Lucille Bonneau* and Martin Desgagné were far from retirement when they began to dream of the home where they would like to spend their old days, in Chicoutimi. This one, inspired by the house they own in Florida, would be on one level, without stairs or basement. It would be a convivial place to bring together family members and friends, both indoors and outdoors.
They started their project five years ago when a wooded lot located in a small private sector, five minutes from downtown Chicoutimi, attracted their attention.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCILLE BONNEAU
You had to be a visionary to buy the land in April 2019, recognizes Lucille Bonneau.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCILLE BONNEAU
Part of the rock wall is visible in the distance. The blasting which was carried out before the construction of the house made it possible to increase its surface area.
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“You had to be visionary,” admits Lucille Bonneau. The other three houses on the roundabout were built and there was a lot of work to be done to prepare the land. A first entrepreneur hesitated. But we moved forward and we were well supported, both by the team that built the house, Habitations DLC, and by the team that did the landscaping, Réflex Paysage. »
They could have built their home in the highest section of their property.
We could have gone down to the street. This is what many people would have done, because it would have required little blasting and it would have cost less. But we wanted to do something different. We chose the most complicated plan.
Lucille Bonneau, co-owner
The fact that from above, the view of the roofs of the city’s houses was not so beautiful also influenced their decision. They chose instead to create a warm cocoon, at the foot of an imposing rock wall.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCILLE BONNEAU
Lucille Bonneau and Martin Desgagné took the time to determine their needs and tastes before purchasing the land, where they built the house of their dreams.
“We don’t need a big yard,” explains the happy grandmother of four grandsons aged from two and a half to 6 years old. And we didn’t want to maintain a large plot of land. Part of it has also been preserved in the wild. »
After deforesting the area, during the summer of 2019, the owners decided to move their future home closer to the rock wall, which borders the back of their yard.
“I wondered, at the beginning, if it was going to be stifling and if I was going to like it,” admits Lucille Bonneau. We both come from Roberval and we are used to having a vast view of Lake Saint-Jean. Our country house is also on the edge of a lake. But the effect that the rock wall gives off is warm and you feel like you are in a private space. We love it. »
Cold sweats
PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCILLE BONNEAU
The house was being built when there was talk of installing a swimming pool in the back.
Initially, the couple planned to create a natural spa, to the left of the house, at the back. Blasting had been carried out at the same time as the house to fit it out. Dave Jean, from Réflex Paysage, instead suggested installing a swimming pool as an extension of the house.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCILLE BONNEAU
The team who carried out the blasting, about ten feet from the house (approximately 3 meters), to allow the installation of the swimming pool, took great precautions.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCILLE BONNEAU
It’s the turn of the Réflex Paysage team to take matters into their own hands. The swimming pool was installed first.
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“To do this, it was necessary to dynamite the land 10 feet from the house, which was built,” explains M.me Bonneau. He insisted, saying it would be much more beautiful, and we let ourselves be tempted. But the people who carried out the blasting, during the summer of 2020, were very worried. They took great precautions and we couldn’t wait to get it done. Fortunately, everything went well. Now that everything is done, we are happy to have taken the risk. »
As the pool is in a direct line with the front door, this gives an effect of depth. In the evening, the rock face is illuminated and there is light in the trees. That’s wonderful.
Lucille Bonneau, co-owner
Her husband swims more than her in the pool, she points out. His favorite part is the small beach, which was incorporated at his request. “There is a foot of water, I sit there with my little babies and I have fun,” she explains. It was important for me to have this little corner there to enjoy with the children. The 6 year old now goes into the big pool. »
She also really likes her swing, which is located outside the glass fence surrounding the swimming pool. “I have my coffee there every morning when the weather permits, I read my Press, I’m doing my crosswords. It’s my favorite little corner in the morning and evening, when we open the fireplace. »
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCILLE BONNEAU
In the evening, the rock face is illuminated and there is light in the trees. It adds a lot of atmosphere.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY LUCILLE BONNEAU
Lucille Bonneau enjoys every moment with her grandchildren. She has fun here with her grandson Elliot, who has mastered the art of blowing bubbles.
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She appreciates the privacy provided by the immense rock wall, which surrounds the back of the courtyard. This, she discovered with pleasure, changes with the seasons. “In spring and fall, when there is heavy rain, two small natural waterfalls form,” she explains. In winter, there are big icicles, it’s super beautiful. Then in summer, the rock releases heat, creating a microclimate. Often, there is no need to heat the pool. »
She and her husband know they are lucky. “We started at the bottom of the ladder and we are proud of where we have reached,” emphasizes M.me Bonneau. We appreciate every thing we have. »
* No relation with the author of these lines
In short
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY RÉFLEX PAYSAGE
Lucille Bonneau and Martin Desgagné have built their courtyard at the foot of a rock wall, which gives them great privacy.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY RÉFLEX PAYSAGE
The swimming pool is an extension of the house and the terrace, which is covered so that people can gather sheltered from bad weather.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY RÉFLEX PAYSAGE
The house, built on one level, is located far from the street and the neighbors. Part of the land is grassed and enhanced by plants, while another part has remained in its natural state.
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Purchase of land: April 2019
Start of construction: December 2019
Landscaping completed: May 2021
Objective: create a friendly place where children, grandchildren and friends would like to meet
Essential: dare to do things differently to have a house and a yard to their liking
Surprise: dynamite the land again to install a swimming pool very close to the house
Cost of the house: almost 1 million
Cost of landscaping: approximately $300,000