Having previously designed a condominium interior for this couple (the Bay Street Condo), Taylor Smyth was retained to create a rural retreat for them near Haliburton.

The new cottage will be perched at the top of a steep slope, overlooking the tranquil lake and a guest Bunkie will be located at the bottom of the slope near a private beach that is scattered with old tree stumps imbedded in the sand.

The cottage is broken up into three distinct volumes, each stepped back from the next to maximize views – an entry wing with two guest rooms that leads to a generous screened in porch; the main volume containing living, dining and kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows enhancing the views out to the lake; and the master bedroom wing that is separated from the rest of the cottage by an interior walkway glazed on both sides.

The exterior of the cottage is clad in dark wood siding that will blend into the heavily treed site. The ceiling inside of Douglas fir planks continues outside under the generous roof overhangs and wraps the walls of the screened porch. Low maintenance flooring of large-scale porcelain tile evokes the look of polished concrete. A wood burning fireplace clad in rubble stone will be a focal point at the end of the main living space, visually anchoring the cottage to the site.

The Bunkie has been designed with the same material palette as the main cottage. Guests will be able to lie in bed with a direct view of the lake. A second sleeping area within a window alcove will double as a generous built-in seating area during the day, a quiet place to nestle into for an afternoon nap or to read a book.

Landscaping will be minimal, preserving the site as much as possible. Over time, as the owners experience the site at different times of year, subtle interventions will be introduced such as limestone steps leading from the cottage to the lake and a seating area close to the water.