Home tour: A nature-inspired lakefront retreat in Canada blends quiet luxury with seasonal beauty

Tatler Asia

25-04-2025

Photo 1 of 2 Drawing from Ontario's culture of cottaging and the yearning to reconnect with nature
Photo 2 of 2 The outdoor kitchen opens into the picturesque lakefront setting in the backyard
Consequently, Chan and Khouvongsavanh's team drew inspiration from the rugged elegance of nature itself, considering Ontario's culture of cottaging and the yearning to reconnect with the natural world throughout the seasons.
'We embrace the property's distinct lakefront setting, adopting an inside-out approach that weaves together spaces for leisure and connectivity through natural, honest and organic materials,' they reveal. 'Narrative played a central role, with each room designed to evoke a specific emotion, a carefully orchestrated balance between visual beauty and human comfort.'
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Above Canadian artist An Te Liu's Tropos sculptures reflect the evening sun in the wood-panelled entry gallery
With an architectural foundation anchored in concrete and glass–materials that convey precision and permanence–the interior is characterised by raw, natural materials indigenous to the region and responds harmoniously to its surroundings.
With sophistication and elegance as guiding principles rather than mere aesthetic choices, a dialogue between craftsmanship and materiality permeates the home through Ontario's native soapstone and accents of tactile quartzites.
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Above Monolithic concrete walls anchor the grand double-volume living room with grounding earthy-coloured furnishings
Meanwhile, an earthy colour palette dictated by key architectural finishes unifies the space with the natural backdrop. Rich suedes in furnishings introduce vibrancy into each area, telling individual stories that foster diverse experiences as one moves through the property.
Custom rugs with intriguing layout patterns and textures by Creative Matters and The Rug Company embody the region's different seasons while offering tactile quality to the surfaces.
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Above Monster Flower by Polish artist Marcin Rusak tucked in the corner of the living room against the lakefront backdrop
Above A 2,000-sq-ft rug combines four different designs to subtly divide four seating groups within the grand living area
Above The colours and contours of the surrounding nature
Above An emphasis on grandeur without sacrificing warmth
In the double-height living room–a soaring space demanding both drama and intimacy–a 2,000-sq-ft rug combining four different designs is stitched together to anchor the four seating groups within this majestic area.
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'Bringing a human scale to the volume, each grouping was arranged with intent, offering guests the choice to engage in conversation or retreat into the quiet, their view framed by the lakes beyond,' Chan and Khouvongsavanh elaborate.
'The goal was to emphasise its grandeur without sacrificing warmth, ensuring it remained the welcoming heart of the home,' they continue.
Above The kitchen area with soapstone cladding native to Ontario
Above The dining area is part of the majestic living area in the heart of the property
Above A dialogue between craftsmanship and materiality in the stone-clad countertop
On the upper levels, where a language of tempered warmth through wood joists and wire-brushed smoked oak panels softens the acoustics and lends a sense of rhythm, varied rugs and palettes bestow distinct identities to each bedroom, with every palette inspired by the seasonal variations in Eastern Ontario.
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Photo 1 of 3 The study room
Photo 2 of 3 The wine cellar
Photo 3 of 3 The cinema room
ACDO also collaborated closely with art curation collective Hanabi to develop an art-filled narrative echoing the natural landscape, ensuring the interiors feel not only refined but intrinsically connected to the world beyond.
Inspired by English writer and environmentalist Roger Deakin's quote: 'To enter a wood is to pass into a different world in which we ourselves are transformed,' the narrative conveys the concept of transformative passage–the transcendence from everyday life to another realm in a tranquil sanctuary imbued with nature's beauty.
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Above The bathroom is a carefully orchestrated balance between visual beauty and human comfort
Above Raw, natural materials indigenous to the region
Above A calm respite that serves to revitalise
'A story told in a contemporary and sophisticated visual language, we commissioned artists–both local and international–who were exploring natural shapes, raw materials, and refined interventions in their practice,' explains Jamie Stagnitta, principal and founder of Hanabi.
He continues: 'Specifically developed for the project to reflect the clients' interests and convey elements of their personalities, we sought artists who were exploring the tension between nature and technology, machine made versus handcrafted.'
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Photo 1 of 2 The colour palette of each bedroom drew inspiration from the seasonal variations in Eastern Ontario
Photo 2 of 2 Expert wood craftsmanship in the guest room with bunk beds
This is exemplified by Polish artist Marcin Rusak's Monster Flower in the living room–an oversized cast aluminum floral sculpture that examines genetic manipulation and our desire to seek perfection in nature.
'Rusak has taken all the ideal qualities that we desire in a flower and merged them into one hybrid floral creation that is transient, emotional and inspiring,' Stagnitta elaborates.
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Above Varied rugs and palettes bestow distinct identities to each bedroom
Above Furnishings that correlate with the lush landscape outside
Above Tempered warmth of wire-brushed smoked oak panels
Alongside other art pieces dispersed throughout the home, each work of art possesses a unique otherworldly aura that invites conversation and examination, creating a calm respite that serves to revitalise and engage family and guests through contemplation of the mysteries of the natural world.
'Guided by a commitment to refinement, each space was not only tailored to their needs but also aligned with a distinct, curated vision,' conclude the ACDO founders. 'The result was a home that felt both deeply personal and effortlessly sophisticated–a seamless intersection of intention and elegance.
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Credits
Photography: Scott Norsworthy