Remember when our founder, Kelly, showed you the bunkie build at her Lake Muskoka family cottage in July? Progress ….
Can’t remember? Recall the before here.
Today we check in to see the almost-done version of this 108 square ft of Canadian cottage sleeping bliss. Last time you saw it was post-build but pre-furnish; we’ve since spent summer 2015 doing the infamous island triple load – out of the car, into the boat, back out of the boat and up 42 stairs to the final destination, in this case a tiny cabin in the woods.
Slowly but surely one piece has arrived after the next. While we wanted to go crazy and really adorn every ounce of the space, three things stood out.
- Space (to put things on) was at an all time low due to a shortage of both surfaces and wall space.
- Guests would inevitably have a suitcase or overnight bag and it wouldn’t be empty; they needed space to put whatever they brought with them and travelling light wasn’t always achieved.
- Less is more — the cardinal rule of decor would be adhered to STRICTLY (as would all things white!)
The results:
The largest item in the 9 x 12 space is the queen size bed. Keeping it all white helped achieve the serene feel of the space. Little details in the bedding including the eyelet pattern in the shams and duvet and the textured coverlet create visual interest while sticking to the all-white color scheme.
Night side tables were a must given they are virtually the only storage in the building. We deliberately got mismatched ones to accommodate the size (the bed is little right to accommodate easy entry from the porch) but also because we hate matchey-matchy.
On the left side a darker toned wooden piece with 2 shelves inside and this cool grid like carving on the front add interest, as does the rustic theme mirror above.
On the opposite side we hit the rustic button and added a smaller yet still useful 2 door piece with shelf below that actually has bark across its drawers.
We’re still waiting on the mirror that goes overhead the night on the right. Its rustic as well but an opposite shape (you guessed it – for interest!) Together the mirrors with smaller window above the bed (for cross breeze on those hot summer nights) will provide a beautiful alternative to a headboard. With the white bead board on the walls hanging a headboard would virtually be impossible due to weight restrictions; conversely standing a door or the like behind the bed would work but then we’d have to sacrifice a few inches and to say we couldn’t spare another inch at the end of the bed would be an understatement!
Opposite the bed – the best view ever. There was much debate about adding more drapery to the window – to the point every family member had to spend a night in the bunkie to wake up there and participate in the deliberation. We all became obsessed with waking up to the tower of trees (and occasional deer) and decided to forego roman blinds – for now at least.
Underneath the windows a full length bench with a neutral upholstered cushion in a heavy twill with brushed matte provides the perfect place to throw a suitcase or sit and read. Mandatory white pillows keeps it simple but comfy. Underneath woven baskets stow items that reside in the bunkie (swimsuits and slippers!) and the additional space is perfect for tucking away a suitcase when not in use. On the wall is a fabulous ceramic bouy sourced from a local craft fair. On the opposite wall two favorite paintings done by Kelly’s mom a few summers back.
To finish them off Kelly busted out her DIY skills and made good use of some rope left over from her cottage wedding last summer.
The other piece to be installed goes up high in the peak. A classic Muskoka decor piece 
So who lays claim to this fabulous little abode from at the Club F cottage?
Honors go to Kelly’s brother, Brendan Fallis (above), and his new fiancé Hannah Bronfman (below).
What’s their favorite part about sleeping in the woods, 25 steps away from the nearest bathroom? Hannah couldn’t decide whether sleeping in nature outdid the cozy factory of the space, where Brendan had his older sister in stitches claiming that the silence in the bunkie trumped all. “The lack of the phone not announcing who is calling in the middle of your sleep is amazing!” All those who’ve visited Club F can likely relate to their uniquely annoying phone that verbally tells you who is calling after each ring (which has rapidly moved up my roster of cottage to do’s!)
Furnishing the porch will have to wait until Summer 2016. For now it houses an electric mix of items that make it look a little less empty!
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