The Modern Cottage

Ivy Row Design captured the laid-back lifestyle and aesthetic of the lake and provides the perfect ambiance for entertaining with maximum functionality, creating an ideal playground for adults and children alike.

Nestled on a peninsula extending out from the southeastern shores of Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba lies the small rural municipality of Victoria Beach, a popular summer destination for the prairie region’s cottage goers. Established in 1910, the RM of Victoria Beach has been praised for its pristine beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, and off-the-grid mentality. During peak season, car-traffic is prohibited: if you want to stop in at Einfield’s famous bakery to try one of their delectable dream-cookies, you better hop on your beater-bike (a selling feature for family residents with young children who are wary of traffic)! This is the context of Ivy Row Design's latest project, a space that brings the amenities of city life to the coziness of lake life.

Jocelyn and Kate of Ivy Row Design called the clients, a young family of four, their “dream clients” due to their hands-off approach and trusting personalities. This trust enabled the designers to take certain stylistic risks that paid off in the big picture. By the time the designers got involved, the space had already been given its predominantly modern architectural bones, and it was up to Ivy Row Design to fill the home with an aesthetic that made sense within the borders of this beachy haven. Kate and Jocelyn experimented with bold material choices to ensure the space reflected the character of the town it inhabits. Their mission with this space was to bring the outdoors inside as much as possible. This inspiration came about very organically in response to the jaw-dropping floor-to-ceiling windows in the room, which showcase the deep emerald green of the mature trees that line the property, with streams of sunlight illuminating the living room where the trees will permit. “We didn’t want to compete with that” Jocelyn adds, reminiscing over the stunning view. Choosing materials and colors that call to natural elements was one avenue taken to ensure the modern build maintained an easygoing atmosphere. The shiplap in the bathroom, typically used in exterior settings (painted a deep mesmerizing navy blue) brings the cottage sensibility into focus. Where cottage design concepts often overuse wood to achieve the rustic aesthetic, Ivy Row Design utilizes it sparingly to frame their neutral tones, drawing clean lines that add warmth and depth to the space.

The one request these clients did have when communicating their vision to Jocelyn and Kate was their need for this to be a user-freindly and comfortable space. With young children, they needed it to be equal parts function and style. “We have our own kids, which is a huge help when it comes to making a space work for young families” Jocelyn shared, adding that her experience as a mother has enabled her to curate a wide repertoire of tricks for creating kid-friendly spaces. Jocelyn shares that for the clients, “it was all about creating that adult space where you can have your friends over and you can entertain but the kids can also be there too”. Kate elaborated, contesting the myth that having tiny humans automatically precludes the possibility of ‘having nice things’. Their personal experience as parents helps them create spaces that work with kids instead of against them: “its sometimes just a matter of picking those pieces where you can store the toys, or having baskets around, but the basket is really nice. It’s all kind of a balancing act”.

A loft offers a safe place for kids to play (within earshot) while adults entertain below. Hiding within plain sight are various storage areas for toys and other items for quick clean-ups.

Rustic touches like these painted paddles hung above the headboard (which pair nicely with the Hudson's Bay blanket peaking from the bottom of the image) keep this lake house from feeling too modernized while offering a touch of character.

Despite its modern-looking exterior, the designers created a space imbued with all the rustic charm one would expect from this summertime getaway town. Whether entertaining or just laying low with loved ones, this space masters the art of easy living and pairs it with a meticulously crafted beachy aesthetic that will act as the perfect background for memories to be made in their new home away from home.

Adding simple and elegant accessories like this table's centerpiece was another way that Ivy Row Design paid tribute to the great outdoors while maintaining its composed but casual allure.