Almost a year ago I dropped a note in a mailbox in front of an intriguing house in Burlington. The owners, Richard Walker and Pamela Kempthorne got back to me and agreed to tell me the story of their house. The story is they turned an old radiatior/carpenter/plumbing shop into a stylish home. They both could see beyond the obvious, It looks like a million bucks but costs a lot less. My full story is in the Hamilton Spectator Go section today.

It's all in the packaging. A wonderful before and after in Burlington. bit.ly/1skzmhO

My YouTube video here: http://youtu.be/fRIXBDzliWA

It's all in the packaging. A wonderful before and after in Burlington.

A closer look at the worker's cottage home of Phyllis Tresidder

Design consultant Phyllis Tresidder of Hamilton revived an 1870's worker's cottage with flair and respect for the simple design of the house.

Tresidder worked with Patrick Lees owner of PLG Construction of Hamilton (plgconstruction.com) on the five month renovation which touched every room in the house.

The bathroom is sensational with dramatic Waverly wallpaper.

Ikea shelving is used for all that is useful and pretty.

Phyllis Tressider uses the spare bedroom as a den and office. She consults in both interior design and garden design.

The living room and dining room are generous in size. 12 people can sit for dinner.

The renovation took five months and the one floor cottage is a perfect size for an empty nester.

Rooms in the worker's cottage are a lovely proportion.

The surprising worker's cottage

Hamilton has a large inventory of worker's cottages. They may be brick or wood, but the simple, balanced style is the signature of the style.

This board and batten worker's cottage in Niagara-on-the-Lake shows off the restrained charm of the design. Two windows-a door and presto you have a beautiful house. Inside they often have much larger rooms than you would expect.

Simple on the outside, sensational on the inside. A worker's cottage in Hamilton finds new life in the loving hands of its talented owner. MY story tomorrow in the GO section of the Hamilton Spectator

Wallpaper in the bathroom? Why not. My story on the rescue of a 1870's cottage in Hamilton and the elegant home it became. Tomorrow in the Hamilton Spectator.