Every object in a home carries a story. Some were inherited, others rescued from marketplace, etsy, or auctions. Together, they remind me that beauty often begins with what already exists.
"A quiet restoration of one of New Ediburgh's most enduring Victorian homes."
Built c.1874 in Ottawa's historic New Edinburg, the Tubman House stands as one of the few surviving examples of early Victorian village architecture. Once home to school principal and city clerk Thomas Tubman, the dwelling retains its original charm —from sawn brackets and chamfered porch post to delicate pierced balustrade.
Acquired in 2020, this heritage-designated house underwent a meticulous restoration guided by heritage best practices. Its millwork, stone foundation, porch, roof, and windows were repaired or faithfully recreated, while the exterior was refinished in historically accurate colours and surrounded by native plantings.
Today, the Tubman House reflects both the craftsmanship of its 19th stewards —a tribute to thoughtful restoration and the enduring spirit of Ottawa's earliest village.
This project received the 2025 City of Ottawa Award of Excellence in Restoration, recognizing its exemplary preservation of historic material and craftsmanship.
Color became a quiet language at Tubman House. Subtle Blue-green, Green-beige, Sage and Teal —connect the different architectural elements the way memory connects generations.
Restoration and re-creation lives in the smallest gestures - a rewired Art Deco–era slag glass pendant light, a restored Victorian-revival lantern, a c.1880 reproduction of an Eastlake-style cast-brass door knob, a restored Eastlake-style door knob, a fateful copy of a 1880s Eastlake-style hinge and sawn brackets reproduced by CNC. Together, they add depth without noise.
My background is in international cooperation, not design — but restoration changed how I see the built world. What began as simple home repairs became a hands-on education in materials, proportion, and craft.
Through restoring historic spaces, I’ve learned that good design isn’t about following trends; it’s about understanding how light, texture, and structure work together to create calm and integrity.
Martin & Sons documents that process — an ongoing exploration of how thoughtful design and careful restoration can bring old places back to life.
— Martin Normandeau, Ottawa
