Inverary House

Inverary House is home to a lively family of five who dreamed of a modern, nature-immersed retreat just outside Kingston—close enough for an easy twenty-minute commute, yet far enough to escape the pace of city life. Their property sits in a young subdivision along the edge of a forested ravine with a wetland and lake, offering community at the front and serene nature at the back.

Rather than a conventional suburban home, the family wanted a contemporary design closely connected to the landscape. The gently sloping site invited a long, narrow layout that hugs the ridge, giving every room a direct relationship to the treetops and changing seasons.

In this neighbourhood, front and side yards serve as shared play areas for children, and Inverary House follows suit. Pushing the home close to the forest edge preserves generous, open lawn space at the front and side for kids and neighbours, while the ravine-facing terrace at the back provides the family with a quiet and private outdoor retreat.

The house presents a modest, protected face to the street. The entrance is tucked along the side, with a single-storey garage partially screening the home. Narrow front-facing windows bring in daylight while maintaining privacy, and as new trees mature, the façade will feel even more sheltered.

Toward the ravine, the house opens fully to the landscape. A long terrace spans the back, offering outdoor dining and lounging nestled in the forest canopy. Inside, the kitchen, dining, and living room share an open, light-filled space with views on three sides and direct access to the terrace. A south-facing screened porch off the kitchen extends outdoor living into the warmer months.

At the opposite end of the main floor is a flexible multi-function room for crafts, movies, and guests. An oversized pocket door allows it to operate as either an extension of the hallway or a fully separate room. A dedicated home office sits off the same corridor, providing quiet workspace for work-from-home days.

The stair to the upper level is intentionally discreet, designed as a simple vertical passage. At the top, the plan splits in two. To one side, three identically sized children’s bedrooms overlook the ravine. Their shared “dual” bathroom is organized into two zones: a laundry and everyday sink at the front, and a full bathroom beyond that can be closed off for privacy, allowing several family members to use the space at once.

To the other side, the primary suite occupies its own quiet wing. A walk-in closet buffers the bedroom from the hall, creating a calm, near-sound-sealed environment—essential for one partner who works medical shifts and often needs to sleep during the day. The bathroom and closet remain accessible while the bedroom stays closed and quiet.

Built with traditional stick-frame construction on bedrock, the home has no basement and instead focuses on efficient, above-grade design. In classic Solares fashion, Inverary House is fully electric, delivering low-carbon, high-performance comfort. The result is a warm, efficient family home—rooted in its landscape and responsive to daily life.

Photography by Nanne Springer