LAKEHOUSE

Location: Muskoka, Ontario, Canada

There are so many relatable elements to consider when building and furnishing a house with purpose. In this case, that purpose was family togetherness and holiday respite in one of the most picturesque regions in Canada. Lindsay and Laura took the assignment to heart, and came up with a design vision that had a strong sense of place. Now, for this family, the end of every long journey north is a homecoming. In late August, with a morning fire crackling in the hearth and wild blueberry pancakes on the griddle, it’s hard to imagine a return to the grind. Fabrics reflecting colours and textures of all four seasons form a solid foundation here.  Fall’s russet tones and deep moss greens warm up a bedroom tucked under the eaves evoking cozy blanket-bundled bedtime reads. In the principal bedroom and ensuite, springtime melting-ice blues mingle with soft raincloud grey and warm sandstone hues.

The kitchen’s lake-blue cabinets give soulful support to a long table layered in front, setting the stage for lazy summer suppers and holiday feasts. Under beamed and vaulted living room ceilings, sofas of depth and down await. Blankets at arm’s reach and baskets filled with kindling and wood promise a warm welcome after a winter wander through quiet woodland paths. The true meaning of home is how you feel when you’re there. It’s that relationship, perhaps more than any we experience outside of our friends and family, that offers the greatest opportunity for peace and wellness. This new home, built on all those old ideas is here to stay, and so is the happy family within. Muskoka mission accomplished. 

Project Creative Community: Lindsay Mens Craig, Laura Fremont