Caroline Andrews grew up in Ottawa and started her career in the nation’s capital where she realized her dreams in the print-media business as publisher of the Ottawa Business Journal and founding publisher of Ottawa At Home magazine. “I thought at the time I was living my dream—it was fantastic!” says the vibrant woman who would go on to fulfill even bigger dreams and greater accomplishments.
A casual conversation with friends pushed her to pursue more work goals outside of Ottawa. “I remember sitting in my living room with close friends, Deb Cherry and John King, when Deb asked me what was next—what my BIG dream was? I smiled, sighed and replied that I wanted to be the publisher of national magazine brands,” recalls Caroline.
Her dreams eventually became reality, albeit along a bumpy road! After Caroline moved from Ottawa to Toronto, she ended up as the publisher and VP of Hockey News, TV Guide, Canadian Home Workshop, Outdoor Canada, Style At Home, Canadian Gardening, Vancouver Magazine, Western Living, Canadian Living, Elle Canada, Next Home, Yellow Pages and Totem.
Coming home
A move back to Ottawa was always Caroline’s ultimate dream, and brought her close to family and friends. In the fall of 2018, she left Toronto and called upon her pal, realtor John King, to find her a “dollhouse” which, in her mind, meant a small and manageable home with loads of charm. “I wanted something I could at least partially gut and glam up,” she states. After looking at over half a dozen properties that fell into this description, Caroline fell in love with a 1960s bungalow in Glabar Park, and the purchase was made in December of 2018.
When she moved back to Ottawa, Caroline began working on obtaining her real-estate license. John not only found her a home but also offered her a job working with him and the team at Engel & Völkers, Ottawa, as Director of Operations, as well as a sales representative position. This brings Caroline to the other side of working within the home industry.
“I’m very excited for this next career chapter. After many years of running décor, residential real estate and commercial real estate brands, I’m excited to be on the other side of helping people realize their dreams,” she enthuses.
At home improvements
Caroline has kept busy both personally and professionally since her return to Ottawa. Renovations on her bungalow have been extensive. In support of her love for cooking, the kitchen was obviously at the top of her project list. While the existing kitchen was small, the galley layout lends itself to function, and the space was turned into a show-stopping gourmet kitchen. A back porch off the area was turned into a four-season breakfast nook to offer an expanded feeling to the room.
Caroline isn’t one to shy away from the daring and drama of home décor. She chose exotic walnut hardwood for the floors and injected splashes of glamour throughout, including within a dramatic bathroom and in the romance-inspired master bedroom where wallpaper and custom wood detailing add a luxurious feeling. To offset the dramatic elements, she created an airy feeling of space by opening walls, and even removed the door between the hallway and den to allow for flow through.
The dynamic go-getter couldn’t be happier and gushes that this home is her dream come true as she states, “It really is my dollhouse!”
Mary Taggart
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