Cottages
May 19, 2020
The Most Picturesque Eastern Townships Getaways
Quebec’s Eastern Townships has a rich history that translates into gorgeous heritage homes. Nestled near mountains and lakes, the area’s natural beauty is a huge draw. Homeowners lucky enough to own a vacation retreat there often play up the inherent architectural distinction, but at the end of the day, it’s all about enjoying what’s on their doorstep. Come take a tour of some of the best Eastern Townships cottages we have featured through the years.
Charming Coach House
Humminghill Farm, a sprawling estate in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, is the latest purchase by designers Richard Ouellette and Maxime Vandal of Les Ensembliers. The 2,000-square-foot coach house is clad in Eastern cedar shakes that will grey over time, and the architecture nods to vernacular farmhouses in the area. The designers’ plan is to renovate and live in the coach house (shown) while the 6,000-square-foot main house is being renovated.
Blond wood warms up concrete floors. The cabinets in the kitchen are white oak with a linen finish developed by Les Ensembliers. “The panels are pushed back,” says Richard. “It feels a bit Japanese and very functional.” The ottoman is upholstered in their velvet La Tortue fabric for Kravet.
In the sitting room, the cube-like white oak cabinet incorporates a fireplace and storage niches, and divides the space from the bedroom.
“I’m obsessive about clean lines and a simple bed,” says Richard. The art over the bed comprises of 56 photographs of a car pulled out of the Seine.
The wall in the principal bathroom is sheathed in a slab of terrazzo, while a neutral grasscloth wallpaper adds texture. A window perfectly frames the country view.
See more of this country retreat on H&H TV.
New England-Style Retreat
Designer Luke Havekes turned his builder-basic home — located near Knowlton, Quebec — into a layered country home boasting warm color and texture.
Luke’s friends or family members would normally visit on the weekends. Guests don’t always want to come to the city, so it’s nice to have a big house in the Eastern Townships for hosting.
The large eat-in kitchen is perfect for hosting casual get-togethers. An artwork depicting rabbits, which leans casually on the counter, strikes a country note.
Originally, the house had a very builder-basic construction (it was built in 1989), with skimpy mouldings, hollow doors and boring millwork. It completely lacked any strong architectural identity. A mix of color and pattern creates the layered look Luke was after in the dining room.
The interiors are inspired by Wes Anderson’s film sets: imagine an atmosphere somewhere between The Royal Tenenbaums and Moonrise Kingdom.
Stunning patterned tile creates a carpet of color and clads the tub in the principal bathroom. A large circular mirror bounces light around the room, making the close quarters feels more expansive.
Quaint Lakeside Cottage
Lysanne Pepin, who owns the Montreal boutique Maison Pepin, wanted a traditional New England aesthetic for her four bedroom, 1,800-square-foot cottage, located on Libby Lake in the Eastern Townships.“The cottages in this area have been kept within families and passed down through the generations. I pictured something New England-style, a quiet place where I could bring my friends and my dog,” says Lysanne.
Thanks to its southern exposure and view of the lake, the terrace is a favorite summer hangout. “If it’s not raining, we’re eating outside,” says Lysanne. “Even if it’s cold, the big cedars protect us from the wind. And if it’s too hot, we roll out the awning.”
Lysanne took every opportunity to replace plain drywall with open-grained wood and simple wainscotting. “The color of the walls and the texture are both important,” she says. “Texture catches light and shows the architectural details.”
“I like big windows, but I didn’t want it to be modern-looking,” she says. “I took out all the walls and changed the positioning of the kitchen to face the lake, and after six years, it was done.” Lysanne opted to display tools and spices on open box shelves, rather than in cupboards. “If it’s collecting dust it doesn’t need to be there.” She also maxed out the dimensions of the oak island. “The island is a hub of activity,” she says. “Whenever there’s a party, everyone’s there!”
Like the rest of the bedrooms in the cottage, the principal bedroom is an exercise in comfortable minimalism.
With the rustic charm of a log cabin in mind, Lysanne outfitted the bathroom with an antique clawfoot tub, farmhouse sink and raw pine walls. The floors are nonslip ceramic tile and the dramatic forest-print wallpaper completes the woodsy vibe. “It makes the room look bigger and adds a feeling of depth,” says Lysanne.
Lysanne’s uncluttered decorating style suits every season. “I can transition from winter to summer just by changing the accessories,” she says. In the mudroom, located at the entrance of the cottage, throws, baskets and pastel-hued accents are favored in the summer, while heavier wools, wooden accessories and fur accents are essentials in the winter.
Nautical-Inspired Sanctuary
When interior designer Alyson Wood cites Ralph Lauren as an inspiration for her sweeping weekend home in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, it makes perfect sense. The 10,000-square-foot lakeside house in Magog beams with Lauren’s iconic looks: a nautical blue-and-white palette to echo his famously preppy polo shirts.
Unadorned oak floors, traditional furnishings and walls with recessed panels speak to Alyson’s love of classic interiors.
The sailboat collection belonging to Alyson’s son, David, takes pride of place in the foyer, playing up the home’s water theme. Used in a bedroom in her old cottage, the relaxed wood dresser now stores her daughter Tamara’s arts and crafts supplies. All of the hardware in the home is warm, old brass, including the carpet rods.
Heavy Spanish cedar pillars and a beadboard ceiling add rich detail to the porch, where a 15-year-old Lloyd Flanders wicker set — nabbed from Alyson’s parents’ house in Florida — strikes a timeless note. Alyson planned to paint it black, but loved the blue so much, she kept it as is.
The kitchen’s exquisite cabinets have the feel of freestanding furniture. The warm cross-cut oak floors pop against the creamy millwork. Alyson chose the eye-catching pendant lights because they were reminiscent of a ship’s antique polished-brass fixtures.
In the principal ensuite, a soft, watery blue marble countertop is an unexpectedly modern detail.
Surrounded by bluestone pavers, the large, elegant pool balances the size of the house and echoes its classical style.
Century-Old Farmhouse
Anne Côté’s country home is an 111-year-old farmhouse set at the foot of Mount Orford, not far from Lake Memphremagog in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. To create the sunbathed, galley-style kitchen, Anne introduced new french doors and stole 18″ from the footprint of the neighboring bathroom.
Anne varied the scale of the dining area’s seating, incorporating a bench on the living room side, so that the space wouldn’t feel closed off. Barn doors made of recycled cedar are a rustic focal point.
The art wall takes center stage in the den, while a Persian rug and studded armchairs add visual interest. Thanks to a pullout sofa and interior French doors, this space easily transforms into an extra bedroom.
White beadboard ceilings contribute to the home’s country feel. In Anne’s bedroom, the bed is tucked into the low eaves and bookended with art, giving the impression of a headboard.
Traditional Country Oasis
Les Ensembliers’ former cottage, built in 1943, came to life with some minor aesthetic tweaks and a bit of decorating. The clapboard Colonial revival was set on 4.5 acres and encircled by sprawling English gardens that made it feel like it was tucked away in the woods, as opposed to just 400 feet from City Hall.
The property also includes a guesthouse for their many visitors, and an inground pool. Frequent guests include geese, ducks and herons from a nearby wildlife reserve, but it was the resident hummingbirds that inspired them to name the property Humminghill Farm (they have since sold the property in favor of a new one).
The meandering branches of the hand-painted trompe-l’œil mural reach from the landing toward the principal bedroom, continuing the garden’s magical, sylvan feeling inside.
The previous owner, an author who wrote three books in the house, had the stovetop specially made to suit her petite stature. Maxime observes the low cooking surface ideal for making meals. Ingredients and pots are easily accessible in the open shelves. The pair had a wooden exhaust cover built to enhance the country aesthetic, and a harvest table finds new purpose as an island.
The outdoor terrace is split into two zones. A more formal dining area feels like an elegant interior space with its curvy chairs and cotton-linen tablecloth. Just beyond is a spot for lounging: its white Adirondack chairs and green ceramic stools feel more casual.
Antique-Filled Summer Escape
A renowned fishing destination, Lake Memphremagog stretches almost 45 km from Magog, Quebec, south to Newport, Vermont. Landscaping featuring undulating lawns and rustic stonework is a soft contrast to the straight lines of this house.
In the living room, a wood-burning fireplace and homeowner Natalie’s collection of antique plates are homey elements. The stone surround and a coffee table topped with distressed wood planks add a rustic touch.
In the living/dining area, timeless antiques are paired with modern pieces. The coffered ceiling and row of French doors with transoms enhance the airy feeling.
A dramatic black four poster bed punctuates the cool tones of the principal bedroom. A picture window with double-hung sections at either side allows for views and fresh air.
Homeowners Louis-Philippe and Natalie decorated their son’s bedroom with many antique finds, including the brass twin beds. Sailboat pillows reflect the holiday home’s nautical location.
Timeless Country Bungalow
Designer Daniel Brisset transformed a 1960s bungalow in the idyllic countryside of Quebec’s Eastern Townships into a made-to-measure haven. Part farmhouse, part stately manor, the home has a timeless design that mixes antiques and classic pieces with a fresh and light approach.
The painted wood table and chairs enhance the lightness of the dining room, while classic gingham seat upholstery lends a casual note. The table expands to seat up to 20 guests.
Daniel raised the ceilings in the farmhouse-style kitchen to a soaring 16′. A large table in the center of the room can seat up to six, or be used as an additional workspace.
Glass-fronted cabinets in the large kitchen keep the space airy. Herbs planted in small bowls make for a charming — and edible — centerpiece.
The simplicity of the bathroom’s painted pine floors in a light sage color offers striking contrast with the luxe marble-topped commode and painting. A table lamp and silver candelabra offer soft, low-level lighting.