Michael Potter is known by many as the Ottawa businessman who made his fortune in hi-tech in the 1990s as the former CEO of Cognos Inc. But only a select group have been invited inside his stunning Rockcliffe Park home to admire his extensive art collection or take in the glorious views of his backyard pool.
That’s about to change.
On May 30, Potter’s glass-and-stone mansion will be open to the public as part of the IODE House and Garden Tour.
“It is a real beauty,” says tour convener Valerie Blais of the historic seven-bedroom house set on two-and-a-half acres in one of Ottawa’s wealthiest neighbourhoods. “We were so lucky to get it.”
The living room is wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass with a sunken conversation pit in front of the fireplace.
Now in its 54th year, the annual fundraiser will feature six “vintage to glam” houses and spectacular gardens scattered throughout Rockcliffe, Rothwell Heights and along the Rideau Canal. In previous years, the tour has been held over two days, but Blais says fewer volunteers this year forced organizers to make it a Saturday-only event. She’s quick to point out, however, that there will be no shortage of eye candy on the tour from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The two original stone stables are connected by a large glass-topped entrance to form the core of Michael Potter’s home.
Case in point: Potter’s 7,000-square-foot stunner, originally part of the Birkenfels estate, which included a massive Gothic Revival house built in 1864. The house was demolished in 1991, but the two gable-roofed stone stables were spared and now form the core of Potter’s modern home designed by Ottawa architect Richard Limmert.
The library off the main foyer is where the owner often eats his lunch overlooking the backyard.
Connected by a large front foyer with a glass peaked roof, the thick grey stone walls are the backdrop for Potter’s contemporary art collection and are carried throughout the glass-and-steel home. The massive entrance leads to a round living room with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a sunken conversation pit with built-in leather sofas in front of the fireplace.
With this spa-like bathroom off the guest suite, visitors may never want to go home.
Despite its sprawling footprint — a large back addition with a home gym, 12-seat theatre and private second-storey guest suite designed by Ottawa architect Barry Hobin was built onto to the original home in 2002 — the house has a casual and intimate feel. Walls of glass keep the space bright and open to the outdoors and two spiral staircases and a sleek high-gloss kitchen give it a modern edge.
Margaret Dickson’s elegant dining room was designed for entertaining.
Cooking with tchotchkes
International, award-winning cookbook author Margaret Dickenson and her husband, Larry Dickenson, a retired Canadian ambassador, have collected art, carpets and antique furniture from around the world during his eight postings overseas.
Larry and Margaret Dickenson’s home along the Rideau Canal is full of unique finds from their more than 20 years of travel.
Their four-storey Tudor (circa 1928) along the canal is one of the smallest houses on the tour, but the couple says visitors are in for a treat since every room, hallway, and even bathroom in their five-bedroom house is brimming with unique finds from their 2o-plus years of travel.
“We got addicted to collecting art,” says Margaret, who created, wrote and hosted a cooking and lifestyle series on Rogers TV called Margaret’s Sense of Occasion. Their extensive collection includes buddhas from Vietnam, kilims from the Middle East and vintage Korean chests.
Built in 1928, Larry and Margaret Dickenson’s Tudor home features four floors of exquisite art and furniture from around the world.
Other tour highlights
German ambassador Walter Wnendt will welcome guests into his home for the May 30 tour.
This backyard in Rothwell Heights is a summer oasis.
The stables at the RCMP Musical Ride Centre will be open for tours during the IODE House and Garden Tour.
IODE House and Garden Tour
What: Tour of six private homes and the RCMP Musical Ride Centre to raise money primarily for women’s shelters
When: Saturday, May 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30 available at retailers across the city, including Jacobsons Gourmet Concepts, 141 Beechwood Ave. and Bloomfields Flowers, 783 Bank St. (visit laurentian.iode.ca for a full list), online by secure PayPal or by mail by calling 613-842-5304.
