“Using our skills to make our own home reflect everything we want truly achieved our dream home.” – Craig and Bonnie Hardy

The Hardy’s know it’s important to ‘walk the talk,’ so with complete transparency they want you to know that this is a profile of their own  home. “Welcome to our home,” say Bonnie and Craig Hardy.

Located in one of London’s most beloved and historically significant neighbourhoods, Wortley Village, this house required both a building permit and a heritage permit as part of its renovation. When searching for a new home, it was important for the Hardys to stay in Old South, so the extra care needed to restore and renovate a heritage home was worth it to them.

When they moved to London in 1990, their first home was a tiny century cottage on Briscoe Street. With three growing children, they moved to Westmount for the pool and outdoor space, but their hearts stayed in Old South. After living in a newly built home and a rental, they are happy to be “back home closer to the heart of the Village.”

With their three girls moving off to university and pursuing careers, it was time to downsize and this historic charmer is the perfect size.  Craig did all the renovations himself over a three-year period. That presented some unique opportunities as the worldwide pandemic brought their eldest daughter home to live and work remotely. This allowed her to work with Craig to finish the bump-out, rebuild the front porch and assist on other projects to finish the renovation.

The main floor was completely pulled back to the studs. The kitchen, which is open to the living room,  was relocated, allowing it to have a large stained-glass window over the sink. Occupying the original footprint, the kitchen is still small but well laid out and functional. For instance, Bonnie and her daughter have enough to do activities they enjoyed in larger homes, like canning two bushels of tomatoes each fall. 

The bump-out (which required a variance) was designed to create enough space to keep the living space intimate but allow room for the built-in and fireplace.  The overly steep staircase was relocated to the previously built back addition. This allowed space to tuck in a two-piece bath on the main floor. Built for a simpler time, every inch counts in an older house to make it work for a modern couple so built-in millwork was used for bookcases and storage cabinetry.

Upstairs, the smallest bedroom was converted to a fully accessible ensuite bath for the primary bedroom. Also, on this level, the laundry room was tricked out and is tied into the entrance to the upper back deck where there is a hot tub. 

With an eye to the future, much of this house is accessible and was designed so the couple can age in place. 

Flooring consists of engineered hardwood flooring and, to preserve the home’s Edwardian character, unique tiles were used in the kitchen and bathroom. Continuing this theme, the original trim and doors were reused, requiring lots of sanding.

Because the Hardys are always busy making other family’s housing dreams come true, some projects are ongoing. However, landscaping and exterior work completed to give the couple a comfortable, stylish place to call home.

See updates on this and other projects on Bonnie’s blog that will soon be added to the website.