Header: Alex Lesage
On a secluded island in the heart of Georgian Bay, Ontario, Pine Island Cottage was carefully created to blend into its natural surroundings by architecture studio Gren Weis Architect & Associates. With interiors designed by Bureau Tempo and Thom Fougere Studio, this serene family getaway unfolds as a series of gathering spaces that gently cascade along the island’s sloped stone formations. Mirroring the textural richness of the natural world, the interior is at once rugged and serene.
Friction as the vision
A rough stone to sit on and an unexpected bit of rain create the kind of friction that dissipates naturally when we’re outdoors, bringing us into communion with nature. The texture of the wood-grain walls, the sturdiness of the wrought-iron handrails and the grip of the flamed stone underfoot in the shower all suggest friction, rooting you in the moment and enriching your exchange with the space.
In the central living area, four distinct zones (kitchen, dining room, living room anchored by a fieldstone hearth, and outdoor porch) encourage togetherness, while the sleeping quarters, placed at a higher point on the island, offer a peaceful refuge.
The spatial journey
Guests are welcomed by a pebble-shaped oak door handle and led into a low and gently lit oak-lined entryway. The space gradually opens as the floors terrace down, the ceiling height grows and the materials lighten in colour, revealing the main living space.
“The design process for the cottage was as beautiful as the final product, with many personal discoveries alongside the client and site-specific cues that directly informed our decision-making. The kitchen island as a ritualised gathering point was one such instance: it became not only an experiment with materiality but also a highly functional element of the kitchen.”
Thom Fougere, Thom Fougere Studio
At the heart of the home, the kitchen (complete with a pantry, bar and breakfast nook) is anchored by a fieldstone island evoking the feel of casual gatherings on rocky shores. The custom-designed cabinetry is crafted of white oak, walnut and limestone. Each detail and item was considered down to the ceramics, cookware, cutlery and linens.
The pantry was reimagined as a functional, market-style space with produce and food on full display. The pantry trays allow for easy transport of ingredients, coffees and cocktails to and from the pantry or adjacent pewter bar.
“Lighting was often at the heart of the decision-making process. We did not want to disturb the serenity of the darkness on the island and how finishes would feel when very dimly lit was paramount in selecting materials.”
Adam Robinson, Bureau Tempo
Beyond the kitchen, a custom heavy-timber dining table and bench overlook the sunken living room and hearth, framed by the same fieldstone as the kitchen island. Defined by a custom walnut sofa and integrated stair on one side and a fieldstone hearth on the other, the living space was envisioned as a calm place to gather, play and entertain by the warmth of the fire. The double-sided hearth is crucial in the designer’s plan regarding the cottage’s circulation, warming both the interior and the screened outdoor porch.
“When visiting the site early on with the family, we spent time walking alongside the mottled, stone-covered beach by the water. Translating that tactile experience into the interior in unexpected ways became a guiding goal in selecting materials. It often came down to finding the minimum touch with the maximum impact to achieve this.”
Thom Fougere
Repeated use of custom-cast wall sconces and wrought-iron handrails crafted by a local blacksmith creates a tactile rhythm throughout the experience.
The private quarter
The bedroom wings are connected to the main living area by a glazed, elevated breezeway. A guest bedroom and children’s room with bunk beds are located on one side, while a private office and primary bedroom with an ensuite are on the other. A change from concrete to wood to locally sourced Eramosa stone denotes the experience of traversing the cottage. The stone floor has been flamed to create a weathered, timeworn appearance and foot feel.
“Early conversations with the client about embracing patina and encouraging the use of materials that would age well established a direction that led to rich material selections and a few unexpected pairings.”
Adam Robinson
The primary bedroom features expansive storage, oak-lined at one end and custom rug-fronted closets suspended on iron frames at the other, softening the room both visually and acoustically. Echoed use of fieldstone provides a backdrop to the bed and vanity opposite. In the ensuite bathroom, a custom double-basin stone sink, a flamed stone shower floor and a ceramic tub create a warm and tranquil setting for daily rituals.
Project information
Interior Design Company: Bureau Tempo and Thom Fougere Studio
Architecture Company: Gren Weis Architect & Associates
Construction: Coulter Dawe & Associates
Landscape Design: John Lloyd & Associates
Photography: Alex Lesage, Thom Fougere
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date: 2024
Area: 325 m²
Source: v2com newswire
