Can you have your cake and eat it too? That question was successfully answered by Dr. Andrew and Lisa Willis.

18 Chapman Street in historic Port Dover, Ontario has always been a home of distinction. Maintaining its unique charm while modernizing to meet dental practice requirements and renovating to meet their family needs was a challenge they were set to face. Dr. Willis has been a leading dentist for 25 years and has always had a passion for antiques. The idea to run his practice from a historic home developed carefully in his mind over those years. The challenge was to find the right property.

The Willis’ have twin daughters Lily and Daisy and family dog Chloe and creating a warm, open concept space was paramount.

Their large living space doubles as a dining area and the fireplace is often a family focal spot. Outside, a walled in ‘almost one acre’ yard offers lots of playing spaces.

For Mom and Dad, renovations to the kitchen and master bedroom. Great effort was spent on sourcing the “right” materials such as Pioneer cabinetry and restoration hardware- the antique chandeliers benefiting from Lisa’s attention to detail and research.

While work was proceeding for the family, Andrew coordinated the installation of a modern dental office situated in the front of the house. At it is at this point, where the old and the new not only meet but mix: Dr. Willis has integrated antique barn board into his office space and upon entering the office from street level, visitors are greeted with an antique dental drill- a nod to historic value of not only this home’s architecture but also to the business it lovingly and successfully houses. It is precisely this love and respect for the treasured things from the past and the fine things of the present that set this Port Dover business apart. For the Silo, Aly Devina.

photos: Donna McMillan featured image: The Silo