Home to Stay

STORY BRIANNE SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY GORDON KING

Featured in The City of Ottawa - Fall 2025

When homeowners Véronic and Sam set out to build their family home, they knew it was imperative to have a place that would suit them for years to come. The family of four moved into their new home in the spring of 2023. It’s become a peaceful retreat from their busy schedules.

The entire building process took 10 months, with Véronic acting as the general contractor and designer. I was working full time and raising two boys but it’s something that I love,” she says. “I love design, I love decorating. So, it was a process that I quite enjoyed and took a lot of pride in.”

The homeowners chose a single-storey design to ensure the home blended seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Véronic designed a floor plan that balanced privacy and togetherness, placing the bedrooms on one side of the house to create a sense of separation, while centering the layout around a shared family space.

“I felt that a two-storey house would look out of place, though wanted the convenience it offers, which is having the bedrooms separate from the living area, on a one-storey plan,” she says. “I couldn’t find anything like my vision online, so after extensive research and inspirations, I decided to draw it myself.’’ The professional drawings ere created by Elyse McCurdy Home Designs.

The foyer sets the tone for the home, tranquil and welcoming with large archways looking into the open-concept living and dining space, complemented by natural textures and soft tones. A terracotta herringbone tile floor adds rustic charm underfoot, transitioning seamlessly into wide-plank wood flooring from OC Flooring that runs throughout the open-concept space. Véronic describes the home’s style as European Farmhouse. “I’ve always liked the aesthetics of a European farmhouse, which has a lot of classic elements, and a feel that never goes out of style. It always looks beautiful regardless of the year it was built,” she says.

To help bring her ideas for their new build to life, Véronic brought on Dominique Fortin of Potvin Construction. Potvin provided and installed all cabinetry and counters in the kitchen, pantry, mudroom and laundry room. Since Véronic had a very clear idea of what she wanted, she was looking for a designer who could both support and execute her vision.

“Dominique just jumped on board,” says Véronic. “She was like, ‘yeah, I understand your vision’. She also added other elements, ratherthan change what I already had in mind. I knew at that point we would make a great team.”

Dominique reiterates the great working relationship with Véronic, noting it has been one of her favourite projects. “Usually with clients, we often try to direct them in certain things, and try to better their ideas with more guidance,” says Dominique. “But with Véronic, she had her clear ideas in mind, and she was so easy to work with.”

The kitchen-living space serves as the heart of the home, a common gathering spot for this busy family. Striking 16-foot vaulted shiplap ceilings (White Pine Lumber) enhance airiness. Neutral cabinetry and counters, cosy elements and soft, diffused light create a space that’s both functional and welcoming.

The range hood and fireplace, which both extend to the ceiling, provide balance and symmetry at both ends of the open-concept space. This feature also acts as a focal point for the gorgeous gas oven that Véronic calls “the jewel of the kitchen.”

“The kitchen was just fun because it’s a style that’s a little bit more specific than the typical kind of modern kitchen,” says Dominique. “The kind of French-provincial style spoke to me because it is out of the norm of what we typically do. It was fun.”

When designing the layout of the home, Véronic emphasized functionality rather than square footage. “I didn’t need more square footage,” she says. “One important feature was to have a big mudroom and a big laundry room. It was important to be able to have a space where all of our sports equipment and every season’s outerwear could be hidden.”

A drool-worthy mudroom is packed with custom cabinetry, offering smart storage in a space that’s as functional as it is chic.

The family chose to include an in-ground pool by HB Pools to create an at-home oasis – a space that provides the opportunity to recharge and connect.

For Véronic and her family, this home is far more than a functional, beautiful space, it’s a deeply personal retreat from the demands of daily life; a place they never want to leave.

“It’s just peaceful,” she says. “We’re so happy and comfortable at home, a place for us to retreat, recharge and enjoy.” OH