Cayman Marshall North - Fall 2021 by Preferred Publishing

A Muskoka Classic Reinvented THE NEW SUSTAINABLE MAKING HOMES GREEN IN THE GREAT WHITE NORTH

Hosting for the

Holidays at the Lakehouse

FALL 2021

$7.99 U.S. & $9.99 Canada

Cover Photo: Design by Cassis Design Studio New Listing on Page 100

Muskoka | Toronto | GTA

of the

Year 2019

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ASTRONOMIA SOLAR JEWELLERY PLANETS ZODIAC

A NOTE FROM THE EDITORS As the world searches to understand what our new “normal” looks like—for many of us, life as we knew it has changed forever.

A huge heartfelt thank you goes to my entire editorial team for yet another beautiful issue of this magazine.

As we all attempt to navigate this new version of our world, we are constantly asking ourselves the question; “What’s Next?”

Kallan and the team have got some great reading in store for you including advice on entertaining for the holidays, some HGTV experts dish on some new fall premieres, as well as a piece by TV personality Kortney Wilson on navigating the past two years while filming “Making it Home” with her newest co-host.

What’s next for our jobs, our travel plans, our children’s education and future and even what’s next for Canadian politics!

Todd Adair*

Read ahead to my editorial entitled just that - “What’s Next” to see my thoughts on these and other questions we are all asking ourselves.

Take that latte to the nearest wood burning fire and enjoy browsing our always stunning Muskoka listings and rentals and enjoy what’s left of this extended Canadian summer we are being blessed with.

And just like that, another summer season has come to a close, and there’s a crisp new aroma in the breeze. That can only mean one thing: autumn is here!

Ooch – along with page after page of beautiful listings.

President Sales Representative

And what a beautiful season it is in Muskoka. The woods seem to glow this time of year. Hiking through a Muskoka forest trail, pausing to drink in the vibrant colours against the majestic backdrop of the unique Canadian Shield, is one of the must-do experiences of fall.

Kallan Koch

Our Fall 2021 issue is stacked with great reads, from learning about sustainable choices for your cottage build, to the beautiful accessibility upgrades at Camp

In this issue, we also share the expertise of Cayman Marshall's rental coordinator. Claudia provides us with some inspiration for hosting family and friends at the lake house for the holidays. Cassis Design Studio's lead designer offers informative insights into the most popular design styles in Muskoka. It all makes a good read as you cozy up by your first fire of autumn. But don’t feel the pleasures of summer are altogether done yet. Here’s hoping you can squeeze in at least one more boat ride – to savour the reflection of changing leaves off the lake.

Chief Editor

6 FALL 2021 ■

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**

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CAYMAN MARSHALL

THE COLLECTION

FALL 2021 EDITORS Todd Adair* Kallan Koch Lauren Lowe ART DIRECTOR Kelsey Kennerell GRAPHIC DESIGNER Cathryn Haynes PHOTOGRAPHERS Andre Carriere Peter Esteves Kallan Koch Micheal Muraz Mark Wilson ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Kallan Koch CONTRIBUTORS Todd Adair* Martha Uniacke Breen Brooke Madden Erin O'Reilly Meredith Parsons DC Rutherford Leslie C. Smith Claudia Spahr-Kaye Charlie Vanderpol* Tim Winegard Published in Canada FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES PLEASE EMAIL info@caymanmarshall.com caymanmarshallmagazine.ca

113

All square footages are approximate. Some square footages include living space in the lower level. Information is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.

What's Next? REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage www.caymanmarshall.com Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAKING IT HOME with Kortney Wilson & Kenny Brain

IN THIS ISSUE 1 2

1 6

2 2

FA L L 2021 P R E M I E R E S on HGTV Canada

T H E F I R E P L AC E K I N G The Fire is so Delightful

N º7 RO S E DA L E A Generational Address

H O ST I N G F O R T H E H O L I DAYS at the Lakehouse

30 M U S KO K A L A N D S CA P E R S

Creating the Perfect Finishing Touch

3 3

L A B O U R O F LOV E

1 08 T H E M U S KO K A LO O K

3 9

T H E B A L A N C I N G ACT with The Cutter's Edge

REAL ESTATE

4 8

F E V E R-T R E E

F E AT U R E L I ST I N G

5 0

N U RT U R I N G N AT U R E

R E N TA L L I ST I N G S

M U S KO K A L I ST I N G S

Camp Ooch Builds on Greatness

Ultimate Whisky Ginger

Your Guide to Muskoka Forest Management

5 4

7 2

HGTV'S MAKING IT HOME with Kortney Wilson & Kenny Brain

T H E N E W S U STA I N A B L E Making Homes Green in the Great White North

Luxury Lake Home Design Trends

A Muskoka Classic, Reinvented

106 G E T I N T H E K N O W

The Benefits of Listing Exclusively

1 1 3 W H AT ' S N E X T ?

Real Estate Market Update

fall 2021 premieres Good Bones Mother-and-daughter duo Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak continue their mission to revitalize their hometown of Indianapolis in Season 6 of Good Bones, premiering Sunday, September 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. With Mina’s real estate know-how and Karen’s nononsense legal background, these ladies transform rundown homes into stunning urban remodels.

CATC H U P O N P R E V I O U S E P I S O D E S O F T H E S E S E R I E S O N S TAC KT V O R V I D E O - O N - D E M A N D T H RO U G H YO U R CA B L E S U B S C R I P T I O N .

Home Town Takeover Home Town Takeover starring network superstars Ben and Erin Napier, premieres Sunday, September 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Known for their hit series, Home Town, the #2 HGTV Canada show this spring, the duo offers the town of Wetumpka, Alabama a once-in-a-lifetime transformation in this new spin-off. Taking on 12 major renovations throughout the community – including restaurants, shops, historic homes, public spaces, a new farmers’ market, and an entire downtown street – the series showcases how helping others truly can make an impact for generations to come.

Making it Home with Kortney & Kenny Premiering Wednesday, September 1 at 9 p.m. ET/ PT, Making it Home with Kortney & Kenny sees master flipper and real estate expert, Kortney Wilson, help homeowners convert their fixer-uppers into showstopping assets. Joined by contractor and Big Brother Canada alumnus, Kenny Brain, the duo share their infectious joy and home renovation expertise with homeowners in need of help. Filmed throughout the GTA and Nashville, Kortney and Newfoundland native Kenny take the reins on fullscale renovations in this Corus Studios original series.

Help! I Wrecked My House Design superstar Jasmine Roth returns to the network with Season 2 of Help! I Wrecked My House on Wednesday, September 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Jasmine and her team help homeowners finish DIY’s-gone-wrong, turning mishaps into dream spaces in record time.

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Fire Delightful The

is so

BY DC RUTHERFORD

I ordered my usual two cords of wood this week, preparing to get the old homestead going as we head into winter. Sure, I have more industrial and modern forms of heating my home – an oil furnace, an energy-efficient system of mini-splits – but why? There’s nothing quite like the smell of wood sparking a morning, cutting into the crisp cool of burgeoning autumn that’s falling towards another inevitable winter. The fire, indeed, is so delightful.

Town & Country WS54

FALL 2021 17 ■

The Architectural Series by Town & Country

ireplaces have evolved as much as any home utility over the past half-decade, but their simplicity and anachronism define it. In Muskoka and its surrounding regions, Huntsville’s The Fireplace King has been keeping homes and cottages warmed by postcard-perfect hearths for over 35 years. Offering “heating and cooling solutions for your home, cottage, business, and lifestyle,” The Fireplace King installs and services gas and wood-burning fireplaces; inserts and pellet stoves; boilers, furnaces, and geothermal heating; air conditioning, heat pumps, and hot water heaters; barbecues, outdoor and fireplaces, plus patio heaters, gas and wood firepits, and more.

Renaissance Rumford 1500

18 FALL 2021 ■

Some of The Fireplace King’s favourite modern conveniences, heading into the

2021-22 season, include the Renaissance Rumford 1500, Town & Country’s WS54, as well as The Architectural Series by Town & Country, “North America’s most sophisticated luxury fireplace.” These fireplaces aren’t simply about keeping the pipes from freezing and warming up romantic winter nights. These are works of art that complement any space, and can be customized to fit the aesthetic preferences of discerning homeowners and cottagers. The more traditional hearth aficionado will love the Renaissance Rumford 1500, boasting 1,500 square inches of high-quality ceramic glass, a guillotine door and screen, and specialty refractory panels. “The shape of the firebox creates a taller fire and reflects

Heating and cooling solutions for your home, cottage, business, and lifestyle.

more heat into the room than a traditional fireplace,” according to the literature, “an excellent alternative to a traditional open-hearth fireplace. It has the size and appearance of a stone hearth, but the added benefit of an air-tight door, tons of heat and reduced emissions.” Those more enamoured with the contemporary will adore the Town & Country WS54, “a massive, widescreen landscape of deep, generous flames that captivate from any angle, making a statement in even the most spacious rooms. This ultra-modern fireplace is sleek and luxurious and can be customized for your space,” switching out burners and firebox panels to offer dozens of combinations.

The Fireplace King has been keeping homes and cottages warmed by postcard-perfect hearths for over 35 years.

For those who wish to luxuriate in the opulence of their fireplace, The Architectural Series by Town & Country is poised to redefine the marketplace. “Designed for visual performance, The Architectural Series features a dramatic flame powered by 16,000 BTUs per foot, combined with a custom firebox airflow control system to allow fine art or the ultimate TV to hang directly above the viewing area. Narrow depth cooltouch glass makes the flame the focal point, while loadbearing construction offers the interior designer complete flexibility.” These are not your parents’ fireplaces. These are the very height of hearth technology and beauty. Since the fire is so delightful, why not delight in all it has to offer? FALL 2021 19 ■

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A GENERATIONAL ADDRESS BY DC RUTHERFORD

hen William Botsford Jarvis and his wife, Mary, settled in what would become known as the Rosedale Estate in the early 1800s Canada—and Toronto for that matter—were barely ideas on the periphery of the Commonwealth. So named for its luxurious wild roses that freckled the property, the affluent neighbourhood that grew around it became Rosedale, one of Canada’s most desirable addresses from nearly the moment Mary titled it. It has been preserved by time and landscape, owing its bucolic suburbia to bordering ravines and committed denizens. It is a beautiful anachronism, maintaining its character and singularity as the city and country grew around it. Its architecture and construct are as timeless as its sanctuary, and its newest addition is built upon—and builds upon— the traditions that make Rosedale so unquestionably unique.

22 FALL 2021 ■

Rosedale will soon add 7 Dale to its traditions. “We wanted to respect the area while borrowing certain elements from it to create something entirely new,” notes Josh Shteiman, VP of Development Operations for Platinum Vista who oversaw the project. “The front facade facing Dale integrates a heritage planter wall that was originally part of the home at 7 Dale. We are also restoring the original teahouse that will be integrated into Janet Rosenberg’s landscape design and become a shared amenity for the residents.” 7 Dale is the culmination of a peerless collaboration between some of Toronto’s most sought-after talents. Siamak Hariri, Allessandro Munge, and Janet Rosenberg are world-renowned artists, whose partnership has resulted in a residence that promises to not just continue Rosedale’s

legacy but define it for a generation. “Each collaborator is at the top of their class in their own right. The cohesion and synergy between the 7 Dale team were impressive. It was almost like a relay race with the baton passed from one person to the other, seamlessly,” says Shteiman.

SIAMAK HARIRI

ALLESSANDRO MUNGE

Hariri is the architect behind some of our most treasured edifices and residences including the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Ontario Pavilion for Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and the Richard Ivey School of Business, among others. Munge is one of the world’s preeminent interior designers, boasting work at addresses in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Halifax, though his work and influences are most prominent in Toronto where nearly every part of the cityscape bears his hand. Janet Rosenberg is a peerless landscape architect whose work—built upon a legacy of sustainability, functionality, and respect for nature— adorns Canada’s most precious locales. Together, the three represent a collective that is responsible for the aesthetic of many of our most celebrated cultural landmarks, and 7 Dale is the unique beneficiary of their collaboration. Shteiman adds that Toronto developments “are doing things out of the ordinary [...] 7 Dale has a heavy focus on both design and sustainability. There are many green elements implemented into the residence like the restoration of the ravine and energy efficiency building components—a smart design that fits seamlessly within the neighbourhood, yet offers buyers the opportunity of not compromising on the luxuries they’re used to in their homes.”

JANET ROSENBERG

JOSH SHTEIMAN

7 DALE IS THE CULMINATION OF A PEERLESS COLLABORATION BETWEEN SOME OF TORONTO’S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER TALENTS.

The result is truly singular, and yet entirely Toronto, “and this development provides a rare opportunity for people to live in Rosedale without the maintenance or upkeep of living in an older home. We wanted to create residences that offer the luxury of living in a large space in Rosedale that provides the amenities and lifestyle of a high-end hotel/condo. Residents will have access to a first-class spa, gym, yoga studio, and 24-hour executive concierge.” Come Fall 2022, this could be home— the Toronto of yesterday and tomorrow, in the heart of the city. www.7dale.com

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Holidays Hosting for the

at the Lakehouse

By Brooke Madden

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Maybe some summerloving folk are dreaming of warmer days by the lake, back when the ground wasn’t so slushy and the wind didn’t hurt your face. I stand in solidarity with you to an extent. But trust me, December isn’t all bad. I’m going to teach you how to embrace the seemingly eternal greyness of the outside world and help you create a magical, cozy, Christmas oasis that even Ole Saint Nick would be jealous of. By the end of this article, you’ll feel like Clark Griswold when each little light on his home finally shines. And you’ll have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny Kaye! The secret? Hosting Christmas at the cottage.

I love my home in the city, but something about retreating up north for the holidays truly makes the season feel magical. Perhaps it’s the blanketed snow; maybe it’s the quiet serenity, or the possibility of spotting reindeer. More than that, hosting Christmas at the cottage is special to me because it’s truly a peaceful escape for myself and my loved ones. I had the opportunity recently to speak with Claudia Spahr-Kaye, the current Rental Manager for Cayman Marshall. With over 20 years of hospitality experience (eight of them as a corporate flight attendant for one of Canada’s most influential families), Claudia’s expertise is unmatched. Having hosted some of the world’s most elite guests, Claudia’s Christmas at the cottage tips are sure to impress. Décor. You don’t need to hike into the woods and cut down your own, sappy (albeit majestic) evergreen to bring the Christmas spirit into your home. However, incorporating festive, fresh greenery, garlands, or trees inside and outside of your cottage will add spark to your space. 26 FALL 2021 ■

One of Claudia’s favourite spots for festive greenery is Sandhill Nursery. “We offer everything from fresh trees, greens, festive decorated urns and wreaths to Christmas decorations, ornaments and giftware,” says Bill from Sandhill Nursery. Sandhill also runs workshops for custom wreath creation. “Our fresh trees and decorated urns and wreaths are extremely popular, and you can purchase them online and we will deliver them straight to your home or cottage door,” Bill adds. The Huntsville and Burk’s Falls locations are open right up until Christmas, perfect for any lastminute decorators. Consider adding a Christmas tree from Sandhill to your front porch and back deck. Decorate it with unique ornaments and lights. (Pro tip: Shatterproof lights and decorations work best, especially outdoors.) Moving inside, fresh centrepieces add a touch of sophistication to your holiday

Sa nd

hill

Nurs ery

Incorporating festive, fresh greenery, garlands, or trees inside and outside of your cottage will add spark to your space.

table. Either order one from Sandhill Nursery, or create one yourself. Go on a little adventure with your loved ones to collect large pine boughs cut from your property, pinecones, or anything else you think looks pretty. Lay them down the middle of your table, intertwined with small fairy lights. Add candles of varying sizes and glass ornaments. It’ll create a stunning dressing for your holiday activities. Another must-visit place Claudia recommends is Christmas Tyme in Huntsville, where I spoke with Anne about this year-round Christmas shop. “We offer a wide variety of ornaments that are customizable – we have a laser engraver we can engrave with images, that makes your decor one-of-a-kind,” Anne says. Claudia recommends gathering a collection of ornaments that can be hung

on a clear string above your chandelier at different lengths, to create a whimsical, Christmas Village feel. Here’s another secret that is sure to impress: bake and decorate festive sugar cookies. Use icing to write your guests’ names, and voila! Festive, edible, unique placards for your table. Activities. Hosting can be overwhelming, and entertaining your guests shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. Having a list of goto activities can help you relax and enjoy your guests’ company to the fullest. To get into the holiday mood, Claudia recommends a family sleigh ride at Riverglen Farms. Also look into feeding the birds, snowshoeing, skiing, skating, or even hiking the trails in Algonquin Park, to work off some of the calories consumed

by the decadent Gluhwein and cookies Claudia will teach you how to perfect later. Follow up your outdoorsy day with hot chocolate around the fire. Northbound Elements makes beautiful custom firepits that cater to any style. Gluhwein, hot apple cider or hot chocolate are the perfect accompaniment to an evening under the stars. Pair this with homemade cookies and treats (or maybe even spiked eggnog for the grown-ups) and you’ve got yourself a peaceful Christmas Eve. ’Tis The Season. Ultimately, clichéd as it may be, Christmas is about being with the ones you love. So gather ’round the fire, sing a carol or two, and enjoy the beauty of the cottage, with the magic, wonder, and grace of the season. Oh, and maybe throw on some National Lampoon movies, now that I’ve got you thinking about it.

Something about retreating up north for the holidays truly makes the season feel magical.

Christmas Tyme

FALL 2021 27 ■

Gluhwein • 1 large bottle of red wine • 1 orange or clementine, sliced • 4-5 cloves • 2 cinnamon sticks • 1 cup sugar, or more to taste Bring all ingredients to a simmer until sugar is dissolved. Ladle into a mug and top with a shot of brandy, Grand Marnier or any liqueur that you prefer and serve warm.

Sugar Cookies • 300g all-purpose flour • 10mL baking powder • 100g sugar • 1 packet Dr. Oetker vanilla sugar • 1 egg • 150g butter 28 FALL 2021 ■

Mix baking powder with flour, add all remaining ingredients, and mix in a stand mixer or by hand and knead to form a smooth dough. Flatten into a disk shape and cover with foil. Let cool in the fridge for 30 min. In the meantime, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, preheat oven to 350F/180C and choose your favourite cookie cutters. Roll out the cooled dough to approximately ½ cm thick and use various cookie cutters. Place on the middle rack of oven and bake for 10 min. Cookies can be decorated with icing sugar, chocolate, royal icing, etc. These can be stored in cookie tins in a cool place for several weeks.

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Creating the Perfect Finishing Touch:

MUSKOKA LANDSCAPERS By Martha Uniacke Breen

The lap pool is just four feet deep, making it suitable for water polo or other sports, but still deep enough for exercise or leisure swimming.

An infinity edge makes for a romantic view against the forest backdrop. As the water spills into the trough, it creates a soothing trickling sound by the firepit seating area below.

Outdoor kitchen with all the trimmings including built-in barbecue.

30 FALL 2021 ■

The stone terrace surrounding the pool features a special glazed coating that gives it a wet look, contrasting with the natural granite outcrops on the property.

Shallow first level, known as a Baja shelf, at 9” deep is perfect for toddlers, putting a lounge chair in the water, or just dipping your toes.

Cabana on lake side of pool area features doors that open completely, turning it into a covered verandah with a comfy wraparound sofa and TV – great for sheltering from rain or sun!

A granite outcropping lines the way to an upper level sportscourt. The bedrock creates a natural backboard for basketball, hockey and skateboarding.

here’s no question that Kevin Scott and the team at Muskoka Landscapers have all the expertise that comes with a decade and a half of landscaping and beautifying cottage properties all over the Muskoka area. But what adds the extra difference is that Kevin’s a Muskoka native—he grew up in Port Sydney. So a natural affinity for landscapes that capture the essence of the region is built in to everything the company does. Muskoka Landscapers offers full turn-key landscaping services, specializing in lakefront properties. The company’s expertise includes technical hardscaping – pools, saunas, sports courts, outdoor kitchens, hot tubs and other outdoor structures – but they’re equally adept at the finer touches that make outdoor spaces comfortable and beautiful: lighting, audio solutions, and of course, complete garden design, landscaping, and tree planting services. Here, Kevin takes us on a “virtual tour” of a recent Muskoka Landscapers project (part of a whole-cottage project designed by architect Wayne Swadron and built by Muskoka Lakes Contracting). In this design, the team worked with the classic granite outcrops and natural slope of the site to create a multi-level space that allows for a variety of fun family activities, while still honouring the natural setting.

Wide lawn for lawn bowling, Red Rover, and other games.

Playground setup for younger kids.

Storage building finished to match other outbuildings and the cottage, for storing sports and out-of-season equipment, ATVs, pool noodles, etc.

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lakefront properties @MUSKOKALANDSCAPERS.CA 705.765.5771

Furniture and Finishes by FMD Design FALL 2021 31 ■

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Labour of Love CAMP OOCH BUILDS ON GREATNESS BY LESLIE C. SMITH

I It started out as a good idea. It has grown into a great one.

n 1983, a small group of Muskoka-loving volunteers formed Camp Ooch, a nocharge, home-away-fromhospital camp for children with cancer. Decades later, their concept has grown to comprise not just the camp itself and nearby family accommodations, but a special recreation centre

in Toronto plus an activitiesbased programme attached to paediatric oncology centres across Ontario. Ooch’s wilderness location has changed over the years, too. Thanks to generous donor support, it now has a permanent, private base on the shores of Donner Lake, close to Rosseau. FALL 2021 33 ■

och Muskoka is the only overnight camp in Canada with IV chemotherapy and blood transfusion capability, meaning that even campers with complex care needs can enjoy a traditional camp experience. Kids just being kids is the whole rationale: everyone is encouraged to concentrate on fun. Camp programs “celebrate kids for who they are, not what they have.” No one points you out or whispers behind your back. “[It] was probably the first place where I didn’t feel so different anymore,” says one camper. Recently, the privately funded volunteer organization has pressed itself even further, seeking not only to comply with the new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 34 FALL 2021 ■

but also to accommodate 50% more campers. Project developer and manager Miles Cope, working with lead architect Rob Knight from Barrie’s Ted Handy and Associates, oversaw the camp’s remodelling from beginning till end, ensuring the feasibility of ideas and creating a super-enthusiastic team fuelled by his own passion. Improvements included everything from new sewage and water processing systems to rebuilds of camper housing and the central lodge, to a new medical facility and flex housing for families and other visitors. The work was hard – literally, in the case of laying pipe infrastructure through thick granite 1.2 metres below the frost line – and it took a long time, given that Camp Ooch was still operating during summer months. However, one blessing was that Covid, when it came along, didn’t interfere too much with the final phase of the process, which was a complete reno of all outdoor amenities.

Everyone is encouraged to concentrate on fun

“The goal was not necessarily to beautify,” Miles Cope says, “but to make the camp more accessible, while bringing back the Muskoka feel to the landscape.” Quickto-rot wooden borders were replaced by sturdy native granite. Stone pavers and asphalt for steeper inclines replaced the wood chips and loose gravel that sometimes made walking and wheelchair pushing difficult. Wherever possible, Cope’s team dealt with Muskoka’s uneven terrain and varying elevations by smoothing and extending some slopes and zigzagging others. This switchback technique proved most effective for the

jewel in Camp Ooch’s remodelled grounds: A completely new Campitheatre, providing stage access to wheelchair users, night sky-friendly lighting, two circular firepits, and, best of all, stepped seating built entirely from precision-cut Muskoka granite. The latter is a product of Muskoka Rock Company, headquartered in Gravenhurst and Huntsville. President Seth Rudin says working with so many dedicated people was amazing. “For us, this was a special project to be part of – the creativity, the collaboration, the teamwork… Above all, we thought of the kids who’d be benefitting.” FALL 2021 35 ■

he Campitheatre seating uses a unique flagstone application that gives the benches a natural look while being comfortable on a multitude of bottoms. The task of putting it all together fell to Kirby Hall, owner of Parry Sound’s Hall Construction. His input proved invaluable in face of the challenge of dry-laying – that is, setting without mortar – heavy granite blocks into a barrier-free, semi-circular shape. “It was just like building the pyramids,” says Hall. “Everything had to be precisely fitted.” This engineering feat, so tough to achieve and yet so easy on the eyes, had the stated goal of lasting for a hundred years or more. “It won’t disintegrate and it will never need repair. We kept thinking of the enjoyment it would give these kids for years to come.”

Miles Cope says he’s proud of bringing off the entire project on time, despite tight deadlines, Covid, and having to do most of the building during winter. He talks of the enduring joy and laughter at Camp Ooch and of the “culture of contagious enthusiasm” engendered by CEO Alex Robertson. Looking forward, he can see even greater things to come. To make a donation to Camp Ooch, visit ooch.org. Camp Photography: Kim Evans

Culture of contagious enthusiasm 36 FALL 2021 ■

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THE BALANCING ACT BY BROOKE MADDEN

Robin from The Cutter’s Edge tells us everything we need to know about achieving this popular design trend.

Robin from The Cutters Edge, a local interior design business and showroom, recently sat down with us to discuss the fine art of incorporating multiple styles into your home design while still achieving a clean, cohesive look that satisfies both you and your partner. Robin took us through the entire process of creating the unique and specific trend she calls “The Balancing Act.” “It is so important to start with a vision – to first identify the 40 FALL 2021 ■

key elements of the design and capture the overall feel for the space, before introducing multiple styles,” she explains. “All great designs share the successful balance of three elements function, cost and design.” The Cutter’s Edge aptly believes in functionality as well as aesthetics; Robin and her team always begin the design process by determining how clients use their space, and what the specific needs of the household are. “We strive to create a product that is a timeless investment, which will long surpass its use in the client’s generation,” she says. With everlasting quality as well as the client’s aesthetic preferences in mind, The Cutter’s Edge begins designing unique pieces that will elevate the space and still successfully balance and blend everyone’s stylistic wants. Although she points out that it’s a complicated process, the key to success is simple: finding similarities! Whether colour, wood tones, lines and scale,

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reating the perfect space for you and your family to call home can be an intimidating prospect. Often clients are looking to combine multiple styles, and it’s challenging to do so successfully. If you enjoy mid-century modern, but your partner adores traditional, designing your home to accommodate both can feel unattainable. Without a keen eye, and a thorough understanding of how to blend styles together, achieving a cohesive look is a difficult venture.

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ALL GREAT DESIGNS SHARE THE SUCCESSFUL BALANCE OF 3 ELEMENTS:

FUNCTION, COST AND DESIGN.

small similarities like these help layer styles together to achieve a successful Balancing Act. You will notice that in this home, though each space includes multiple stylistic elements, each is married with commonalities that keep the design cohesive and aesthetically satisfying. “Often clients will have an affinity towards certain pieces that aren’t an obvious design match, so we need to find the element of tying the pieces in,” says Robin.

with colours that are compatible and consistent. For example, the right rug can pull the warm tones of a worn leather sofa together with a more modern, clean-lined accent chair. “It’s important for us to find a common thread between our pieces to allow everything to flow together,” says Robin. “Enter Knoxville Grey!” she says, enthusiastically. “We fell in love with this colour and knew it would be the element that would carry through our design to create a dimensional but cohesive look.”

One of the most important factors that influences the

Working with juxtaposed elements that differ in design

success of The Balancing Act is utilizing coordinating colours. “The most fluid way to create harmony while merging interior design styles is to use complementary colours throughout every room. We suggest a limit of three different colours for your overall colour scheme.”

style yet share similar qualities is part of what makes a space interesting, dynamic, special, and truly yours. “Trends come and go, but at the heart of a great design, are timeless qualities of simple proportion and beauty,” Robin concludes.

While the rule of three is not steadfast, it’s easier to blend different styles when working

There’s something special about The Balancing Act; it’s truly what you (with a little help from The Cutter’s Edge) make it.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO START WITH A

VISION.

Simplistic style and beautiful craftsmanship give the Port Carling Collection the warm appeal of a modernized approach to an otherwise traditionally viewed design. Made from solid maple wood, this collection offers an understated silhouette, and is paired with a contrasting night table in Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin (OC-26).

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ADD ACCENTS TO COMPLEMENT YOUR DESIGN.

THE ART OF MIXING STYLES Create Your Vision At the heart of your design must be your vision. Before introducing multiple styles, determine what you’d like your space to feel like. What will it be used for? Will it be a warm and welcoming family space, or a sleek, professional office area? Identify which key elements you’d like in your design. For example, the vision for this bedroom (page 39) was whimsical and playful, which allowed the designer to utilize a chandelier and artwork to achieve the client’s vision, softening it with clean millwork lines and simple bedding. Find Common Threads Utilize common wood tones, colours, and lines to bring your space

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together. In this home, you’ll notice a custom-built, triple diamond mirror against the backdrop of a Knoxville Grey [Benjamin Moore HC-160] accent wall. The mirror seen here complements the triple beams in the coffered ceiling of the great room, and similar wood tones can be seen in different elements throughout the home. Create Harmony Similar, reoccurring colours in your space will help to harmonize each stylistic element. Knoxville Grey was the colour of choice in this home. It can be seen as an accent wall in multiple rooms through the home, and creates a feeling of cohesion and aesthetic togetherness. Finishing Touches Add accents to complement your design and tie it all together by using items like throw pillows or blankets. The cognac leather cushions seen in this home draw out the warmth of the wood tones in the beams and coffee table.

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A Muskoka Classic,

REINVENTED BY MARTHA UNIACKE BREEN

estled into a granite slope high above the water, this sprawling cottage, with architecture by Richard Wengle and interior design by John David Edison, gives little hint on first glance of just how big it really is. Yet every detail has been carefully considered to make the big, beautiful view of Lake Joseph – and the utmost in comfort while enjoying that view – the main object. The topography of the site, in keeping with a lot of prime Muskoka waterfront property, features a steep slope that rambles down to some 470 feet of frontage. To make the best use of the big six-plus-acre property’s breathtaking views, Wengle’s guiding principle was to spread the building out over a series of “pods” or pavilions, joined by bridges and stairways. “The building really reacts to the site,” Wengle says. “The view itself really helped us establish the parameters of the cottage.”

F E AT U R E L I S T I N G

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F E AT U R E L I S T I N G

At water’s edge, the boathouse is designed as much for entertaining as for housing boats.

hen you first alight by the garage – a considerable structure in its own right, with three bays, two storeys and room for a gym, sports court and roomy guest quarters – a stone path leads through the woods to a relatively modest entry “pod.” In what will prove to be a repeating motif in both the exterior cladding and Edison’s subtle but engaging interiors, the entry pavilion is clad in grey cut-stone boards and black metal trim, providing a contemporary complement to the rugged Muskoka landscape. It also provides a clean backdrop to the landscape through huge, floor-toceiling curtain walls throughout. From here, the cottage swells to stairs that lead down to the full two-storey expanse that is the main “pod” of the building, with great room at one side, and kitchen and dining areas and beyond, through subtly slatted doors, the Muskoka room at the cottage’s far end.

example, a swooping ceiling treatment of downward-curving panels evokes billowing sails, while the Jean-Paul Gauthierdesigned modular sofa in the sunken living area invites cuddling up en famille to watch TV or just gaze out at the water.

A huge swath of windows stretches from one end of the room to the other, yet each area gains unexpected warmth – even a surprising coziness, for such a large space – from natural, softly toned materials and details. For

The Muskoka room itself deserves special mention, for its gleeful reinvention of this Muskoka cottage mainstay: windows on two sides fold back completely to let in the breeze, while barnboard wall cladding gives it a certain rusticity. From that point on it’s pure modern luxury, with a big wood-burning fireplace and strikingly patterned granite floor tiles.

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F E AT U R E L I S T I N G

stairway discreetly panelled in translucent onyx next to the living area leads to the third and most private “pod,” the principal bedroom wing. A double-sided fireplace warms both bedroom and ensuite, while exquisite details add more coziness: wall cladding of four-inch-by-eight-foot stone tiles that resemble barnboard in the ensuite, and a built-in slatted canopy over the bed. At water’s edge, the boathouse is designed as much for entertaining as for housing boats. “Boathouses these days are no longer just utilitarian spaces,” says Taylor Moore, president of Sherwood North, which built the cottage. “In the old days in Muskoka, they were purely work/storage and utility spaces, but now they double as entertainment and leisure space.” Along with another comfortable guest space, it’s equipped with bar, bath, sound and entertainment systems, and a unique platform-lift boat storage facility: boats are lowered into the water at the push of a button, allowing for the full boat deck level to be used as an entertainment or play space. For designer Edison, what makes the space special is the care taken in its construction, and the combination of contemporary finishes and references to classic Muskoka style. “Every design process is an exploration,” he says, “and it will be interesting to see how this project will age well as the years go by.”

VIEW THIS LISTING ON PAGE 104 5 BEDROOMS | 8 BATHROOMS | 9,000 SQ.FT.

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Ultimate

Whisky Ginger

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Enjoy your favourite whisky longer and lighter with a

Whisky Ginger highball

INGREDIENTS: > 3/4 Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Ale > 1/4 premium blended Scotch whisky > Plenty of ice > Slice of orange

Method: Fill a highball glass full of ice cubes and pour in the measured whisky. Slowly pour in the Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Ginger Ale, give a gentle stir and garnish with a fresh slice of orange.

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Nurturing Nature: Your Guide to Muskoka Forest Management By Tim Winegard The trees around your home or cottage can help paint a picture of how past glacial activity, historic land-use practices, and time have worked to shape the landscape and forests of the region. By better understanding the processes that have influenced our cottage community forests, we can make informed decisions that work to maximize their health and longevity while minimizing their management expense and risk.

Here at the southern end of the Canadian Shield, glaciers scraped the surface down to bedrock, leaving behind a uneven layer of nutrient-poor soil. The first species relied on wind-dispersed seeds, like eastern white birch and poplar, to colonize the land. Pioneer forests are short-lived, and as shade levels increase, leaf-litter and woody debris build up the soil, providing the necessary growing conditions for more shade-tolerant species, like pine, oak and cherry. These mid-tolerant species rely more on birds and mammals to disperse their seeds great distances. Pine and oak are well adapted to growing in thin rocky and sandy soils, and tolerate mid-scale fire events, and formed the primary forest in much of the region. They also proliferated due to Indigenous land management efforts, which utilized controlled burning to create habitat for wild game, and to promote harvestable food crops. As shade levels increased and growing conditions shifted, shade-tolerant forest combinations of

Pine

sugar and red maple, yellow birch, beech, and hemlock began to rise. Less firetolerant than pine and oak, they tend to dominate areas of deeper, wetter soil by creating heavily shaded under-stories that promote the regeneration of more shade-tolerant species. MID-TOLERANT FORESTS Our cottages or homes may exist within a forest type anywhere along this spectrum of pioneer, mid-tolerant or full-shade tolerant species. How you plan for long-term forest succession and management will vary depending on the forest type and species combinations present on your property. PIONEER FORESTS Areas of Muskoka that were more recently farmland or cleared land may have large numbers of white birch and poplar. These species are fast growing, exhibit significant branch die-off as they age, and are prone to insect stress and seasonal storm damage. Fast-growing poplar and aspen trees are disposed to imperfections in their growth which often lead to frost cracking, branch failures, and fungal infection. In this forest type, the near-term recommendation is for proactive management of these species through pruning and thinning. The long-term recommendation is to gradually establish more robust, longer-lived species such as sapling black cherry, red oak, pine, maples, spruce, yellow birch etc.

Oak Pine and oak are the more common trees within this forest type. These species can produce a lot of deadwood in the canopy. The best course of action in the near-term is removing lower tiers of dead branches, and ensuring that mature trees are provided the necessary space for healthy growth. In pine and oak forests, it is important to remove large branches that have been storm damaged or that rub the trunk of an adjacent tree to prevent bark loss and subsequent fungal infection, as they may be hazardous to parking areas or the cottage itself. In the long-term it is important to promote the establishment of the next generation by thinning out more shadetolerant species in the understory or individuals with poor growth forms. Midtolerant species need sun on the forest floor to germinate and grow. Mature trees with almost full canopy spacing truly reach a spectacular old age. For trees adjacent to the cottage, long-term pruning plans can also help shift the lean of the tree away from the cottage and allow us to keep important shade or privacy trees close to the cottage without posing significant risk.

Beech

Eastern Hemlock

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SHADE-TOLERANT FORESTS

Birch

Maple

Shade-tolerant forests now dominate many areas of Muskoka, as a result of historic harvesting of competing species like pine and oak, as well as the reduction in midscale forest fire events for which they are poorly adapted. Managing dead wood in the canopy, removing limbs with poor attachments to the tree trunk, and selecting for the best growth forms to promote are all important ways to promote the long-term health of these species. Long-term planning in these forests will also depend on the shade-tolerant species present. Balsam fir are not particularly longlived species, and can pose a threat when left too close to infrastructure. Balsam fir is important for providing habitat for wildlife, but allowing maple or yellow birch to grow more broadly will ensure

longevity in the trees you have selected to keep. Eastern hemlock are a beautiful and long-lived species in the region. However, it is important to monitor them for signs of storm damage, and insect activity. Hemlock’s long and broad branches make the trees prone to wind and snow loading, which will often lead to the failure of large mature trees. Managing the branch density and reach over the cottage is important for mitigating risk from these species. Ultimately, developing an adaptive management plan is an important way to promote the health of your trees, while minimizing risks to people and property. By working with professional arborist services like Muskoka Tree Solutions, you can ensure that you are making informed management decisions based on the latest science from wildlife and forestry professionals.

Balsam Fir

Cherry

Poplar

52 FALL 2021 ■

developing an adaptive management plan is an important way to promote the health of your trees, while minimizing risks to people and property

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Making It Strong Making It Hers

Making Home By Brooke Madden

Kortney Wilson’s story of making it through the last two years, while Making It Home with all new co-host Kenny Brain.

hen the clock struck 12 on January 1st, 2020, I don’t think any of us could have anticipated what was to come. Surrounded by loved ones in a packed bar (remember those?), champagne in hand, I know I definitely couldn’t’ve. While 2020/2021 was a seemingly ludicrous time for us all, one of its silver linings, or rather, a little gift it gave us, was forcing us to find strength under unpredictable circumstances. Re-evaluating our lives, our priorities, and ourselves, and oftentimes, experiencing growth because of that. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with a quintessential representative of taking the hard times, and thriving in spite of them; experiencing dark, low points, yet never admitting defeat. Emblematic of personal growth, strength, creativity, authenticity, and love, Kortney Wilson’s last couple of years show us all what a truly brave, courageous woman looks like in times of uncertainty. What started as an interview with the HGTV Canada star about her show, Making it Home with Kortney & Kenny, turned in to a real conversation about love, isolation, and new beginnings. Not only is Making it Home with Kortney & Kenny a show I’m excited to see for her iconic designs, and new charismatic co-host and Big Brother Canada star Kenny’s carpentry skills, but it’s a show that represents change, growth, and above all, finding the strength to keep going.

“I’ve gone through a lot of personal stuff over the last couple of years, so it’s exciting to be back to work, and it’s also a fresh start, with a new host - and he’s amazing,” Wilson discloses. When Kortney started the second season of Making It Home, she knew things were going to be a little different this time around. With a new co-host by her side, Kortney was initially apprehensive about the transition. “I was a little nervous about getting to know my new co-host. I’ve been on screen with Dave for many, many years and I know that’s always the elephant in the room when we’re discussing the show, but the reality is, it was time to move on for both of us. But it made me “I’ve gone through sad. I was wondering a lot of personal stuff if I could have a over the last couple of chemistry with years, so it’s exciting anyone else on to be back to work, camera, because I’d and it’s also a fresh never had a co-host other than Dave,” start, with a new host she admits. and he’s amazing.”

– Kortney

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After their divorce in mid 2020, Kortney set off to find a new screen partner that would not only complement her design prowess on the job site, but complement her personal energy on camera. And she feels so grateful to have found Kenny to be just that. “I definitely connect with him like a sibling, we push back on each other in a way that is healthy and fun!” Wilson says. “He’s so funny – he’s absolutely darling, and we have such a great banter. Behind the scenes, he and I would just mess around and sing Barbra Streisand in the car. We would save all the design talk for screen so everything was super authentic,” she adds. Not only is their personal relationship a highlight of filming for Kortney, but the new energy Kenny adds to the show genuinely benefits Kortney’s design vision as well. “Being able to see everything fresh through his eyes, things I have been doing for years, was a gift. It rejuvenated me and revived this whole experience,” Kortney shares.

As a longtime lover of HGTV Canada and Kortney and go online and think they can’t turn it into Wilson’s work, I needed to know what we could something - I want them to understand that design expect this season. As per titular suggestion, is not rocket science. Any design that you make can Kortney and Kenny work with be changed. People have this fear of ‘Oh couples to turn their houses my God, what if I get it wrong?’ and into homes. “When people my answer is always ‘So what if you “Being able to see have gotten in over their get it wrong!’, try something else! everything fresh heads, or dreamed We’re talking about paint. of doing a certain The fear needs to go away. I through his eyes, things renovation and can’t really do believe that - even if I have been doing for quite get there, or you don’t have the vision that years, was a gift. It can’t agree on things I have,” Kortney emphasizes. rejuvenated me and within the couple, The designer is excited for revived this whole they ask for our help. her show to influence the way experience.” We transform their people approach home design. homes for them,” “There are all of these shows out explains Kortney. “First here now that show you exactly and foremost my goal is what to do. Take one of the designs always to appease the client,” that you love and apply it. If you love the designer clarifies, but Making it one of the designs that we did this season Home has other goals in mind too. Kortney with white walls, baskets on the wall, and blue wants to reach a very broad audience of people cabinets, go for it! Use that! I want people to allow who are dreamers. People who go on Pinterest themselves to dream,” expresses Kortney.

– Kortney

FALL 2021 57 ■

While aesthetic dreams and client vision are at the heart of the designs we can expect this season, Kortney is also sure to apply her years of real estate expertise to ensure her clients are making a solid investment with their renovation. Spending a large portion of her career flipping houses for profit, Kortney knows creating a home for a specific client requires a different approach. “I was able to take a lot of big chances and risks with my choices when flipping,” Kortney says. Whereas renovating homes for a specific client can be “risky business, because eventually I’m going to hand the home back over, and they’re going to have to live in it,” she says. “As a Realtor, I do have a different perspective, because I want to maximize their investment,” Kortney explains. “Though I want their [home owners’] personalities to shine through, I have to balance it. If they want pink polka dots, maybe I don’t put pink polka dots on every surface all over the house. If they eventually want to sell the house, I need to know the home is going to appeal to the masses,” she continues. Though Kortney is an acclaimed expert and utilizes those skills throughout the show, fresh-faced Kenny isn’t afraid to contradict her opinions...which she appreciates! And let’s be honest, we the viewers love a little playful banter as well. Laughing at my implication that the co-hosts seemed in sync on set, Kortney clarifies, “Oh, we’re often not on the same page!” ...which makes this HGTV Canada

“There are all of these shows out here now that show you exactly what to do. Take one of the designs that you love and apply it.”

– Kortney

fanatic so intrigued to find out more. “That’s actually one of the reasons he stood out in casting,” Kortney discloses, “When the production asked him ‘What do you love about Kortney Wilson?’ he replied, ‘I mean...I like some of her stuff...’” she explains, laughing. All this to say, I think the fresh dynamic on season two of Making It Home is going to be even more engaging than the original duo we’ve seen year after year on HGTV Canada. “The reality is, things change, and things evolve, and it doesn’t mean that you forget your past, it doesn’t mean that you don’t recognize it, but it does force you to embrace the future. So from that perspective, having the show come out now part of the healing process. And I’m not going to say it’s always easy. Healing sometimes is hard.” Kortney shares, vulnerably. The last year or so has been difficult for us all, but watching brave women like Kortney in the public

58 FALL 2021 ■

eye, sharing their stories, can help us all feel a little less alone. Wilson wants us “The reality is, things to know that, “just because I’m on change, and things evolve, TV doesn’t mean that I don’t go home and cry, or listen to a song and it doesn’t mean that and it reminds me of something you forget your past, emotional, or that I don’t get it doesn’t mean that nervous about to set for the first you don’t recognize it, time with somebody new, these but it does force you to are all real emotions.”

embrace the future.”

– Kortney

To my fellow creators, dreamers, HGTV Canada fans, or anyone who has felt a little bit alone during this time, I invite you to support, engage with, and listen to stories like Kortney’s. Be inspired as she picks herself up, creates a new start, works her butt off, and changes the lives of her clients for the better. Because if any one can make a house a home, it’s someone who has, in spite of it all, finally found her own - in herself, in her kids, and in her passions.

Making It Home with Kortney & Kenny airs Wednesdays at 9pm on HGTV Canada. Follow: @allthingskortneywilson @kennybrain

FALL 2021 59 ■

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Bringing Great Projects to Life. chuck chuck

E L E C T R I C T R I C

L T D

E L E C T R I C E L E C T R I C L T D

L T D

r Steve &Mitch McNai

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YOUR SLICE OF

njoy this private, oceanside house that boasts a pristine, secluded beach and a spectacular view of the Bahamian, turquoise ocean. Conveniently located on Tar Bay, just minutes from the airport and various amenities, this brand new, 5 bedroom, luxurious home offers you the vacation of your dreams. A mere 13m from the private beachfront, this spectacular home boasts over 5,500 square feet of relaxation space, professional-grade

appliances, high-end furnishings and mattresses for your ultimate comfort. Pull open the 10' high sliders to take in the tranquil sound and scenery of the ocean or to enjoy a refreshing dip in the private pool. The home's 14' ceilings and thoughtfullydesigned open concept offer an airy, spacious feel to accommodate up to 16 guests. A fully-outfitted chef's kitchen caters to your epicurean desires, or you can treat yourself to an evening of in-home private

catering (extra charge). Enjoy the outdoors any time of day with the fully enclosed porch area complete with power screens for ease of use and a stunning, shell stone travertine patio. Take in numerous, nearby attractions, dining, or boat tours to satisfy your adventurous spirit. Your vacation experience comes complete with an in-person greeting at the airport, a property tour, and a 24-hour concierge. Seaclusion is pure luxury in paradise.

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MODERN ELEGANCE, 5 BEDROOM, 4 BATHS – LAKE ROSSEAU

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THE NEW

SUS By DC Rutherford

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER 72 FALL 2021 ■

TAINABLE MAKING HOMES GREEN IN THE GREAT WHITE NORTH I bought a house recently, a Craftsman built in 1910 in a rural community. The region is one many of you will find familiar—it’s susceptible to the unpredictable swings of a four-season climate. The polars of stifling summer heat and humidity and crippling winter storms are both what makes the area a delight and a challenge. Moving in mid-pandemic made me realize that not only is it my civic responsibility to reduce the carbon footprint of my new abode, but in light of COVID-19 the realities of the unknown make sustainability a priority for me and my family. But where to begin?

FALL 2021 73 ■

My first inclination was to pad my roof with solar panels, build a greenhouse, order some goats, and ensure the integrity of the existing well and septic tank—though this seemed more inclined to apocalyptic fears as opposed to a desire for sustainable living. Doug Parks of Brantford’s Board of Your Flooring set me straight. “Knowledge is power,” he tells me, adoration for his business palpable in each syllable. I sincerely doubt there’s anyone who knows more about flooring sustainability and cares for their work as much as Parks, whose experience is matched only by his passion. It’s Parks who taught me that sustainable living is built on a foundation of quality products

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that will not just last a lifetime, but endure the environment in which they live. A floor in Muskoka is not the same as a floor in Tuscon. “It comes back to all the prep and mitigation, understanding the right products for the environment and understanding the environment in which you’re working and how you have to mitigate that environment and put the product in.” “Most people spend more time picking paint than they do and understanding floors. And you can always repaint that wall—it’s cheap and cheerful and easy to do that. But you can’t just go in and replace [a floor] because it’s very expensive and it’s very messy.”

IN OUR EVERCHANGING ENVIRONMENT WE NEED TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE ENERGY WE CONSUME Aaron Miller of Hummingbird Hill Homes agrees. The company has been a leader in holistic building in Ontario. “We are both PassiveHouse™ and WELL™ AP certified and work with the leading architectural firms to fuse together stunning architecture with materials and methods that promote health and wellness for both our clients and the environment. We can now measure embodied carbon of different material options and help guide selections that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.” Miller also notes that, “Some simple construction methods can have an enormous impact on the sustainability and durability of a home or cottage such as mitigating air leakage, transitioning towards renewable energy vs the burning of oil and gas, optimizing options with glass and orientation of natural light that reduce unwanted heat in the summer yet allow this passive heat to warm the space in the winter.” Having established that knowledge is power, I wondered about power itself. How does a homeowner address electrical sustainability in their home or cottage?

Steve & Mitch McNair and Muskoka’s McNair Electric provide home automation and power solutions to ensure that every aspect of your home and cottage is in your control at all times, whether you’re up in Muskoka or trapped in the city. McNair Electric “strongly believes that in our ever-changing environment we need to be conscious of the energy we consume. Part of being a Smart home is being an efficient home. That’s why we offer our Muskoka clients Savant power to get your home in tune with on-peak and off-peak hydro consumption.” In addition, McNair outfits homes with Lutron Lighting control and shades control the sun’s every effect on your property’s interior, while maintaining its beauty. “We’re talking about efficiency, you’re talking about aesthetics, and luxury shades fall into all those categories.” Technology doesn’t just lend itself to sustainability in the literal construction and implementation process, but in the project and planning phases as well. Candice Manastersky of Aspen & Ivy Interior Design—“a collective of designers, decorators, and industry professionals” FALL 2021 75 ■

SUSTAINABLE LIVING IS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF QUALITY PRODUCTS offering an “all-inclusive interior design experience”—for over a decade, adds “ We use an extensive and well-integrated online platform, enabling us to significantly reduce paper use. We are also able to conduct virtual meetings with clients and share documents and presentations online which reduces carbon emissions. The online platform also gives us easier and more frequent communication with clients, allowing them to feel more closely involved with their projects, which again ensures our designs are perfect the first time around, eliminating the need to redo projects or renovate in a few short years.” Planning and longevity are just part of a sustainable living initiative—a tacit understanding of environmental impact is essential to responsible building. Ashley Smith of Enviroshake, an ecofriendly roofer, asserts “we recognize that demand for cedar roofing is a major factor in deforestation. We are driven to provide a sustainable alternative to natural cedar without sacrificing its timeless beauty. That’s why Enviroshake was formulated using 95% recycled materials to combine the authentic appeal of cedar shakes with the engineered 76 FALL 2021 ■

longevity and performance that natural cedar simply can’t match.” Smith adds, “Each Enviroshake roof provides property owners with the peace of mind offered by a market-leading engineered material as well as the knowledge that they have made a stand to protect our planet’s natural resources. Enviroshake roofs also generate significantly less waste than a natural cedar shake roof with a waste factor of typically less than 10%. Compare that with the 20% or higher waste factor of a natural cedar shake roof. Further, water runoff from an Enviroshake roof is nontoxic and even meets WHO drinking water standards. In contrast, the chemicals used to treat natural cedar roofs render their water runoff non-potable.” The scope and breadth of innovation in home sustainability promises the future of our homes and our planet is in good hands. Kathryn E. Stasiuk Riddell of KSR Engineering, an engineering and professional services firm focused on water safety notes, “As alternative housing models are pursued (community housing initiatives, tiny homes, modular homes, etc.) opportunities for communal servicing are available including cluster systems, centralized disposal systems, greywater systems, and more. The sustainability benefit of centralized onsite sewage treatment and disposal versus individual

well and septic systems for each home is that the sewage effluent plume can be isolated in one area away from water sources (such as a neighbours well).” “Steel and concrete production account for a good percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions (approximately 8% and 7% respectively). While concrete tanks are the fan favourite in many parts of Ontario, alternate tank materials may offer an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for new installations. A life-cycle analysis of HDPE (plastic) tanks could be compared to concrete

tanks. Plastic septic tanks have not been around as long as concrete though, so we aren’t sure yet if they can last as long as a concrete tank can.” All of which is to say: My understanding of sustainable living was a fraction of what the practice includes. As Doug Parks says, “Knowledge is power” and I was powerless—neither wind nor solar nor hydro-electric. Educating yourself with the assistance of experienced local business owners is the best way to protect you and your home from whatever the future has to offer.

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Dining doesn’t have to be complex to be elegant and delicious.

(705) 789-9769 87 Main St W, Huntsville, ON info@talltreesmuskoka.ca @talltreesmuskoka

CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

L E A D E R S I N L U X U RY R E A L E S TAT E

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EXCLUSIVE WATERFRONT BUILDING LOTS, HUNTSVILLE CHAIN OF LAKES, CALL OFFICE FOR MORE DETAILS – LAKE VERNON

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$1,000,000

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

BUILDING LOT 1: 900 FT., 5.80 ACRES – LAKE MUSKOKA

$1,995,000

BUILDING LOT 2: 445 FT., 2.30 ACRES – LAKE MUSKOKA

$1,095,000

BUILDING LOT 3: 445 FT., 3.50 ACRES – LAKE MUSKOKA

$1,095,000

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

“I run a business also and I would like to compliment you both on yours. Everything was made easy for me and your team did what you said you would, on time, with no issues and no drama. In these tricky times from a supply / workload / labour perspective - that is hard to do.” -Martin Hartshorne, July 2021

Backyards come in all shapes and sizes. So do Sport Court® game courts. Because we custom fit every game court we install, you’re sure to get a court that accommodates your yard, your family, your favorite sports and your lifestyle. When you decide to have a Sport Court game court installed in your backyard you’re doing more than purchasing the world’s finest recreation surface and equipment, you are investing in a new family game plan, focused on a lifetime of improved health and increased family time. We are proud to install Sport Court game courts all over Ontario since 2001. Sport Court Ontario is the only authorized installer in Ontario for this premiere product. We offer full service court design, build and installation across Ontario.

To learn more visit sportcourt.ca or call 416-788-1798 / Muskoka: 705-330-1798

Summer

Winter

PIRITS TL S CO

2 021

NEW

TIO r

A ginger for every occasion n

ol Mixer of

Made using the finest naturally sourced ingredients including a blend of gingers from Nigeria, the Ivory Coast & Cochin; individually crafted to enhance the world’s finest spirits.

@fevertreecanada | #mixwiththebest Where to buy & cocktail ideas visit: fever-tree.com

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

PERFECT LOCATION WITH 175 FT., 2,200 SQ.FT., 5 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS – LAKE MUSKOKA

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$1,995,000

SOLD: PARRY SOUND

SOLD: SAUBLE BEACH SAUBLE BEACH

$869,000

PARRY SOUND

$949,000

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SOLD: UTTERSON UTTERSON

$959,000

SOLD: BRANDY LAKE BRANDY LAKE

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

$1,500,000

$1,195,000

LAKE MANITOUWABING LAKE MANITOUWABING

$1,995,000

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

PORTAGE LAKE

$1,995,000

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

$2,290,000

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SOLD: PORTAGE LAKE

SOLD: LAKE ROSSEAU

SOLD: LAKE OF BAYS LAKE OF BAYS

$2,495,000

LAKE ROSSEAU

SOLD: LAKE OF BAYS LAKE OF BAYS

$2,499,000

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$2,495,000

SOLD: LAKE OF BAYS LAKE OF BAYS

$2,595,000

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EXCLUSIVE LAND ONLY: 150 FT., 1.492 ACRES – LAKE ROSSEAU

$995,000

COTTAGE ONLY: 100 FT., 1.006 ACRES, 1,315 SQ.FT., 1 BEDROOM, 2 BATHS – LAKE ROSSEAU

$2,195,000

LAND & COTTAGE: 250 FT., 2.50 ACRES, 1,315 SQ.FT., 1 BEDROOM, 2 BATHS – LAKE ROSSEAU

$2,950,000

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

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3651 FT., 10.890 ACRES, 1152 SQ.FT., 3 BEDROOMS, 1 BATH – SPARROW LAKE

2,400 FT., 40.25 ACRES, SOUTH EXPOSURE, 3,870 SQ.FT. MAIN LODGE WITH 9 OTHER CABINS ALONG WITH YOUR OWN PRIVATE GOLF COURSE – WAHWASHKESH LAKE

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$1,995,000

$2,990,000

SOLD: MUSKOKA LAKES MUSKOKA LAKES

$2,790,000

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

$2,895,000

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

SOLD: LAKE ROSSEAU LAKE ROSSEAU

$2,995,000

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

SOLD: LAKE OF BAYS

SOLD: FAIRY LAKE FAIRY LAKE

$3,100,000

LAKE OF BAYS

$3,195,000

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

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COMES WITH ITS OWN PRIVATE ISLAND! 2,100 SQ.FT., 1079 FT., 5.8 ACRES, 4 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHS – HORSESHOE LAKE

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$3,395,000

Dreamt up by a world-class trio of design and architecture icons - Siamak Hariri, Alessandro Munge and Janet Rosenberg - these ultra-luxury boutique residences bring history and modernity together in perfect harmony. No. 7 Dale is a landmark achievement that’s the ﬁrst and last of its kind.

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EXCLUSIVE 1,069 FT., 7.13 ACRES, 10,185 SQ.FT., 5 BEDROOMS, 7 BATHS – LAKE MANITOUWABING

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$5,995,000

SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH LAKE JOSEPH

$3,495,000

SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH LAKE JOSEPH

$3,495,000

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

$4,740,000

LAKE JOSEPH

SOLD: LAKE OF BAYS LAKE OF BAYS

$5,995,000

$5,750,000

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

$6,895,000

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

COMFORT

FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

705-765-0123 | baskinsulation.ca

SPRAY FOAM. BLOWN-IN INSULATION. DRYWALL

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Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$8,895,000

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA $6,995,000

LAKE MUSKOKA

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

$6,995,000

SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH LAKE JOSEPH

SOLD: LAKE ROSSEAU LAKE ROSSEAU

$7,395,000

$6,995,000

SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA LAKE MUSKOKA

$7,495,000

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

LAKE OF BAYS

$7,995,000

LAKE ROSSEAU

$8,295,000

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

SOLD: LAKE ROSSEAU

SOLD: LAKE OF BAYS

SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH LAKE JOSEPH

$13,995,000

SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH LAKE JOSEPH

$15,995,000

SOLD: LAKE ROSSEAU LAKE ROSSEAU

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$16,995,000

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

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300 FT., 2.27 ACRES, 5,958 SQ.FT., 6 BEDROOMS, 5 BATHS – LAKE JOSEPH

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$9,995,000

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Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

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EXCLUSIVE 497 FT., 6.5 ACRES, WEST EXPOSURE, 6,000 SQ.FT., 5 BEDROOMS, 6 BATHS – LAKE ROSSEAU

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$11,950,000

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460 FT., 2.28 ACRES, 7,000 SQ.FT., 6+3 BEDROOMS, 5+3 BATHS - LAKE MUSKOKA

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$16,995,000

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CAYMAN MARSHALL – INTERNATIONAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE M.SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM/SEARCH

EXCLUSIVE STUNNING 470 FT., 9,000 SQ.FT., 6.22 ACRES, 5 BEDROOMS, 8 BATHS – LAKE JOSEPH

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage m.searchmuskokarealestate.com/search or Find us on Instagram

$23,795,000

Get in the

KNOW!

THE BENEFITS OF LISTING EXCLUSIVELY WITH CAYMAN MARSHALL

ost brokerages advise you to put your property into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) system, in order to get it in front of the greatest number of prospective buyers possible. But when it comes to Muskoka property – especially in the current market – that may not be the best, or even most desirable, route for you. Cayman Marshall has a better way to market your property, which not only ensures that only serious, wellqualified buyers view your property, but allows you to maintain your privacy and avoid the stress and hustle of listing with MLS. With a Cayman Marshall exclusive listing, your property will only be visible to members of our proprietary database. Personal viewing appointments are only scheduled after our agents have taken prospective buyers through a careful pre-screening process.

SEP

00 5,0 9 ,9 H LISTED AT $13

Our system works equally well for buyers. Rather than enduring the “feeding frenzy,” panic-bidding and sometimes, disappointment that accompanies desirable MLS properties, you have the assurance of knowing the property is only being seen by serious, well-qualified prospects like you, and managed exclusively through Cayman Marshall’s offices. The success of our system speaks for itself: since last August, we’ve sold well over $133 million in exclusive sales alone. Allow us to show you the better way to sell your Muskoka property!

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00 ,0 95 9 BAY , 7 S LISTED AT $

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**

O SK

D AT $6,995,00 ISTE 0

L KA

MORE EXCLUSIVELY SOLD PROPERTIES WITH CAYMAN MARSHALL:

• LAKE JOSEPH LISTED AT $13,995,000 1,000 FT., SW EXPOSURE • LAKE OF BAYS LISTED AT $7,995,000 800 FT. • LAKE MUSKOKA LISTED AT $6,995,000 • LAKE JOSEPH LISTED AT $6,995,000 59 ACRES • LAKE ROSSEAU LISTED AT $5,500,000 • LAKE MUSKOKA LISTED AT $5,200,000

RO S

9 SEA 2,9 U LISTED AT $

0 00

• LAKE MUSKOKA LISTED AT $3,980,000 • LAKE ROSSEAU LISTED AT $3,795,000 • LAKE ROSSEAU LISTED AT $1,800,000 • 11 LOTS IN HUNTSVILLE

LISTED AT $1,000,000+ • NEW BUILD SOLD

ON LAKE JOSEPH

SEP

00 ,0 95 9 , 6 H LISTED AT $

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**

SINCE LAST AUGUST, WE’VE SOLD WELL OVER $133 MILLION IN EXCLUSIVE SALES ALONE. Connect with a Cayman Marshall Agent to stay completely in the KNOW of our listings!

FALL 2021 107 ■

BUILDING A DREAM PART 6

The Muskoka Look: Luxury Lake Home Design Trends By Martha Uniacke Breen

Ever wondered exactly what’s involved with designing a brandnew cottage from scratch? Our ongoing series, Building A Dream, follows along as a family undergoes the complicated, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding process of designing and building their dream Muskoka cottage, and what we can learn from their experience. In this instalment, designer Meredith Parsons takes a look at the three most popular style categories in lakehouse interior design, and how these styles can be seen through a distinctly Muskoka lens.

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assis Design Studio’s senior designer, Meredith Parsons, points out that while your style is uniquely your own, most interior design falls into three general categories. When she works with clients like the family whose cottage build we’ve been following in this series, she says this is an excellent place to start to narrow down your choices. Also, she observes, “Muskoka has a unique style all its own, incorporating the landscape, the

way we enjoy the space, and the history of the area. When I work with clients, often one of our goals is helping you incorporate your own style, perhaps adapted from your year-round home, into the Muskoka vibe/landscape.” Meredith broke down for us the three main design styles that are most popular in Muskoka luxury lakeside living – and what comprises a uniquely Muskoka take on these styles. It’s a great place to start to narrow down your own unique style!

Adriana Armchair elte.com

Allendale Chandelier ldshoppe.com

Zola Pillow tonicliving.com

Heidi Dove/Blush Rug ldshoppe.com

Traditional

Billie Knit Throw tonicliving.com

Emerson Buffet elte.com

Traditional design draws on the past for inspiration, including British, New England and Old World building and decorating styles. Muskoka Traditional takes inspiration from the natural world all around us, and incorporates it into these traditions: unfinished wood furnishings, wall paneling and structural elements such as log or timber framing; natural textures like wool, birchbark, rope; complex patterns in fabrics and rugs. Granite is a classic component with flooring and of course, fireplaces, but usually as raw rather than cut stone. Walls are decorated with cottagey elements like canoe paddles, animal heads, or maps. The emphasis is on home, comfort, unpretentiousness.

FALL 2021 109 ■

Terrie Ceramic Pot tonicliving.com

Lavenham Rug elte.com Valentina Velvet Pillow tonicliving.com

Welles Central Pendant hollacecluny.ca

Geometric Daybed hollacecluny.ca

Modern Austin Bed elte.com

The principle behind modern design is that “form follows function,” which means you think about how you live in a space and design to that purpose. Generally, modern interiors are clean, sleek, free of clutter and excess. Colour is usually low key, letting the natural colours of building materials (or the view!) do the talking, whether wood, steel, glass or cut stone. Muskoka’s beautiful vistas and relaxed lifestyle makes it very well suited to modern design. Lots of floor-to ceiling glass and open-plan interiors, the better to enjoy the view and the sunshine, are supplemented with regional touches: granite slabs with sleek straight lines (used indoors and out); natural landscape features like driftwood, which can look stunning in a simple Modernist setting.

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Transitional Transitional style offers the best of both worlds, and is a very easy, adaptable style to live with, particularly at the cottage. A transitional interior might combine deeply upholstered, comfortable furnishings with a modern glassand-steel coffee table, or sleek, clean-lined sofas with patterned rugs. A typical transitional colour palette tends towards neutral, muted colours, and understated design schemes with a few textures and accessories. We see mixing textures more than colours in this style. The Muskoka version of transitional style adds a relaxed, laid-back vibe rather than trying to adhere to any one design principle. Plaid, striped, even coastal patterns in fabrics and a breezy approach to decor take precedence. The design is clean, but has a lived-in feel.

Farina Pillow tonicliving.com

Perou Armless Chair elte.com Chang Sideboard elte.com Scarlet Pendant ldshoppe.com

Lange Sleigh Bed elte.com

Gorsu Coil Basket tonicliving.com

Marlo Platinum Indoor/Outdoor Rug ldshoppe.com

FALL 2021 111 ■

WHAT’S

NEXT? BY TODD ADAIR

I’ve been noticing a strange phenomenon as the pandemic drags well into its second year. It’s hard to describe, but it seems to have seeped into almost every part of life these days. It’s this pervasive sense of… I guess the best word for it is uncertainty. FALL 2021 113 ■

BUY (OR SELL) BECAUSE IT’S RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY NOW, NOT BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU MIGHT DO BETTER A FEW MONTHS OR A YEAR FROM NOW.

lot of things that we took for granted would always be available, simply aren’t. I’ll give you an example: the other day I went shopping for a bike for my ten-year-old (he’s outgrown his old one, and it’s a matter of pride for him). We drove to every bike shop in the region, and no luck: not a single bike suitable for a ten-year-old was to be found anywhere in Muskoka. Same thing when I went with a client to buy a boat to go with their new property; no boats available for sale, new or used. Tradespeople whom I could always count on to be as good as their word seem to be a lot less certain these days, too. With some of them, it used to be when they said they’d be there on Wednesday, you knew they would be. Now you might get a call early Wednesday morning, saying something’s come up and it’ll be this afternoon or tomorrow. Or maybe they don’t call at all.

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There are rational explanations for these things, and I am not really blaming the bike store, the boat dealer, or even my friends in the trades. It’s just part and parcel of the brave new world of Covid. Supply chains, and all kinds of normal processes, have been hugely disrupted by the pandemic and it’s had ripple effects all through the economy. But I think that’s only part of the reason this is happening.

of the world has changed, and it’s had a profound psychological effect. In the worst case, it may have involved the sudden death or illness of a loved one, or even contracting the disease yourself. But even if, so far, you’ve been blessed enough to escape its direct effects, there’s a weariness that comes with protracted vigilance.

For many of us, everything we relied on as part of the normal

For many of us, everything we relied on as part of the normal workings

workings of the world has changed, and it’s had a profound psychological effect.

Here’s my point. What’s next? Where will the uncertainty and tentativeness we’re feeling right now lead? Is this really just an unpleasant but temporary symptom of the pandemic, and once it passes, we’ll all go back to the way things were?

Or are we on the vanguard of a complete paradigm shift? I’m not suggesting I have an answer or even a strong opinion, but it’s hard to imagine that none of these changes are permanent. After all, I know people who never thought they could work out of their homes, and discovered that not only was it possible, it led to a better work/ family balance. For others, it’s led to a re-evaluation of their career choices, and some have quit their jobs (or lost them, and been forced to start new careers). The point is that everything we thought was settled fact is due for reconsideration. Now, it’s an old cliché that uncertainty is the enemy of markets, especially the stock market and the real estate market. (The fact that the stock market has continued to climb as the pandemic has worn It’s always on is another of the been notoriously ironies of the current difficult to predict where situation, but that’s another prices will go in high-demand article.) markets like the Big Three But I do Muskoka lakes; every think it’s time we thought that interesting to think about they couldn’t get how real estate any higher, could be affected.

we’ve been confounded.

It’s always been notoriously difficult to predict where prices will go in high-demand markets like the Big Three Muskoka lakes; every time we thought that they couldn’t get any higher, we’ve been confounded. But I think it’s possible that this time, it’s different. For one thing, as prices lurch into the stratosphere at least for the primary markets, the pool of increasingly wellto-do buyers that form the audience for these properties will shrink, and along with it demand, and therefore prices. (I’m not talking here about what we call the sub, or niche, markets – the smaller lakes and surrounding areas of cottage country, such as Georgian Bay.)

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I’m not sure if we’ve reached that upper limit yet, or whether prices will stabilize or even fall, but I suspect we are close.

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, you should forget everything you’ve heard about “timing” the market. There’s no such thing even in a less volatile market than this one, and it’s particularly true now.

That’s why I’ve been telling my clients that, whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, you should forget everything you’ve heard about “timing” the market. There’s no such thing even in a less volatile market than this one, and it’s particularly true now.

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Buy (or sell) because it’s right for you and your family now, not because you think you might do better a few months or a year from now. There truly is no way to know what’s next, especially in times like these – but that’s one piece of advice I feel confident about sharing.

– Todd Adair

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CAYMAN MARSHALL ADVANTAGE “Become so skilled, so vigilant, so flat-out fantastic at what you do that your talent cannot be dismissed.” – Oprah Winfrey When we opened the doors of Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc. as a small boutique brokerage firm to serve the Muskoka real estate market in 2012, we did so with the intention of redefining the level of service that clients could expect from our real estate professionals. Since then, we have grown into an impressive team of top-producing realtors and brokers, committed to ensuring our clients receive the highest level of service when buying or selling property in one of Canada’s most sought-after luxury destinations. We at Cayman Marshall have been entrusted with the most prestigious waterfront properties in Muskoka. As leaders in luxury and waterfront real estate, we have had record sales on many of Muskoka’s finest lakes. With sales now surpassing the billion-dollar mark, we’ve secured our position as a leader in luxury real estate. We also offer a complete selection of luxury cottage rental properties. We have offices in Port Carling, Toronto, and our all-new location in Huntsville, which also serves the Lake of Bays area. Our in-house IT professionals have developed proprietary online tools and software, interactive and intuitive websites, lifestyle tours, stunning photography and an astonishing network of over 400 local and international referral partners, to ensure our clients’ listings get the exposure they need to attract the most discerning local and international buyers.

The Cayman Marshall team celebrating 2018 sales in Montego Bay Jamaica.

Cayman Marshall was also named one of “Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies” by Maclean’s magazine two years in a row (2018 & 2019). We have also been named one of Canada’s fastest growing companies by the Globe and Mail. We expect to keep our title as the disrupter in luxury real estate. Founded on the principles of teamwork, service and value, Cayman Marshall is the best advantage for buyers and sellers alike in Ontario. If you’re looking for a real estate solution that’s undeniably different, please reach out to myself or one of my teammates and start experiencing the advantage!

We currently print four issues of our Cayman Marshall magazine per year, with an annual distribution of 200,000. Each magazine is delivered to the front door of homes and cottages of high-net-worth clientele throughout Ontario. We are proud to mention that the Cayman Marshall Port Carling brokerage was voted by a panel of international judges to be the “Best Real Estate Agency in Canada, ” two years in a row – a title that we cherish!

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**

Todd Adair

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MEET THE TEAM...

RAY DICKSON**

TODD ADAIR*

President/Sales Representative Todd became the President of Cayman Marshall International Realty in 2012. He then became the majority shareholder and recently purchased the entire company. In Todd’s downtime, you will ﬁnd him buying, building or renovating his own real estate projects, on the water wakeboarding and kite surﬁng, or hacking up the fairways of a local golf course. However, Todd’s most important job is being a husband and father to his family of four.

KALLAN KOCH

JEFF LIDDLE*

Chief Editor

Sales Representative

Kallan is originally from Ottawa but has called Muskoka her home for the past three years. Kallan is an outdoors enthusiast and enjoys all that Muskoka has to offer. With many years of experience in customer service, we are delighted to have her on our Cayman Marshall team!

Jeff entered into real estate in 2008 facing a down market and a recession. Overcoming the odds, Jeff has now become a “top producer” in his industry. Working and living in Muskoka comes with a deep appreciation; it is this appreciation that Jeff portrays to his clients every day.

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JOEL ADAIR*

MIKE ARNOLD*

Broker of Record

Sales Representative

Ray has been enjoying Muskoka for the past 40+ years and is happy to call it home with his wife Johanna and their two boys. His passion for Muskoka is equally shared with everything real estate and his “this is what I do because I love it” approach.

Growing up on the lakes gave Joel a passion for water sports and the outdoors. Toronto has been home for the past ten years, but Joel will always feel at home on the Big 3. Whether trading residential or commercial real estate, Joel’s nearly 15 years in the business gives his clients a wealth of knowledge they can depend on. He is best known for helping clients build strong real estate portfolios and finding exceptional spaces to call home.

With 25 years’ experience in sales and marketing, joining the Cayman Marshall team was a great fit for Michael. His “customer first” dedication to his clients has always resulted in successful long-term relationships. With a passion for boating and water sports, Michael looks forward to enjoying all that the Muskoka Lakes has to offer.

ERIN O’REILLY

MEREDITH PARSONS

KRISTIN McCREA

Office Manager/Personal Assistant to Todd Adair

Kristin and her family enjoy calling Muskoka home. In 2015 Kristin began her career with Cayman Marshall and has been lucky to work alongside some of the most talented agents in the business. During her spare time you can find Kristin and her family experiencing all the outdoor activities that Muskoka has to offer.

Office Administrator

Erin grew up in Barrie, spending her summers on the lakes of Muskoka. She enjoys exploring the beauty that Muskoka has to offer year-round, and gets out on the water as much as possible in the warmer seasons. Erin has over 5 years of experience in customer relations and a strong background in marketing, making her an excellent fit for the Cayman Marshall team.

Designer

Meredith was born and raised in Mississauga and spent her summers as a child exploring Muskoka. Meredith developed a love for architecture and design at a young age and was able to turn her passion into a career after completing her education in Interior Design at Ryerson University. With over 5 years of experience in the design industry, Meredith is developing her craft while creating beautiful and timeless interiors.

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**

DAVID BEMMANN**

Broker

With over 16 years of experience, Dave has become a top selling agent of luxury waterfront property in Muskoka. Dave lives on Lake Rosseau and spends much of his time on the water. His commitment to customer service, professionalism and honesty provides his clients with an enjoyable and successful real estate experience.

CAT BROWN*

KAREINA DAVEY

STEVE HADDOCK* JESSICA KAYE*

Sales Representative

Office Administrator

Sales Representative

Growing up in Waterloo, Cat was fortunate enough to spend all of her summers at her family cottage on Lake of Bays. Cayman Marshall sought after Cat for her enthusiastic, positive attitude and Cat is now thrilled to be building a career in Sales with the Cayman Marshall Team.

Kareina spent summers of her childhood at cottages in the Mactier and Nobel Area. She lived in Alberta for a couple years and loved the mountain views but really missed the lakes and maple trees and could not wait to get back to the peace that is Muskoka. She has been an educator for several years and has worked in customer service. Kareina is excited to be a part of the Cayman Marshall team.

Steve is a strong relationship builder, honest and dedicated to Customer Service. This combined with his intimate knowledge of Muskoka lakes and area has made him a consistent top producer. Steve is an avid cyclist and golfer and maintains residences in Toronto and Muskoka and ties to both communities. His mantra and favourite quote is to “get up, dress up, show up, and never give up”.

Jess prides herself on being born and raised in Muskoka, spending summers on the lakes and winters on the snowmobile trails. Jess’ understanding for Muskoka is what helps her succeed in making the real estate transaction successful and enjoyable for all her clients.

HEAD OFFICE:

SARAH POUNTNEY*

CLAUDIA SPAHR-KAYE

MICHELLE STILLAR*

CHARLIE VANDERPOL*

Sales Representative

Rental Manager

Sales Representative

Licensed Assistant

Sarah was born and raised just North of Muskoka. She enjoys the outdoors on the lakes of Muskoka, and islands of Georgian Bay. Sarah is passionate about travel. She has just returned home from Turks and Caicos Islands where she worked in Private International Banking. With over thirteen years of experience in customer relationship building, she is an excellent addition to the Cayman Marshall Team.

Claudia was born in Toronto and grew up in the Durham area. She relocated to Huntsville with her family 6 years ago. She has travelled around the world during her 20 year career in aviation. Working as a corporate flight attendant for ONEX, she perfected her customer service and culinary skills while working for some of the world’s most influential people.

Michelle being born and raised on the northern shores of Georgian Bay loves being on the water and being involved in the real estate market. Her love for renos gives her an inside scoop in the world of home and cottage ownership and being the newest member, looks forward to being a valuable asset to the team!

Charlie made the move over 6 years ago to beautiful Muskoka where she spent time growing up on the lake and always wanting to make Muskoka part of her roots and pursue her career. With many years of experience in customer service and relations, Charlie is determined and focused on customers and the team members of Cayman Marshall, making her a great addition and asset to our team.

Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**

202-97B Joseph Street Port Carling, ON P0B 1J0 705-765-5759 BRANCH OFFICE: 20 Main St. W., Huntsville, ON P1H 2C3 705-765-5759 TORONTO OFFICE: 200-99 Yorkville Ave Toronto, ON M5R 3K5 647-696-4733

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