Like many well-used, well-loved cottages across the country, this one – on the shores of Ontario’s Lake Simcoe – suffered from decorative identity crisis, where knotty pine Canadiana clashed with vibrant blue Mediterranean decor. Still, the soon-to-be homeowners loved the dwelling’s location in a sandy cove and knew the size (8,000 square feet) would grow with their four children and, someday, their children’s children.

So they settled the deal with a handshake on the dock and called Style at Home’s Jessica Waks for a design intervention. Her mission? A full cosmetic renovation of the home’s dated surfaces and finishes without knocking down any walls. Inspiration came quickly during Jessica’s first visit: “The cottage’s exterior and its setting in the cove reminded me of Cape Cod,” she recalls, “so we said, ‘Let’s go nautical and make it all about the sea – well, in this case the lake – sand and sky.' "
 
Beachy inspiration
The cottage’s design was inspired by its picturesque beachy setting.
The great room
Walking in, the biggest question was how to place the furniture in this huge, hexagonal great room,” says Style at Home design editor Jessica Waks. She created two separate conversation areas around matching rugs, with a Shaker-style coffee table centred under a custom iron chandelier for the main one. The result is both beautifully symmetrical and relaxed.

To see this space before the makeover, click here.
Beautifully symmetrical
Sheer drapery panels soften the great room’s hard angles, while a careful mix of painted-wood furniture (in both black and white), solid and patterned upholstery and sculptural pieces, like the spool armchairs, keeps the eye moving around the room.
Family room
Jessica chose to leave the family room’s wooden trim and wainscotting exposed to create a rustic look. Woven textures, painted-wood furniture and a pair of patterned swivel chairs keep the space from feeling too heavy.


Seaside aesthetic
The family room is a study in crisp contrasts, from the blue grosgrain trim on the Roman shades to the contrast piping on the wingback chair, which is upholstered in indoor-outdoor fabric for maximum durability. Natural touches like the woven side table and tray play up the seaside aesthetic.
Kitchen design
To keep reno costs down, Jessica kept the kitchen’s existing footprint intact, bringing in beadboard cabinet fronts and honed granite countertops.

Check out the kitchen before the makeover.

Spacious dining room
Open to the adjacent kitchen, the spacious dining room seats 10 to 12 people. Classic Windsor dining chairs allow for elbow room around the 10-foot-long table. The blue and white tablescape lends a summer-fresh feel.
Custom corner hutch
The homeowners kept the custom corner hutch in the kitchen from the previous owners and painted it black to showcase their collection of white dishes.
Powder room
The powder room wows with its blue and black wallpaper design, herringbone marble floors, statement pendant light and decorative trays mounted as art. The stool was an antiques store find.

See the powder room before this makeover.

Outdoor terrace
On the terrace, grey-washed teak furniture blends in with the home’s grey exterior and weathered pavers, while blue and white ikat toss cushions bring the indoor scheme outside for continuity.