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House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

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House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Colourful cottage living room with eclectic gallery wall. Author: Donna Griffith

House Tours

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

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Bright colours, eclectic furniture and treasured collections transform an old cottage into a cozy family retreat.

When it comes to cottages boasting all the modern conveniences and square footage to spare, Toronto-based couple Mandi and Kevin Kimsa have one thing to say: No, thank you. “Our previous cottage in Muskoka was 6,000 square feet and more of a second home,” says Mandi. “We wanted to get away from that with something smaller that offered a more rustic experience for our family.”

The deft balance of past and present is not the only trait all the rooms share. “Colour is very important here,” says Toronto-based designer Stephan Howard of Flik by Design. “A cottage allows us to explore some interesting shades.” The chosen palette exudes vibrancy, from turquoise to yellow to kelly green. Its whimsical Maritime vibe is complemented by what Stephan calls a collected look: new furniture, vintage accessories and family mementoes, all eclectically layered throughout the small cottage retreat.

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House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Living room decor

“When you look at the living room’s gallery wall, it’s very much the Kimsas,” says Stephan. Featuring the kids’ artwork and family photos that were resined or framed, it’s a resolutely personal display. Stephan also added some interesting bird images that are echoed in the collection of owl sculptures and the blue jay toss cushion.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Decor accessories

The deft balance of past and present is not the only trait all the rooms share. "Colour is very important here," says Stephen. "A cottage allows us to explore some interesting shades." The chosen colour palette exudes vibrancy, from turquoise to yellow to kelly green.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

The dining area

In the dining area, wooden beams mimic the original kitchen ceiling. Intentionally mismatched furniture feels like it was collected over time.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Kitchen design

Steeped in history, the wooden kitchen cabinetry and island originates from the outbuilding of the Laura Secord homestead in Ontario’s Niagara region. The island encapsulates designer Stephan Howard’s old-meets-new approach with a front that features an 1880s painted door and a top that’s surfaced with durable Caesarstone.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Retro style

A collection of jadeite dishes sourced by Stephan was the jumping-off point for the kitchen’s mint-hued appliances. “They were custom-made to match the dishes’ signature colour and have a retro look that’s perfect for a cottage,” he says.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Wood cabinet

The free-standing wood kitchen cabinet, a reproduction of an old general store display unit, cozies up the space.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

The rustic master bedroom

Reclaimed wood panels (also from the Laura secord homestead) in the master bedroom provide a rustic backdrop for the beautifully dressed bed.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

A mix of styles

In the master bedroom, Stephan used a mix of styles and a dash of bold colour. The refined sensibility of the zinc-framed mirror and marble-topped dresser are offset by a circa-1900 door he sourced in Eastern Ontario. Clad in its original turquoise paint, which is now wonderfully distressed, it gives a rustic style to the room.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Screened-in porch

On the screened-in porch, a grouping of diverse furniture types, from woven to wooden to upholstered, offers a welcoming comfy vibe.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

A place to relax

Designer Stephan Howard relaxes on the Kimsas’ screened-in porch.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Lake views and morning coffees

"The porch overlooks the lake,” says homeowner Mandi Kimsa. “We have coffee here in the morning, relax after dinner and congregate to play cards and board games throughout the day.”

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

House tour: Bright eclectic cottage

Going green

Stephan likes that the green cottage adds another dimension to the surrounding forest.

Image by: Style at Home By: Christy Wright Source: Donna Griffith

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