Gilbert and Marguerite Hutchinson House

Once hidden behind overgrown shrubs and vinyl siding, 832 Cherry Street revealed itself as a diamond in the rough—and became the twenty-year passion project of its devoted owners.

by Sheilah Harris

832 Cherry Street was built in 1947 by Gilbert Hutchinson. Its Minimal Traditional style was popular after the Second World War as an affordable home that could be built quickly.  Hutchinson lived here until 1950, when he moved to Churchill Street.

In 2004, when the present owners arrived to view the house, it was well-hidden by layers of overgrown trees and shrubs, and its stucco exterior had been covered by vinyl siding.  But the charming neighbourhood, generous lot with garage and affordable price convinced them that the house was worth investigating.

Inside, they were delighted to find a centre hall plan (their favourite) and original details like arched entryways, tray ceilings, rounded corners and original fireplace.  Oak floors were preserved under the sculpted shag carpeting.  Despite 30 years’ worth of nicotine stains covering the plaster, the home shone with authenticity.  It was exactly the kind of project the couple had dreamed of taking on. The 180-degree views sealed the deal.

The new homeowners spent many hours cleaning the plaster walls and filling the cracks. A cousin who is a journeyman plasterer smoothed over the popcorn stucco on the ceilings and in the arched doorbell niche. The stunning front windows are replicas of the originals and a new stone surround now compliments the original mantel.

An early priority was to create a sight line from the front door to the views out back, which were blocked by a bedroom wall.  The owners replaced the wall with a generous archway.  Then, a chimney and wall between the bedroom and kitchen were removed, opening the back of the house into one large room.

The reimagining of the original kitchen was difficult and was put off until 2011.  There was an attractive arched window with a view to the east that the couple was loath to lose, but cabinet space was limited.  Many layout ideas were drawn up and discarded. But a plan finally came together when they found the perfect set of glass doors which, once installed, opened the back wall to a new deck and the panoramic views outside, completing the desired sight line from the front door.  The arched window could then be sacrificed for a vital refrigerator.

The home’s only bathroom retains its original layout, with a new skylight and shortened shower wall to enlarge and brighten the space. During a stay at an inn in Sonoma, the couple were inspired by the wainscoting there and chose to recreate it in their principal bedroom. Upstairs, the eaves were transformed into much-needed closets and bookcases and the skylights were added when a new roof was installed. 

The homeowners have had their hands in every aspect of the improvements made over the twenty years they’ve lived here.  This project has been a labour of love and the fulfillment of a long-held dream, and their dedication shows in every detail.

This home features a special display honouring Gilbert’s older brother, Pilot Officer Bruce Hutchinson — a New Westminster airman who died in an RCAF plane crash in 1942.

Pilot Officer Bruce Hutchinson was born in County Derry, Northern Ireland, on June 28, 1921, and before his enlistment in R.C.A.F. at Brandon, Man., in January, 1940, in January, he resided in New Westminster, B.C., where his family now reside. He was educated at the Lister Kelvin and Technical High School at New Westminster, B.C., and then took a course for two years in wireless training at the King Edward High School of Commerce, in Vancouver. Before the declaration of war he joined the 1st Battalion of the Westminster Regiment when he was but seventeen, and was the youngest member of that Regiment. He won a Silver Identification Bracelet for best air gunner in course No. 12, 7 B.G. S. Paulson, Man. … He was reported on February 26th, 1942, as killed on active service in Canada.

source: Canadian Virtual War Memorial, veterans.gc.ca