54th Annual House & Garden Tour
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From Vintage to Glam
This year the houses ranged from spectacular to eclectic. Six wonderful houses were located in Rockcliffe, Rothwell Heights, and a home near the Rideau Canal packed with four floors of wonderful artifacts from around the world.
The RCMP Musical Ride Centre in Manor Park offered a gift shop, a small museum showing the development of the Musical Ride, and half-hourly tours of the stables where you could pat the stately black horses, view the tack and farrier rooms, and see the horses put through their paces.
The IODE tour shuttle buses also had a bus depot where tour visitors could change to or from the Rockcliffe bus and the Rothwell Heights bus.
Rockcliffe
One of the homes "not to miss" was a designer’s dream perched on a large property, part of which used to be stone stables. The home boasts a 12 seat media room on the lower level (IODE will be playing a loop of the history of Rockcliffe), an entire guest wing with two bedrooms each with an adjoining en suite, and a gym. The main floor sports a sunken conversation pit living-room, a newly renovated kitchen, and a huge entry hall that can become a dining area for a large crowd. Most of the rooms overlook and have access to a spectacular pool.
The other home in Rockcliffe was the Ambassador to Germany’s home. This house is an entertaining hostess’ dream. The dining table will seat 24 comfortably, and there is a selection of thought-provoking art to appreciate.
At this location, IODE offered a selection of home-baked goodies for visitors to take back home to enjoy, including cakes made from a recipe for a German-style cheesecake. Lemonade and water were available for free.
This is the home of a professional designer, and looks it!
Built on Sandridge Rd. opposite the Rockclifffe Parkway, this house boasts an upper level for the owners’ offices, and the downstairs has a newly renovated chef’s kitchen. The ensuites for each bedroom are to die for.
Rothwell Heights
This home has been extensively, and sympathetically renovated – in fact done so well, that movie companies have used it as a setting for TV movies.
Nearby was the second Rothwell Heights home. This house was built in 1958, and has been extensively renovated with 4 additions and a wonderful, inviting backyard pool, nicely landscaped.
Old Ottawa South (Rideau Canal)
Located beside NCC parkland bordering the Rideau Canal, this Tudor style home was built in 1928. A prior occupant was Air Chief Marshal Frank Miller, Canada’s first Chief of Defence Staff. The current homeowners have been here since 1976.
Their collection of art, furniture, textiles and carpets from 8 postings abroad (as well as Canada) grace every room, corridor and staircase of their four story home. Their residence has undergone two major renovations to add a deck, expand the kitchen, convert an attic into a loft and modernize the basement and bathrooms all while maintaining the charm of this unique home.
Expert Interpreters
Margaret, an international award winning cookbook author, host of her own cooking and lifestyle TV series as well as renowned hostess, along with Larry, a retired Canadian ambassador, were on hand to share in the adventures behind their extensive collection.
This year the houses ranged from spectacular to eclectic. Six wonderful houses were located in Rockcliffe, Rothwell Heights, and a home near the Rideau Canal packed with four floors of wonderful artifacts from around the world.
The RCMP Musical Ride Centre in Manor Park offered a gift shop, a small museum showing the development of the Musical Ride, and half-hourly tours of the stables where you could pat the stately black horses, view the tack and farrier rooms, and see the horses put through their paces.
The IODE tour shuttle buses also had a bus depot where tour visitors could change to or from the Rockcliffe bus and the Rothwell Heights bus.
Rockcliffe
One of the homes "not to miss" was a designer’s dream perched on a large property, part of which used to be stone stables. The home boasts a 12 seat media room on the lower level (IODE will be playing a loop of the history of Rockcliffe), an entire guest wing with two bedrooms each with an adjoining en suite, and a gym. The main floor sports a sunken conversation pit living-room, a newly renovated kitchen, and a huge entry hall that can become a dining area for a large crowd. Most of the rooms overlook and have access to a spectacular pool.
The other home in Rockcliffe was the Ambassador to Germany’s home. This house is an entertaining hostess’ dream. The dining table will seat 24 comfortably, and there is a selection of thought-provoking art to appreciate.
At this location, IODE offered a selection of home-baked goodies for visitors to take back home to enjoy, including cakes made from a recipe for a German-style cheesecake. Lemonade and water were available for free.
This is the home of a professional designer, and looks it!
Built on Sandridge Rd. opposite the Rockclifffe Parkway, this house boasts an upper level for the owners’ offices, and the downstairs has a newly renovated chef’s kitchen. The ensuites for each bedroom are to die for.
Rothwell Heights
This home has been extensively, and sympathetically renovated – in fact done so well, that movie companies have used it as a setting for TV movies.
Nearby was the second Rothwell Heights home. This house was built in 1958, and has been extensively renovated with 4 additions and a wonderful, inviting backyard pool, nicely landscaped.
Old Ottawa South (Rideau Canal)
Located beside NCC parkland bordering the Rideau Canal, this Tudor style home was built in 1928. A prior occupant was Air Chief Marshal Frank Miller, Canada’s first Chief of Defence Staff. The current homeowners have been here since 1976.
Their collection of art, furniture, textiles and carpets from 8 postings abroad (as well as Canada) grace every room, corridor and staircase of their four story home. Their residence has undergone two major renovations to add a deck, expand the kitchen, convert an attic into a loft and modernize the basement and bathrooms all while maintaining the charm of this unique home.
Expert Interpreters
Margaret, an international award winning cookbook author, host of her own cooking and lifestyle TV series as well as renowned hostess, along with Larry, a retired Canadian ambassador, were on hand to share in the adventures behind their extensive collection.