Bedroom Bonanza
Century home addition creates bedroom retreat
Living in an early 20th century home has a certain nostalgic caché, but sometimes, the needs of yesteryear are not the needs of today. For a family of four in Hinchinbrooke, Quebec, their early 1900-farmhouse was missing some essential elements. While the original 1,350-sq.-ft. floorplan included an upper level with three small bedrooms with slanted walls, there was no primary bedroom, ensuite bathroom or adequate storage space. The homeowners wanted their own private space without sacrificing the existing bedrooms for their two daughters. As well, to keep their cars protected from harsh Quebec winters, they needed a two-car garage, with direct access into the house.
A well thought-out solution resulted in a two-storey 32-ft. by 30-ft. addition that includes a private bedroom with ensuite above a double garage, bringing the home’s footprint to a comfortable 2,250 sq. ft.
The real challenge in this renovation, however, wasn’t the addition; it was maintaining historical authenticity, ensuring the new structure blended seamlessly with the original home, rather than standing out as a modern construction tacked onto a century-old building. The work took approximately 4.5 months, and the family lived in the house throughout the process.
The outside
The timeline was relatively normal for an extension that needed to meld smoothly with an existing structure. The first step was to remove the original exterior siding on the east wall to provide a space where the addition could connect to the original home. In mid-June, the foundation was poured and once set, the frame went up and the two roofs were joined together. For continuity on the exterior of the addition, the original home’s window proportions were mimicked and included the same divided panes in the upper sashes. The siding and roofing materials were also matched to the existing structure, so it would all blend naturally. In the final step, a door was added between the new space and the house.
The inside
The bedroom measures 19 ft. by 28 ft. and includes a 15-ft. window bench divided into three lift-up sections with hidden storage to keep linens and off-season items. A custom designed 13-ft. by nine-ft. walk-in closet was equipped with double-hanging rods, a single-hanging space, shelving and drawers to accommodate everything from everyday clothing to bulky winter wear.
In keeping with the aesthetic of the main house architecture and design elements, 150-year-old hand-hewn hemlock barn beams were sourced for the bedroom ceiling. Hemlock was the predominant wood in Quebec during the era the home was built. It’s light, easy to work with and strong. What could have been an expensive endeavour turned out to be anything but. Six-ft. by six-ft. beams in a medium brown tone were needed. A local supplier with a selection of in-stock lumber and beams had ones that worked for the project, making the cost very reasonable and the design eco-friendly. The beams were run through a machine brush to clean them without ruining the patina.The hemlock was also used for the bathroom vanity, mirrors, stairs and bedroom knee wall cap.
Simple and classic material choices
The ensuite bathroom measures 17 ft. by nine ft. The floor is made from natural slate, selected for its durability and authentic rough texture. The walls were completely wrapped in matte-finish subway tiles, and stained pine was chosen for the ceiling.
For a traditional farmhouse look, wide-plank shiplap was added on the walls throughout the bedroom and walk-in closet. Pot lights for general illumination, farmhouse-style pendants on the double vanity in the bathroom and gooseneck wall lights above the nightstands in the bedroom were intentional lighting choices.
Privacy and access
An important design decision was to add a separate staircase to the main bedroom suite. A door at the base of the staircase now leads directly up into the large, open bedroom, separated from the original part of the second floor. This gives the parents their own private retreat.
The garage on the ground level solves the winter parking challenge. There is now space for two vehicles and room around both cars for easy access in and out.
The completed 900-sq.-ft. addition now provides this family with the private master bedroom and ensuite they desired, complete with practical storage, functional layouts and authentic materials – all while maintaining the look of the original farmhouse.