An Ontario Cottage Renovation by Erin Interiors

A family cottage that makes you feel relaxed the moment you step through the door.

The cottage is the place where you get to slow down, spread out and let the weekend unfold. Our recent cottage renovation, Project Blueberry, already had a solid foundation and all of that potential. What it needed was a refresh to bring the spaces together and reflect the way our clients and their family actually live at the lake. That is what we set out to do at this Kawartha Lakes cottage renovation.

What cottage living actually looks like

Every project begins with a conversation. Before we chose any finishes or played with the floor plan, we walked through each space with our clients to understand what was working, what was not, and how each room needed to perform for both everyday cottage living and busy weekends of hosting family and friends. Understanding all of this became the design vision that guided every material, colour, and furnishing that followed.

The existing cottage had great bones and a strong foundation. All it needed were some updates to bring the spaces together to create a more cohesive and inviting environment. Our main goal was to preserve the charm of the cottage while introducing finishes, furniture and details that felt fresh, comfortable and well suited to the way our clients enjoy their family cottage.

A cottage primary suite for slow mornings

The primary bedroom and ensuite became a retreat within a retreat. We reworked the space into a calm place to land at the end of a day on the water, where our clients can unwind from all the family activities and guests and wake up to the quiet the cottage is meant for.

A cottage bunkie that makes guests feel at home

With its own sitting area, a king-size bed, and a three-piece bathroom, the bunkie gives visiting family and friends a place of their own that’s still very much part of the property. It is a proper guest retreat, private enough to settle into and close enough to stay in the middle of the fun.

A loft and play space built for the kids

For the younger crowd, a dedicated play area and loft has become a destination of their very own. It is where cousins gather to relax after long days in the sun and at the lake or keep playing if they’ve still got energy to burn. 

Details that suit the way a cottage is used

Cottage living asks a lot of its spaces and furnishings so choosing materials that are built for performance was a non-negotiable. Every choice for Project Blueberry was made with this reality in mind: materials and furnishings that welcome wet feet and full weekends, and that hold up to a busy cottage, season after season. The result keeps the charm our clients loved while making the cottage easier and less stressful to enjoy.

A collaborative effort

A successful renovation is always a collaborative effort. Alair Homes Peterborough and KWR Cabinetry were instrumental in bringing the design vision to life, helping us transform the cottage into a warm, functional, and inviting retreat for our clients and their family to enjoy for years to come. You can take a look at all of the project photos over in our portfolio.

Planning a renovation of your own?

Whether it is a cottage, a family home, or a space that has simply stopped working for the way you live, we take the weight of home renovation projects off your shoulders and hand back a home that feels like yours. If you are considering a home or cottage renovation, we would love to hear from you: GET IN TOUCH