Dan Hall had long known about his friend’s lot on Lake Joseph in Ontario’s Muskoka region. “For 20 years, I knew about his dream to build a big cottage here,” says Dan. So, when the time came, he was ready to help. Now complete, Tim and Stephanie Quinn’s cottage is one part modern, with a black metal roof and windows, and one part Muskoka, with accents in wood and stone. What makes it timeless are the views. Fittingly, designer Alison Knapp let nature be her guide in the interiors, combining neutral textures with earth tones drawn from the land – birchbark whites, rust, oxidized iron, copper and greens. The low-key palette suits the architecture, with its soaring ceilings and exposed beams. “But what stands out most is the wide open sense of ease the space imparts,” says Alison. This frees the eye and mind to revel in what’s most important: the view.

WONDER WALL

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

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. A 60-inch chandelier adds even more drama above a circle of comfy seating covered in textured neutrals and practical outdoor fabric. Says Alison: “We have lots of nubbly fabrics in oatmeal tones, a knotted wool rug, and a coffee table with lots of knots and grain.”

WILD LIFE

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

A massive bear painting hangs beside the fireplace. A matching moose canvas hangs opposite it (not shown). The stone fireplace features a vertical centre slab of porcelain tile. “The colour tones resemble oxidized iron and slate, a great complement to the wood elements in the cottage,” says Alison.

BUILDER, Caruk-Hall. DESIGN, Alison Knapp Interior Design. CUSTOM BEAMS, Alison Knapp Interior Design, Caruk-Hall and Innofab. windows, Ridley Windows & Doors. FIREPIT AREA, Muskoka Landscapers. FLOORING, Origins Oak in Carissa, WUD Flooring. Wright CHANDELIER, RH. ARmCHAIRS, Ava SCALLOPED END TABLE, Noir’s Zurich CONSOLE (behind sofa), Shelter SOFA, leather ARMCHAIR, oak framed Modern WING CHAIR, Noir’s Hiro PULL-UP TABLE, Cocoon Furnishings. Slipcovered C1297-01SW SWIVEL CHAIRS (by windows), Lee Industries. Custom COFFEE TABLE, Alison Knapp Interior Design, with Aspen Architectural Millwork. Radium Dekton FIREPLACE TILE, Silestone. Quest TABLE LAMP, Currey and Company. Avenue SIDE TABLE (between swivel chairs), Crate and Barrel. Bear art by Paul Garbett, Red Canoe Gallery.

MODERN MUSKOKA

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

The kitchen is a contemporary take on the Muskoka cottage tradition of using natural materials. The walls are adorned with aged stone, and the metal-seamed range hood is a textured porcelain that resembles oxidized iron. Streamlined metal uppers hang above traditional wooden lower cabinetry. “We used oak to line the open display cubbies to match the oak floors,” says Alison.

“The kitchen is comprised of a myriad of materials – stone, metal, porcelain and wood. Their textures and tones are modern and natural.” — Alison Knapp

COUNTER STORY

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

“The island isn’t huge, but we wanted it to work for as many people as possible,” says Alison. “So in addition to the counter stools with backs, which are designed for a long-time sit, we added a couple of tuck-in swivel stools for anyone who wants to pop in for a chat.” A handsome slab of walnut is integrated into the top of the island. “This can double as a charcuterie board or be set with a host of hors d’oeuvres.” The glass pendants were chosen for their watery, hand-blown appearance.

TREETOP DINING

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

On warm summer nights when friends are over, the long oak table comes alive with laughter and chatter. The chairs have simple lines, and the chandelier is almost edgy. “One of our design goals was to include a few contemporary and unexpected items,” says Alison. As with the rest of the cottage, textured fabric was selected for the upholstery. “It’s stain resistant, so even if there are food spills, it’s very forgiving.”

MILLWORK, metal UPPER CABINETRY, Fume LOWER CABINETRY, Stutt Kitchens. Radium Silestone TILE (range hood), Dekton. Interstone Marble & Granite’s Kashmir Cream granite COUNTERTOPS, York Fabrica. Erth Coverings’ Caribou Rockface STONE WALL (behind sink), Hamilton Builders Supply. Palacek’s Fritz STOOLS (with backs); Vanguard Furniture’s Axis II DINING TABLE; Scoville DINING CHAIRS; Cocoon Furnishings. Sayer STOOLS, Peralta PENDANT (over table), RH. Troy’s Silver Lake PENDANTS (over island), Hudson Valley’s Ivy SCONCE (over sink), Robinson Lighting & Bath. Linen VASES (in nook over fridge); Liam and Theo CANDLE HOLDERS (on table); Elte. Riki BOWL (on island), Crate and Barrel.

QUIET ZONE

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

When the day is done, the homeowners settle into a lakefront bedroom. “This room is meant to be a quiet retreat,” says Alison. The minimalist custom headboard warms the room even as it integrates shelving, sconce lighting, and storage for phone or tech. A curvaceous chandelier dresses up the lofty beamed ceiling. When it’s time to sleep, there’s no need to get up – the nubby linen-style drapes are motorized. The room also has a secret: the mattress is hinged to store off-season bedding.

Custom WOOD WALL, Alison Knapp Interior Design; custom stain, Caruk-Hall. Custom HEADBOARD, FRAME, SHAMS, Alison Knapp Interior Design. Sonneman’s Light Guide Ring CHANDELIER, Robinson Lighting & Bath. Ligon BENCH and reupholstery, Universal Furniture. FABRIC (on bench), Fabricut’s Marcoto Fog, Designers Gallery. Harbour COVERLET, SHAMS, Elte. Kravet’s Philae DRAPERY PANELS, Custom Home Decor.

UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

The bunk beds were built by the client’s father, so they’re super sentimental. There are two sets (only one is shown). The bottom bunks are queen size; the tops are twins. When nieces and nephews sleep over, this is their happy place.

Seagrove Key RUG, Shaw Flooring.

ROOM TO BREATHE

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

With 180 degrees of windows, the primary bathroom is a destination. “We wanted to maximize the view and all this natural light, so we suspended a mirror from the ceiling,” says Alison. A stream-lined double-trough sink runs across a slim vanity. The area around the soaker tub is accented with a pebbly tile that’s like river rocks.

Fleurco’s Voce SOAKER TUB; Wetstyle TROUGH SINK; Watermarks Boutique. Custom MIRROR, VANITY, Alison Knapp Interior Design. Sonneman’s Liquid PENDANT, Robinson Lighting & Bath.

INSIDE OUT

 

Photography, Alex Lukey

Motorized retractable screens keep buzzing pests and nipping mosquitoes from joining the party in the Muskoka room (top right), which is the ultimate indoor-out room. “It’s definitely the kick-back spot for the clients and their friends,” says builder Dan Hall. Kids in wet bathing suits are welcome thanks to outdoor fabric on the seating and a carefree sisal rug. Fresh salads and yummy sandwiches can be carried from the nearby kitchen for lunch on the patio, followed by lazy afternoons on the crescent-shaped daybed. For chilly days, there are plenty of throws and faux fur pillows.

Belvedere Luxe Collection SOFA, SWIVEL LOUNGE CHAIR, COCKTAIL TABLE; St. Marten curved DAYBED; Capri OUTDOOR TABLE; RH. Oxford CHAIRS, Hauser. Union concrete END TABLE, Sunpan.