Text by Elizabeth Czapski
On the sparkling shores of the Georgian Bay in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, the views from this vacation home were as stunning as ever, but the family of five with three teenage sons was starting to outgrow it. Rather than move on to something new, they teamed up with Aspen & Ivy Interiors to find an imaginative way to work with what they had, expanding the livable space while modernizing the look using the setting as their muse. “Their location was spectacular,” says Catherine Staples, principal designer at Aspen & Ivy. “They can dock their boat out front. Waterfront is a premium and hard to get, so they decided to stay and renovate.”
Working with strict community limitations on exterior changes, the team borrowed the bonus space they wanted on the second floor from the attic, adding a bedroom, a bathroom, and a loft that functions as a playroom and office. “It provided more private space for each child as they are maturing, as well as for the husband, who works from home and needed a quiet retreat,” Catherine says.
They also prioritized incorporating windows to maximize water vistas throughout the home. “There were no windows facing the lakeside on the upper level of the house. It was a shame not to capture the breathtaking views. Opening up the attic space allowed the option to place large windows in both [existing] bedrooms,” Catherine says, noting that this was a primary objective up front in the new designs.
While grand floor-to-ceiling windows already graced the main level, the team made them a stronger focal point by removing heavy draperies, offering the outdoor surroundings their own simplified spotlight. Updates to the sprawling living space that opens up to the dining area and kitchen concentrated on instilling a clean yet relaxed contemporary look against a foundation of upscale-rustic architectural features that reflect the lakeside locale and impart a cozy cottage feel that balances some of the more elaborate structural elements and sleek polished nickel light fixtures.
The home is awash in crisp whites, warm neutrals, and notes of deep blue, as well as organic, coastal-inspired accessories and textural fabrics that add interest and echo waterfront views. “The color palette was inspired by the artwork in the great room next to the fireplace of the sea turtle with the blues, which the clients fell in love with during one of our initial meetings,” Catherine says. “It was a new purchase that felt personal to them.”
Beyond the hues of the sea turtle depiction, blue is used sparingly on the main floor—incorporated as a bold accent color on features like the kitchen island—while soft neutrals bring serenity to the great room and primary bedroom. Upstairs, the cerulean shade provides depth and subtle nautical style to the boys’ bedrooms and the loft.
Overall, Catherine says her vision was “coastal modern” with a comfortable family feel. “This residence needed to feel welcoming for all four seasons—summer fresh and winter cozy,” she says, as the family visits year-round for both water recreation and alpine skiing. “The opportunity to expand the living space in hidden attic space was a bonus.”
