Cottages
February 9, 2024
Ali Budd Shakes Up Cottagecore With A City-Slick Look In This Lakehouse
Every home needs a good dose of pattern, according to designer Ali Budd. Her lakehouse project in Ontario’s Algonquin Highlands illustrates this sentiment — without it feeling overwhelming. “The key to designing with pattern is looking at how everything works together, playing with scale and choosing your moments,” says Ali. It also helps to have a client who trusts you implicitly; even better if she’s the mother-in-law of your childhood friend. “I’ve known Ali for years and she’s been to my original cottage many times,” says Ruby Silvertown, a luxury travel concierge who tapped Ali to design her new lakehouse, the second property in the compound. “She’d reorganize things when she was there, and I always liked what she did. She gets me and I get her; I figured it would be easy — and it was.”
The ask was simple: create a good-looking and highly functional annex for Ruby’s three kids and four grandkids, who are regular visitors. The reality, however, was more challenging. The wait-list for construction work in Ruby’s area was long, and her turn finally came up three years later… just as the pandemic hit. But Ali rolled up her sleeves and took it all in stride. Contractor Jeff Lovegrove was brought in to help with the plans and building work, and they were off. “We took a holistic approach that allowed for quick decisions, so we could place all the orders at once,” says Ali. Luckily, her client was very decisive. “Sometimes, Ruby even said, ‘I don’t get it, but I trust you.’”
Overall, the design is a master class in layering in lakeside flavor without veering into kitsch. “Just because you’re doing a cottage, it doesn’t mean you need loads of plaid and ducks everywhere,” says Ali with a laugh.
Scroll down to see inside this newly built lakehouse!
In contrast to the original cottage, which is more rustic, Ruby wanted a modern vibe for the six-bedroom, five-bath lakehouse. “Ali has a certain look, so I knew what I was getting, but I still wanted it to say ‘cottage,’” says Ruby. “I think where we landed is Forest Hill meets Muskoka.” Ali agrees, adding that they worked hard to give each room its own personality. In the lofty great room, a double-height plaster chimney breast with a porcelain fireplace surround matches the scale of the oversized black-mullioned windows.
The showstopping kitchen certainly fits that brief, with its heavily veined Calacatta Viola marble and mix of dark and light cabinets. Floating above the island is a chandelier that resembles branches — a nod to the woodland setting.
Open to the kitchen and great room, the dining area is quietly elegant with a subtle palette and organic textures. Ali chose the light fixtures because they “felt country, but in a whimsical way.”
The lower-level family room is designed for relaxation, with a cozy wood-beamed ceiling and a cool suspended daybed. “I love the play of different textures and materials, then adding a bit of color,” says Ali, who will be hosting a design series on HGTV Canada later this year. “And adding interest to the ceilings is a great way to infuse character.”
Before this project, Ruby didn’t consider herself “a wallpaper person.” But, true to her word, she trusted Ali. Christian Lacroix’s Prête-Moi Ta Plume wallpaper — now adorning the walls of her powder room — is a favorite moment. “I love all the pattern in this house,” says Ruby. “It’s not in your face; it’s just a lovely, soothing blend.”
Positioned on the crest of a hill, the lakehouse gets the best sunsets Ruby has seen anywhere in the world — high praise from a woman who’s travelled the globe many times over. “Walking in, I get a feeling of awe,” she says. “It’s light, bright and fresh, which gives me a beautiful sense of peacefulness.” Her bedroom is designed to be “serene, but with a pop,” says Ali.
The principal ensuite is Ruby’s sanctuary. It’s packed with sophisticated elements, from the panelling details to the modern hardware on the vanity.
The fireplace in Ruby’s bedroom features striking Statuarietto and red Calacatta Viola marble.
The beautiful tile in this bathroom is complemented by touches of brass in the vanity pull, faucet and sconce.
Layers of black and white create a cozy, collected vibe in this guest bedroom. The canopy bed frame is hand-wrapped with finely woven rope.
A vivid terrazzo tile on the floor and matching slab on the vanity are the stars of this guest bathroom. A half-moon sconce adds modern edge.
Designed to sleep five, the bunk room features a cheeky nod to cottagecore with plaid wallpaper on the ceiling.
Valerie Wilcox
Ali Budd