A Taste of Italy AT RITZ-CARLTON’S
TOCA
TILE
TRENDS from CERSAIE to Creekside
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SPRING 2018
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A NOTE FROM THE EDITORS
Spring means longer days, sunnier skies, green grass, and a healthy look ahead to summer. It’s a hopeful season – filled with encouragement, change, and a sense of something new.
Todd Adair*
President Sales Representative
2018 has certainly been new for the Cayman Marshall Team, as we have launched a quarterly publishing format. The Spring issue is full of good things: We’ll explore some beautiful outdoor spaces with Casualife; we will taste some pasta at Toca, the Italian restaurant at the Ritz; and as always we’ll explore some of the most beautiful real estate that Muskoka and Toronto has to offer! A huge thanks to editor Greg Armishaw for plowing through a lot of the heavy lifting with this issue.
As for the market: Toronto The latest TREB report shows that the Toronto housing market shrank 18% in December, and a further 22% in January. The Toronto Real Estate Board forecasts a further drop in sales volume and revenue in 2018, yet affordability is worsening, despite government meddling in the housing market. My prediction: A slower winter/spring, followed by a surge in volume and values this summer and fall. Muskoka In Muskoka we are still experiencing a shortage of inventory and increasing demand pushing from the GTA, as baby boomers are eager to start the beginning of their golden years. If Muskoka suffers in sales volume this year, it will be due to the lack of good inventory, and so values will likely rise again in 2018. Thanks for reading!
GREETINGS GTA!
Greg Armishaw
Advertising Director Editor
8 SPRING 2018 ■
Hopefully by now you are getting used to our magazine appearing on your doorstep, digging into it’s pages, and learning about the network of companies that we choose to partner with.
company owners and staff of our advertising partners, while seeking out the most reputable companies in their respective industries when forging new partnerships.
Cayman Marshall has built it’s real estate reputation by providing honest and superior service to our clientele, so it should come as no surprise to hear that the advertisers within each of our issues are cut from the same cloth. Over the years we have developed strong, personal relationships with many of the
Our goal at The Cayman Marshall Collection is and always will be to provide you comfortable access to some of the most beautiful real estate available, while introducing you to reliable and reputable luxury service providers. Enjoy!
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■
Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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CAYMAN MARSHALL
THE TORONTO COLLECTION
SPRING 2018 EDITORS Todd Adair* Greg Armishaw Chris Lowe Lauren Lowe CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cathryn Haynes ART DIRECTOR Kelsey Kennerell PHOTOGRAPHERS Andre Carriere Michael Cooper Chris Hutcheson Micheal Muraz Leon Shahar ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Greg Armishaw CONTRIBUTORS Melissa Dube L. Ryan Gobert David Lasker Kristin McCrea Laura Morrison* Alyssa Schwartz Amanda Sherif Martha Uniacke Breen Published In Canada FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT Greg Armishaw at 647.226.0686 All square footages are approximate. Some square footages include living space in the lower level. Information is subject to errors and omissions. Not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.
TILE TRENDS
FROM CERSAIE TO CREEKSIDE
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage www.caymanmarshall.com Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
398 Spadina Rd, Toronto, ON M5P 2W2
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416-707-6655
|
info@foresthilloptical.ca
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER STORY
IN THIS ISSUE
58
16
U P C O U N T RY C O M F O RTS At Décor Solutions
24
PAU L J O H N STO N U N I Q U E URBAN HOMES
39
TILE TRENDS
32
T E A M K I LG O U R
76
PA STA P R I M E R
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CAY M A N M A R S H A L L I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E A LT Y
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C OT TAG E VACAT I O N S
I T ’S A LWAYS S U M M E R AT
Casualife Outdoor Living
From CERSAIE to Creekside
A Taste of Italy at Ritz-Carlton’s TOCA
LUXURY REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
This Year’s Summer Vacation Paid For By Your Cottage
108 M U S KO K A I S T H E P L AC E TO I N V E ST SPRING 2018 13 ■
eggersmann studio toronto
Kitchens | Home Living
1360 Yonge St, Toronto | 416.420.9565 | eggersmanntoronto.ca
german luxury since 1908 Principal Designers Victoria Shaw + Anthony Binns Complete design & renovation professionals
UPCOUNTRY
COMFORTS
AT DÉCOR SOLUTIONS
“It’s much more than a place to just browse.” 16 SPRING 2018 ■
The town of Erin, perched atop the Niagara Escarpment about 80 km northwest of Toronto, is the kind of picturesque Ontario hamlet where you’ll find wonderful old stone and brick buildings, and great local shops to explore. Décor Solutions, on the town’s main street, is certainly a lovely place to while away a summer afternoon. But when you start looking through the shop’s two floors of oneof-a-kind custom pieces, refurbished antiques and artistic finishing touches, you discover it’s much more than a place to just browse.
“People sometimes ask us if they can move in here,” laughs co-proprietor Kim Still, who along with partner Andrew Parish, took over the business about two years ago. It had operated for more than 30 years under several earlier owners, but Still and Parish’s goal was to revitalize and modernize it as a full-service design service and retail store with a sophisticated, upcountry flavour. Part of the charm of the store stems from the respectful way the partners have chosen to update the turn-of-thetwentieth-century building that houses the shop. It was originally built to function as a dry goods shop, and a few remnants of that history still remained – such as an old trap door that once gave access to granary bins in the basement. They weren’t able to save the trap door (it’s now memorialized with a trompe l’oeil replica on that section of floor), but other details have been carefully restored: tin ceilings, beadboard pine walls, picturesquely scuffed hardwood floors. On the lower level, the raw stone walls of the original foundation were exposed and stabilized, adding a cozy informality to this area. “We haven’t tried to disguise the old details,” Parish says. “But we’ve tried to work with them in a sympathetic way.” That air of nostalgia harmonizes well with the relaxed, country-house feeling of the store’s design displays. It’s laid out something like a home, with living and family room settings near the front, dining furniture nearer the back – which blend into working areas, lined with shelves of fabric sample books and window-treatment displays, for the shop’s five in-house interior designers – and bedroom furnishings and linens on the lower level. It’s almost like a cross between a design store and a bed-and-breakfast. Mind you, there’s nothing quaint or cutesy about the store’s offerings. Clients range from local residents to well-heeled cottagers and urban visitors, and the emphasis is on sophisticated, unfussy design that works as beautifully in a Toronto condo as a century-old stone cottage.
By Martha Uniacke Breen SPRING 2018 17 ■
“I love all styles of design, but
modern farmhouse
is really my favourite”. “I love all styles of design, but modern farmhouse is really my favourite,” Still says. It’s a style that allows for plenty of freedom, mixing sophisticated modern pieces alongside vintage antiques, treasured family items, art, or natural objects like pine cones or seashells. It’s a perfect theme for a store that serves a wide crosssection of client tastes, and allows such disparate items as a coolly modern live-edge dining table, bisected by a zipperlike iron inset down the centre, to make perfect sense next to a small writing desk fashioned from an old Singer sewing machine trestle table. Both Parish and Still come from solid design and retail backgrounds. Andrew started his professional life in the textile industry in his
18 SPRING 2018 ■
native London, England, eventually opening his first shop there as a young man, and ran stores in Europe and North Africa before finally settling in Canada. Kim, who calls herself the “country girl to Andrew’s city boy,” grew up in nearby Hockley Valley, and acquired her love of design and keen eye for style through her years in both the design and fashion industries, particularly as a buyer. Many of the store’s furnishings and services are original and locally produced, a distinction that began, almost organically, not long after they opened. “In a small town, sometimes local artists and craftspeople will come in and introduce themselves to you,” explains Parish. “We’ve forged relationships with some very highly skilled local tradespersons, who often use techniques
SPRING 2018 19 â–
that have been handed down to them through the generations. And sometimes they come in and introduce themselves. We welcome that, since it adds to the local feeling of the store.” Recently the store expanded its offerings to include a new custom furniture line, the Erin Collection. Locally fabricated from Parish and Still’s designs, the line includes both hard goods such as dining and coffee tables and upholstered furnishings. Because each piece is custom-made, clients are free to choose the fabric, colour, finish and wood, creating a one-of-a-kind piece that suits their individual style. Still, part of what makes Décor Solutions an irresistible destination for an afternoon’s browse is the incidental delights that dot the store and its two giant window displays. One day, it might be a set of beautifully made resin flying pigs on a wall display; another, stainless steel figures rappelling on wires.
“We wanted to create more than a viable business here, but something we both love to do”. 20 SPRING 2018 ■
But when I stop to admire an exquisite walnut grandfather clock that looks to be 18th century, Andrew’s eyes sparkle. The clock’s delicately decorated face features a moving sun and moon dial for day and night, with smaller inset dials for seconds and dates. “We found it in three pieces in an old barn, and had it fully repaired and restored, right down to the chimes,” he says, adding with pride, “It’s fully operational now.” It was a labour of love, and came at considerable expense. It’s much too precious to part with; it’s there purely for display. “We wanted to create more than a viable business here, but something we both love to do,” says Parish. “And we certainly do – the last two years have been an extraordinary adventure.”
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PAUL JOHNSTON RIGHT AT HOME REALTY INC. BROKERAGE
SPECIALIZING IN UNIQUE URBAN HOMES IN TORONTO
THE VINCE
UNDER CONSTRUCTION TEN SEMI-DETACHED FAMILY HOMES IN TORONTO’S BEACHES
The Vince presents just 10 homes, conveniently located in Toronto’s Beach neighbourhood. 3-, 4- and 5-bedroom homes that are beautifully designed inside and out. Each home includes direct access parking, spacious kitchens with premium appliances, generous bedrooms and bathrooms. Perfectly suited for urban families seeking bright and dynamic space, carefully planned to provide a balance between great living space and great entertaining space! From $1,399,000 By private appointment only
Paul Johnston Unique Urban Homes ■
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PAUL JOHNSTON RIGHT AT HOME REALTY INC. BROKERAGE
ARCH LOFTS TORONTO FINAL LOFTS AVAILABLE
Welcome to Arch Lofts – modern heritage lofts in Bloor West. Located in a vibrant part of Toronto, where community and neighbourhood are celebrated. Close to transit, including the Bloor subway and newly-completed UP Express, this setting is ideal for buyers seeking proximity to the downtown core. Each home at Arch Lofts includes premium finishes throughout, including kitchens by Scavolini with integrated appliances, large islands, engineered hardwood and spacious bathrooms. Most homes also include outdoor balconies and terraces, perfect for lazy afternoons and terrific entertaining. From over $800,000 By private appointment only Paul Johnston Unique Urban Homes ■
416-391-3232 ■ paul@pauljohnston.com ■ pauljohnston.com
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228 NIAGARA STREET UNDER CONSTRUCTION OCCUPANCY SPRING 2018
The latest home from architect Kyra Clarkson’s MODERNest. Located at the corner of Adelaide and Niagara, this home provides refined living space for the downtown dweller. With three generous bedrooms – including a full-floor master suite on the upper level – plus a fully-finished lower level, this home will accommodate a growing family. Located
Price: $2,000,000 Size: Approximately 2,000 sq ft Bedrooms: 3+1 Bathrooms: 3
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PAUL JOHNSTON RIGHT AT HOME REALTY INC. BROKERAGE
in the vibrant King West/Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood and convenient to parks, schools, restaurants, shops and the city core.
Paul Johnston Unique Urban Homes ■
416-391-3232 ■ paul@pauljohnston.com ■ pauljohnston.com
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PAUL JOHNSTON RIGHT AT HOME REALTY INC. BROKERAGE
THE CHAPLIN COMING SOON
The Chaplin – five estate homes in a stunning midtown Toronto location, set alongside the Beltline Trail in Chaplin Estates. Designed by architect Richard Wengle, these sumptuous family homes provide refined living space beautifully detailed by designer Jodie Rosen. The choice is yours: a transitional interior finish or a sleek modern interior. Each home at the Chaplin includes a private elevator, as well as garage parking for 1 car and additional parking on the driveway. Just moments to Upper Canada College and Bishop Strachan School, the shops of the Forest Hill Village, St Clair and Yonge Street, as well as convenient access to downtown and the nearly-completed Eglinton LRT. from $2,995,000 Approximately 3,450 sq ft Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 4.5 Elevator Paul Johnston Unique Urban Homes ■
416-391-3232 ■ paul@pauljohnston.com ■ pauljohnston.com
ENGINEERED HARDWOOD LUXURY VINYL STONE TILE LAMINATE CARPET
“FLOORING THE CITY SINCE ‘49”
Floor Tile: Half Porcelain & Marble Mix, High Gloss, 24 x 24, Gold Rush. Area Rug: Imported Brazilian Cow Hide. Benches: Custom Hide Furniture. Fire Place: Earth Coverings, Handipak, Silver Fox. Floor: 7- 1/4 Wide European Oak Plank, 1/2” Thick, Yamika. Area Rug: Custom Wool & Art Silk. Floor: 7- 1/4 Wide European Oak Plank, 1/2” Thick, Yakima. Stairs: Custom Two Tone Stain to Match. Fire Place: Ledger Stone, 6 x 24, Glacier. Floor: 7- 1/4 Wide European Oak Plank, 1/2” Thick, Snohomish. Area Rug: Custom Stickted Cowhide, 6 x 9.
(416) 781.2030 | SELYANS.CA 1983 LESLIE STREET, NORTH YORK
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TEAM KILGOUR BECAUSE EXPERIENCE MATTERS
ROGER KILGOUR* R E / M A X H A L L M A R K R E A LT Y LT D . , BROKERAGE
69 JOICEY BOULEVARD At the top of their game, renowned Richard Wengle Architect & Mark Hartley Landscaping come together w/a coveted cricket club masterpiece, where superior materials/ workmanship are clearly evident. Open concept fam rm w/firplc & kit w/wlk-out to private yard. Gazebo w/stone/marble/fireplace/ grill,an entertainers dream. Main flr 9.5Ft ceiling sep lr & dr,office,pwdr rm. Mst has vaulted ceilings, 6 pc w/jacuzzi, sep shwr & 2 wlk-in clsts. Fin bsmt rec rm & nanny suite. Listing Price: $3,499,000 Living Space: Approx 3,600 SF Bedrooms: 4+1 Bathrooms: 5
Team Kilgour *Registered Real Estate Sales Representative ■
416-486-5588 ■ client@teamkilgour.com ■ teamkilgour.com ■ 723 Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto, ON M4S 2N4
please join us for
Intimate Evening an
with
John McDermott
Wednesday, November 7th, 2018 McDermott House Canada’s mission is to promote the highest quality of life for Veterans, Military, First Responders and community patients facing the final stage of a terminal illness. To learn more or to purchase a table for this intimate evening, please email inquiries@mcdermotthousecanada.org or call (416) 236-0900
Cocktails from 6pm, Dinner at 7pm Concert to Follow
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AN EVENING BENEFITING MHC
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A mansion – L-U-X-U-R-I-O-U-S/statement facade in centre of b.V one of a kind design: unique – over 4300 sf (1st & 2nd)+prof. W/o bsmt 22’ foyer: flr to ceiling window allows natural lits/ovrkng ravine-10’ ceiling(main), intensive wd trim-work,gorgeous kitchen cabinetry w/world-class appls’, 2way enrng g/fireplaces (foyer/fam), extravaganza master w/spa-like ensute/b-i spkr/f-plcs/cfd ceng, w-i lst,main-flr feels bsmt,separate dr w/library (perfect for a home office)! Price: $4,388,000 Living Space: Approx 4,300 SF
Bedrooms: 4+1 Bathrooms: 7
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142 BURBANK DRIVE
14 BIRCHWOOD AVENUE Stunning c/built by its owner in prestigious St Andrews of s/York Mills!!-Stone/brick exterior-6yrs old-apx 7000 sf living space (incl bsmt)-hi ceng & unique loft (3rd flr), perfect gourmet kit w/orszd island, top brand appl’s, butler area w/extra storage area combined-open concept w/formal-entertaining family room, lavishly landscaped w/b-i bbq,gazebo,i/g spklr, b/i porch patio, beautiful terrace overlooking serene backyd w/o master,gorgeous master ensuite w/marble!
Listing Price: $4,888,000 Living Space: Approx 7,000 SF Bedrooms: 5+1 Bathrooms: 8
Team Kilgour *Registered Real Estate Sales Representative ■
416-486-5588 ■ client@teamkilgour.com ■ teamkilgour.com ■ 723 Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto, ON M4S 2N4
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18 DENEWOOD CRESCENT Breathtaking. Built by its owner to the highest standard on best st of prestigious banbury! Huge pie-shaped lot(80x175ft) w/181’ bck-2.6Yrs new – over 10,000sf of luxurious living space inc bsmt w/attention to details! Exceptional layout with graciously prpntd principal rms to maximize natural light in every corner! Private elevator-11’ hi ceng (main/2nd),17’ ceng (cherry panelled lib), 24ft hi ceng (lobby), all radiant heated bsmt flr/washrms,one of a kind kit. Listing Price: $7,880,000 Living Space: Approx 10,000 SF Bedrooms: 5+1 Bathrooms: 9
Team Kilgour *Registered Real Estate Sales Representative 416-486-5588 client@teamkilgour.com teamkilgour.com 723 Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto, ON M4S 2N4 ■
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SOLD
5 ROYAL OAK DRIVE Gorgeous luxury home in prestigious the bridle path. Walk to Edwards Garden, Crescent Boys School, Toronto French School. Walk-out basement like the first floor, lots of updates. Exquisite landscaped front & back garden, patios, south facing private backyard with heated pool, full of sunshine, fabulous living room, lwr lvl w/games, wet bar, rec, nanny suite, home theatre 21’8”x18’17”, 2 master bdrm, ensuite w/heated floor. Roof & window 2009. Listing Price: $8,389,000 Living Space: Approx 8,000 SF
Bedrooms: 4+1 Bathrooms: 7
Team Kilgour *Registered Real Estate Sales Representative ■
416-486-5588 ■ client@teamkilgour.com ■ teamkilgour.com ■ 723 Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto, ON M4S 2N4
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TEAM KILGOUR BECAUSE EXPERIENCE MATTERS
31 KNIGHTSWOOD ROAD Listing Price: $14,800,000 Living Space: Approx 15,000 SF Team Kilgour *Registered Real Estate Sales Representative 416-486-5588 client@teamkilgour.com teamkilgour.com 723 Mount Pleasant Rd. Toronto, ON M4S 2N4 ■
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TILE
TRENDS
FROM CERSAIE TO CREEKSIDE By David Lasker
Tucked away in an inconspicuous corner of the Castlefield Design District, a few blocks northwest of Eglinton and Dufferin Avenues, is one of Toronto’s most unusual tile stores. Yes, it boasts the wide array of ceramic, porcelain, concrete, glass and marble tiles that one expects to see at a tile supplier. But Creekside Tile has a distinctive mandate, I realized after a cursory eyeballing of the fascinating displays. Where else can grown-ups go to enjoy sweets without suffering from sugar overload? I enjoyed the mouth-watering array of eye candy, such as the sample board of ceramic tiles in the Metropolitan series from Winchester, a British manufacturer of artisanal, handmade tiles. The highly saturated hues are not uniform: the dye varies subtly within the surface area of each tile. The lustrous, wet-look finish glistens with a pearlescent sheen – evoking a slightly melting fruit jelly. I experience a “high-touch” moment and can’t resist running my fingertips over the tiles, which shimmer with a rich inner life. SPRING 2018 39 ■
“WHEN PEOPLE GOOGLE ‘HANDMADE TILES’ AND ‘COLOUR,’ THEY COME HERE” Tiles on an adjacent sample board continue the natural, hand-painted look. But these seem more Old World, thanks to their glace mint-like crackle finish. (After grouting, a penetrating liquid sealer should be applied to the installed tiles to keep water out.)
“I don’t have the discount-price tiles you find on the main roads and in big-box stores. That’s why for me, being on a hidden street [66 Clarkson Ave.], is ideal. We’re a destination store, a treasure that you hunt for.
“When people Google ‘handmade tiles’ and ‘colour,’ they come here,” says storeowner Enrique Garcia in a voice animated with enthusiasm, and an accent that hints at his Mexico City upbringing. “They’re looking for anything that is not white, grey and black. They’re not looking for the typical porcelain machine-made tiles you’ll see everywhere else.”
“Don’t get me wrong: We’re not just unique and expensive. We carry standard stuff, too. We can do a complete house. You can get tiles with ‘wow factor’ – for the master bedroom and bathroom, say, as well as materials for the other rooms where you might not want to spend as much on the field tiles,” he says (referring to the main expanse of a wall or floor, as opposed to accent or border tiles). “But I’m not big on standard tiles.”
Can’t the big factory tile makers produce tiles in the same colours that Creekside offers? “Of course,” he replied, “but since those colours may not be as popular, the mainstream companies won’t release them. Winchester isn’t mass-producing tiles; they make them as they go. 40 SPRING 2018 ■
Another differentiator from the competition is that while Creekside welcomes drop-in retail customers, the business mostly serves the architect and designer community. In fact, Garcia only
hires designers as sales associates, so that whenever he steps out, clients arriving with a roll of blueprints under their arm will still get the advice they need to interpret those plans and specify the appropriate tiles. The next stop on our tour of the 1,800-square-foot boutique is the natural marbles and limestones. My eye glided along the display of familiar veined varieties like Arabescato, honed and polished Carrara and Calacatta, and Statturietto. Then it crashed to a stop in front of two unusual specimens: Ming Green and Purple Jade. The latter, Garcia says, “is unique. You won’t find it anywhere else.” Natural stones such as quartzite, slate, sandstone, basalt, and pumice turn exotic at the display of sculptural highlight wall tiles, featuring black marble faux bamboo stalks and faux charcoal.
SPRING 2018 41 â–
42 SPRING 2018 â–
“It’s all about being unique, and moving aside from normal and regular,” answers Garcia. “Wood planks are normal, but hexagons are not. For me, shapes are what make the trend, and hexagons have been really popular lately.” Gesturing toward another group of sample boards, he highlights another currently hot tile shape: fish scale, also known as fan or scallop tiles. “Fish scale is coming on strong,” he said. There’s a riot of shapes in Creekside’s glass-tile area, such as Waveline from Island Stone, resembling a slender tapering flower vase, and Palms, like an abstract tree. Glass tiles are made of clear glass whose back surface has been painted. The backpainting adds a sense of richness and depth. Also hot at CERSAIE was the old-factory look: tiles with the accumulated haze of exposure over the decades to industrial fumes, drips and dust. “I get a lot of enquiries for these tiles, especially for brand-new condos downtown, where they leave the concrete floor exposed to give that industrial-loft look,” Garcia says.
“IT’S ALL ABOUT BEING UNIQUE, AND MOVING ASIDE FROM NORMAL AND REGULAR,” The tiles with hand-placed river rocks reminded me of tortellini en brodo (in chicken broth), a traditional first course for Italian Christmas feasts, or almond honeynougat candy. What about faux wood? Wood-plank lookalikes in porcelain tile have been around awhile. One trend, which I saw during a visit last September to Bologna, Italy, to attend CERSAIE, the world’s biggest trade show for the tile industry, was the evolving face of wood simulacra. Garcia
shows two examples at Creekside. “People still like woodgrain porcelains, but we also carry barnboard, the real-world wood that you’ll see in an old barn.” Think of driftwood that’s been colour-washed and endowed with a weathered, aged patina. “Then we have hexagonal tiles with this wood look.” “I can see why someone wants a trompe l’oeil plank; that’s how we use wood,” I point out. “Why would they want it as a hexagon? It’s a form of gender bending.”
The wall behind his reception desk features a vignette in a related look: faux aged brick. The tiles in the box are new, yet they’re the spitting image of weathered red brick uncovered during a recent renovation, with mouldy-looking white stripes caused by decades of water leaks leaching lime from the brick. (You can visit Creekside’s installation of these tiles at a hip eatery in the Junction, Bricco Kitchen and Wine Bar, 3047 Dundas St. W.) The merchandise at Toronto’s Creekside duplicates that of the original Creekside Tile store in Vancouver, with one notable exception: glass tiles whose patterns are images by Garcia’s friend, travel photographer Tony Koukos. They include an aerial shot of beach surf, linear streaks of Times Square lights shot from a moving car that evoke spectroscopy, layers of peeling posters on a Paris Metro wall, and undulating clouds repeating on a six-foot by 18-inch panel. “It would be perfect,” Garcia says, “for a backsplash that will definitely catch eyes.” SPRING 2018 43 ■
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CAYMAN MARSHALL, THE TORONTO COLLECTION SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM
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$995,000
60 FT., 29 ACRES, 3+1 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS – LAKE MUSKOKA
135 FT., 1.19 ACRES, WEST EXPOSURE, 5 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHS – HUNTSVILLE WATERFRONT
$999,995
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
ELEVATE YOURSELF
GIVE YOUR COTTAGE THE LIFT IT DESERVES!
705-645-4567 inclinedelevation.com
SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH
$10,995,000
LAKE JOSEPH
SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH
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$6,850,000
LAKE JOSEPH
SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH
LAKE JOSEPH
SOLD: LAKE ROSSEAU
$6,795,000
LAKE ROSSEAU
$5,595,000
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
SOLD: LAKE ROSSEAU
$4,495,000
LAKE MUSKOKA
SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA
$3,795,000
SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA
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LAKE ROSSEAU
SOLD: LAKE MUSKOKA
LAKE MUSKOKA
$3,445,500
LAKE MUSKOKA
SOLD: LAKE JOSEPH
LAKE JOSEPH
$2,995,000
$3,295,995
SOLD: LAKE OF BAYS
LAKE OF BAYS
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$2,299,595
BASEMENT
WATERPROOFING
Since 1961
done right the first time from inside or out.
Basement Lowering (Underpinning) • Sump Pumps • Back Water Valves
Wet Basement?
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VACANT BUILDING LOT, 360 FT., 2.97 ACRES, WEST EXPOSURE – PENINSULA LAKE
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$1,200,000
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371 FT., 1.3 ACRES, SOUTH WEST EXPOSURE, 3 BEDROOMS, 1+1 BATHS – LAKE OF BAYS
$1,295,000
100 FT., 0.51 ACRES, SOUTH EXPOSURE, 4 BEDROOMS, 2+1 BATHS – LAKE VERNON
$1,395,000
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
55
198 FT., 1.06 ACRES, 5 BEDROOMS, 1+1 BATHS – LAKE ROSSEAU
$1,489,000
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$1,398,000
CAYMAN MARSHALL, THE TORONTO COLLECTION SEARCHMUSKOKAREALESTATE.COM
261 FT., 2.7 ACRES, 3 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHS – HUNTSVILLE WATERFRONT
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
TENNIS IS
UR BUSINESS
WE BUILD & REPAIR ALL TYPES OF COURTS YES, WE BUILD PICKLEBALL COURTS TOO!
Since 1973, Court Contractors Ltd. has been constructing and resurfacing courts across southern Ontario and eastern Canada. As a family owned and operated company, we value customer service. Our professional staff of engineers, builders, and designers will see your tennis court from conception to completion, with a 5-year crack free guarantee!
courtcontractors.com • (800) 510-4103 • (905) 672-2808 • tennis@courtcontractors.com GTA, MUSKOKA, COLLINGWOOD, KAWARTHAS
SUMMER IT’S ALWAYS
AT CASUALIFE OUTDOOR LIVING By Martha Uniacke Breen
58 SPRING 2018 ■
NOWADAYS, WE’RE WILLING TO INVEST AS MUCH IN MAKING OUR OUTDOOR SPACES AS ELEGANT AND COMFORTABLE AS ANY OTHER AREA OF OUR HOMES, AND OUTDOOR FURNITURE GALLERIES LIKE CASUALIFE OFFER THE SAME QUALITY AND DESIGN AS YOU’D FIND IN FINE HOME FURNISHING SHOWROOMS.
Co-owner Jill Schwartzentruber discovered Casualife back in 2011, and helped spearhead a rebranding that took a 30-year-old family-owned company, which locals may remember as Salco Patio and Leisure, into the sophisticated and design-conscious firm it is today. Both the 12,000square-foot Markham, Ontario, showroom and its sister store in
“Our primary focus has always been on beautiful, original pieces you won’t find elsewhere.” – Jill Schwartzentruber Mississauga feature a wide selection of furnishings for virtually every style and size of outdoor space, from a small urban pied-à-terre to expansive patios and garden spaces. Many of the items are Casualife’s own exclusive private brand, allowing the company to closely control style and quality. “Our primary focus,” says Schwartzentruber, “has always been on beautiful, original pieces you won’t find elsewhere.”
SPRING 2018 59 ■
But this is Canada. Our outdoor season is comparatively short, and our winters harsh. It doesn’t matter how stylish or functional an item is if it can’t stand up to the elements year in year out. One of the attractive points of Casualife’s furnishings is that, unlike similar items imported from the southern U.S. or overseas, they have been designed and built expressly for our climate. Ultra-durable materials like high-quality resin and aluminum will last for years with a minimum of care. Some styles are made to
like teak, which weathers to a beautiful silver grey without losing its strength. Along with seating and other furnishing options, one of my favourite items in the Markham showroom were a number of shelters on display, which Schwartzentruber explains are increasingly popular as a stylish and portable alternative to permanent outdoor structures. Some of these seem like a modern evolution of the old string hammock – such as the spherical cocoon-like seat
One of the attractive points of Casualife’s furnishings is that, unlike similar items imported from the southern U.S. or overseas, they have been designed and built expressly for our climate. perfectly emulate tropical mainstays such as rattan or woods, so authentic that you have to touch them to know they aren’t the real thing. Or you might prefer the classic beauty of a wood
60 SPRING 2018 ■
suspended from a curved pole called the Mercy Hanging Chair; or a woven seat that looked something like a bassinette for grownups, and just as cozy with its linen-like canopy.
Fire has become an integral part of contemporary backyard environments, both for warmth and for outdoor cooking.
But there are larger shelters as well, from an acorn-shaped “shade daybed,” large enough to take a nap in, to an expansive gazebo-like “shade sectional,” as big as a room and able to seat as many as ten. She goes on to explain that fire has become an integral part of contemporary backyard
SPRING 2018 61 ■
environments, both for warmth and for outdoor cooking. There’s a full range of firepits and hearths on view as well, such as a saucershaped hearth made of Cor-Ten steel, a popular metal in modern architecture for its beautiful rusted patina. Also, one of the outdoor kitchens on display features a
The company’s newest venture, and a natural outgrowth of its outdoor lines, is home furnishings, made with the same breezy design and high quality as its outdoor furniture. built-in wood stove, cutting board and grill, perhaps a more natural alternative to a gas barbecue. But great outdoor design, just as in the rest of your home, doesn’t stop with the main groupings. There’s also a great selection of accessories, cushions and soft furnishings from companies like Sunbrella (whose shades and other outdoor products Casualife represents). “Some people shop here just for our accessories,” she says, and in fact, many of the incidental items would look just as lovely in a living room as on a patio. And I was particularly struck by the imaginative design of many of the smaller pieces, such as side tables and stools. These ranged from a glossy black resin seat designed to resemble a woven hassock, to stools made from teak stumps, with rope seats. 62 SPRING 2018 ■
“Today, people are spending just as much on outdoor environments as indoor, so top quality is really important.” – Jill Schwartzentruber The company’s newest venture, and a natural outgrowth of its outdoor lines, is home furnishings, made with the same breezy design and high quality as its outdoor furniture. Products range from down-filled upholstered seating and cushions to case goods, with a full range of accessories, artwork and even linens. Furnishing an outdoor “room” can be an intimidating experience, even for a seasoned home decorator. Custom design and upholstery services are available, and cushions can be custom-made
to order, with delivery in just a couple of weeks. “Fast delivery is a plus, especially with our short season,” Schwartzentruber says. Staff are fully trained in helping to complete the look of your outdoor space, and even the delivery drivers are knowledgeable in maximizing the look and function of the pieces once they arrive. Other services include 3-D mapping to help you plan your layout, space planning and design – right down to the best colours, styles and finishes to complement the exterior of your home – and even an in-home measurement service. (This carries a nominal extra fee, which is credited with purchase.) “Today, people are spending just as much on outdoor environments as indoor, so top quality is really important,” Schwartzentruber says. “We have some great experiences doing what we do, because often it takes longer to work with a client to help walk them through what they need.” Then with a smile, she adds, “I love design. I love everything about doing this.” SPRING 2018 63 ■
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$1,999,999
230 FT., 0.64 ACRES, 3 BEDROOMS, 3+1 BATHS – LAKE MUSKOKA
200 FT., 1.1 ACRE, WEST EXPOSURE, 4 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHS – LAKE OF BAYS
$ 2,395,000
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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200 FT., 2.65 ACRES, 6 BEDROOMS, 4 BATHS – LAKE JOSEPH
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$2,495,000
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1,568 FT., 2.8 ACRES, ALL EXPOSURE, 5 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS – LAKE OF BAYS
$2,750,000
358 FT., 2.5 ACRES, 4 BEDROOMS, 3+1 BATHS – LAKE VERNON
$2,890,000
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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425 FT., 3.4 ACRES, MULTI EXPOSURE, 5 BEDROOMS, 4 BATHS – LAKE OF BAYS
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$3,195,000
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597 FT., 1.89 ACRES, MULTI EXPOSURE, 6 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHS – LAKE JOSEPH
$3,275,000
400 FT., 4.18 ACRES, 4 BEDROOMS, 2+2 BATHS – LAKE JOSEPH
$3,590,000
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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200 FT., 2.18 ACRES, SOUTH EAST EXPOSURE, 4 BEDROOMS, 3+1 BATHS – LAKE OF BAYS
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$3,850,000
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317 FT., 1.02 ACRES, 4+3 BEDROOMS, 4+1 BATHS – GEORGIAN BAY
$3,895,000
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
Our products are made from the finest materials available.
Cantilevered Boat Awnings, Dock Slip Covers, Dock & Deck Shades, Car & Boat Protection, Winter Car or Boat Storage and Dock Ladders. T: (705) 645-5115 | F: (705) 640-5115 | info@aquadome.ca | aquadome.ca | 427 Bethune Drive N. Gravenhurst, Ontario
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Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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198 FT., 2.33 ACRES, WEST EXPOSURE, 5 BEDROOMS, 3+1 BATHS – SOUTH LAKE JOSEPH
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$4,250,000
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Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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500 FT., 1.5 ACRES, SOUTH EAST EXPOSURE, 5 BEDROOMS, 4+2 BATHS – LAKE ROSSEAU
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$7,295,000
76 • SPRING SPRING 2018 2018 ■
Eggs, flour, olive oil – these three ingredients are ever-present in my kitchen, and the kitchens of most home chefs. And yet standing at a stainless-steel counter inside the food prep area at TOCA, the Italian restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto, I’m about to learn how to transform them into something that is far more than the sum of its basic parts: fresh pasta. After I wash my hands and don an apron, TOCA’s Italian-born chef de cuisine, Daniele Trivero, instructs me to crack an egg atop a mound of flour. He drizzles the pile with a generous lashing of oil – to make the dough more elastic, he says – and then tells me to use my hands to start combining the two. As I mix, the mixture forms thick lumps, yellow from the vibrant hue of the egg yolks. Trivero pours more egg into my dough and tells me to keep kneading. A little more muscle and, like magic, it all comes together into a smooth round ball.
By Alyssa Schwartz
While cooking your own meal is not normally a requirement for dining at the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel, today’s lesson – in which I’ll learn how to make ravioli, cappelletti and agnolotti, all stuffed with a mixture of house-made ricotta, spinach and Parmesan – is part of TOCA’s Tastemakers Series, a year-long calendar of special events that includes monthly dinners with winemakers, expert-led tastings from TOCA’s cheese cave, and themed cooking workshops with Trivero.
SPRING 2018 77 ■
SERIES
TASTEMAKERS
A year-long calendar of special events that includes monthly dinners with winemakers, expert-led tastings from TOCA’s cheese cave, and themed cooking workshops with Trivero. 78 • SPRING SPRING 2018 ■
Geared towards culinary enthusiasts who may or may not have much cooking experience, the series offers a unique and often hands-on insight into the philosophies that elevate TOCA in Toronto’s Italian-saturated restaurant scene. Steeped in simple and pared-down ingredients (“I don’t want too many ingredients on one plate,” Trivero says), TOCA draws inspirations from across Italy, rather than focusing on one specific region. But though the flavours are rooted in the traditional, the vision of partner chef Oliver Glowig, whose Michelin-starred expertise informs TOCA’s menu, is to re-envision the traditional.
“We’re trying to bring something from the past and keep it authentic, but change the way it’s served,” Trivero says. He cites an example of a dish he prepared for a recent Tastemakers wine dinner focusing on Sicilian wines. One of Sicily’s most famous dishes is an eggplant pasta preparation called a la Norma, consisting of pasta with tomato, fried eggplant, ricotta salata and basil; drawing on the same ingredients, Trivero conceived a Norma ravioli, with the aged ricotta in the sauce and eggplant served over top. “This for me is modernity,” he says. “You need to know the basics before you can do something else.”
past served WE’RE TRYING TO
BRING SOMETHING FROM THE AND KEEP IT AUTHENTIC, BUT CHANGE THE WAY IT’S
That said, today is all about the classics. After the dough is refrigerated, Trivero demonstrates how to feed it through a pasta machine, again and again, making it thinner and thinner after each run; we then dust the countertop with a sprinkle of corn flour to prevent sticking and lay down the fresh, delicate sheets of dough. We use a mould to press out perfectly round ravioli the size of an adult’s fist, stuffed with the cheese mixture and the whole yolks of just-cracked eggs. Next, Trivero shows me how to pinch and gently shape the agnolotti and cappelletti by hand, praising my work – and feeding my confidence – as I go. Next, we move into TOCA’s kitchen, where it’s time to get sauced. Trivero slides a knob of butter into one pan. Lobster meat and clams, along with freshchopped basil and broccoli and a ladle full of the cooking broth from a pot of mussels, go into another; garlic, olive oil and cherry tomatoes go into a third. After several minutes, during which he shares some practical cooking tips based on the preparations, the sauces
SPRING 2018 79 ■
IT’S THE PERFECT SETTING FOR THE RELAXED INSIDER
experience
and pastas are done (fresh pasta takes just two to three minutes to cook). Trivero combines and plates each dish – the ravioli in butter sauce are topped with a drizzle of fragrant truffle jus and a shaving of fresh black truffle – and then we move to the chef’s table, adjacent to the kitchen, to savour the day’s work. High-topped and seating just 10 – the maximum capacity for classes – the chef’s table is situated in an alcove overlooking the kitchen; the nook’s white-tiled walls are covered in the hand-written scrawl of guests past (anyone who dines at the chef’s table is invited to leave behind an autograph). It’s an edgy, informal contrast to the immaculately set table, and to the modern, elegant dining room where guests typically are served.
Every participant leaves with a recipe and practical knowledge for recreating the dishes at home. It’s the perfect setting for the relaxed insider experience. But guests are sent home with something far better than just a sated appetite and memories of rubbing elbows with the chef: every participant leaves with a recipe and practical knowledge for recreating the dishes at home. “We don’t use fancy ingredients that people don’t know how to use,” Trivero says. “I use things everybody knows and we make dishes people can produce themselves. Everybody has eggs, everybody has cheese. When people come back for dinner, they tell me they made what we made in our class at home.”
80 SPRING 2018 ■
P.O. BOX 880, 92 MAIN ST. ERIN, ON N0B 1T0
519.833.2141
SPRING 2018 81
www.decorsolutions.ca
â–
WONDERING WHAT MAKES AN EXCLUSIVE LISTING EXCLUSIVE? Today’s real estate market is hotter than ever and common advice from ordinary brokerages tells you to advertise to millions on multiple websites. Your property is neither common or ordinary, so how do you keep your listing from getting lost in the thousands of other listings? It deserves the premier services of a Cayman Marshall exclusive listing; designed to deliver proven results. An exclusive listing with Cayman Marshall is a VIP level of concierge service uniquely created to get your luxury property front and centre to interested buyers: quality over quantity. Our dedicated team of agents know the difference between simply whipping up attention for a property and establishing credibility with serious buyers and sellers. We know that the exact buyer you need is the one who wants the inside track on only the best available properties. These are the buyers who have neither the time nor inclination to sift through hundreds of similar sounding descriptions on MLS. A Cayman Marshall exclusive listing means our agents will pre-qualify prospects and eliminate the “recreational” lookers. For
higher end properties, we may require bank documentation to prove serious interest before we show it. Our agents may work on a negotiated reduction on commission. These are all specific and/or custom conditions and details that you may want unique to your listing and set out in the listing agreement. This ensures that every one of your expectations are met. We at Cayman Marshall don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to selling luxury Muskoka real estate. An exclusive listing starts with a personalized marketing plan rolled out to the more than 27,000 people in our database and visitors to our website. When you list exclusively with Cayman Marshall our team will have the sole right to showcase your property for the duration of the listing. Concessions can be made for other brokerages, but only for genuine, qualified prospects. Regardless of whether you’re a motivated buyer or seller, an exclusive listing with Cayman Marshall is like having a seat on the 50-yard line and being inside the locker room. Let our experts quarterback your sale!
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220 FT., 123 ACRES, SOUTH EXPOSURE, 4 BEDROOMS, 3+2 BATHS – LAKE OF BAYS
$3,795,000
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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227 FT., 2+ ACRES, WEST EXPOSURE, 5 BEDROOMS, 4+1 BATHS – FAIRY LAKE
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$3,990,000
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235 FT., 9.09 ACRES, WEST EXPOSURE, 4 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHS – LAKE MUSKOKA
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$3,995,995
NORMERICA
Timber Homes & Cottages
normerica.com 1.800.361.7449 info@normerica.com
Normerica’s custom timber frame homes are world renowned for their stunning beauty and timeless elegance. Visit normerica.com/book to receive a copy of our full colour photobook.
430 FT., 5.3 ACRES, SOUTH WEST EXPOSURE, 6 BEDROOMS, 4+2 BATHS – LAKE MUSKOKA
$4,495,000
505 FT., 45.96 ACRES, WEST EXPOSURE, 8 BEDROOMS, 4 BATHS – LITTLE LAKE JOSEPH
$5,995,000
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Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
UNCOMPROMISED UNEQUALED
THE FORMULA DIFFERENCE
Finetuned Custom Design · Authentic Craftsmanship · Companywide Excellence
Main Store: 7062 Lake Joseph Road, Mactier · (705) 375-2099 Marina: 1039 McDonald Road, Foot’s Bay, Lake Joseph · (705) 375-2473 thecove.ca · info@thecove.ca
THIS YEAR’S SUMMER VACATION PAID FOR BY... YOUR
Cottage By L. Ryan Gobert
92 SPRING 2018 ■
Many of us remember the days when our families would pack up the station wagon with as much stuff as it could possibly hold. With suitcases packed with decks of cards, board games, comic books and eight-tracks, we felt like we were about to embark on the voyage of a lifetime. As we pulled out of the driveway, we kids would immediately start arguing about who got the top bunk this year, and guessing at who else would be on their dock that summer. Mom and Dad would be playing I Spy With My Little Eye for hours just to keep the peace in the back seat and deter us from asking, “Are we there yet?”
It’s not surprising to the owner of Cottage Vacations, William Wallace, that many folks can trace their family’s
FIRST COTTAGE EXPERIENCES BACK TO RENTING A SUMMER PLACE ON THE SHORES OF A NORTHERN LAKE.
Regardless of having to sit jammed between sleeping bags and the cat carrier, there was something deeply nostalgic about the situation. Knowing that your family was one of hundreds of families heading north for the summer, all of you anticipating similar lake adventures and experiences, had you feeling part of something larger. I think we all can agree that spending summers at the cottage was a pivotal part of our youth, and held many rites of passage. However, it’s only now that we can appreciate its importance and the impact it had on our lives. More importantly, we now ask ourselves, how did our parents make it happen?
SPRING 2018 93 ■
It’s not surprising to the owner of Cottage Vacations, William Wallace, that many folks can trace their family’s first cottage experiences back to renting a summer place on the shores of a northern lake. William hears similar stories time and time again when asking new clients how they found Cottage Vacations. “Our family has rented a cottage every summer, and have now purchased our own and we want to keep the tradition going, so we sourced out your company.” Renting has existed since the first cottages were built on the shores of Lake of Bays, Rosseau, Muskoka, and Joseph.
“RENTING REVENUE can even be used to finance other trips –next thing you know, your cottage is sending you to India next summer.” William’s experience was not any different. “My family rented cottages in Quebec when I was growing up in Montreal. We got the cottage bug through renting, and now, three of my siblings own cottages in Muskoka.” William continues to draw on examples, speaking fondly of his 93-year-old Muskoka neighbour
94 SPRING 2018 ■
and community member since her teens. “She came up to work on Bigwin Island as a teenager and fell in love with Muskoka. She met her husband there, whose family was renting a cottage in Dorset in the late 1930s. Once married, they rented cottages off the local notice board at town hall. They did that for years
until they could afford to buy – and have been owners on Lake of Bays ever since.” It’s this circle of cottage life that continues today, although nowadays it looks a little different. Perhaps the most obvious difference is the amount of technology found in today’s
“WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF HELPING FAMILIES BECOME PROACTIVE AND TAKE A FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE APPROACH AROUND THEIR COTTAGE,
in order to make cottage ownership possible and sustainable for generations to come.”
cottage. Whether it’s all the luxury features one would find at home, or the numerous amenities just outside your doorstep in town, we’ve come a long way from having to bring piles of assorted batteries and dozens of mini cereal boxes up from the city. Other noticeable changes are the purchase price points, and more importantly, the number of dollars required to maintain its upkeep. When William bought his place in the ’90s, he was paying $600 a year in property tax; today, his taxes are just under $6,000. This enormous shift in expense has caused some families to avoid purchasing a cottage, with others having to sell the family cottage they have inherited. They’re worried
that the only way to maximize their investment is to spend weekends and summers on the dock, and refrain from travelling anywhere else for years to come. Whether it’s dread of maintenance or the angst of being tied down to one place, both are eliminated when the purchase is approached by the buyer with a financially beneficial investment mindset. William states, “We are in the business of helping families become proactive and take a financially responsible approach around their cottage, in order to make cottage ownership possible and sustainable for generations to come. Renting revenue can even be used to finance other trips – next thing
you know, your cottage is sending you to India next summer.” Since 1999, Cottage Vacations has been a part of that experience, and continues to lead the industry by providing outstanding customer care. “Our business model is built on responsible rental,” says William. Cottage Vacations is proud of the role they play in continuing the circle of cottage life, bringing people together and creating memories for generations to come. It’s a perfect time of year to reach out to us, and add your cottage to our portfolio for the 2018 season. Visit www.CottageVacations.com today or call them at 1-877-218-5370.
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ALL DAY SUN, 7 BEDROOMS, 5+2 BATHS – LAKE ROSSEAU
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$7,595,000
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READY FOR APRIL 2018 OCCUPANCY – SOUTH WEST EXPOSURE, 6 BEDROOMS, 6+1 BATHS – LAKE JOSEPH
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$7,995,000
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Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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NEW BUILD – 815 FT., MULTI EXPOSURE, 5 BEDROOMS, 6+1 BATHS – LAKE JOSEPH
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
$8,995,000
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Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
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NEW BUILD – 500 FT. FRONTAGE, AWARD-WINNING LANDSCAPING AND VANISHING EDGE POOL – LAKE ROSSEAU $14,950,000
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage SearchMuskokaRealEstate.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
MUSKOKA Is the Place to Invest By L. Ryan Gobert
T
The District of Muskoka has often benefited from its geographic location, boasting beautiful natural vistas from the coast of Georgian Bay to the western edge of Algonquin Provincial Park, but recently the area has found itself highly sought after because of its placement north of the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) – and outside of a new tax. Thanks to the Ontario government’s new Fair Housing Plan and a foreign-buyers tax, Muskoka is quickly becoming the location of choice to invest in Ontario real estate if looking to turn a profit.
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Thanks to the Ontario government’s new Fair Housing Plan and a foreign-buyer’s tax,
MUSKOKA IS QUICKLY BECOMING THE LOCATION OF CHOICE TO INVEST IN. As housing prices continued to climb to staggering heights throughout Southern Ontario, Premier Kathleen Wynne and the provincial government attempted to curtail the foreign buyers market by putting into effect a non-resident speculation tax (NRST). In other words, any corporations and individuals outside of Canada looking to buy up homes were hit with a hefty 15% tax on all purchases of residential property. The NRST was focused on the GGH area – which includes Brant, Dufferin, Durham, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Kawartha Lakes, Niagara, Northumberland, Peel, Peterborough, Simcoe, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington, and York. Muskoka, sitting safely north of Simcoe, is not part of the NRST tax, making this naturally gorgeous district even more attractive to potential buyers, both domestic and foreign. It was a cool day when the NRST came into effect on April 21, 2017, the weather almost prophetic to the impact the new tax would have on property sales. The hot market the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) had been experiencing for months began to dip and within the first 30 days of the NRST announcement they saw a 26% decline in sales, reported The Globe and Mail on May 25, 2017. But it’s not just the GTA that is hurting. Some communities – like Newmarket, Markham, and Stouffville – saw declines of more than 40%. Richmond Hill experienced the most drastic drop, suffering from a 62% decline in property sales. As the full impacts of the tax are still being learned in the south, the story is a lot different for sellers in Central Ontario and the Muskoka district. While homeowners in the GTA dash to their agents to try and cash out, Muskokans are basking in an actual rise as many investors turn their attention – and their chequebooks – to the northern region. “The traditional kickoff to cottage season is just starting,” says Ray Dickson, Broker of Record for Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc. “We are definitely not seeing any slowdown like the areas under the NRST.” Buying and selling in Muskoka is as fervent as ever. Dickson says Muskoka is actually seeing an increase in the number of properties being sold as well as a rise in sold prices between April 20, 2017, and May 25, 2017, compared to last year’s numbers
during the same period. “We are seeing an increase of 34% for the number of sold properties.” It’s not just the amount of properties being sold, either. While GGH cities are seeing multiple offers on properties dramatically drop off, with homes being conditionally sold instead of firm offers with no conditions, Muskoka is experiencing an increase in multiple offers and a healthy seller’s market. Properties are being sold with no conditions and spending far fewer days on the market, often being sold within only a few days. Many homes, to the delight of sellers, are actually sold on the first day they are listed. “We’ve had an increase in sold prices of over 14%,” Dickson says, comparing the data from 2016 and 2017. With many foreign buyers looking for new ground to invest in, the data shows that now may be a good time to consider selling if you’ve been thinking about it.
“WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT SEEING ANY SLOWDOWN like the areas under the NRST.”
Though May’s 2017 sold property numbers are 4% lower than last year’s, Dickson isn’t discouraged at all, pointing out the stats were taken 5 days before the end of the month. “We anticipate by month end to see an overall increase compared to last year.” The mood of the property investment market in Ontario is in a moment of flux. Despite huge price increases throughout March, this new tax has soured investors on the GGH. If the trends continue, Muskoka may soon find its sales reaching new highs as foreign investors turn their attention northward to the greener prospects of a thriving cottage country. SPRING 2018 109 ■
CAYMAN MARSHALL ADVANTAGE “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” – Rudyard Kipling As owner and president of Cayman Marshall International Realty, allow me to share a bit about where we’ve come from, where we are today and where we are headed. Five years ago, myself and three eager and energetic colleagues opened the doors of Cayman Marshall for the very first time. Some of you may remember that 2012 was a turbulent time in the market and it seemed like every time something went wrong in the world, our buyers would freeze! Many predicted Cayman Marshall wouldn’t last a year, especially in such a competitive market. Our skeptics said we couldn’t start our own brokerage based on a “team model” and many said we certainly couldn’t start our own brand, create our own magazine or succeed in scaling into other markets. Fortunately these people were wrong. Myself and every single person on the team proved them wrong. Together, we have solidified our brand in Ontario and we are now expanding into new markets and looking for new partners. It feels as though it’s been both a long time and a short time. Our achievements are modest and our company is still adolescent in the grand scheme of things. On the other hand, 5 years in a business that is rapidly changing and evolving is an achievement that we can be immensely proud of! It means that we have established ourselves – in fact, what we have done is build one of the largest Independent Brokerages in Ontario and certainly the fastest growing.
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From our humble beginnings in 2012, we now trade in excess of $200 Million per annum with our new goal to hit the $300 Million mark for 2017. We are also proud to work with over 400 international partners that help give us the horsepower it takes to dominate with foreign buyers. It is also no small feat, and of great credit to the team we have assembled, that every single year we have almost doubled our sales. Last year while considering this editorial I was watching a children’s movie called “The Jungle Book” and I was inspired by this quote: “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” This seemed to say what I was feeling perfectly. I could have never accomplished all of this on my own and this business is truly fun and rewarding when you surround yourself with people that have your back and share your victories. Strength really IS in the pack! Looking ahead, my conviction and resolve is to NOT make business decisions based on tradition but rather innovation and creative thinking; to empower my team to do amazing things and to continue being the most successful “Wolf Pack” in luxury real estate. – Todd Adair
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MEET THE TEAM...
RAY DICKSON**
MIKE ARNOLD*
Broker of Record
Sales Representative
Ray has been loving Muskoka for the past 40 years and is happy to call it home with his wife Johanna and their two boys. His passion for Muskoka is equally shared with real estate since first licensed in 2007.
With 25 years’ experience in sales and marketing, joining the Cayman Marshall team was a great fit for Michael. His “customer first” dedication to his clients has always resulted in successful long-term relationships. With a passion for boating and water sports, Michael looks forward to enjoying all that the Muskoka Lakes has to offer.
TODD ADAIR*
President/Sales Representative
Todd made a name for himself in real estate back in 2011 when in Todd’s first year of selling, he earned the spot as the #1 Remax agent in Muskoka. That motivated him to continue on and become President of Cayman Marshall International Realty in 2012. In 2013, he became the majority shareholder and recently decided to purchase the entire company and dedicate 100% of his efforts into taking Cayman Marshall to the next level. Todd has created, built and sold various IT companies. Throughout his career, he has been known for breaking the mold and always moving against the grain – never satisfied with the ordinary, but striving for excellence. Todd firmly believes that real estate isn’t about excelling at sales, but rather about being great at solving problems and caring for clients through exceptional service. In Todd’s down time you will find him buying, building or renovating his own real estate projects, on the water wakeboarding and kite surfing, or hacking up the fairways of a local golf course. Todd’s most important job is being a husband and father to his family of four.
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JESSICA KAYE*
JEFF LIDDLE*
Sales Representative
Sales Representative
Jess prides herself on being born and raised in Muskoka, spending summers on the lakes and winters on the snowmobile trails. Jess’ understanding for Muskoka is what helps her succeed in making the real estate transaction successful and enjoyable for all her clients.
Jeff entered into real estate in 2008 facing a down market and a recession in the echoes. Overcoming the odds, Jeff has now become a “top producer” in his industry. Raising his 2 boys alongside his wife and getting the occasional golf game in is what Jeff enjoys most when he’s not out selling.
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
DAVID BEMMANN**
CAT BROWN*
MELISSA DUBE
STEVE HADDOCK*
Broker
Sales Representative
Office Administration
Sales Representative
With over 13 years of experience, Dave has become a top selling agent of luxury waterfront property in Muskoka. Dave lives on Lake Rosseau and spends much of his time on the water. His commitment to customer service, professionalism and honesty provides his clients with an enjoyable and successful real estate experience.
Growing up in Waterloo, Cat was fortunate enough to spend all of her summers at her family cottage on Lake of Bays. Cayman Marshall sought after Cat for her enthusiastic, positive attitude and Cat is now thrilled to be building a career in Sales with the Cayman Marshall Team.
Melissa recently moved back to Muskoka after living 10 years in Quebec. With over 10 years of administration and customer relations background, she is now the newest member of our team as an office administrator. Melissa is devoted to our customers and team members, which makes her a great asset to us!
Steve achieved sales of over $20M in 2016. He is a strong relationship builder, honest and dedicated. He maintains residences in Toronto and Muskoka and has ties to both communities. His mantra and favourite quote is to “get up, dress up, show up and never give up”.
KRISTIN McCREA
Office Manager/Personal Assistant to Todd Adair
As Todd’s personal assistant, Kristin oversees a variety of real estate contracting and building projects, office management including accounts receivable and payable and media relations for real estate TV shows. Her experience in operations and retail management has proven essential for the daily needs of both the Huntsville and Port Carling offices.
LAURA MORRISON*
AMANDA SHERIF
Sales Representative/Editor
Office Administration
Laura is originally from Oakville but moved to Muskoka to become a Realtor. Laura currently ranks as one of the top-producing agents in Muskoka with $50 Million in sales in 2016 specializing in luxury waterfront. Laura continually puts her clients’ needs before her own and values trust and integrity as her cornerstone.
Growing up in Toronto, Amanda spent summers going to camp in Muskoka and always enjoyed the atmosphere and beauty the area had to offer. With over six years of experience in customer relations, Amanda is an ideal fit for the Cayman Marshall team.
Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc., Brokerage caymanmarshall.com ■ Sales Representative* Broker & Broker of Record**
HEAD OFFICE: 202-97B JOSEPH STREET PORT CARLING, ONTARIO P0B 1J0 705-765-5759 BRANCH OFFICE: 133 HIGHWAY 60, SUITE 8 HUNTSVILLE, ONTARIO P1H 1C2 705-765-5759 CAYMANMARSHALL.COM
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