Townhome 2.0
STORY TIFFANY MAYER
PHOTOGRAPHY KELLY HORKOFF
Townhomes originated in the 1700s as the urban dwellings of nobles, who would leave their country manors for the city in spring and summer to socialize.
Three hundred years later, the townhome is a beacon of smart development, heralded for its small footprint as space-crunched municipalities and creative builders give greater consideration to density before breaking ground on new housing developments.
All that modern-day pragmatism hasn’t come at the expense of the luxury rooted in the townhome’s original purpose. One needs only to look at Drapers Creek, the exclusive townhome community by Rinaldi Homes in Welland’s southwest corner.
Even better than its 18th Century archetypes, Drapers Creek marries both city and country living. The 17 unites are hugged by mature forest and green space near a gold course but also all the amenities of urban life.
Each unit at Drapers Creek celebrates its setting with oversize Dashwood Windows from Crowland Sash & Frame Ltd. providing a view to the natural beauty surrounding the community. It’s a feature with the added bonus of letting in more natural light, making interior units in particular feel bright and airy. When privacy is needed, window coverings by The Drapery Workroom fill the need in the model suites.
Each unit also boasts a significant covered deck off the main floor. It creates a greater connection to the outdoors, landscaped by DeKorte’s Landscaping and kept lush by All Green Irrigation, while extending the living space in those most social seasons that were the townhome’s raison d’être way back when.
“With Drapers Creek, we kept in mind the landscape,” says Danielle Rinaldi, marketing and business development manager at Rinaldi Homes. “These are some of our largest covered decks on a project, again to take advantage of that greenery in the back.”
Inspired by Rinaldi Homes’ award-winning Optimist Village in Niagara Falls, Drapers Creek channels the architectural genius of Frank Lloyd Wright. The father of the Prairie School movement ushered in the clean lines
of low-pitched roofs – achieved in the Rinaldi development with Stark lumber – overhanging eaves and open-concept floor plans.
Another nod to the American architect who served as the Drapers Creek muse: The community is situated on Taliesin Trail, named after Wright’s estate in Wisconsin. “We had an amazing response to the design (of Optimist Village), and that Frank Lloyd Wright low-pitched roof,” says Danielle.
The modern look of Drapers Creek is helped along with a black-and-grey colour scheme. Narrow, dark grey brick from Burnstein Brick is complemented by black stucco that extends into the soffits and keeps the look clean and modern.
The dark colours are balanced by natural wood garage doors from Yarnell Overhead Door Ltd. and oversize front doors from Crowland Sash & Frame. Further architectural interest is added with custom black aluminum front porch pillars and chimney caps by Ironworks Niagara.
Inside, the open-floorplan focuses on main- floor living for young couples and emptynesters drawn to life in Drapers Creek. Main-floor laundry, the master suite situated off the living area, and walk-in closets connected to the en suite in some units are functional touches that have earned Rinaldi significant recognition. The builder won the attached homes category for new low-rise homes under 1,500 square feet at this year’s Canadian Home Builders’ Association National Awards for Housing Excellence.
The three model homes show how versatile the layouts are of both end and interior units. In the award-winning end unit, the kitchen by Artcraft Kitchens is classic white with subway tile backsplash and warmed up by natural wood, open shelving and a custom range hood detail. That balance extends to the great room with earthy tan leather furniture, rattan window coverings and hardwood flooring by Aristocrat Floors of the World. With shiplap feature walls carried throughout the unit, it has a cottage-like feel.
Next door’s interior unit shows how dramatic homeowners can get with the space. It stars a large kitchen island capped with a substantial Cambria quartz waterfall countertop. A stacked, glass subway tiled backsplash and garage-door cupboards with a matte black aluminum frame, along with bold pendant lights from Don’s Light House, serve as strong supporting characters.
With room for seating at the island in both units and space for an additional dining table, there’s ample room at Drapers Creek for mealtime entertaining.
The pantry and laundry room share space for efficiency in some interior units. In all homes here, the main bath offers a full tub and vanity for the second bedroom at the front of the home, which could also serve as a den or office.
High ceilings, standard in each unit, create a spacious feel. Each detail demonstrates how units at Drapers Creek can withstand strong design features without overpowering the space. “We’re not going crazy in all of the units with upgrades,” Danielle says. “You get to see many of the community standard features on display. All three models just show people what’s possible in our developments.”
That includes the lower level, which can be finished with additional bedrooms or converted into a workout studio. The space can also be turned into a dream rec room, fitting a pool table, bar and comfy sectional to watch television by a gas fireplace from The One Stop Fireplace Shop. The space can also be easily configured for a home theatre with projection television hooked up by Dell Smart Home Solutions. Wiring throughout is by H Electric.
Large windows surrounded by large wells enclosed with natural wood give the lower level an above-ground feel. “If you’re downstairs and you need extra living space, you don’t feel like you’re in a basement,” Danielle says.
Instead, you feel like you’re living in luxury, just as townhome life was always meant to be.
“A lot of people are looking for that bungalow townhome without sacrificing anything. It’s luxurious,” Danielle says. “It’s a very interesting and beautiful community.”
