Summer Lake House in Muskoka, Canada by Ashley Botten Design

12 Sep 2024

Ashley Botten Design brings muted tones and tailored comfort to a Muskoka Cottage

Many of the cottage’s original features, such as the grand flagstone hearth—iconic to the Muskoka region—have remained intact. Photo credit: Patrick Biller

High fashion is a constant source of inspiration for ABD, so it is always a pleasure for the studio to work with clients who share a similar reverence for fine tailoring. When invited to renovate a family lake house in Muskoka, Ontario, the desire was for a thoughtful blending of elegance with the casual ease of spending summers near the water.

While the exterior bones of the six-bedroom cottage have remained intact, interior structural walls were removed to enhance spatial flow and carve out quieter areas. Core features, such as the sash windows and majestic flagstone hearth—a Muskoka region hallmark remained untouched. Abd focussed on infusing the communal areas and private spaces with a personalized expression, which required custom-designed furniture from room to room.

Whether in fashion or interior design, tailoring is about precious detailing and working with quality materials and makers. It also involves understanding how a room is used and navigated. Upon entering the front door, one of the first things the eye connects with is the curved sofa, strategically placed to take in the stunning lake view. Splendidly comfortable for seating up to six, the couch is also rich in micro-detailing, particularly how the fabric is railroaded to wrap the back seamlessly. The effect is subtle, but visually powerful, with the eye naturally drawn to follow its 16-foot contour without seam lines disrupting the flow.

A curved bench in white oak was also crafted to hug the sofa, transforming unusable space into a functional area – a spot for a small sculpture or a seat to take off your shoes. On the floor is a sculpted carpet with three-dimensional patterns, thoughtfully placed within the furniture layout. Blush shadows highlight specific areas, such as where the leg of a chair meets the floor, creating moments of quiet luxury.

A dynamic mix of two types of timber gives the ground level a sense of boldness, with wide-plank Douglas fir on the floor and straight-grained larch encasing the half-turn stairs leading to a catwalk hallway. The golden-brown larch is repeated on the kitchen cabinetry, where it is paired with slabs of honed charcoal bedrock on the countertops, backsplash, and range hood. This rich palette is further enhanced with an open aluminium shelf for stacking dishware. An island kitchen, also in aluminium, is surrounded by nubuck leather counter stools.

The primary bedroom and ensuite embrace a more subdued mood, with walls painted in a textured sea salt hue, and woven linen window coverings diffusing dappled light. The bed frame is tightly upholstered in wool suiting, with a millwork piece set away from the wall to allow for an alternate passageway to the ensuite bathroom.

At every turn, and has paid close attention to sensory experiences that enhance the sweet comforts of living easily. In the ensuite, the studio devised an extended metal towel rack with a resting tray for burning incense. Privacy is also considered, with glass pocket doors in the bar lounge to buffer television noise, and an upholstered pod area near the living room that is ideal for children to hang out.

With its ageless style and meticulous attention to refinement, this family retreat is destined to grow more layered through use and memories, evolving into a beloved home for generations to come.