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Dar ix-Xemx |
Nova Scotia’s Premier Oceanfront Luxury
Property |
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“Dar-Ix-Xemx”, Maltese for House of the Sun,
is a luxurious, private retreat nestled in a
three acre ash grove perched directly above
Antigonish Harbour, a picturesque tidal bay
that flows from the Atlantic Ocean on the
northeastern shore of incomparable Nova
Scotia. It is a place where your privacy and
serenity are assured.
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Inspiration
I designed the house to capture the many
moods of the sun as they change over the
day. Most of the main spaces, including the
deck, are oriented toward the west, perfect
for watching the sunset over the bay while
sipping a chilled aperitif. More than 50
oversize windows and 20 skylights provide
stunning views and create an atmosphere as
close to nature as one can get indoors!
Each of the rooms has special features
that make choosing a favorite impossible. |
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Layout
The main floor is 1500 square feet of
open-concept living ringed around the
kitchen, the traditional focus of homes in
Nova Scotia. I love to cook and I think it
shows. The only “wall” in the kitchen is a
15-foot bank of windows that peer out over
ash and spruce trees to the bay, a
spectacular panorama to contemplate while
whipping up Sunday-morning pancakes. Solid
maple countertops – 35 feet of them
including one just for baking – snake around
the room. Quality appliances include a Jenn-Air
downdraft stove, built-in full refrigerator
and full freezer, dishwasher and trash
compactor. There is also a 50,000BTU gas
barbeque for easy grilling. You’re sure to
find any equipment you require during your
stay. I’ve got all the basics, plus many
extras. When you’ve finished preparing your
gastronomical feast, eat in the kitchen or
at the table in the window-flanked dining
room, which seats 8 to 10 comfortably (or up
to 16 when combined with the kitchen table.)
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Kitchen & Floors
The kitchen flows into the sunroom
which, facing south and west, is plastered
wall and ceiling with windows and skylights.
Even in the winter, the room feels cozy.
Despite all the glass, the room stays
relatively cool in the summer even without
air conditioning (which I have never found
necessary), as does the rest of the house.
This is because of the state-of-the-art
low-E windows, the cooling shade of
surrounding trees and the 30 tonnes of
embedded concrete in the floors which help
absorb excess heat. In the winter, a radiant
in-floor heating system provides a
comfortable climate. The sun warms things up
nicely too! |
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Furnishings
I have furnished the house with
older materials wherever practical. Wide
antique boards panel most of the floors.
Doors are 150-year-old solid refinished
wood. The light fixtures are antique too, as
is most of the furniture except for a few
modern pieces here and there. Beautiful and
intriguing original artwork, which runs
mostly to impressionist and post-modernist,
adorns the few walls not dominated by
windows. Renowned national artist Nancy
Stevens, loosely described as
post-Impressionist, has paintings on display
for purchase. |
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Entertaining &
Relaxing
Adjacent to the sunroom, I designed
the 24'x18' living room for relaxation and
entertainment. Furnished with overstuffed
couches and a massive, antique Persian rug,
it’s a great place to host an impromptu
Scrabble tournament. On crisper evenings,
throw a few logs in the Vermont Castings
wood-burning stove and settle in to watch a
film. A hidden entertainment centre holds a
Satellite TV, DVD/CD player, VCR, record
player and audio cassette player. Five
speakers provide surround sound for a true
theatre effect. There are also speakers in
the dining room and on the main deck. Videos
and music are provided. Also located on the
main floor are a laundry room and a
walk-in coatroom to shed sandy shoes and
other bits after a satisfying walk on the
beach. |
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Bedrooms
Upstairs are three large comfortable
bedrooms. The Master Bedroom is a spacious
open-concept retreat utterly unique in
design. Awaken to forest and ocean views
from eight large windows. Integrated into
the room is an oversize, antique claw-foot
pedestal bath – ideally situated to watch
the sun take its evening dip in the bay,
perhaps after you do! Also integrated into
the main space is a European-style
mini-bathroom with an antique washbasin and
toilet. |
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| There is also a separate 8’x4’ walk-in
shower (with five windows and a skylight,
too!) The queen-size bed is wrought iron and
comes with a featherbed and the softest
sheets imaginable. The rest of the furniture
is antique. Two generous step-in closets and
a comfortable reading nook complete the
room. |
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| The second bedroom has a queen bed and
faces west to the water and south to the ash
grove. The third bedroom has a double and
twin-sized bunk beds. This room overlooks the
garden and also has a
lovely water-view of the mouth of the
Antigonish Harbour. Both bedrooms share a
full bathroom and each has ample closet
space. |
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| If more bedroom space is required two
private, fully self-contained apartments are
available for rent during the summer months.
The flooring in each apartment is cool,
custom-finished polished concrete. Each
comes with a fully-equipped kitchen and
private bathroom. The bedrooms and the
living rooms have beautiful views of the
water through large, full-size windows. Each
bedroom has a queen or double bed and a full
closet. There is also a futon in each living
room for additional sleeping space. The
apartments are located below the main floor
and each entrance is completely private and
secluded. A generous deck graces the sunset
side of each apartment. |
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Observation Deck
Another unique feature is an unusual
indoor/outdoor observation deck, inspired by
the petit balcony terraces of Parisian
apartments. It sits on a level of its own,
40-feet off the ground, and is accessible
from the third floor. Eat breakfast a deux
and enjoy expansive views of the harbour. If
you’re lucky, you may glimpse a seal or one
of the many eagles that nest on the bay’s
islands! |
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The Deck & Yard
Back downstairs and accessible
through the sunroom or living room, a
tri-level deck hugs the south and west sides
of the house. After an evening sundowner
settle into one of the comfortable deck
chairs - on a clear night, you can pick out
entire constellations and shooting stars.
The deck has a large, custom built picnic
table and a patio set, including
lounge chairs, for al fresco dining or just
relaxing. |
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Click Here To See A
Full Comparison of All Major House Features |
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