Designed for plenty of together time, this cottage is all about family and lake life.
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TEXT BETHANY LYTTLE | PHOTOGRAPHY LARRY ARNAL
Designed for together time, this cottage is all about family life.
With its double-storey granite fireplace, floor-toceiling windows and swish furnishings, this 4,500-square-foot cottage on Ontario’s Lake Muskoka may appear to be all about style – but don’t be fooled. “This was a function-forward design,” says designer Michelle Berwick. The clients have four grown children, each with kids of their own, and when the cottage was purchased about two years ago, the idea was that everyone could be here at once. “That’s 19 people,” says Michelle. “So we created multiple zones for both mingling and alone time.” This included two family rooms, various outdoor gathering spots and several dining options, including an island with lake views and a breakfast area cantilevered amid the trees. “With such large windows, the lake is the focal point, and we didn’t want to detract from that,” says the designer. The look is crisp and clean, softened with touches of muted colour. “This is a cottage that’s as stylish as it is welcoming, which is exactly how I’d describe these clients.”
“THERE ARE SEATING AREAS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DOUBLE-FACED FIREPLACE. ONE FEATURES COOL GREYS; THE OTHER IS IN BEIGES AND MUTED PINKS. BOTH COLOUR SCHEMES WERE DERIVED FROM THE HEARTH’S GRANITE.”
“THE WINDOWS FRAME THE LAKE. WE WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THAT, SO WE CHOSE TO GO WITHOUT DRAPES. TO PERSONALIZE THE VERTICAL SPACES, WE HUNG ART UP HIGH.”