Water

Non-Designated Historical Home

c 1850's

Double Town Lot in Port Hope's most desired and quiet neighbourhood

Toronto's renowned interior designer's own home

Totally Gutted & Restored/Renovated

Two Storeys with Finished Half Basement

Restored Original Heart Pine Floors

Marble Master Ensuite Tile and Antique Vanity Counter c.1890 French

Limestone Shower in Main Floor Bathroom with Antique Vanity c1900 French

Main Floor Laundry

Crown Mouldings and Medallions

Recessed Halogen Lighting in Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Master Bedroom and Ensuite with Soaker Tub

French Doors

Custom Kitchen with Brick Pattern Terra Cotta Floors and antique Centre Island c.1850 French and Pantry c.1850 French

Wrap Around Verandah

Quiet, Restful, Flushed with Sunlight are elements that come to mind as I walked through the Front Doors. Joyful, well balanced and sunny continues the theme as I toured the Living and Dining Room - and a Kitchen that Martha would feel right at home. Continuing upstairs, a spacious, and sunny, library sits on the landing with beams of light streaming through two majestic almost floor-to-ceiling windows - the cascading window treatment from the gentle breeze is a nice added touch. A spacious Master Bedroom with the luxurious Master Ensuite amply provides a Sanctum Santorum from the hustle and bustle. The Two bedrooms flanking the hallway that further buffers the Master Bedroom from the rest of the house. One thing that I noticed immediately is the beautifully carved transom panels above the doors to each bedroom with the complementary rectangular inner boarder that crowns the ceiling with a 6 inches border.

The sum total is that while it was a beautiful home for one of the Smith clan*, Mr. Simpson's updated and extravagant reinterpretation allows the big-city "refugee" a welcomed respite with well appointed space for the occasional entertainment when and if one chooses. (*A prominent American family, of the steel barons lineage, who practically took over Port Hope in the 1800's. The other notable home is now housing the Hillcrest Spa - which I sold 5 years ago.)

Tap into what the cognoscenti have known for several years, a little bit of insider information if you will - Port Hope is turning into bedroom community of Toronto. 50 minutes of highway driving east of Toronto on HWY 401, Port Hope is one of (maybe a couple), towns in Ontario that has a proactive Heritage Conservatory that has prevented bulldozing of Century Homes for Parking Lots - "managed growth" is a term that comes to mind.

And it is a good thing. Steeped in history, it was the playground of the Rich and Famous since the early 1800's. That would explain all the majestic estates in the surrounding countryside.

Northumberland County, wherein lies Port Hope, benefits from the growing trend of "city folk" moving out from the hustle and bustle in the "big smoke" to somewhere quieter and safer. With the Internet revolutionizing the way we do business and communicate, many have taken advantage of what telecommuting has to offer. When we placed the Director of Marketing for a major National Bookstore in Grafton 4 years back, he traded his home in North York for a 100 acre farm with a restored Century Home that once belonged to the Masseys for $550,000. I am sure it's worth a lot more now.

Northumberland County is only part of this phenomenon of "managed growth", although Port Hope, being the closest, has positioned itself to be a gateway of sort. Port Hope, indeed, is unique with it's water frontage, Yacht, Golf and Country Clubs, developed cultural events and mildly eccentric denizens. We have the Big Apple in Colborne that opens year round attracting millions. And Brighton turning into a well received retirement community - great success in the development of Brighton-by-the-Bay by a REIT. Then Prince Edward County, with picturesque Picton, is turning into the other Wine Producing region. After selling The Hillcrest in Port Hope to an area Spa, I see a few more popping up that provide a variety of alternatives and choices. Another client from the U.K., now a good friend, is setting up another one in Brighton. I am sure this will be quite special - as influenced by her background as a hotelier in Africa and her son as an impresario in the entertainment/music industry in the U.K. and New York. Then there is Trenton and Belleville, led by one of the most dynamic Economic Development Boards in the person of Chris King; and Kingston, which is experiencing phenomenal growth.

You can pick up a copy of the Current Visitor's Guide at the Tourist Office as well!