HOMES TASTEFUL TWIST
A Muskoka, Ont., new- build cottage pays homage to nature and tradition with a twist
Tucked along the southern shores of Ontario’s Lake Rosseau, this new-build cottage pays homage to nature and tradition with a twist.
The design inspiration for this cottage far exceeded the usual mood board. Forget paint chips and fabric swatches – it was all about dirt paths strewn with pine needles, arrestingly blue lake water and rugged outcrops of pink-veined igneous rock.
“The whole catalyst for this project was nature and its awesomeness,” says designer Cory DeFrancisco, principal of Muskoka Living Interiors. “It grew organically. I visited the property, sat on the amazing lot and just stared at it. I knew right away that the cottage had to be integrated into the rocks. It was dictated by the land.”
Cory drew up plans for a 7,500-squarefoot cottage that would respect the mature two-acre waterfront setting. “The property has its own island and, at some points, the cottage would be only 35 feet from the water,” he says. “It was critical that it fit seamlessly within the landscape.”
The structure also had to merge with Cory’s aesthetic vision. “I wanted a contemporary take on traditional coastal living,” he says, adding that his aim was to stay true to the macro features of traditional waterside architecture but to also include a modern spin in the micro elements.
Cory designed the cottage’s doublegabled facade – a macro element – to speak to tradition, while the windows – a micro element – are fresh and current, thanks to both their scale and the sheer number of them. He finished the structure with copper eavestroughs and downspouts, painted cedar siding and cedar shake shingles for a meticulously crafted exterior that feels natural and inviting.
It was important to continue that energy inside. “The interior is highly detailed,” says the designer. “The white oak floors were installed raw and then
hand-finished. There are antiques imported from Europe and original artwork from Los Angeles.” Yet it’s the kind of space you want to walk around in barefoot. The open plan of the first floor has a make-yourselfat-home feel that’s furthered by casual features like slipcovered furniture and sliding barn doors.
The mostly white interior gets contemporary contrast from dark elements. Black pendant lights run along the width of the first floor and, in the kitchen, deep brown paint punctuates the upper cabinetry and island base. Perhaps the most graphic use of dark tones is in the windows. “Their black hue, meant to mimic the modern look of steel, literally frames the view of the lake and trees, almost bringing them into the room,” says Cory. The effect is only fitting, given that nature planted the seed for this spectacular cottage.