When you first alight on the drive of this Lake Joseph beauty, what first strikes you is how serene it looks. With its subtle matte-black cladding and low-maintenance metal roof, it seems to nestle quietly into the hillside: an uncluttered silhouette among the pines and the impossibly blue Muskoka sky.
Upon entering through the glass door under the gabled central portico, it feels as though you have stepped into another world. The almost modest front gable magically transforms into the peak of a soaring open space. This space is taken up almost entirely by the uninterrupted view of Lake Joe, from one end to the other, from ceiling to floor, sparkling in the summer sun.
In something of an architectural and engineering feat, the lakeside elevation of the cottage is almost entirely made of glass. It takes full advantage of one of the property’s most breathtaking assets: sprawling across 300 feet of prime waterfront, a splendid, miles-wide view of arguably the most desirable of the Muskoka lakes. From every perch in this magnificent house, from every bedroom and easy chair, from the chef’s kitchen and dining room in the open central area, to the secluded and cozy primary suite under the pines at the far side, your eyes and your heart are filled with a vision of sky, trees, sunlight and water.
At just under 7,500 square feet, with six-plus-three bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and set on a roomy six acres of prime Muskoka lakeside property, the cottage was built to welcome a big extended family, a couple who loves to entertain, and everything in between. But the dream lies in how beautifully it combines big, heart-stopping spaces and cozy corners; it’s equally accommodating for big friendly crowds, or those weekends when it’s just the two of you, stealing away for some peace and quiet by the lake.
The interior is a study in unpretentious elegance, with natural finishes that are long on beauty but require little to no care. Flooring throughout is rustic, wide-plank hardwood; walls are finished in white shiplap, while the great room fireplace is clad in clean-lined Carrara marble, with a sleek granite hearth at its base. Windows are trimmed in black metal, imparting a comforting feeling of heft in the midst of all the light and air that fills the home.
In the dining and kitchen area, the ceiling stops down to a more humane height of ten feet or so, tailor-made for intimate dinner table conversation or chatting with the cook while lounging at the island. (Sliding glass doors in this section welcome in lakeside breezes on a warm day.) The kitchen is free from the usual clutter of cupboards and hardware; instead, overflow storage and extra prep space is hidden behind a rustic siding barn door at one side, behind which lies a complete butler’s pantry.
Past the great room on the other side is the staple of every cottage worth its lounge chairs: the Muskoka room. But this Muskoka room is no drafty three-season add-on: with its screens fully retracted, it functions like a sheltered verandah above the water, where sitters can relax out of the wind while being serenaded by the birds and the waves gently lapping below. As the sun sets, push a button, and the screens close, banishing the bugs as the stars begin to shimmer above the darkening water.
The lower level is designed for entertaining – whether it’s en masse or just a quiet game of cards or conversation à deux. Kick back by the fireplace and catch the game at the far end of the family room; or if you really want to get away for a movie night, move into the plush home theatre, with its high-end projection screen and state-of-the-art sound system. There’s also a second, conveniently equipped kitchen on this level – great for whipping up a meal for a hungry crowd, or just heating up pizza for the kids.
Each of the six bedrooms has its own private, tailor-made view across the lakeside; but no worries about being on display to passing boaters. Dropdown blinds are there at a push of a button if it’s a little extra privacy you desire, or a little extra sleep when the morning sun shines in. Most bedrooms also have their own ensuites and access through sliding doors onto the deck as well.
Outdoor life, in the best Muskoka tradition, is as important here as life indoors. It’s possible that the private waterfall, trickling down from ancient granite rocks just outside the primary bedroom, provided the inspiration for the pool, since it features an infinity edge that seems to cascade right down the hill. The poolhouse, which echoes the gabled silhouette of the main house attractively, includes both an outdoor kitchen and sheltered lounge area – perfect for escaping a passing shower without having to run back in the house.
Finish the day with a leisurely stroll down over the shallow limestone steps to the water’s edge, where a classic Muskoka boathouse features two slips, a bar for serving friends sunning themselves on the dock, and extra sleeping quarters for overflow guests, or teens who want their own space away from the parents.
Rising above the water, with its subtle, elegant design and walls of glass reflecting the woods and water that surround it, the house has a quiet sparkle, like a dark jewel set in the trees at the waterside. Don’t say you weren’t warned; once you spend time in this dreamhouse, you may never want to leave.
Listed by Cayman Marshall International Realty Inc. Brokerage at $18,900,000
300 ft. Frontage | 6 Acres | 7,490 sq.ft. | 6+3 Beds | 7+1 Baths
