Summer Living on the Lake

A cottage farmhouse in Canada is the foundation for making family memories.

- MERYL SCHOENBAUM

There is a lovely cottage farmhouse overlooking Lake Muskoka in Ontario, Canada, that was appropriately and affectionately bestowed with the name "Bellamere" by its owners. "Because the cottage is on Lake Muskoka and has a beautiful view of the lake, the cottage is called Bellamere, which means 'beautiful lake' in Italian," explains homeowner Evie, a retired teacher, adding, "Cottages on the Muskoka Lakes were originally named to help captains with navigation."

The Victorian-style cottage farmhouse showcases old Muskoka and nautical details. Built circa 2011, it has eight bedrooms and three master bedrooms, one on each floor, to accommodate the three generations of family members who reside there. It was designed by Cory DeFrancisco of Muskoka Living Interiors "to capture the old character of cottages, full of little nooks and crannies where you can go to escape!"

While the Port Carling home is fully winterized with a generator and can be enjoyed all year round, Evie and her husband, Michael, have designated it as their summer residence. "For us, this is a vacation property. It's where we spend most of the summer," Evie says. "However, each season brings its own unique ways to enjoy the house and the Muskoka area."

FAMILY STYLE

"Our cottage was designed to be warm and cozy. I wanted the grandkids to be respectful, but at the same time be able to run and play, and not have to worry if anything broke or got dirty," Evie says. With the focus on family, it may come as a surprise to learn that most of the soft furnishings are white. "While you might think that this would not be very kid- or pet-friendly, it is quite the opposite," Evie says. "All the fabrics are machine washable. If something spills or sticky hands end up on the furniture, off come the slipcovers and into the wash they go. A little bleach can do wonders!"