Top House

Top House is the matriarch of the property, tidy and poised, peering out over the cabins like a caring mother.

The first area that greets the visitor upon approach is a spacious front porch drenched in morning sun and surrounded by a sea of wildflowers. Ferns, wild grasses, sedums, coral bells, phlox, bearded iris and many more native species are an invitation to the birds, butterflies, and bees to flourish right here where they belong. Robin has cultivated this area to look like an extension of the roadside leading to the property, using both wild and garden plants.

From there, the double doors open into the den. The den has a large, stately roll top desk and a wall of mirrored closets to store coats and boots and much more besides. Tall windows look out over the trees to Crowe’s Bay. A comfy recliner looking out to the bird feeder accommodates the avid bird watcher. In the winter, you’ll see a parade of slate coloured juncos, sparrows, nuthatches, downy and hairy woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals, and chickadees. In the summer the gold finches, house finches, orioles and robins arrive. If you’re attentive, you’ll also catch cedar wax wings and rose breasted buntings among other migratory birds. (Can you tell we love the birds?!)

Moving on, you step into the open concept kitchen, dining room, and living room.

The kitchen boasts a dishwasher, propane stove, microwave, and large fridge, plus all the storage you could want. The windows over the counter look out over the property below and provide a good view of the water beyond.

The living room is stylishly and comfortably outfitted and has views across the hillside from the sliding glass doors that lead out onto a generous porch.

While the open concept is perfect for sharing time together, pocket doors close the entry to the den when more privacy is needed.

This four-season home offers two bedrooms and one bath. The bedrooms have a lovely warm, inviting feeling with luxurious bedding on quality beds, always a welcome detail.

The main bedroom has a good-sized closet and a chest of drawers. In winter, this is the perfect place to curl up and read a good book. During the summer, the cross breeze created by the window behind the bed and the ones in the hall are a welcome refreshment on those long, hot nights. On the breeze, you will be sure to hear the ululation of the loon, the song of the coyote, the hoot of the owls, and the trilling of the spring peepers.

The second bedroom has a sliding glass door and a good-sized closet. Sliding doors look out over the back yard that is alive with the call of the crickets. Soaring over the grass, you might see humming bird moths, luna moths, butterflies, or the flash of fireflies. In the sky, glimpses of the many water birds go sailing by: great blue herons, green herons, ospreys, kingfishers, bald eagles, and all sorts of ducks.

The bathroom has a large walk-in shower, toilet, sink, linen closet just outside the door and lots of extra storage under the vanity.

At the end of the house, the laundry facilities are tucked out of sight but on the same level as the rest of the living area, so no need to climb stairs with an armload of clothes.

Ontario winters can get snowy, so Top House offers an attached two car garage. This way you never have to brush the snow off your car and there is no ice to tread between the car and the house.  Mail and garbage pick up happen close to the house.