Grand yet cosy, with a hint of Art Deco – the 2025 Minto dream home is a fitting way to celebrate Minto’s 25th year supplying prize homes for the CHEO Dream of a Lifetime lottery, as well as the 35th year of the lottery itself.
Called The Sterling, in a nod to the silver anniversary, it’s one of the largest dream homes ever built, coming in at 5,360 square feet (only the home in 2013 was larger), and makes up the bulk of the grand prize in the annual lottery, which raises funds to support the children’s hospital.
The 2025 Minto dream home in photos
“I think it’s so special that Minto has chosen this charity to support,” says Karen van der Velden. As Minto’s product development manager, she has worked on the designs of the past 11 dream homes. “I love it, because we all have somebody who’s connected to CHEO. Doing this for the community and CHEO, it’s the right thing to do. I really feel privileged that we get to do this.”
Created by van der Velden and designer Tanner Vine, who is returning for a second year to design the interior, the home is fully furnished and comes with a ton of extras — $100,000 in cash, a Mercedes Benz SUV, $5,000 in gas, house cleaning for a year, $5,000 in groceries, plus moving and legal services — making it the largest grand prize ever at more than $3.7 million.
The lottery itself is also the largest ever with 7,451 prizes totalling more than $5.2 million. This year’s lottery runs until Dec. 19 and includes other prizes such as a guaranteed $1 million payout in a 50/50 draw, cars, trips, gift cards, Senators and Ottawa Charge tickets, bonus tickets and more.
As it has been for the past few years, the prize home is located in Minto’s Mahogany development in Manotick, next door to the 2021 home, both of which back onto a pond, and within eyesight of the 2020 home across Bridgeport Avenue.
Highlights of this year’s home include a nod to accessible living with a main-floor primary suite and laundry room and a lift in the garage. Downstairs there’s a modified speakeasy (it’s not hidden behind a secret door), a theatre room with an eyepopping sectional sofa, a family and games room and fully equipped gym. Upstairs, meanwhile, finds a second primary suite, two more bedrooms, a loft and a second laundry room.
Vine’s style leans contemporary and minimalist, focusing on natural materials like wood and stone and then “layering in a little bit of a vintage charm,” he says. As a result, the home is a “contemporary reinterpretation of the Art Deco style,” using earthier tones in place of the more typical bold ones associated with the style, while still giving the home a sense of moodiness.
Soaring ceilings in the foyer and great room are emphasized, using floor-to-ceiling stone in the former and billowy sheers in the latter. Fluted touches are found throughout, as are curves and applications that suggest extra-thick walls, tile is used in unexpected ways to create geometry, and an unusual finish to faucets creates a blend of stainless steel and black that adds some bling.
“Because this is the Sterling, I really just leaned into polished metals,” Vine explains.
On the exterior, van der Velden opted for a neutral, light palette of stone, brick and siding in a modern farmhouse style. “I found it very calming and warm (and) on point. A lighter palette was coming in.”
Unlike last year, when the dream home was based on an existing Minto floor plan, this year the home is a new design that van der Velden has since scaled down so that a version of it — called the Sable — can be included in the company’s portfolio. It will be introduced at Mahogany later this month.
The dream home is open six days a week to tour until Dec. 19. “There are so many elements to it that you’re going to love something about it,” van der Velden predicts.
Touring the 2025 Minto dream home
The dream home is open until Dec. 19 on the following days and times:
- Tuesday to Friday: noon to 8 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Closed Mondays.
It’s located at 808 Skysail Place in Manotick. There will be signs.
There is no charge to visit the home and no appointment is needed.
Not able to see it in person? By late September, there will be a 3D virtual tour on the lottery website that allows you to walk through at your own pace and as often as you like. The virtual tour will also include extra details such as a design studio that identifies materials used in the home. (back)
Getting your ticket
As has been the case for the past few years, tickets are $100 each or 3 for $250. The 50/50 tickets, which can be purchased if you have a lottery ticket, are $10 each, five for $25 or 15 for $50. There are also packages that combine lottery and 50/50 tickets.
Tickets can be purchased online at dreamofalifetime.ca, by phone at 613-722-5437 or 1-877-562-5437, or by visiting the dream home (no cash taken). The lottery runs until Dec. 19.
For more information, visit dreamofalifetime.ca. (back)
2025 Minto dream home in photos
Exterior
The exterior is done in light neutrals accented with black window frames and brown garage doors. The porch is minimized this year to allow more light in through the windows, with jingling rain chain downspouts descending into planters instead of traditional downspouts on the porch.
The lower roof is metal while the upper is shingled, with both done in a charcoal grey for a more muted effect than black would have.
Foyer
The two-storey foyer stretches more than 20 feet and repeats the exterior stone. Natural light floods the space from the huge upper arched window, which also frames a five-tier recycled glass chandelier from Currey & Co.
The foyer “makes a nice grand statement” as you enter the home, Vine notes.
Office
Just off the front entry, double pocket French doors open to the home office, which boasts an 11-foot ceiling (the rest of the main floor is 10 feet) and windows overlooking the pond and the front of the home.
“There is this beautiful curved desk that has a fluted detail and the back wall is completely lined with cabinetry so there’s a ton of storage in there all done in this darker wood,” Vine says. The custom built-ins are by Laurysen Kitchens and the walls are Summer Suede by PPG. “Because we use so much dark cabinetry, it really frames this picturesque view of this pond through the foyer.”
Living room (great room)
Like the foyer, the great room features a soaring ceiling that amplifies the space. An elongated fireplace from Napoleon (not shown) is a focal point, flanked by floor-to-ceiling sheer drapery. “It diffuses and softens the light beautifully,” says Vine, giving the feeling of being in a hotel lobby.
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of Vine’s favourite spaces. It’s softened with curved elements — the hood vent, fluted doors, tray ceiling and a countertop with a double bullnosed edge — but Vine is particularly enamoured of the mosaic tile floor in a mix of marbles and an intricate pattern. Donated by Euro Tile & Stone, it “pays homage to the craftsmanship we see in the Art Deco period.”
The kitchen, which is by Laurysen, includes recessed lighting in the hutch cabinet, wall ovens, fluted glass doors and a walk-in pantry.
Pantry
There’s a ton of extra storage and space for countertop appliances in the walk-in pantry, which has its own window and a sink as well.
Dining room
The dining room is off the kitchen and offers access to the backyard for a slightly casual take on a formal dining room. With windows on three sides and a vaulted ceiling, the dining room is bright and airy.
A built-in sideboard in carved walnut runs the length of one wall, providing yet more storage and a handy serving space for entertaining. A porcelain table from La-Z-Boy (as is much of the furniture) offers practicality and “we think this is just a great space for those casual Sunday brunches or elegant evening dinners,” says Vine.
Main-floor primary suite
Accessibility was a key driver in the design of this year’s home so a main-level bedroom suite was a must. “We’re seeing this multi-generational living aspect coming in, or people wanting to stay in their homes a little bit longer,” notes Vine. The design of this space, therefore, has been made accessible for anyone with limited mobility, featuring lower light switches, raised electrical outlets and barrier-free shower access, for instance.
The suite also overlooks the pond, taking advantage of the view.
Ensuite
Like the main-floor bedroom, its adjoining ensuite also overlooks the pond so the decision was made to retain as much of the view as possible, hanging mirrors in front of the window and installing a motorized blind on the window for privacy.
Main-floor laundry
A combo washer and dryer in the main-floor laundry adds flexibility whether or not the occupants have accessibility issues. The room doubles as a mud room space that’s handy to the garage entrance.
Second-floor loft
“This is just a nice place for the family,” Vine says of the loft. It overlooks the pond and is open to the foyer “so it’s one of the brighter areas of the home.” The loft could also be converted into another bedroom.
Second-floor primary suite
A second primary suite on the second floor is roomy enough for a king-sized bed and sitting area with red velvet couch for a pop of colour. It includes its own ensuite and walk-in closet.
Ensuite
The second primary’s ensuite includes double vanities, a makeup table and a separate room for the tub/shower and toilet.
Bedroom #3
In one of the secondary bedrooms, Vine “leaned into the theatrics of the 1920s, painting the walls this dark luscious fudge colour” with a canopied bed for a dramatic fun space. “It’s a very interesting room.”
Bedroom #4
The final bedroom offers more subdued colouring but adds personality with an arched and wallpapered niche to frame the bed’s custom velvet headboard.
Second-floor laundry
For convenience, a second laundry room is included upstairs with a full-sized washer and dryer, storage, counter space and sink.
Rec room
The basement rec room is “a really interesting space,” says van der Velden. Overhead ductwork is artfully disguised with sculpted ceiling treatments to look intentional, and support posts have been turned into hefty round columns clad in tile to create a geometric effect.
A generous and cosy lounge area takes up the bulk of the space (a large TV is not shown), while the rear features a games table and the modified speakeasy where the theme of curved elements turns up in another arched alcove.
Home theatre
The home theatre is like a cosy cave where you can curl up to watch a good movie. It features two entrance doors on either side, the massive sectional (can you see wee ones bouncing on it?) and a nearly wall-to-wall projection screen.
Gym
The home gym comes fully equipped from Fitness Depot, including built-in lockers, and boasts plenty of natural light.
With all the elements of the basement, “it’s a really nice space to relax, regenerate and for family time,” says Vine.
Garage
The three-car garage comes decked out with tools and storage cabinets courtesy of Home Depot. And the wheelchair lift installed for lottery visitors will stay with the home.
Backyard
“The exterior is really, really impressive,” says Steve Read, who is president and CEO of the CHEO Foundation, which runs the lottery. Landscaped by Thunderbolt Contracting, it features a pergola with lounge area — including a bar and stools facing the pond — firepit with lounge area, tiered deck and more. “It’s ready to go for entertaining, which is really exciting.” (back)
At 5,360 square feet, the 2025 Minto dream home is the second largest Minto has built. It features an open-concept main floor that nevertheless defines the spaces so that each room feels separate.
The main floor includes an office, the primary bedroom suite and laundry among its features. Upstairs, an expansive landing that overlooks both the foyer and the great room creates a sense of airiness. There are three more bedrooms, including a second primary suite, the main bathroom to serve the other two bedrooms, another laundry room and a loft for casual family time.
There’s more family space in the basement with a generous rec room, games area, wet bar and home theatre, as well as a three-piece bathroom and a bright home gym. (back)
