Sandra from Raincoast Cottage, my awesome friend and Canadian neighbor (practically), is here today to share some amazing summer cottages with us. I love these! Thank you so much, Sandra!
Thanks Melanie for inviting me to share my Canadian summer with all of you!
Cottages and Canadian summers go hand-in-hand. We’re a lot like Scandinavian countries in that the weather defines much of who we are. It’s part of our culture. In the winter, it’s skiing and ice skating and hockey and tobogganing. But when summer comes, it’s out to the lake. Whether a tiny little one room shed or a large, stately home, there is something for everyone.
Our cottaging tradition goes back to the 1800’s when hot Torontonians would take the train and the ferries up to Muskoka, a few hours north of the city. There you will see many cottages with the classic dark wood and white trim.
And what Americans call Adirondack chairs, we call Muskoka chairs.
But there are many new ones too that incorporate simple, Scandinavian-inspired style. And one of these is the cottage of the editor of Canada’s premiere design magazine, House & Home, Suzanne Dimma. Let’s take a look at the photos featured in the October 2011 issue. I think you will like what you see.
I dream of my cottage. It wasn’t as fancy as Suzanne’s but it was my escape to the lake each summer for wakeboarding and waterskiing and swimming. Many, many good memories. Do you cottage?
– Sandra
All photos via House & Home Magazine