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

The new cottage is perched at the top of a steep slope, overlooking the tranquil lake and 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 bedrooms that leads to a generous screened in porch; the main volume containing living, dining and kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows that open up the interior to 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 blends 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 is the focal point at the end of the main living space, visually anchoring the cottage to the site.  

Landscaping is minimal, preserving the site as much as possible. Subtle interventions have been introduced such as limestone steps leading from the cottage down to the lake and a seating area close to the water.