Posted at 12:00 p.m.
Emilie Geoffroy and Antoine Morrissette dreamed of a chalet in the heart of nature where they could regularly recharge their batteries and which they could also rent out. They wanted it to be both contemporary and warm, in the Eastern Townships. Unable to unearth the rare pearl, they instead had it built in the middle of red maples and trembling aspen trees, a few minutes walk from Brome Lake.
The couple bought a wooded lot in 2018. Wanting to make the most of it, they contacted architect Ravi Handa, because they really liked a chalet he had designed in Ontario.
“We renovated our first property in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce with the _naturehumane agency and we had a great experience,” explains Emilie Geoffroy. We wanted to make it beautiful. It was our first new construction. We had a vision, but we definitely needed help because neither of us is in the architectural business. We didn’t want to miss our shot. »
“We wanted to reduce our footprint on the land as much as possible to leave a lot of trees around,” she says. We wanted to have the feeling of being in nature. »
The way the house was positioned, and that’s thanks to the work of our architect, the openings face the forest. The neighbors are a good distance away, but when you’re in the house, you feel even further away from them.
Emilie Geoffroy, owner
Inside, they wanted the warm ambiance of a log cabin, but with a modern twist. The cathedral ceiling is thus covered with poplar slats. The wood-burning fireplace and gathering spaces, where they could receive their loved ones, were among their priorities. As for the bedrooms, in keeping with the spirit of the project, they are not particularly spacious.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Inside, Emilie Geoffroy and Antoine Morrissette were looking for the warm atmosphere of a log cabin, but with a modern touch. The cathedral ceiling is thus covered with poplar slats.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Near the kitchen, a judiciously placed window lets in light and reminds us that the house is surrounded by trees.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The window allows nature to be admired as if it were a painting.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Light floods into the spacious living room.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The chalet was designed to accommodate eight people. Two bedrooms, including this one, have been fitted out in the mezzanine.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Two other windows illuminate the mezzanine.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The bedroom on the ground floor proves to be versatile with its bunk beds.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The sauna is located on the ground floor in order to be used regularly.
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PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Emilie Geoffroy likes the tranquility that reigns in the chalet. She enjoys every moment with her daughters Florence, 20 months, and Marine, 4 months.
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“At the chalet, the rooms should be smaller than in town,” says Antoine Morrissette. We have built-in storage so that nothing is lying around and for storing suitcases. We sleep there, we read a book, we take a nap when we come back from skiing, but we play outside and spend time in the common areas. »
Four months in the countryside
The construction of the chalet was completed in January 2021, in the midst of a pandemic. The couple lived there for four months, until April. “We really fell in love with the chalet,” says the owner. We thought we were going to keep it for a little while. But when we started the project, we had no children. We now have two little girls aged 4 months and 20 months. We don’t come as often as we would like. »
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
When they started their project, Emilie Geoffroy and Antoine Morrissette had no children. They now have two little girls aged 4 months and 20 months, Marine and Florence. They lack time to go to the cottage as often as they would like.
What she likes the most? Silence, tranquility. “You feel that you can rest as soon as you set foot in the door,” she notes.
“It’s a little cocoon,” adds Antoine Morrissette. At the same time, there are so many beautiful windows and beautiful light, it’s like being in a tent and looking at the stars through the roof. The luxury of having a new construction in wood is to have been able to position it to maximize light at the pace of the day. Through the window at the top of the cathedral ceiling, the midday sun illuminates the entire house. The windows are perfectly positioned to seek light in all seasons. We always look outside. You feel like you are in a museum admiring a work of art, but at the same time you listen to the fire crackling in the hearth. »
Outdoors in all seasons
They carefully chose the location of the chalet, in Lac-Brome, about an hour from Montreal and 10 minutes from the ski slopes of Bromont and the village of Knowlton. In the summer, they have access to Brome Lake and a small beach.
“It’s very beautiful during the four seasons, underlines Emilie Geoffroy. There are always outdoor activities to do. »
They knew from the start that they would not be going to the cottage every weekend and they had taken into consideration the rental potential of the house. The latter was thus designed to accommodate eight people. But another project monopolizes the new parents and they have to admit that with their young family, they lack time. They want others to enjoy the nest they helped create.
The property in brief
Year of construction: 2021
Asking price: $1,350,000
Municipal assessment: $418,000
Property tax: $2620
School tax: $341
Annual electricity bill: $1720
Land area: 56,808 sq.ft.2 (5277.6m2)
House area: 1500 sq.ft.2 (140m2)
Monthly rental income: $8,000
Description: The Pic-Bois chalet is built on a heated concrete slab. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Two of the bedrooms are on the mezzanine. The third, on the ground floor, is versatile with its bunk beds. The country house has a wood-burning fireplace, sauna and triple-glazed windows. It is sold furnished and decorated.
Real estate broker: Alexandre Couturier, RE/MAX Harmonie