Chic Muskoka boathouse will have you longing for the summer

For this space, architect Christopher Simmonds renovated an existing boathouse and added a new 600-square-foot second floor for a guest suite. Located at the end of a narrow bay, the boathouse has plenty of privacy: there’s a view of the lake in the distance and it backs onto a thick forest. The exterior is made of western red cedar and cement panels.

Inside, the boathouse is entirely clad in Douglas Fir plywood wall panels, which give the space a rustic yet chic feeling. The ceiling beams are also Douglas Fir, while the dark flooring is made of ipe wood. An expansive window brings the surrounding nature indoors.

The kitchenette opens up to a small dining area. A wall-mounted flat-screen TV and super sleek fireplace give the boathouse a futuristic edge. The rooftop terrace backing onto the forest is accessible from the main room.

Minimalism is at the max in the bedroom. A wooden headboard blends nearly seamless into the Douglas Fir panels, and even the bedside table is made of wood. The only non-wooden pieces? Two inconspicuous wall-mounted fixtures.

The actual boathouse can easily fit two vessels side by side. Go through the door, which disappears into the wooden paneled wall, and a stairway will lead you up to the second floor suite.

The southwest facing terrace is the space’s main focal point. During the day, the guests can sunbathe and relax, while at night, it becomes an enviable dining room with the best lakefront view. Who said that cottage guests need to sleep on pull-out couches and pint-sized bunk beds? This guest suite is all luxury.