional, the kitchen features a built-in wine rack and desk area, as well as a raised island area for the dishwasher. A tile backsplash covers the space between the counters and the cabinets. Curtis Carpets coordinated the ceramic tile flooring with the backsplash for a unified look. Meanwhile, a reversed variation of the light fixtures from the living room and dining room reveal a fleur-de-lis motif. Robinson Lighting supplied the fixtures throughout the home.

  While it was imperative that the elements of the home exude refinement and grace, the homeowner also wanted her house to be a “place de confort.” Dynasty Homes installed a Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) unit to ensure the atmosphere would be both comfortable and healthy. “An HRV unit is becoming something that is not just an option, but a necessity,” notes Abe Friesen of Dynasty. “It brings in fresh air all the time for a complete air exchange throughout the entire home.” It also controls humidity, thus preventing the formation of moisture, moulds and mildew.

  Another way to control moisture in a home is to install a structural wood floor in the lower level. “This feature is very important due to local soil conditions which cause typical concrete floors to heave,” explains Friesen. “We see this commonly in Winnipeg homes.” He adds that in more than half of Dynasty’s upper end homes, clients will choose a structural wood floor. By selecting this option, homeowners also ensure a much warmer floor when they develop their lower level. Having a crawl space underneath also expands flooring options to include such materials as hardwood.

  After all, building a home is all about having options. For the homeowner, it was the flexibility of the builder and Dynasty Home’s ability to incorporate her specific design features that made this home not just her castle, but also her “château privé.”

About the builder:
  For more than 20 years, Dynasty Homes has been building and designing homes for discerning homeowners in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas. “Most of our homes are built to the specific needs of the customers we work with,” explains Abe Friesen, one of the founders of the company. “Our strong point is that we really work with our clients from the ground up, from the dream through the design stage to a home that is their very own private castle.” 

 

 
  Adding to Friesen’s ability to understand the complexities of construction is a strong team that offers a complete service package. Dan Thiessen provides planning and design services as part of the Dynasty team. He brings a refreshing common sense approach to the job, paying attention to every detail so that nothing is left to chance. “When it comes to custom building your next home, you deserve the best and only the very best will do,” says Thiessen. “The team at Dynasty Homes will be there to listen and to guide you through every step of the way.”

  Seamless in-house consultation, planning and creative design services translate into a prompt turnaround time with homes that are on time, on budget and beyond customer expectations. Friesen and Thiessen also form the marketing sales force for Dynasty Homes. Recently they welcomed a new associate, Abbie Deacon, who is working with them as a new home consultant. Dynasty Homes is a division of Stratfield Properties, a leader in project management for commercial construction and condominium development. A photo gallery of custom-built Dynasty homes and showhomes is available on the company’s website at: www.dynastyhomes.net.

 



S T Y L E F I L E
Light fixtures - Robinson Lighting
Flooring - Curtis Carpets
Cabinetry & countertops - Kitchen Craft
Bathroom fixtures - Robinson BathCentre
Fireplaces - Superior Heat
Staircase - Winder Staircase
Exterior brick - IXL Brick
Materials supplied by Charleswood Do-It-Centre