HOW TO MAKE BIG FEEL SUPER COZY

Perfect proportioning makes this almost 8,000-square-foot home seem anything but big.

Shane, a vice-president of real estate with E INC, explains that the house was positioned so that the living area overlooks the fifth hole of The Georgian Bay Club, of which he is a member, and Georgian Bay itself, while the rooms facing the front of the home look up at the forested escarpment.

The house seems to glow, in fact, from all the outside light pouring in.

Nicole chose a light colour palette for the home to enhance the natural light and brass accents that reflect it.

Sculptural chandeliers and pendants adorn every room and draw the eye towards the breathtaking ceiling heights. The secondfloor den acts as a multi-purpose room with a view.

The walls are painted White Dove from Benjamin Moore and the white oak floors are from Moncer Brass Waterstone faucets and brass Ashley Norton hardware on the light-coloured kitchen cupboards and white/grey stone kitchen island glow.

White linen-look blinds throughout the house and cream and light neutral upholstered furniture complete the theme, warmed up with the faded colours of the second-life Persian carpets from Elte that adorn the hardwood floors.

And the large picture-perfect windows, front and back of the house, make the sun appear to “circulate” through the home, says Nicole. At night, the house is lit with large, gorgeouslydesigned pendant lights created from natural materials—including huge 60-pound cement ones over the kitchen island. They are so beautiful they could be sculptures. And instead of pot lights in the upstairs hall, the couple chose brassy farmhousestyle ceiling fixtures.

The home, too, makes plenty of use of the outdoors. One deck off the kitchen and dining area overlooks a fire pit and hot tub. And there are plans to add a pool.

Another large deck off the living room has heated flooring (as does the entire house) so its surface stays cozy and warm for three-season dining alfresco.

And the large picture-perfect windows, front and back of the house, make the sun appear to “circulate” through the home.

One of a kind property in a sought after location with easy access to Bruce Trail, Metcalfe Rock and Kolapore uplands. Custom built, 3500 sq.ft, 4 bedroom home. Incredible location for outdoor adventurers and trail enthusiasts.

Coming Soon

Incredible 50 acre property nestled in the Pretty River Valley. Breathtaking, westerly views of the Niagara Escarpment. Stately 4 bedroom brick home & bank barn. Short drive to ski & golf clubs, Georgian Bay, Collingwood & more!

Steps to skiing, Village at Blue, park & more from this fantastic 5 bed|3 bath chalet in the heart of Blue Mountain! Large windows, cathedral ceilings, gorgeous wood beams & wood accents. Finished basement. Short drive to Georgian Bay!

MLS #40382036 | $1,279,000

Fantastic 4 Bed|2 Bath bungalow situated on a mature, treed 0.88 acre property. Easy access to the Georgian Trail. Christine Beach nearby. 20 Minutes to Blue Mountain. 3-Season screened-in porch, finished basement. A Perfect family home!

| $699,000

330 First Street, Collingwood ON L9Y 1B4

(705) 445-5520 info@HawkinsRyerse.com

Views of Georgian Bay & the Niagara Escarpment from this beautiful rural acreage. Short drive to Devil’s Glen Ski Club, Mad River Golf & Country Club, Osler Brook Golf Club & Batteaux Creek Golf Club. 64 Acres of mostly cleared land with a forested area & rolling hills.

MLS# 40354849 | $1,495,000

HIKE & BIKE FOR HOSPICE 2023 IS MAY 28TH THIS YEAR.

Supporting Hospice Georgian Triangle is a cause very near and dear to our hearts. We, along with Royal LePage Locations North will be registering a team & hope to see you there!

Registration opens April 1st. Visit hospicegeorgiantriangle.com or contact us at info@HawkinsRyerse.com for more details.

Broker* Sales Representative**

Yes, it’s probably time to let AI take over your lawn.

The black walnut’s endangered relative deserves special attention.

From your front gate to the back forty, we are here to assist you in creating your dream estate property. Uncovering, discovering, creating and maintaining areas so that your property thrives in the manner you see best. Your land is valuable. Your time is valuable. Let us help you create spaces that are simply yours to

It was opening night and the anticipation in the theatre was palpable.

International opera star Ambur Braid reflects on coming home to her role as Salome and the sanctuary of a rustic Blue Mountains cabin.

Braid says of her director, “Atom and I had met a few times at events and dinners, including a big dinner that was hosted in my own apartment, where we got to know each other in a very natural way. He’s an incredibly intelligent, gracious and generous man to work with.”

The home stage also offered unique advantages. “Coming home can certainly be a mixture of feelings. In the case of this role, at this time in my career, it was an incredible gift,” says Braid. “It’s an important role to me and I know her very well, so I could carry the show in a calm and supportive way... and was given the support to make it even better. This makes a difference. The cast was also a dream cast. Chemically, we knew each other very well, so we could just get right into it and start peeling through the emotional layers. The conductor, Johannes Debus, is the person I’ve worked the most with, so there’s an understanding there as well.”

Being home also meant being back at the secluded log cabin in the Blue Mountains where Braid, her husband, and the couple’s toy poodle, Walter, reside when not in Frankfurt.

“We moved up to the Blue Mountains in February 2017 and, because this is how life happens, I was then offered a full-time contract at Oper Frankfurt.” Braid joined the Oper Frankfurt ensemble in 2018. Since then, she has divided her time between the two places, but considers “the cabin,” as the couple affectionately calls it, home.

Born and raised in British Columbia, Braid moved to Toronto in 2002 to complete her undergrad at The Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory of Music, followed by her master’s studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She returned to Toronto in 2008 to perform with Opera Atelier before being accepted into the COC Ensemble Studio, an incubator program for emerging artists.

But growing up in the small town of Terrace, in the Coast Mountains of B.C., meant the international opera star was no stranger to snow, mountains and the charms of rural life.

“The fantasy of having a place out in the countryside, but still being near an airport, started a couple of years before the purchase. We, like many, kept our eyes on realtor.ca, but it was more of an escape fantasy than reality. We spent a few summer weekends driving up north, and even east of the city, exploring the different towns to see where we felt the most comfortable. We asked ourselves the following: Where would we be able to drive a short distance to sit in town and have a coffee, where would we feel safe alone, where could we buy local produce, and where would we be in proximity to at least someone that we already knew? Thornbury!” And so the couple’s search began.

When they stumbled upon the rustic cabin a short distance from town, down a long, heavily treed private drive, it was love at first sight.

“We found our place and I was hooked immediately. I knew it was the one when we were midway down the driveway. I leapt out of the car and exclaimed, ‘This is it!’ By chance, it was a short drive from close friends, who are basically family. Then the connective tissue grew, and older relationships strengthened. More friends and acquaintances have since moved up, and it’s become quite the support system and friend group. A big bunch of troublemakers, really,” laughs Braid.

There began a whirlwind schedule of alternating European and Canadian engagements, vocal training in Greece, and endless flights between continents. Until the world came to a halt. The cabin proved a welcome refuge during those first uncertain months of COVID lockdowns.

“It was absolute heaven during those first weeks,” Braid recalls. “Yes, we were confused and worried for friends, but felt so fortunate to have all of that space, fresh air and our own water source. I focused on cooking, gardening and cleaning, and loved it.”

The property also offered the space to create and perform in an unexpected and inspiring way. With the help of a handful of trusted colleagues, Braid organized an intimate concert experience for her friends and neighbours.

“When all was shut down in the performance sector, we produced a few outdoor concerts on our lawn, called Opera in the Wild. World-class singers and pianists were brought to the Blue Mountains and our friends and incredible neighbours were immediately supportive of the venture. It was a crazy time!” says Braid.

And it was magical. The audience eagerly arranged themselves in folding chairs and blankets