Christmas Home Tour reflection – The Hart/Seiler home

The Chantry Island Cham-bettes 2022 Christmas Tour of Homes has come and gone with its six uniquely different homes, and because numbers were limited this year, we thought for those who may not have had the opportunity to go on the tour, that we would re-visit a couple of the homes.

From the ultra modern Mulholland home to the more traditional styling of the Heather Hart – Doug Seiler home, each home had its own appeal for the almost 800 people who toured them.

The latter home, built by Southampton’s Seaman & Sons in 2018, is nestled on a private forested lot on Pegasus Trails where the couple and their Labra-doodle, Angus, enjoy the spacious yard, where deer are often seen, and the nearby walking Trail.

Upon entering the home, one cannot help but be instantly impressed with the 26-foot vaulted ceiling in the open concept living room, dining room and kitchen areas.  The white-washed pine ceiling gives the home a spacious, airy feeling but is grounded by the contrasting dark hardwood floors.

The kitchen, with exquisite cabinetry created by Arbour Hill Custom Cabinetry of Hanover, features a large island with ample seating for casual dining, while the dining area itself easily accommodates 10 and is lit with a chandelier that hangs suspended from the lofty ceiling.

The living room, furnished with large, comfortable pieces slipcovered in a soft blue, carries on the spacious feel and sliding glass doors frame the outdoor view of the forest-enclosed yard.  A large Arbour Hill fireplace surround and wall-mounted flat-screen television indicates that this is a room that is ‘lived in’.

Also on the main floor is a laundry room, power room and the master bedroom with its large walk-in closet and ensuite.

As with the kitchen and living room, the master bedroom has a full view of the backyard.  While the bed is the focal point of the room so, too, is a handcrafted wardrobe that was designed by Heather.  A delicate make-up table that was once dark wood is now in keeping with the home in a coat of white paint along with an antique dresser.

Adjacent to the bedroom is a walk-in closet room that has a banquette for sitting and through the closet is the spacious, oversized ensuite with double sinks, a stand-alone bath and glass-sided shower.  Here, too, is a chandelier over the bath and large mirrors over each sink.

Moving to the lower level, there are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large storage area and office space.  Two of the bedrooms are for a son and daughter while the third is a spare room for guests.  The daughter’s bedroom is a confection in pink and white with the exception of the wall-to-wall closet that features a built-in dresser and massive reclaimed barn-wood doors with industrial handles. “We acquired the wood from a barn in Paisley that was being torn down,” said Heather.

In the family room area, a unit fills the wall between the two large windows.  “We had the unit in our former home and I absolutely wanted it here and was so thankful that it fit perfectly in that space,” said Heather.  As with the main-floor level, the pastel colour palette is also carried throughout the lower level.

This spacious, airy home filled with light is, at the same time, warm, comfortable and welcoming.