By Martha Uniacke Breen
When you first alight on the drive of this Lake Joseph beauty, what strikes you is how serene it looks: it sets it apart from other luxury cottages in Muskoka. With its subtle matte-black cladding and low-maintenance metal roof, it seems to nestle quietly into the hillside: an uncluttered silhouette among the pines and the impossibly blue Muskoka sky.
Enter the glass door
Upon entering through the glass door under the gabled central portico, it feels as though you have stepped into another world. The almost modest front gable magically transforms into the peak of a soaring open space. This space is taken up almost entirely by the uninterrupted view of Lake Joe. Sights arise from one end to the other, from ceiling to floor, sparkling in the summer sun.
The architects and engineers achieved something remarkable with the lakeside elevation of the cottage, crafting it almost entirely from glass. It takes full advantage of one of the property’s most breathtaking assets. Sprawling across 300 feet of prime waterfront lies a splendid, miles-wide view of arguably the most desirable of the Muskoka lakes. From every perch in this magnificent house, from every bedroom and easy chair, from the chef’s kitchen and dining room in the open central area to the secluded and cozy primary suite under the pines at the far side, this dreamhouse fills your eyes and your heart with a vision of sky, trees, sunlight, and water.
Enough space to dream
At just under 7,500 square feet, with six-plus-three bedrooms and seven bathrooms, the cottage sits on a roomy six acres of prime Muskoka lakeside property. It suits a big extended family, a couple who loves to entertain, and everything in between. But the dream lies in how beautifully it combines big, heart-stopping spaces and cozy corners. It’s equally accommodating for big, friendly crowds, or those weekends when it’s just the two of you, stealing away for some peace and quiet by the lake.
The interior is a study in unpretentious elegance, with natural finishes long on beauty but requiring little to no care. The flooring features rustic, wide-plank hardwood. White shiplap finishes adorn the walls. The great room fireplace showcases clean-lined Carrara marble, complemented by a sleek granite hearth at its base. Windows are trimmed in black metal, imparting a comforting feeling of heft amid all the light and air that fills the home.
Space to enjoy life
In the dining and kitchen area, the ceiling stops down to a more humane height of ten feet. It is tailor-made for intimate dinner table conversation or chatting with the cook while lounging on the island. (Sliding glass doors in this section welcome lakeside breezes on a warm day.) The kitchen is free from the usual clutter of cupboards and hardware. Instead, overflow storage and extra prep space hide behind a rustic siding barn door at one side, behind which lies a complete butler’s pantry.
Past the great room on the other side is the staple of every cottage worth its lounge chairs: the Muskoka room. But this Muskoka room is no drafty three-season add-on. With its screens fully retracted, it functions like a sheltered verandah above the water, where sitters can relax out of the wind while hearing the birds’ serenade and the waves gently lapping below. As the sun sets, push a button. The screens will close, banishing the bugs as the stars begin to shimmer above the darkening water.
Time to entertain
The lower level is designed for entertaining – whether en masse or just a quiet game of cards or conversation à deux. Kick back by the fireplace and catch the game at the far end of the family room. If you really want to get away for a movie night, move into the plush home theatre, with its high-end projection screen and state-of-the-art sound system.
There’s also a second, conveniently equipped kitchen on this level – great for whipping up a meal for a hungry crowd, or just heating pizza for the kids.
Each of the six bedrooms has a private, tailor-made view across the lakeside. No worries about being on display to passing boaters. Dropdown blinds are there at the push of a button if it’s a little extra privacy you desire. The blinds also serve for a little extra sleep when the morning sun shines in. Most bedrooms also have their own ensuites and access through sliding doors onto the deck.
An ode to the outdoors
Outdoor life, in the best Muskoka tradition, is as important here as life indoors. It’s possible that the private waterfall, trickling down from ancient granite rocks just outside the primary bedroom, provided the inspiration for the pool, since it features an infinity edge that seems to cascade right down the hill. The poolhouse echoes the gabled silhouette of the main house attractively, includes both an outdoor kitchen and a sheltered lounge area – perfect for escaping a passing shower without having to run back into the house.
Find everything you’d expect from luxury cottages Muskoka for sale.
Finish the day with a leisurely stroll down over the shallow limestone steps to the water’s edge, where a classic Muskoka boathouse features two slips, a bar for serving friends sunning themselves on the dock, and extra sleeping quarters for overflow guests, or teens who want their own space away from the parents.
Rising above the water, with its subtle, elegant design and walls of glass reflecting the woods and water that surround it, the house has a quiet sparkle, like a dark jewel set in the trees at the waterside. Don’t say you weren’t warned; once you spend time in this dreamhouse, you may never want to leave.
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