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BOB-LO
State of mind
BY NANCY BELGUE/PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAX WEDGE
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
(1) Richard and Colleen Peddie
(2) At home with the Robin family
(3) Summer entertaining Bob-Lo style
(4) The pool house provides a shady
nook (5) Lined up for the ferry
– colourful dockside Muskoka chairs.
(6) A flagstone path circles the
pond (7) Chaises by the pool (8) The
Peddies gave each other the West
Coast Totem by artist Garner Moody
as a wedding present.
OPPOSITE: The expansive back porch
is where most of the entertaining and
living takes place. The design of the
house “started with the porch,” says
Peddie. The homeowners sit outside
“nine or 10 months of the year.”
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Ipe Wood Flooring in the kitchen/eating
area is indestructible, perfect for dogs,
bare feet and water. The homeowners
worked with Plaza Ontario to choose
the perfect finishings throughout the
entire home. The paintings over the
sideboard are by west coast artist
Tiko Kerr. LEFT: The painting above
the great room fireplace is Metchosin
by Emily Carr. It was on display at
the National Gallery as part of the
Paintings in Ottawa Collections Exhibit.
I
It seems like people have been falling in
love with Bob-Lo Island forever.
In 1898 it was a favourite summertime excursion for Windsor and
Michigan day-trippers who enjoyed moonlit ballroom dancing in the
grand stone pavilion. But for most locals, its years as an amusement park
are what trigger their fondest memories.
Since 2005, however, when it was purchased by developer Dominic
Amicone, the storied island has transformed into one of the most unique
housing developments in this area, proving that whatever its incarnation,
the Bob-Lo mystique remains irresistible.
That certainly was the case for Richard and Colleen Peddie, who
purchased three adjoining lots and began construction on their weekend
home on Bob-Lo in 2008. Although Richard Peddie, who was born and
raised in Windsor, is no stranger to Bob-Lo, he has spent the bulk of his
career in Toronto, where he is currently the President and CEO of Maple
Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. Given his local history and childhood
attachment to the island, you might think a return to Bob-Lo was Peddie’s
idea. However, it was on a weekend visit to Windsor, where Peddie is
deeply involved with the University of Windsor, that his wife Colleen fell
victim to the island’s charms. “I didn’t want to influence Colleen,” Peddie
says about the decision to build here. He needn’t have been concerned.
Colleen took one look at Bob-Lo and said, “This is where I want to be.”
Within months, they sold their 100 acres and recently completed
weekend home north of Orangeville and began construction on their
Bob-Lo residence. “I love it here,” Colleen says. “There’s something very
serene about it.” Continued on page 40
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Wowscaping
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
RIGHT: A selection of work from Canadian
artists including clockwise from top left:
Arthur Lismer, Joe Fafard and Francois Anton.
BELOW: In the den, a wood burning fireplace
takes the chill off in the colder seasons.
The style of the Peddie home is Cape Cod, a design esthetic that is clean,
simple and the perfect backdrop for the couple’s extensive art collection.
Indeed, walking into the home, one is immediately overcome with the
beauty of living with art. The walls are graced with major works from the
Group of Seven, William Kurelek, Charles Pachter, Emily Carr and Ken
Danby. “We wanted to celebrate Canadian art,” comments Richard.
Because the art is the star of the show, the décor of the home quietly reflects
a respectful attitude toward it. Custom-made light fixtures, family heirlooms
and Canadiana antiques set the stage, as does an attitude of simplicity.
The Peddies built their home with sustainability issues top of mind.
They restrict pesticide use, are avid composters and where possible
have left the property in a natural state. One of the lots they purchased
contained an overflow pond that was slated to be filled in. Hating to
see a natural habitat destroyed, the Peddies, instead, have taken on a
stewardship role toward their wetland. “I love the sound of frogs,” says
Colleen. The pond is minimally landscaped with native plants (Creative
Homescapes) and accentuated with outdoor art like the West Coast
Totem the couple gave each other for a wedding present. Continued on page 42
Every property has the potential
to be beautiful. We’ve been helping
residential and commercial property
owners discover their “outer
wowness” for over 24 years.
Whether it’s gorgeous landscaping,
innovative decks & fences, complete
outdoor kitchens or a simple backyard
facelift, Creative Homescapes has
everything you need to bring your
outdoor dreams to life - together with
the know-how and experience to pull
it all together. We invite you to browse
our online photo gallery or visit our
showroom. Bring us your ideas and
tell us about your lifestyle. Together
we’ll create a plan to transform your
backyard into an outdoor oasis that
will add value to your home and years
of enjoyment for you and your family.
Stop by our showroom or give us a
call. 519-737-1590.
2145 Hwy #3 at Walker Road South | 519-737-1590 | creativehomescapes.ca
FENCES & DECKS | LANDSCAPING | AWNINGS | SHADE STRUCTURES | GAZEBOS | PATIO KITCHENS | OUTDOOR LIVING | MAINTENANCE | DOCKS | ESTATE GATES
1641 Provincial Road, Windsor
Ph: (519) 966-4213 • Fax (519) 966-7137
www.plazaontario.com
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What is your
house wearing?
RIGHT: The master bedroom
offers beautiful, calming views
in all seasons. BELOW: The
“Kurelek” wall features a variety
of works by famous Canadian
folk artist, William Kurelek.
BOTTOM: The master bedroom
en suite is cool and serene
Actual Project
interiors • accessories • homestaging
Call for an in-home consultation
5 1 9 . 7 3 5 . 4 0 0 3
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In keeping with their strong interest in environmental issues, they
chose eco-friendly building materials. The exterior of the home is
constructed from Hardie Board, a long-lasting fibre-cement siding made
from non-toxic materials such as sand and cement. No endangered woods
are used. The Peddies were also conscious of the home’s size. They had no
desire for a giant home. “I wanted it to be 2,800 sq. ft.,” Richard says. “But
because it is a place where people come and visit and we needed guest
rooms, it ended up at 3,200.” Still, the home feels intimate, with its open
concept main floor comprising a kitchen (Wayne’s Custom Woodcraft),
cosy den, great room and master bedroom.
The main floor of the home is done in neutral tones because it is really
“all about the outdoors,” says Colleen. “The idea here is to be outside from
April to October.” Indeed, most days, the double French doors are open
to the backyard, allowing river breezes, people and dogs to flow in and
out of the house at will. Continued on page 44
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• Drywall
• Insulation
• Siding
• Soffit/Fascia
• SeamlessTrough
• TexturedCeilings
• SteelStudFraming
• Soundproofing
• GutterGuards
• Window&Door
• Replacement&Capping
• AcousticTiles
• Stucco
Call today for your free estimate
519-979-2982
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The upstairs balcony is a perfect
place for guests to sit outside and
read or enjoy the view of the Detroit
River. BELOW LEFT: The 1812
Room is furnished with Canadiana
including a Hudson’s Bay Blanket.
BELOW CENTRE: The Eagle’s Roost
guest bedroom is dominated by
a Robert Bateman painting of an
Eagle. BELOW RIGHT: The Freighter
guest room is a perfect place for
watching birds and boats.
Discover carefree golf course living at
With entertaining in mind, the house was designed with an oversize
back porch that offers an ever-changing view of the Detroit River.
“Because of the way the channel is cut,” says Richard, “the freighters pass
very close to the house. Last night one came by all lit up. I remember loving
the sight of the boats when I was a kid.”
A pair of binoculars rests on the window sill. “The first thing we
saw when we came to look at the island was an eagle,” Richard says. “It
reminded me of bird watching on Point Pelee with my dad. I’ve seen close
to a hundred species of birds since coming here.”
The second floor of the home is dedicated to family and friends. It
contains three guest rooms, each named for an aspect of the Bob-Lo
experience: The Freighter, Eagle’s Roost and 1812 (which overlooks Fort
Malden). Each room is charmingly furnished with handmade quilts,
antiques, and, in the case of Eagle’s Roost, a brass bed and trunk that
Richard bought when he was still in school. “I bought that bed for $150 in
1970, when I was at the University of Windsor,” Richard laughs. “It took
me three months to pay for it.”
As we take our leave, the Peddies are setting their porch table to
welcome guests for an evening get together, an eagle soars overhead, and
in the distance a freighter sounds its approach – proving that, though the
hurdy-gurdy music and thrill-seeking roller coaster riders may be long
gone – the Bob-Lo charm will last forever. OH
Seven Lakes Estates
On St. Francis Crescent at Huron Church Line, LaSalle
Homes of exceptional quality from 1,400 to 6,000 s q. ft. Design-built by Meo & Associates Inc.
(Tarion Licensed)
Vince Pupatello*:
(519) 944-5955 • (519) 919-4886 (direct)
vpupatello@sympatico.ca*Sales Representative
www.sevenlakesgolf.com
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