Room to grow -- thats what this couple craved after about 15 years of cottaging on Lake Joseph in Ontarios Muskoka region. With two children in their 20s and a whole host of friends on the lake not to mention carloads of weekend guests the Oakville, Ont., pair was ready to stretch the square footage of their summer house.
With the perfect west-facing plot secured, the couple began the two-year process of designing and building the 4,000-square-foot cottage with five bedrooms and five bathrooms. But though they could now comfortably accommodate visitors, the homeowners wanted to ensure the space felt cozy despite its grand proportions.
Enter Port Carling-based designer Christopher Spraggett of The Summerhouse Group, who worked with the couple on their previous cottage as well as their Oakville home. Light and airy were the words that kept coming up, he says. But it was clear that the owners didnt want a stark white cottage.
House tour: Country casual cottageSlideshow House tour: Country casual cottage
Grand cottage
The cottage evokes a grand, traditional vibe but still suits its rustic surroundings.
Living room design
For the living room, designer Christopher Spraggett chose a pale grey paint for the trim to subtly offset the white walls and draw the eye to the height of the ceiling without stealing attention from the furnishings.
Casual dining room
Slipcovered chairs keep the dining room arrangement feeling casual and cottagey, while the custom oversized trestle table adds an air of antiquity.
Pendant lighting
Two copper lantern-style pendant lights add elegance to the casual dining room.
Kitchen design
Substantial millwork adds architectural interest to the kitchen, and reclaimed-hemlock floors lend a sense of warmth and age. Christopher chose a medium grey paint for the island and a solid grey quartzite perimeter countertop as a counterpoint to all the white cabinetry. A striped runner and a pendant light with a zinc finish infuse the space with a subtle nautical flair.
Muskoka room
From the furnishings to the floor covering, the Muskoka room is awash in blue and white. The gas fireplace's stone veneer brings an extra texture, as do details like the table lamps made from antique Nepalese milk jugs.
Firepit
A grouping of Muskoka chairs around the firepit is positioned to take advantage of the sweeping views. "We get to see killer sunsets," says one of the homeowners.
Irresistible land
The homeowners couldn't resist this piece of land near MacTier on Lake Joseph's northern tip (prized for its rugged Group of Seven-esque landscape and sweeping views).
Read more in Homes and Interiors
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