John Baird: Canada's freedom agenda - Diplomat Magazine

DELIGHTS|residencesall photos Dyanne WilsonAnother seating area in the main reception room.Designer showroom & professionalworkroom on premisesCOMMITTED TO QUALITYINSPIRED BY DESIGNCOMMITTED TO QUALITYINSPIRED BY DESIGN1134 Bank Street(near Sunnyside)613.730.9090www.elitedraperies.caArtfulinteriors• Custom window coverings • Shutters • Blinds • Furniture• Upholstery • Slipcovers • Bedcoverings • HardwareElite's talented team of designers and technicians cantake on any project of any scale — from expertly handcrafteddraperies to interior design to complete custom homerenovations. Elite has the depth of experience and capabilitiesto make your dream project a reality.home to Shirley Woods, Sr., whose fatherJames founded the Woods ManufacturingCo., makers of their famous Woods sleepingbag. Apparently one of these bags accompaniedRoald Amundsen through theNorthwest Passage in 1903 and warmedAdmiral Byrd in the Antarctic. Shirley,himself, designed the first down-filledvest for Second World War soldiers.A passionate renovator, Woods removedthe massive porch and gallery(revealing a finely-detailed veranda atthe top of the front steps) and covered thebrick with stucco. In 1934, Woods sold hishouse to his friend Edmund Newcombewhen he was visiting with his wife fora game of bridge. The two men, takinga break for a drink in the library, madethe deal and then came out to tell theirstunned spouses.The Indian government bought thehouse from the Newcombes in 1950.Today, the impressive seven-bedroommansion sits in a large garden, partlyhidden by a cedar hedge. Once inside,visitors are greeted in the large entrancefoyer by Mrs. Gavai who is wearing abrilliant peacock blue sari trimmed withgold embroidered peacocks, the nationalbird of India. The entrance is dominatedby a large fireplace. Atop the mantel arebrass Hindu gods and, in front, a largetraditional brass candle holder. Heavybrass temple bells line the stairway to thesecond floor.On the main floor, there are two largecream-coloured reception rooms filledwith art and Indian carpets. Of specialinterest are two stunning marble and goldvases from Rajasthan, India’s largest state,that compete with the couple’s collectionof more than 150 bells from a variety ofcountries. Silver tables brighten the mainreception area, also home to a collectionof traditional drums. Another collectionof blue and white china from Japan andChina, and paintings of Krishna, thecentral figure in Hinduism, fill the walls,tables and breakfronts in the rooms. Silkpillows add dashes of colour to the formalrooms. “The blue room,” a favouriteof Mrs. Gavai, is a small and charmingsunroom looking out over the garden andbackyard patio.The expansive dining room is themedin burgundy and blue and can seat up to18 guests, who dine on china and use silverwarefeaturing the crest of India. “Andthe food is all homemade,” Mrs. Gavaisays. She has two helpers who keep thehouse in shape and do the cooking.A typical meal at the residence includes72FALL 2011 | OCT-NOV-DEC