Low Down Articles
Houses of the Gatineau Hills
Low Down Articles
Houses of the Gatineau Hills
Article 72 of 74
This article first appeared in the "Houses of the Gatineau Hills" column in the July 28, 2004 issue of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
o o o
Farrellton's century old Shangri-La
By Mary Jane Yorke
On an ominous and overcast summer afternoon we follow a winding dirt road along the Gatineau River past farms and fields cut from beautiful wild-forested hills.
The sky is threatening rain but as we turn into the drive of Chantal and Lucien Bradet we are enthusiastically greeted as they descend from their generous front porch. The charming and modest two-storey white clapboard house is wrapped with an enclosed verandah and surrounded by gardens lovingly maintained by the couple.
We climb the stairs, cross the front porch and enter a butter yellow living room that extends a warm invitation to linger. Art covers the walls and objects from the couple's world travels fill the spacious room. Many of the oils were painted by Chantal's father, Roger Lariviere, a contemporary of Henri Masson.
Lucien explains that the living room is in fact the original farm house. As we continue our tour, he points out that their home is comprised of four components which represent various additions to the original two storey farm house which was built nearly 100 years ago by the Kennedy family. From the late 1960's to 1989 John Diepenveen and his family operated a thriving tree nursery and the evidence of this enterprise can still be seen throughout the property. When Lucien and Chantal purchased the house in 1989 they saw its vast potential.
Chantal confides that Lucien loved the basement and both appreciated the beauty and privacy afforded by the farm's l68 acres. Lucien has since converted the basement into a woodworker's dream shop. Here he crafts replicas of early French Canadian furniture, many examples of which can be found in the coupIe's home.
Lucien, who is the President of the Canada Council on Africa, has single-handedly renovated much of the home. He enthusiastically points out where walls were removed, a modern kitchen carved out, cabinets built, floors laid and dreams lovingly realized. The simple little Kennedy farm house has grown to almost 3000 square feet.
Each room beckons us with its charms and the desire to uncover its mysteries. Large windows throughout permit views onto the surrounding hills and fields. Large dark stained pine beams and dark oak floors serve to visually unify the various spaces. We pass through a sunny dining room and a cozy blue reading room to enter a bright, white solarium with 13-foot ceilings overlooking the swimming pool, deck and gardens.
The sun breaks through the clouds as we prepare to take our leave from this charming, eclectic refuge from the city on the eve of Chantal and Lucien's 40th wedding anniversary with the knowledge we've shared their labour of love.
Chelsea resident Mary Jane Yorke is the Creative Director of Yorke Design which specializes in residential, corporate and commercial interior design. She can be reached at mj@yorkedesign.ca. Andrew Van Beek, also of Chelsea, is a professional photographer specializing in portraits, weddings, corporate and commercial photography. His website address is www.ohotovanbeek.com.
