When designer Michelle Berwick and her husband, Gary, decided to renovate their property on Stoney Lake in Harcourt, Ontario, the three on-site buildings were ready for a refresh. “They had not been touched since the early 1970s,” says Berwick, who runs her eponymous design firm from New Market, Ontario. “We worked within the existing structures and just changed the layout.”
In the kitchen, terra-cotta details on the island and the scalloped hood warm the space that connects with nature through a generous window. Ample storage includes an appliance garage and a pantry with room to grow. Cantilevered on the lake, the boathouse bunkie sports a neutral palette. This way, guests can lounge in the king-size bed with an upholstered channeled back and keep their eye on the prize outside.
Known as the Thunderbird Cabin, the rental property easily sleeps twelve. In addition to a family room and kitchen, the main cabin has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The garage bunkie (outbuilding) features a king-size bedroom and bathroom, and a boathouse bunkie has a king-size bedroom cantilevered on the lake. “It has a slightly different vibe. We wanted to keep everything else quiet and let nature be the focus,” says the designer.
Berwick calls the aesthetic “a nod to nostalgia,” like her father’s cottage that she visited as a child. “It has a different color scheme than water colors and white. I wanted to pull from nature with an olive-y forest-green twist and terra-cotta in the kitchen and throughout,” she says. “I didn’t want it to feel too stuffy or serious. There are fun wallpapers and cheeky art . . . to show you where you are and what you should be doing.”
Wallpaper themes that embellish the bedrooms include sardines, Canadia geese, and Canadian shields. In the main cabin, the black exterior connects to the entryway and family room where the pine walls were discolored. Rather than paint them white, Berwick chose the color Raccoon Fur by Benjamin Moore for a moody backdrop. A leather sectional with a weathered look pairs with pieces made from local timber, while a vintage Moroccan rug grounds the room.
In the kitchen, an expansive window provides a front-row seat to the natural setting. “You can be cooking eggs and look out at the lake and the wildlife,” says Berwick who filled the space with playful details. “You’re able to take a little risk with a second home or a rental property, like [we did with] the curved scalloped hood.”
Outdoor living includes a spacious deck with a glass railing for uninterrupted views. A second deck extends from the boathouse. “The views are at bird-flight height and sights include golden eagles and deer,” she says. “It’s very spiritual there, and you feel like a part of nature.”
The designer and her family spend some time at the Airbnb that attracts guests from around the globe. “We primarily use it for an income property, but part of the fun is to block time out for yourself,” says Berwick. “We wanted it to feel like a resort where people can relax when they don’t have their troubles or chores from home. It’s very comfortable and you only need to bring a bathing suit and a toothbrush.”
To book your stay: www.airbnb.com/h/thethunderbirdcabin / @thethunderbirdcabin
RECREATION STATION
Michelle Berwick shares ways to spend your time in and around the Thunderbird Cabin.
Walk On. Take a hike through Petroglyphs Provincial Park filled with the largest known concentration of indigenous rock carvings in Canada.
Water World. Rent a boat. In addition to more than 1,100 islands, there are several restaurants on Stoney Lake. The cabin also has kayaks, paddleboats, and more.
Short Cut. A built-in charcuterie board supports casual meals after a long day of fishing and other fun. “You don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen; you want to assemble and enjoy,” says Berwick.
Road Trip. Two nearby towns—Lakefield and Buckhorn—feature restaurants and shops, even a spa and a butcher. “You can get anything you need, and they are nice places to walk around,” she adds.
Backup Plan. The thoughtful hosts plan to have rainy days covered with a nearly complete garage project that includes a game room and gym.
