Elements of Style

THE LOOK: THE ECLECTIC COT TAGE

THE FORMULA: A crisp white envelope + decorator fabrics + unexpected accents

LAYOUT A double-wide living space

A pair of sitting areas, each boasting its own fireplace, makes room for both immediate and extended family. “One is more traditional, with sofas for reading, while the other is more like a lounge, with a hidden TV for watching movies,” says cottage owner Laurence Martocq. Coffee table, Muskoka Living; sofas, Ikea; garden stool, Elte; throw pillows (on slipper chairs), Peaks & Rafters; pillows (on sofa), Y&Co.

IN THE Mix

How one homeow ner w ith an eye for desig n put a decorated spin on the classic family cottage.

Text by ROSEMARY COUNTER Photography by ALEX LUKEY

After having her second daughter 10 years ago, Heritage Cookbook co-owner Laurence Martocq went looking for a getaway property like the one she went to in the Bahamas as a child: a welcoming, breezy hub where the whole family could convene. A dozen unsuccessful viewings later, Laurence got lucky at her last showing — the cottage next door to the first one she viewed. “It had just come up for sale and wasn’t even listed yet,” says the Torontonian. The bright, 4,500-square-foot open-concept space inspired love at first sight. After the all-important thumbs-up from her designer sister, Virginie, with whom she shares a similar aesthetic, Laurence made an offer just days later.

Over the next decade, Laurence’s home away from home in Ontario’s Muskoka region came together as most cottages do: slowly but surely, with input from family, and a mix of old furniture and new pieces. Atop a ready canvas — walls already painted bright white, no major renovations needed — Laurence created a playful, colour-filled cottage that suits all bodies passing through with two living rooms, four bedrooms and three bathrooms (plus a bunk room for her kids, Eloise, 13, and Charlotte, 10). “On our busiest weekend, we have 16 people here,” says Laurence. And hey, when you’re family, what’s a few more? “Someone can always sleep in the boathouse!”

COLOURS Bright and ever-changing

Though Laurence loves visiting her neighbours’ raw wooden cottages, she enjoys layering cheerful hues over a white base in her own spaces. The colourful accents rotate in and out, depending on what shade feels inspiring at the time. “Right now, I’m into pink,” she says. Ottoman, slipper chairs, HomeSense; slipper chair fabric, Ikea.

EXTERIOR Weathered hues

Greyed board-and-batten siding has loads of cottage charm and lets the landscape take centre stage. A wide deck offers enough space for a generous lounge area, made even more appealing with piles of pillows in striped and blockprinted patterns.

FOCAL POINT A statement staircase

Since the original grey glass-and-metal railing didn’t go with Laurence’s desired look, she decided to design her own Chippendale-inspired version from scratch. “I found a local carpenter, showed him a picture, and he replicated it so accurately that it blew me away,” she says. At the staircase’s base is a Norwegian daybed — a family heirloom and, if necessary, another bed. Rice paper pendants, Ikea; small purple throw pillow, Memo Showroom; carpentry, Groh Construction.