MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2019

45 MOUNTAIN HOME When Graham Saunders purchased his place in 2018, it wasn’t the house he wanted. So before he bought it, he walked through it with designer Stephanie Redmond of SR/M Design. They had some ideas. It closed in August and was completely gutted two weeks later. “It was an old pan abode, lifted up probably 20 years prior,” he says. “And it was a completely different layout. We absolutely gutted it, new HVAC, new plumbing, new wiring, the kitchen was moved. The only thing that is still where it was is the fireplace. It was a full gut job. That was always the intent.” Working with Adam Burk of Due North Custom Carpentry, the exterior and interior of the building were completely redone. “We redid everything,” says Saunders. “I mean the upstairs bathroom is not where it was, there was a kitchenette downstairs, we opened up the walls... it was a complete reno. All new doors and windows. We haven’t replaced the roof yet, and we didn’t redo the fireplace. But that’s it.” HOME BASE A ‘full gut job’ transforms this chalet into a hub for family and friends words & photos :: Colin Field