They say every spirit wants to soar. So it’s no wonder that when Toronto residents Jerome and Michelle Edelstein first walked into this Muskoka, Ont., cottage two years ago, they were instantly sold. The southwest-facing structure is perched up high on the property and showcases stunning views overlooking the rustic scenery, right from the front door. “As soon as they entered, they saw right through the cottage to these spectacular vistas,” says designer Jennifer Ferreira of Ferreira Design in Toronto, whom the couple enlisted to give the cottage its serene and elegant facelift. “And ‘spectacular’ is really an understatement,” she says.


Cottage living
Large-scale items like the white-framed mirror, hanging lantern and black painted closet doors in the entryway set a grand tone in this gorgeous cottage. The zebra-print cowhide bench is a dark, neutral element that helps ground the light palette.
Spacious dining room
The dining room’s large reclaimed-wood  dining table, which can seat 12, easily accommodates the homeowners’ penchant for entertaining. The comfortable armchairs are slipcovered in easy-to-care-for black canvas. “The white piping brightens them up,” says Jennifer.
Dream kitchen
To modernize the original kitchen, Jennifer incorporated a white subway-tile backsplash, a gooseneck faucet, a hanging lantern and stainless-steel hardware.
Inviting bar
Jennifer spruced up director’s chairs by painting them white and adding backs and seats in white canvas, which can be removed and thrown in the wash if needed.
Table setting
The reclaimed wood dining table imparts texture and depth in the light-coloured space.
A peaceful view
In the screened-in Muskoka room, elements like pin-dot hanging lanterns, tray tables, and toss cushions in a simple Moroccan tile motif offer an aesthetic that pays homage to the Moroccan roots of Michelle’s mother, Nellie.
Restful bedroom
Inspired by the breathtaking lake views and sounds of the property’s meandering creek, Jennifer created a serene, minimal look in the master bedroom. “We took a very Zen approach,” she says. The low, red oak platform bed is set in the middle of the room, facing the view, while a wall of storage keeps clutter in check.
The perfect fireplace
In the living room, the reclaimed-barnboard table, which Jennifer designed with simple, clean lines, offers a rustic contrast to the classic linen-covered sofas. Black-and-white photographs shot by Jerome, who has a passion for photography, are displayed on the fireplace mantel.
A touch of nature
Freshly cut flowers places in a pretty bowl add to the natural vibe of the overall space.
A gathering place
The living room showcases the mix of natural, artful and oversized items. “Because it’s such a large room, we didn’t want to fill every corner,” says Jennifer. “It was really more important to get beautiful, beefier pieces than lots of little things.”