IODE LAURENTIAN
  • Welcome
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
    • Overview
    • Our Funding Recipients
    • Our Sponsors
    • Every Member Counts
    • Car Rally & Scavenger Hunt
    • Previous House & Garden Tours >
      • 2019 58th Annual House & Garden Tour
      • 2018 57th Annual House & Garden Tour
      • 2017 56th Annual House & Garden Tour
      • 2016 55th Annual House & Garden Tour
      • 2015 54th Annual House & Garden Tour
    • Gananoque Lunch & Theatre Day Trips
    • Great IODE Garage & Bake Sale
    • Linden House Theatre Benefit Night
  • Testimonials
  • Members
    • President’s Message
    • Calendar of Events
    • 2021-22 Executive & Officers
    • By-Laws
    • Policies
  • Join
  • Contact Us

Welcome to IODE Laurentian

Serving Ottawa since 1906

55th Annual House & Garden Tour
May 28, 2016, from 9:30 - 4:30

The 55th Annual IODE House and Garden Tour, coinciding with our 110th anniversary as a Chapter, offered six homes and two extra gardens on May 28th from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

From Vintage to Va-Voom

This year's program cut a swath right through central Ottawa, from Revelstoke Drive on the banks of the Rideau River, through the 1950's suburbia (renovated) in Alta Vista, all the way to the venerable old neighbourhoods of New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe. The featured houses ranged from Victorian to ultra-modern, but all of them offered exquisite interior design, furnishings and art to enjoy. In Rockcliffe, there were three professionally designed gardens on display, and professional landscape architects on hand to tell you their secrets. Here are a few of the photos of the houses.



In the 1950's when the Alta Vista neighbourhood was first developing, the bungalow was the newest design in Ottawa, and the owner lived here as a boy in this house. Much later, he returned to demolish the house and to build a much larger, up-to-the-minute dwelling. The house is very special in terms of style and convenience. It has a stunningly open floor plan and such bells and whistles as a butler's pantry and wine closet. It also features many works of art and sports memorabilia.


















This is an old house given new life by imaginative design and decoration. The house is 120 years old (1896), and is a wonderful example of New Edinburgh heritage. The owner, Henrietta Southam, is a professional interior designer who filled the house with sumptuous fabrics, whimsical fittings and wonderful art, to reinvigorate a vintage dwelling. The photos show the exterior of the house, and the living room.



Award-winning architect Robin Fyfe is known as one of a generation that in recent times has transformed domestic architecture in Ottawa, and this house is a fine example of his work set in the beautiful village of Rockcliffe Park. The house also features some impressive art, and the gardens are professionally designed by husband and wife team, Afsoon Kayani and Robert Miller. They were available during the tour to answer questions.



This old house overlooking one of New Edinburgh's famous lanes began life around 1884 as modest worker's housing. Today, it is a model of modern design and the imaginative use of space and light. The interior rooms have been renewed and decorated with great taste and artistic sensibility, featuring many works of art. A series of charming outdoor spaces offers fresh air, privacy and delight.



The Billings Estate Museum on Cabot Street was built in 1828. You could wander through the house on your own or use the guides who explained its long history. Ticket holders were admitted at 1/2 price: adults $3 and seniors $2. Their famous Victorian Teas were offered at 11am, 1 and 3 pm for $12:50, or you could buy a box lunch for $6.50.



This spacious one-story house has a huge koi pond at the entry. The home is a large, beautifully decorated home for an extended family. The garage sports a lift for 2 cars, and the massive grounds extend down to the Rideau River. The landscaped garden is a paradise during the summer.
  • Welcome
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
    • Overview
    • Our Funding Recipients
    • Our Sponsors
    • Every Member Counts
    • Car Rally & Scavenger Hunt
    • Previous House & Garden Tours >
      • 2019 58th Annual House & Garden Tour
      • 2018 57th Annual House & Garden Tour
      • 2017 56th Annual House & Garden Tour
      • 2016 55th Annual House & Garden Tour
      • 2015 54th Annual House & Garden Tour
    • Gananoque Lunch & Theatre Day Trips
    • Great IODE Garage & Bake Sale
    • Linden House Theatre Benefit Night
  • Testimonials
  • Members
    • President’s Message
    • Calendar of Events
    • 2021-22 Executive & Officers
    • By-Laws
    • Policies
  • Join
  • Contact Us