The Birdhouse and The Nest: Relaxing Retreats in Dildo

By Pam Pardy
There’s something about the town of Dildo that captures people’s curiosity. Maybe it’s the name, or the small-town charm that keeps folks coming back. But for Joanne and Josh Norman, the draw goes much deeper.
Just off the main road overlooking Dildo sit two of the town’s most charming short-term stays: The Birdhouse and The Nest, both owned and operated by the Normans, a couple who have been together since they were teenagers.
“We’ve basically grown up together,” Joanne says with a laugh. “We’ve always loved real estate, even when we were kids. We’d go for drives just to look at houses. We didn’t know it then, but we were already dreaming up our future.”
That future now includes two stunning vacation properties that perfectly blend family history, architectural creativity, determination and the kind of Newfoundland hospitality that leaves guests smiling long after they’ve gone home.
The Birdhouse is a striking, multi-level home perched above the water, surrounded by the stillness of nature and spectacular sunsets. It was originally designed and built by Josh’s beloved aunt, Martha McGrath, around 2010. “Aunt Marty,” as she’s affectionately known, was a creative spirit who built the home to suit her independent nature.
“She was that kind of aunt who spoiled all her nieces and nephews. She entertained often … and we all loved the house. It was unique, welcoming, and full of light,” Joanne explains.
Then, one evening at a family dinner, Aunt Marty mentioned she was thinking of selling.
“I looked at her and said, ‘I’ll buy your house,’” Joanne says, smiling at the memory. “She didn’t think I was serious, but I was. My husband wasn’t sure at first, but I knew. I’d always loved her house. I felt like it was meant to stay in the family.”
So in 2022, the Normans made it official, purchasing The Birdhouse and carefully maintaining the warmth and charm that Aunt Marty built into every corner.
The home is a blend of rustic comfort and contemporary style, with two fireplaces, cosy gathering spaces, and, intentionally, no television on the main level.
“That was Aunt Marty’s choice,” Joanne says. “She wanted people to connect, to sit by the fire, talk, and just enjoy being together. We left it that way, and people love it.”
Next door, where the land rolls gently toward the shoreline, stands The Nest, a modern architectural marvel shaped like a triangle that reaches right to the ground. It was the next big adventure for Joanne and Josh, who designed and built it together from scratch.
“The idea started when we realized how much land came with The Birdhouse,” Joanne says. “One day, my husband said, ‘I want to build a triangle house,’ and I just said, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’”
That simple moment set off a two-year journey filled with sketches, design challenges, and more than a few late nights. Joanne, a civil engineer who works at a power plant, took on the design side.
“I hadn’t done structural design since university,” she says. “It took me about a year to get it right. Architects weren’t sure how to approach a full-triangle home, so I worked with a mentor who helped me figure it out.”
Once the plans were done, Josh took over much of the hands-on construction.
“He’s incredible,” Joanne says. “He’s not a full-time carpenter or anything, but his work ethic is unreal. Some things he’d never done before, he’d just say, ‘I’ll figure it out,’ and then he’d do it perfectly. I never tell him this to his face, but he’s amazing.”
The Nest is full of personal touches, from its panoramic windows to its thoughtful use of space. The bathroom walls are lined with lumber milled by Joanne’s father, a special inclusion that means the world to her.
Building The Nest was truly a family affair. The Normans’ two young children, now seven and nine, were part of it every step of the way.
“We’d pack lunches and spend weekends there,” Joanne recalls. “Once it was safe enough, the kids would play inside while we worked. They’ve grown up on construction sites,” she adds with a laugh.
The result of that hard work is a home that feels both grounded and whimsical, part art piece, part relaxing retreat. And it fits perfectly in Dildo, a town that has blossomed in recent years.
“When we started, Dildo was already becoming a popular place,” Joanne says. “The brewery helped, and then Jimmy Kimmel’s coverage definitely brought more attention. But honestly, it was already a beautiful, thriving community.”
The Birdhouse and The Nest attract all kinds of guests: travellers looking for peace and privacy, couples celebrating special occasions, moms’ nights away, and wedding parties preparing for the big day.
For Joanne and Josh, creating these spaces is about more than business.
“We put more effort into those homes than our own,” Joanne admits with a laugh. “We’ve got a broken sink at home that’s been that way for three years. But we always make sure our guests have everything perfect.”
Standing on the land where it all began, the two often reflect on how far they’ve come.
“When Josh first said he wanted to build a triangle, it felt impossible,” Joanne says. “But one thing about us, when we say we’re going to do something, we do it. Seeing it finished, knowing it turned out how we imagined, that’s the best feeling.”
They still visit both homes from time to time, enjoying the views they created and the calm they’ve built. But mostly, they’re content to let others enjoy the magic.
“We love sharing it,” Joanne says simply. “That’s the joy of it, seeing other people find the same peace and beauty that we do.”
And as the sun sets over Dildo Arm, painting the sky in gold and rose, you can almost picture it – Aunt Marty’s smiling down from the Birdhouse porch, proud of what her family has built next door: a legacy that keeps growing, one cosy nest – and satisfied guest – at a time