McGouran says, “Some of my favourite spaces or elements are the sunroom where I spend a lot of time with my two children. I love that it’s so bright and airy and cozy at the same time.†Leanne Small says, “It is one of our favourite rooms and is used all year round especially with small grandchildren to play in or when someone would like to step away from the main living area to read or nap.†Uploaded by: Binks, Georgie
McGouran says she loves the kitchen, “With the mix of calacatta marble on the back splash, the quartz counters made to look like soapstone, and the windows flanking the range where you can see all the trees in the backyard.â€
Small says, “We wanted to have our primary bedroom on the main floor with a lake view and a main floor laundry/mudroom. We wanted to be able to live on one floor when it was just the two of us at the cottage.”
The children’s bedroom features a fanciful rattan lampshade from CB2. McGouran says, “I loved the shape and scale and how it added some wooden texture to the space.â€
When Jessica McGouran set out to design McMullen Lane Cottage, she had to navigate what could have been the tricky waters of creating the perfect cottage for her parents and extended family. How could she accommodate their individual preferences. Would they be happy?
McGouran, owner of Jessica Leigh Interiors, explains, “The vision was to create a four-season home large enough to host our entire family — a place to all come together for summer weekends and holidays … somewhere special, but not too precious to enjoy with friends and kids.â€
The 2,700-foot cottage sits on Lake Kashagawigamog, in Haliburton, Ont.
The biggest challenge was that mother, Leanne Small, and stepdad, Larry Small, had different tastes. She says her stepdad favoured contemporary design, while her mother liked classic details. McGouran explains, “The design vision was to create a balance of the two — a home that reflected its beautiful surroundings with natural elements that felt elevated and fresh.â€
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Mother Leanne Small says she and her husband were very involved in the design. The three met with architect Ben DeCarlo of Highland Design and gave him their ideas. “This included a large open living area with a vaulted ceiling, a wood-burning fireplace, a big open kitchen and one large table to gather at. We wanted our primary bedroom on the main floor with a lake view and a main floor laundry and mud room. We wanted to live on one floor when it was just the two of us at the cottage,” said Small.
“When Ben presented his architectural design, we loved it.â€
Working with local Haliburton contractor Jeff Sharpless, of Woodland Custom and Design, designer McGouran created the first level, a second-floor loft space overlooking the main living room and lake, and four bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.
Small says, “We just love the open design, the amount of light and the views. Beautiful unique details were added by Jessica: a bar area, which she knew Larry would love; arched wall shelving; panelled walls in some rooms; arched entry; beautiful tiling; light fixtures; and furniture. Every view from every room is beautiful. Either you see the lake, or the gorgeous trees and private lot.â€
McGouran says there were a lot of benefits designing for her family. “They trusted my recommendations and expertise. Also, I know how my parents live in and use their space, so it was easier to design around their lifestyle.â€
Adds her Mom: “There are so many decisions to make and it was invaluable to have Jessica to help us. As my friends often joked ‘not everyone has a designer on speed dial.’ I think they should!â€
In the end, the project turned out to be smooth sailing for McGouran.Â
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