By Stephanie Whittaker
Photography by Larry Arnal
Nestled in Innisfil, this beloved family abode has stood the test of time, remaining within the same family’s embrace for decades. From the original owners to their children and now their grandchildren, three generations have cherished many vacations in this much-loved cottage. However, the time for transformation had arrived. The once-charming cottage had lost its lustre and displayed signs of wear and tear, its layout trapped in a bygone era: many separate rooms cut off from each other, small bathrooms, insufficient lighting, and a cramped kitchen.
Andrea McMullen, the creative mind behind ADM Design Inc., alongside her dedicated design manager, Chelsea Brilhante, and their team embarked on a mission to transform the two-storey dwelling into a modern masterpiece. The challenge was to infuse into the space the essence of modernity while retaining its warmth and accommodating three generations’ diverse tastes.
So, the work began to remake the cottage. It was an ambitious project that took more than half a year. The building was stripped down to the studs. When given carte blanche, McMullen says, “One might consider carte blanche to be the easiest avenue for a designer, but with so many ideas it was hard to choose what style I wanted to bring to fruition. There are endless possibilities that the client loved right off the bat. The wife was very particular about having a modern space, with trendy features in black and white. They wanted something with a wow factor but, at the same time, it had to be suitable for the entire family.”
With a canvas of 4,500 square feet, ADM Design set out to redefine the cottage: Walls were torn down, rooms repurposed, and spaces merged to create an open, inviting atmosphere in which everyone could enjoy lake life. The kitchen took over the former dining room, making way for a hidden pantry, coffee station, and office space. Even the exterior and garage underwent meticulous renovation in the pursuit of contemporary elegance.
The heart of the transformation was the great room, where a breathtaking sight unfolds. The room is adorned with floor-to-ceiling bookcases, flanking a majestic fireplace—fluted from floor to ceiling and illuminated by a suite of exquisite chandeliers. “We found these beautiful fixtures while on a shopping trip in North Carolina and knew they were perfect for this project,” McMullen says. The existing ceiling fan was replaced by four chandeliers, hung at various heights to complement the asymmetrical space. This space, bathed in light, embodies the concept of “lighting as art.” The decor seamlessly integrates black and white contrasts, with a butter-soft custom leather Bugatti sectional sofa, ideal for the demands of lake life. Grounding the furniture is an earth-toned rug with a web of black lines meandering across it, a stylized pattern of cracked earth that manages to look simultaneously straight and curved. That marriage of straight and curved lines in black and white is echoed in the beautiful decor pieces curated across the shelves and tabletops.
In the heart of the home, the kitchen stands as a testament to creativity. An expansive island, clad in heat-resistant Dekton, doubles as a functional art piece. The strategic use of contrasting colours conceals appliances and adds interest to the space. Behind smoked-glass doors, there are surprises: a hidden coffee station and pantry. Layers of inlay lighting add a sophisticated glow to the high-gloss white cabinetry. The result is a kitchen that marries aesthetics with practicality, embodying the essence of clean lines and innovative design.
“ADM DESIGN HAD NOT JUST CREATED A HOME. THEY HAD CRAFTED A TIMELESS MASTERPIECE.”
One of the remarkable feats of this renovation lies in the laundry room and powder room. Through ingenious design, a hallway was seamlessly transformed into the new laundry room, which embraces both functionality and beauty. The space welcomes one with its neutral Spanish floor tiles, guiding one seamlessly through the area. Custom cabinetry spans from wall to wall; it optimizes storage efficiently and is adorned with exquisite hardware pulls. The powder room boasts wild wallpaper and a suspended circular light that casts a soft glow over the mirror. The full stone custom floating vanity contrasts against the organic black and natural tones in the wallpaper. The interplay of straight and curved lines, enhanced by black and gold fixtures, creates a modern and inviting ambience. “Laundry rooms and powder rooms provide an excellent opportunity to design a space that breaks from the norm,” McMullen says.
As the curtains rose on reveal day, three generations gathered, their anticipation palpable. The reactions were unanimous: excitement, satisfaction, and sheer happiness. ADM Design had not just created a home; they had crafted a timeless masterpiece, where lighting transcends function and becomes art, where clean lines harmonize with creativity, and where every corner tells a story of innovation and elegance.
