Cottage Makeover: A Classic & Cozy Retreat With A Dream Kitchen

A dark and closed-off cottage on Lake Simcoe gets a major style upgrade by designer Barbara Purdy. See how she completely reimagined the space as a relaxed and refined weekend getaway.

Keeping with a Canadian aesthetic, Barbara painted the walls white and left some of the original wood accents. She opened up the cramped rooms, starting with the entryway, which welcomes with breathtaking views of the water. Once a tiny space at the back, the kitchen is now one of the cottage’s best features, thanks to a barn door, stainless steel countertops, wood cabinets and a black vintage-look storage unit. The living room has access to multiple rooms, so Barbara defined the space with the furniture layout, and placed the TV under the stairs to keep the fireplace open. A sitting area just off the living room offers a cozy spot to read a book on rainy days. The main floor’s finishes are carried upstairs for a cohesive look.