Cottages
April 11, 2023
Peek Inside 5 Wow-Worthy Canadian Cottages
Every year, House & Home features beautiful Canadian cottages from across the country. From ultramodern beach houses in B.C. to cozy lakehouses in Ontario, these picturesque summer homes effortlessly combine style and comfort. With cottage season just around the corner, we rounded up some of our favorite spaces, straight from the pages of H&H. Scroll down!
1. A Contemporary Cottage On B.C.’s Halfmoon Bay
Patrick Warren and Kevin Kaufman searched high and low for a place to build a cottage that would reflect their free-spirited ethos. From the Gulf Islands to commuter community Bowen Island, nothing felt exactly right…until they found Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast.
After visiting Japan and seeing the ryokans in Kyushu (traditional inns with pared-down amenities like tatami mats and futon beds), the couple was inspired. “We loved the way the dark buildings receded into the shadows of the forest,” says Patrick. “The natural materials created a unity with their environment, a soothing counterpoint that felt very restorative.”
The cottage’s dark wood bathroom looking out to the water was particularly influenced by the Japanese retreat. “Ryokans are minimally embellished and textural,” says Patrick. “People often associate minimalism with stark spaces but, really, it’s about reducing distractions and clutter.” A large window opens up to mimic “forest bathing” in a hot tub.
“The house is designed for natural shading in the hottest seasons, while letting in the sun in the cooler months,” says Patrick. Pebbles break up the patio and nod to the beach beyond. Purchased before the house was built, the fire bowl was part of the inspiration for the overall palette.
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2. A Lake Huron Retreat Inspired By Nature
Peter Welles doesn’t remember if it took an hour or an entire afternoon, but he knows exactly where he was when he hit that childhood rite of passage: catching his first fish. It was a perch, pulled from Lake Huron at the cottage. “My family has been going to this spot for 90 years; it’s part of my DNA,” says Peter.
His new 1,792-square-foot lakehouse on Lake Huron — perched on a peninsula and surrounded by deciduous and fir trees — was inspired by nature. “We used the color of basalt grey from the rocky shore in the granite, fireplace, counters and floors,” says designer Lucy Penfield.
“The lichen and mossy green hues in the kitchen are from the path in the woods, and the robust orange of the tile is taken from pine tree needles,” says Lucy. “The kitchen pendants are like suspended planets.”
“There’s a custom daybed in the great room for afternoon naps and reading to the littles,” says Lucy. It also turns into a twin bed for last-minute visitors.
The dining area flows seamlessly into the screened porch, where a green modular sectional seats a crowd — or Loonie. Beautiful views of the sky, trees and lake are unobstructed.
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3. A Muskoka Boathouse That Epitomizes Lakeside Living
As a longtime cottager, designer Anne Hepfer understands the allure of Ontario’s Muskoka region very well. So when she was asked to rebuild a family’s boathouse after it was damaged by ice, she rose to the challenge, overseeing both the architecture and the interior design. The completely new structure visually relates to the main cottage and feels like it’s always been here.
In the kitchen, Anne designed a symmetrical look with black-outlined cabinets and a panel-ready fridge and pantry that flank a rope-framed mirror. The island houses a wine fridge and beverage center, and the barbecue is steps away. A quintet of pendants offers a playful moment over the island.
Anne chose wire-brushed white oak flooring and painted pine board-and-batten for the walls, which withstands moisture better than drywall or MDF and has a modern, nautical look.
On the lower level, Anne took a page from her own cottage and added a cozy covered seating nook, then installed pocket windows into the bar around the corner so it’s easy to serve a crowd right on the dock. “It’s like an outdoor living room,” says Anne. “You’re protected from the sun and, even if it’s raining, you can still be near the water.”
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4. A Modern Beach House In Prince Edward County
When Belinda Labatte swings open the door to her PEC, Ont., home after a two hour–plus drive from Toronto, she breathes deeply. The mother of two and CEO of a critical minerals company dreamed of having a beach house in the county long before it became the creative mecca it is today. In 2017, she found a peaceful property with a view of the dunes and marsh in the distance. “The view reminded me of lookouts we stopped at when I was a kid hiking with my parents in northern Ontario,” says Belinda.
Designer Jennifer Ferreira dreamed up bespoke pieces including the director’s chairs for the dining room and, for the living room, a waterfall coffee table crafted in whitewashed wood. “This home’s strength is in the subtlety of the natural light and all the open space,” says Jennifer. “For the interiors, I drew inspiration from the natural, organic elements outdoors.”
Square, bubblegum pink tile gives the spa-like principal bathroom a retro feel. “I wanted a home that felt spacious, open and spa-like — that says beach house as soon as you walk in,” says Belinda.
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5. An Eastern Townships Country House Packed With Color & Pattern
It’s not often you know a house is The One without even stepping through the front door. But for artist Ronda Diamond and Richard Cherney, a lawyer, a video tour was all it took to fall head over heels for this Knowlton, Que., charmer — which came impeccably furnished, down to the last detail. “It was just so pretty,” says Ronda. Montreal designer Luke Havekes had bought the hilltop house as an investment, then gutted and decorated it. “It’s in an area that’s more Hamptons than mountains, with pastoral fields, farmland and horses,” says Luke.
The grassy green kitchen — in Farrow & Ball’s Bancha — is perfection. “I like solid wood, colorful kitchens in the country,” says Luke. “A fun shade gives wow factor, and it’s very easy to repaint if you get bored.” Vintage block-printed wallpaper on the ceiling has a swaddling effect, making the space especially inviting.
The curated mix gives the impression the house has slowly evolved over time. Invigorating color, vintage wallpaper, and patterned fabrics and rugs infuse the rooms with personality.
The largest guest bedroom has a well-travelled, bohemian vibe. “I was more into modern, contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright architecture,” says Rhonda. “But this architecture is interesting. I’ve lived in varied homes, from ranches to cottages, but I’ve never lived like a kid in a tree house. It feels like home.”
Get the full tour here.