We sometimes include affiliate links and curated AI content to highlight top design styles.
Step into the world of Catchacoma Cottage, a stunning lakeside retreat designed by the award-winning Dubbeldam Architecture + Design. Nestled within a mature forest in the heart of The Kawarthas, Ontario, this 205-square-meter, single-story cottage harmoniously integrates with its natural surroundings. Created for an extended family spanning three generations, the cottage offers a unique mix of privacy and communal spaces, with three distinct volumes that connect seamlessly beneath steeply sloped rooflines. Featuring six bedrooms, two bathrooms, and expansive shared spaces, this cottage is the epitome of luxury mixed with sustainability. Join us for an exclusive photo tour of this idyllic lakeside escape and discover how this thoughtful design blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living, offering a perfect blend of comfort, tranquility, and connection with nature.
Distinct Volumes That Define the Space
The architectural design of Catchacoma Cottage is characterized by its three distinct volumes, each with steeply pitched rooflines. These volumes are thoughtfully integrated to connect the main living area with the guest and family bedroom wings, while clearly defining separate spaces within the cottage.
Using varying roof heights and intersecting lines creates visual interest, giving the cottage its signature look. The exterior deck extends out towards the lake, offering multiple levels for gathering, entertaining, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Warm Entryway Blending Nature and Design
The entry porch of Catchacoma Cottage offers a welcoming touch, carved directly out of the main volume of the home. Lined with rich red cedar, the warm hue creates a striking contrast against the cottage’s darkened wood siding, seamlessly blending natural materials with modern design elements. This carefully crafted entrance sets the tone for the rest of the cottage—sophisticated, natural, and deeply connected to its environment.
Views That Welcome You Home
Upon entry, visitors are immediately greeted with a breathtaking view through the living space and out the large rear sliding glass doors, revealing the stunning lake beyond. The thoughtfully designed open-plan living area frames this panoramic vista, allowing the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding forest to be a constant presence.
The seamless indoor-outdoor connection encourages a sense of tranquility, making the lake feel like an extension of the living space. The use of warm wood tones and minimalist decor keeps the focus on the view, ensuring that nature takes center stage from the moment you step inside.
A Spine That Connects It All
The design of Catchacoma Cottage features a central circulation spine that connects the cottage’s three distinct volumes. This architectural element not only links the different sections of the home but also emphasizes a continuous visual connection to the surrounding landscape. Each end of the spine frames a curated outdoor view, inviting the beauty of the forest and lake into the heart of the cottage. Strategic placement of windows and thoughtful alignment of spaces ensure that the natural world is always within sight, enhancing the sense of harmony and connection throughout the home.
A Cozy Space for Gathering
The dining area features a built-in maple plywood banquette at the heart of the living space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for family gatherings. The soft, natural wood tones of the banquette and dining table blend seamlessly with the rest of the cottage, enhancing the sense of warmth and connection to the surrounding forest. Pendant lighting above the table adds a touch of modern elegance, while the simple and functional design of the chairs complements the overall minimalist aesthetic.
This dining area is a welcoming space, ideal for everything from casual breakfasts to celebratory dinners, all while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors through expansive windows.
A Loft with a View
Where the rooflines converge, a loft space provides a unique and cozy hangout for teenagers or anyone looking for a more secluded nook. This intimate area is accessed via a minimalist ladder, tucked above the open floor plan and offering a bird’s-eye view of the double-height living area below.
The loft’s elevated position and the use of warm wood finishes make it a perfect spot for reading, relaxing, or simply taking in the expansive views of the surrounding landscape. The playful yet practical design of the loft enhances the sense of adventure while maintaining a strong visual connection to the rest of the home.
A Modern Kitchen with Contrast
The kitchen, tucked beneath the loft, is a striking blend of warmth and modernity. The warm hues of maple plywood contrast beautifully with the cool greys of the kitchen finishes, creating a balanced and sophisticated look. Greystone counters and a waterfall island add a touch of luxury, while the sleek charcoal cabinetry offers a contemporary feel.
Large windows bring in natural light, highlighting the minimalist design and ensuring that the connection to the outdoors is never lost. This well-planned kitchen is both functional and visually appealing, seamlessly integrating with the rest of the cottage’s open living areas.
Details that Make the Kitchen Shine
A closer look at the kitchen reveals its carefully curated details that enhance both functionality and aesthetics. The cabinetry, finished in a sleek charcoal grey, pairs effortlessly with the warm maple plywood accents, maintaining the home’s balance of warmth and modernity. Open shelving breaks up the cabinetry, offering a display area for books, decorative items, or a selection of fine wines—adding a personalized touch to the space.
Note how the large window behind the sink ensures constant views of the lush landscape, emphasizing the cottage’s theme of connecting indoor spaces with the natural world outside. Every element in the kitchen has been thoughtfully chosen to maintain the minimalist yet luxurious aesthetic that defines Catchacoma Cottage.
A Living Area with Rustic Elegance
The living area of Catchacoma Cottage embraces a natural palette, ensuring a consistent sense of warmth and authenticity throughout the home. The cold-rolled steel behind the fireplace creates a striking focal point, contrasting against the maple plywood-lined walls to add visual interest and texture. The wood-burning stove, set against this dark steel backdrop, enhances the cozy ambiance, perfect for gatherings on cooler evenings.
The seating area, with plush cushions and a soft color scheme, invites relaxation while the stacked firewood provides both practicality and a rustic decorative element, echoing the cottage’s deep connection to its natural surroundings.
A Bedroom with a View
The bedroom at Catchacoma Cottage continues the theme of integrating the natural surroundings with the interior. A floor-to-ceiling window allows for an unobstructed view of the lush forest outside, making nature an ever-present part of the space. The warm wood-lined walls and simple, cozy furnishings create a tranquil and restful atmosphere, perfect for unwinding while being immersed in the serene lakeside environment. Minimalist design style and earthy tones ensure that the view remains the room’s star, offering a peaceful retreat in the forest’s heart.
A Sunroom to Soak in Nature
The sunroom at Catchacoma Cottage is a cozy retreat that perfectly captures the essence of lakeside living. Large windows frame picturesque views of the lake and surrounding forest, filling the space with natural light and making it an inviting spot to relax any time of the day.
The comfortable seating, paired with natural materials and earthy tones, enhances the serene atmosphere, while the wood-burning stove ensures warmth during cooler seasons. This sunroom is an ideal place to unwind, whether you are enjoying a quiet moment alone or sharing it with family and friends.
An Expansive Deck for All Occasions
An expansive deck spans multiple levels, bridging the sloped site’s grade differences and cascading down towards the water’s edge in multiple tiers. Extending along the lakeside of the cottage, the deck offers a series of gathering spots—perfect for hosting large family gatherings or enjoying individual moments of outdoor relaxation.
The design embraces the landscape’s natural contours, allowing seamless access to various areas, whether you’re looking for a place to socialize or a quiet spot to appreciate the lake’s beauty.
Outdoor Living that Connects to Nature
The deck’s thoughtful design maximizes the connection to the outdoors. Large sliding glass doors open directly from the main living spaces to the deck, blurring the line between indoors and out. Whether it’s lounging with a cup of coffee in the morning sun or dining al fresco as the sun sets, the deck serves as an extension of the cottage’s living space, providing a comfortable and versatile environment for any occasion. Using natural wood and simple furnishings complements the surrounding forest, creating an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and in tune with nature.
A Harmonious Connection with the Landscape
The cottage is situated within an opening of a mature forest, carefully placed where a previous structure once stood. This positioning minimizes environmental impact and preserves the existing trees, allowing the cottage to blend harmoniously into its natural surroundings. Nestled among the trees, Catchacoma Cottage is visible from the lake yet remains unobtrusive, its darkened wood siding blending seamlessly with the landscape.
This thoughtful integration emphasizes a sense of seclusion, making the cottage feel like a natural extension of the forest while providing a peaceful and inviting retreat.
