Red and white on Lake Muskoka

Happy Canada Day! A recent summer cruise onboard the R.M.S. Segwun, docked in Gravenhurst, made me see white and red, and broadened my horizons in more than one way.

 

As we steamed our way between rocky, pine-clad shores, it was the boathouse scene, more than the oversized lakefront mansions that caught my attention.

 

Compact, comfy and with prime locations, boathouses truly encapsulate the very best of summer living. 

 

Here are a few shots from my excursion. I can highly recommend it!

 

 

Design destination Port Carling

Muskoka Living Interiors in Port Carling is a mecca

when it comes to cottage style and modern rustic.

The next few photos are from the store.

Port Carling is fairly close, and definitely an attractive summer destination, not the least for its fantastic design stores.

I recently spent a hot, intense day in the area, taking in all the splendor of Muskoka cottage country - and the design style that goes with it.

Here are some shots from my trip.



Slipcovered chairs and white-painted

furniture rule. The style is relaxed, fresh

and summery. I like the fabric on this chair.



Here it is again on a pillow.



Inside the store - every inch is used to display

products. 

The store's impressive selection of rugs. Flatweave and

natural fibre dominate.

Driftwood is definitely part of the cottage style.

Here's a driftwood-framed mirror.




I've said it before: put it in a nice frame and anything can be art!

I'll try this with a vintage bathing suit that belonged to my grandmother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maps and sea charts make for interesting artwork.

Next stop in Port Carling: Peaks and Rafters - also well
worth a visit. The store has a nice mix of glamour and
rustic, lots of really nice art, and very unique light fixtures.

Muskoka Cottage Emporium is another Port Carling
design store. I especially liked the area downstairs.

Who can resist a barn full of antiques? This one

is on the way to Port Carling from Bracebridge,

on Regional Road 118 W.

Design hunt in Huntsville

Fortunately, I didn't see any real bears on my day trip to Huntsville last week. But I did see a lot of really neat design. Home decor and furniture stores lie practically shoulder to shoulder on Main Street in this cute little Muskoka town. So park your car and explore for a few hours! Maybe you'll come to the same conclusion as I did during my visit; that "cottage style" in reality is a very broad design concept. It can include rustic and primitive elements, French country-inspired pieces, breezy coastal vibes and modern, rough-hewn lines. The laid-back attitude and charming presentation are what set this style apart. See some of my favourites from the trip:

A bright red cupboard will

get you in the right, cottagy

mood. Put some light blue 

objects inside, and you'll have

a vibrant, attention-grabbing

piece. Veranda, Huntsville.

Here's an example of beachy, coastal

cottage style, with a stunning, silver-

coloured mirror and blue-and-white

striped upholstery. Summer fresh and 

gorgeous! Veranda.

Continuing the maritime theme...

A Steven and Chris  boat decoration

at Veranda.

Fun dresser/sideboard with lots of style. Veranda.

Interesting shape on this wooden table

base with glass top. Veranda.

Hides are definitely in! We mostly see them as

irregularly-shaped area rugs. Here, at Veranda,

as ottomans.

A beautiful, old church off Main Street 

in Huntsville is now home to the store

and design firm Urban Rustic Living. As 

the name suggests, rustic with an urban

spin is the name of the game here. 

Eye-catching antler chandelier. Urban Rustic Living.

Stunning chandelier with wooden

beads. Different! Urban Rustic Living.

Saturday Afternoons is a relatively new home store 

on Main Street in Huntsville, filled with elegant, light 

and breezy pieces. The beauty of these boat paintings 

is in their simplicity. 

I like the curved shapes of this antique chandelier

from Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve Ltd.'s 

store.

Can it get more natural than this?

Timber side table; my design magazines 

are full of them. Haliburton Forest & Wild 

Life Reserve Ltd.'s store.