PORT L'HEBERT, N.S. -- In the small community of Port L’Hebert, N.S., is where you’ll find 1654 Mcleans Lake Road.
The oceanfront property for sale in Shelburne County is getting a lot of attention as the interior of the home reveals a world kept hidden away -- something you might find in a fairy tale.
“He was fascinated clearly by the whimsical in life,” explained Bonnie Sutherland of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.
From carousel horses to clowns and clocks, hundreds of wood carvings and custom furniture can be found in this one-of-a-kind home.
Corey Huskilson of Royal LePage Atlantic is the listing agent on the property.
“Every single detail in this place has been well thought out and cared for,” Huskilson said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Nearly everything in the home is believed to be made by the owner, Victor (Ray) Titterington.
According to a post on the Nature Trust’s website, Titterington was born in England in 1928 but moved to Canada at an early age.
After the Second World War, he trained to become a tool and die maker, but by age 36 left his job to pursue his love of woodworking -- eventually moving to Nova Scotia from Ontario about 25 years ago, where he lived until his passing a few months ago at age 92.
“He really seemed to live a quiet life in solitude,” Sutherland said.
While very little is known about Titterington, his home offers some insight into the way he lived, which included a love for gardening.
Modelled after a circus tent, a large solarium overlooking the ocean holds an incredible cacti collection – hundreds of plants with some touching the ceiling.
Yet Titterington’s greatest gift in life may have been his last. Titterington bequeathed his unique, three-hectare property to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, along with the rest of his estate.
“We had no idea until we were contacted by the lawyers that he had chosen the Nature Trust for this amazing gift,”said Sutherland.
It was Titterington’s wish that the property be sold and all proceeds go to the trust, which is now looking for the right buyer. All of his handcrafted furniture and carvings are being sold separately.
Sutherland says there has been lots of interest in the property, which is listed at $295,000, with a few offers already on the table.
“People, once we started sharing pictures of this place, have been just amazed by his story and the life that he lived,” Sutherland added.
Once a buyer is found, Titterington’s life legacy will live on in nature – a parting gift that keeps on giving, just like he hoped.
