20 Summer Cottages With Major Style

It's All About The Decor

“When you look at the living room’s gallery wall, it’s very much the Kimsas,” says designer Stephan Howard. 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.

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Wonder Wall

Huge modern windows inspire awe from the shoreline and delight in the great room. “You cannot walk through the cottage without looking up at the beamed ceiling, and saying, ‘Wow!’” says designer Alison Knapp.

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Get Inspired

The cottage is a place to have fun with your decor. This Kawartha spot uses sardine wallpaper in one of the bedrooms to play off the nearby lake.

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GOING GREEN

“People often struggle with the idea of using colour when a home has wood walls and ceilings, but why does the palette have to blend with the wood?” asks designer Cynthia Ferguson. “It can tie to whatever’s happening just outside the windows!” In this case, that means the moody waters of Ontario’s Georgian Bay and its rugged companion, the forest.

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It's All About Materials

The stone fireplace in the dining room is original to the space. The mantel was made from an oversized beam with corbels and trim added to provide some architectural interest.

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Jump In!

Why build a boathouse if you can’t leap off it? The sounds of happy splashing are heard all summer long from homeowner and architect Dee Dee Taylor Eustace’s family cottage on Stoney Lake in Peterborough, Ont.

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Let the light in

The kitchen’s white lacquered kitchen cabinetry is punctuated with prominent frosted-glass-and-nickel hardware, which evokes the look of sea glass. A glass-panelled door leads to a sandstone-covered terrace. “We felt the sandstone complemented the weathered hardwood floors on the inside,” says architect Diana Carl.

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No lake? No problem!

Sleek loungers, ideal for sun worshippers, and expansive coral umbrellas lend the poolside patio a five-star resort vibe.

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Indoor/Outdoor Living

The sliding doors of the enclosed porch can be whisked open for alfresco meals where plenty of comfy seating beckons – the family eats most of their meals outdoors in the summertime.

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Fabulous finds

This cottage owner's parents brought her back this vintage Suzani from Turkey. They searched every souk in Istanbul for it! Natural materials like leather, cane, wood, hide and seagrass add texture and warmth to the all-white space. The cottage's soul comes from mixing in well-travelled pieces.

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Restful bedroom

Inspired by the breathtaking lake views and sounds of the property’s meandering creek, designer Jennifer Ferreira 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.

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Statement Making

Designer Lidia van Zyl played the natural tones of wood and stone against sleek black accents to create character in the living room. The tall armoire holds things like games, books and blankets, while the bare floor, a practical option, is easy to clean. A trio of metal sculptures above the reclaimed wood mantel is a departure from the expected mirror or artwork. 

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Family Values

Of course, the kitchen includes hallmarks of the family’s history: Above the range is former Style at Home editor Erin’s dad’s collection of vases, on the wall are vintage foodie prints that belonged to her stepmother (a former cook) and up high is a tiny stained-glass window installed by Erin’s grandfather (which can be opened using a quirky pulley system Erin kept in place).

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Grand Deck

The exterior is clad in cedar shingles with a warm grey wash to make them look weathered. Clear cedar on the primary bedroom deck resembles the interior oak floors and offers a seamless transition from indoors to out.

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Eclectic Paradise

A mishmash of sea-themed pieces collected over the years pop against the white walls and furniture. “We painted the living room walls first because we wanted to get the art up as soon as possible to push us to get decorating. All the art was hung while the rest of the space was still a work zone,” says homeowner Kevin Austin.

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Modern luxury

Lofty Ideas

The casual loft-style den at the top of the stairs offers a million-dollar view of Ontario’s Lake Rosseau. With an all-white room, builder and designer Cory DeFrancisco chose to keep the furnishings symmetrical and simple, with a pair of slipper chairs adding the only note of bold pattern to the room.

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A Boat Lover's Dream

The large dock alongside the boathouse boasts a sitting area for two and a rustic dining spot. Colourful containers mark the corners of the dock for a pleasing look.

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Family Retreat

The white beadboard-clad walls and peaked ceiling create an airy effect in the living room. A pair of striped sofas (one is a pullout) imbues the space with a nautical feel, as does the stunning view of the lake. A glass-lined balcony with a lockable gate serves as a diving platform for daring swimmers.

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Open Space