Neighbourhood Drive By -Beautiful Bedford

Welcome to a short drive by of one part of my home town of Bedford, Nova Scotia. Bedford sits at the tip of the Bedford Basin. Today’s drive by will be focused on the area of Shore Drive and the homes closest to the water. For years the homes here had huge lots but in the past decade or so, many of the owners sold parts of their property and newer homes have gone up. The beauty in the above picture is one of my new favourites. I love the wide white trim, the colour of the siding and the design of the garage door. The columns and stone design of the porch is typical of the newer homes on or near this road. And just around the corner is this older home. I love the porches and the colour  combination used.

This home was chosen cause I adore turrets. I think they add interest to homes and I just wish I could go inside to see the floor plan. Don’t you? 


When I was teaching, one of my students moved into this home below. I did get invited here. 🙂 It has a great deck hanging over the water’s edge and a beautiful main floor plan.



This next home was a renovation of one of the older homes. I love the cedar shakes and the porch. Looking through the trees to the left is an example of how homes were tucked onto the same property with winding driveways to reach them.


 Perhaps my favourite addition to the street is this small cottage placed in what use to be the front yard of the home behind it. The English cottage design is charming. What I appreciate is that the eyebrow window on the front is a homage to one of the well-known architects of Nova Scotia. Andrew Cobb designed many of the well-to-do homes in this area using his signature window design. Doesn’t it look like this home was always here? I really appreciate when developers are careful to save the century-old trees on the properties.


Across the street is another new house tucked between two older homes. I wish I could show you these older homes but they are protected from view by garages, fences and privacy landscaping. 


No ride  around Bedford is really complete without a stop by this landmark. The Chickenburger has been here since the early forties. Until a few years ago, it was a family-run business. Luckily, the new owner grew up here and appreciated the ambiance and has maintained the best parts including the jukebox that still plays the oldies. Purple People Eater ring a bell?They have added an ice cream shack at the back called Chicken Little where they get the kids to bring in their report cards on the last day of school for a free ice cream! You can also watch outdoor movies outback and every Tuesday is Antique Car night. I love the glass block design out front and the old tree in the new stone planter. It has been there since I was a child. 


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11 Comments

  1. 1

    Nancy, I loved this! So many beautiful homes there. I think I’m partial to the blue farmhouse and the one with the cedar shakes, but they are all just lovely. It would be fun to see what is in that turret, those windows are gorgeous. I also love it when the homes appear to have always been there.

    So much fun to see homes around the world and get a glimpse of how people create their dream homes. Thank you for taking the time to share these!

  2. 2

    It was hard to choose just a few. 🙂 I too really like the blue and cedar shakes as they really reflect the homes of rural Nova Scotia and of the Bedford I grew up in. I am thankful though that new construction in this area respects the land. We have a few developers on the other side of town who just clear cut the land and I think that is so tragic!

  3. 3

    I love the neighborhood tour that was so fun. I could go totally go for an icecream right now after reading this, but probably not a good idea being 8pm. 🙂
    My favorite is the 2nd home in Blue. It has tons of character and charm.
    Thanks for sharing!

    • 4

      Thanks Nila! That blue one is a real example of the older homes and architecture of Nova Scotia. I really appreciate how the family has used such great colours to enhance this home. Makes me want to see inside.:)

  4. 5

    I really like your home town, Nancy. Established neighborhoods have so much character, don’t they. Enjoy the rest of the summer!

    • 6

      Hi Jennifer! Thanks for your comment. I plan to showcase the other side of town later this fall. Hope your vacation was wonderful and restorative. I am off to a cottage on the Bay of Fundy this weekend, then another cottage next week for two days before heading for Boston for a wedding in the last week of August. Busy time but I am looking forward to being with friends and family. Hugs!

      • 7

        Enjoy the rest of your busy, busy summer with family and friends,, Nancy! I definitely enjoyed my vacation, though it has been unseasonably hot across most of Europe this year, and I’m looking forward to some cooler weather. I brought back a few flea market finds–mostly rustic ceramics–to incorporate into my decor. I have spent the past few weeks working on a “summer challenge”, but so far it’s been an unsuccessful one. However, I’m not one to give up and admit failure, so I’m back to the design stage…I’ll post about it when I’m done…maybe in time for next summer!

  5. 8

    That is some nice drive by. I can’t pick a favorite because I like them all. But I like the food place, so historic with a beautiful side story. I wonder what the food taste like?

    • 9

      Thanks Hanh! So nice to see you back in the neighbourhood. Are you back in Florida? I am currently in Cape Cod having a lovely time…perhaps I’ll take some pictures to share. 🙂

  6. 10

    Thanks for sharing this, Nancy! What a beautiful neighborhood! I love the homes with all the mature trees. We live in a neighborhood where the developers tried to leave the trees when possible. We live on Treetop Lane!

  7. 11

    Nancy,
    Now I know where you live!!!! Many thanks for the wonderful home tour!!!!!!
    How exciting visiting your neighborhood while sitting in my office!!!!
    I can see why you take such pride in presenting us with your community tour!!
    Can hardly wait for more posts!

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