Built to Last
STORY: JANET WHITE BARDWELL | PHOTOGRAPHY: JASON HARTOG
Featured in Waterloo/Wellington - Fall 2025
Just outside the quiet town of Hickson – on one acre, surrounded by fields, forest and sky – stands a bold, one-of-a-kind concrete home brought to life under the careful planning and leadership of the family who calls it home. Jesse K. Fournier, owner of JKF Custom Construction Inc., JKF ICF, J&J Masonry and Arrow Hardwood & Laminates, not only led the construction – he also designed it with his wife Tabatha and moved in with their two daughters – Madisyn and Summer.
In 2021, the couple set out to build their ideal home in the countryside, a place where they could put down roots and raise their young family. “In order to do so with the existing market parameters at that time we were forced to make the decision to sell our family home to become liquid enough to purchase the land and fund the build,” says Jesse. They sold their home in Kitchener and bought a private lot tucked at the rear of a farm.
With limited housing options available, they also purchased a small cabin where the family lived during the construction, allowing them to stay close to the site and oversee progress. Jesse was passionate about building the home using insulated concrete forms (ICF). “This means that our home has solid concrete exterior walls from footings to trusses,” says Jesse. Built with Nudura supplied by Fastform ICF and installed by the JKF ICF division, the home is as solid as it is stylish.
Construction began in April 2021 with excavation and the ICF foundation. The core structure, including hollow-core slabs for the porches, was completed the same year. Work resumed in March 2022 and by Labour Day, the family had moved in, right on schedule.
Jesse and Tabatha designed every detail of the home themselves. “Working in the construction industry for 25-plus years we opted to not use an interior designer and made our own design decisions along the way,” says Jesse. With 3,400 square feet above grade and 2,600 square feet finished below, the home includes a 500 sq. ft. heated garage, a 700 sq. ft. ICF bunker and a 2,500 sq. ft. detached shop. It reflects their shared vision of modern rustic style. “We wanted to build the home to incorporate rustic country charm with a splash of sleek modern finishes. This means plenty of natural stone, wood beams and columns with more modern lighting fixtures, stairs and rails as well as appliances,” says Jesse.
The home is heated by an in-floor hydronic boiler system installed by Einwechter Plumbing & Heating. “Combining the efficiency of a hydronic boiler system and the R value of ICF, heating our home is as affordable as it is comfortable,” says Jesse.
The main floor is completely open, with kitchen, dining and living areas under nine-foot ceilings. “We wanted to build the home with an oversized feel,” says Jesse. “This means our main floor is wide open with a large living room, kitchen and dining area all blending into one.” The kitchen features a stunning 5-by-10-foot black Brazilian granite island, surrounded by JKF-built custom cabinetry, a partial butler’s pantry and appliances from TA Appliances & Barbecues. Modern lighting from The Light Story complements the rustic elements throughout. The living room showcases a black Muskoka granite fireplace from Goemans Custom Climate, installed by Terry Beswick, flanked by clean-lined maple columns and built-ins.
The staircase, a signature feature allowing for a dramatic entry and clear sight-lines throughout the main level, was built using a floating mono stringer, four-inch thick maple treads from Classic Rail & Stair Inc. and custom-fabricated iron rails. Flooring throughout was supplied and installed by Arrow Hardwood & Laminates.
All masonry and stonework was completed by J&J Masonry. Windows by Forest City Window & Door Ltd., featuring Northstar products, fill the space with natural light. Trim and interior doors were supplied by Northfield Trim & Door. Bathroom countertops were sourced from Natural Stone City and JKF crafted wooden laundry counters by hand. Tilework throughout the home was furnished by Polo Tile. The entire house was painted by Slick Coatings – clean, detailed work that tied everything together. Electrical services were completed by Flannery Electrical and the roof was installed by Roofsaver Roofworks Inc., led by Mike Ringwood.
Tabatha, who works at the Waterloo Regional Health Network, added warmth and personality to the home’s clean, modern-rustic design. While Jesse focused on the structure and layout, she brought the interiors to life with thoughtful creative details. Family photos are displayed throughout, giving each space a personal, lived-in feel. From layered textures and cosy corners to carefully-chosen accessories and meaningful keepsakes, Tabatha’s style brings a sense of comfort and connection that makes the home feel uniquely theirs.
For the Fourniers, outdoor living is just as important as what is inside. The home was carefully designed to make the most of the surrounding landscape while offering plenty of comfort and functionality. “One of our favourite aspects of the home are the attached patio spaces,” says Jesse. “We are big outdoors people and designed the home to have plenty of spaces to relax and take in the scenery.” At the heart of it all is a sprawling back deck created for year-round enjoyment. Built into the deck is a sleek lap pool by Waterscape Hot Tubs & Pools, positioned alongside a 700 sq. ft. covered outdoor room with a fireplace and dining area.
Above it, the primary bedroom opens onto a matching 700 sq. ft. rooftop deck with panoramic views of the countryside. Landscaping by JKF, with materials from St. Jacobs Home Hardware and lush greenery from Kolb’s Green Thumb Nursery Ltd., brings the entire outdoor space together with polish and intention.
Even for a veteran builder, the project came with obstacles. “Like with any build, challenges present themselves,” says Jesse. “With our specific design, we had to do a floating bond-beam concrete wall above the garage on the front of the home. This meant pouring 30,000 pounds of concrete in a vertical wall with temporary supports below. It was definitely the most challenging aspect of the build.”
But the risks paid off. “Overall the build went extremely smoothly, with all timelines being met and we were able to move our family in before the new school year started.” A shining example of what JKF Custom Construction Inc. can achieve, the home reflects the precision, creativity and craftsmanship behind every detail. Now, as life unfolds and their family grows, Jesse, Tabatha, Madisyn, Summer and their three dogs are settled into a home built to last – designed with care, made to be lived in and ready for whatever comes next. OH