You know who you are — waiting till dusk for an evening stroll so you can get a better look at that new mid-century pendant lamp your neighbours just hung. Or you casually walk the dog by that intriguing renovation site in the hopes that you can catch the builder’s eye and ask for details.

The beauty of the Glebe House Tour is that you can satisfy your curiosity (without seeming creepy), as well as get tips and inspiration while giving to a great cause.

Now in its 20th year, the popular tour continues to be a major fundraiser for the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group. 

And the Glebe is the neighbourhood that keeps on giving — with so many century-old homes and the current penchant for urban infill, updated redbricks, cool extensions, and interior upgrades are always on the tour list. Here’s a sneak peek of the five unique houses on this year’s tour. 

Date: September 15, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets: $30 in advance; $35 on the day of the tour
Buy online, at the Glebe Community Centre, or by phone at 613-564-1058

Looking for ideas for your own heritage house? This 1914 house (above) has been beautifully modernized but still retains many original features, including many doors, radiators, mouldings, and tiling.

The owners of this modest two-storey house (below) added a modern prefabricated addition to the back, allowing them to add space (and find room for their art collection) while maintaining the street view. 

(Below) A creative interior renovation swapped the placement of the kitchen and dining rooms to allow for an expansive, modern kitchen with a showstopper island.

(Below) An elegant house by well-known Ottawa architect David Younghusband  undergoes a thoughtful renovation that preserves many original features while adding updated lighting, mouldings, and decorative panelling.

(Below) A major renovation preserves the home’s character while opening it up to light. Where possible, original doors, millwork, and stained-glass windows were repurposed to maintain the home’s sensibility.