A look into Sudbury's premiere homes

Lise and Terry Pugliese have been building their “dream house” for the last decade.

Castello Pugliese 2001, as it's engraved on stone at the entrance to their home, is a two-story “castle” on 275 acres just outside the city.

Lise said the designer home is a combination of her “childhood dreams and a liking for castles.” The spacious kitchen and dining room is decorated with a faux-copper ceiling — a favourite of guests and the Pugliese family alike.

“People get really excited over my ceiling,” Lise said. Other charming features of the house include a kitchen nook and library tucked into the turrets framing the house, as well as a whirlpool tub and a home theatre room.

Lise said she was initially shy about showing her castle in the IODE Tour Of Homes, but after a little convincing, she agreed to open her doors.

“It's for a good cause,” she said.

Funds raised from the Sept. 12 event go to purchasing equipment for those in need, according to the Elizabeth Fry Society Chapter IODE. Founded in 1900, IODE is a national women's charitable organization “dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals through education, support, community service and citizenship programs.”

Last year, the Tour of Homes raised more than $12,0000 for organizations like Inner City Home, the Alzheimer Society, Iris Addiction Recovery for Women, Warm Hearts Palliative Care, MS Society, Cambrian Foundation, Sudbury Manitoulin Children's Foundation, Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer and the Sudbury Public Library.

This year, IODE is hoping to do more of the same with the tour.

“This year's tour has a diverse mix of beautiful homes that are all in easy driving distance from each other,” a media release from IODE stated.

Other homes on the tour include Gerry Copeman and Charles Bolduc's “eclectic gem” on Baker Street, Jocelyn and Larry Dovigi's upscale rendition of Grace Hartman's home, Robert Masih's “tasteful, classy, yet comfortable” lake home and Debbie and Richard Munn's older home with contemporary upgrades.

Tickets for the tour are now available from A Touch of Class, Barrydowne Paint and Wallpaper, El Mercado in Chelmsford, Forget-Me-Not Flowers, Gallery and Brew in Hanmer, Lougheed Flowers and Rosery Florist for $20. 

For more information, phone 705-524-0606 or 705-566-3911.