After a summer spent surrounded by nature, eating meals on the dock and getting exercise by canoeing across the lake, people often ask themselves, "Why can't this be my life?"
Cathy and Bruce Forster bought their cottage in Port Franks, a village also on Lake Huron, when they were in their 30s. Now just a few years from being able to live there full time, this London couple has slowly been renovating the property to fit their needs.
Likewise, in 1994, Judy and John Minielly started to plan their escape from the city to a cottage, with John to soon retire from his position as maintenance manager at Labatt Breweries. In a new community called Deer Run being developed along the coast of Lake Huron, Ontario, they found a one-acre lot that offered maximum privacy with no neighbours in sight, but also a community with great attributes for both retirees and growing families.
Both couples have learned that moving into the idyllic country life isn't as simple as hitching up your wagon, but with a little bit of planning, calling the cottage home can be a happy reality.
Find a good location. Both couples wanted properties that were within easy driving distance of their urban hometowns so that their family members could visit easily. Some cottages are so remote that they aren’t practical for year-round living.
Cathy Forster advises: “Make sure your street is one that’s plowed in the winter. Not all are, so check with the municipality you are considering.”
A helpful house hunting hint, she adds, is that if school busses travel the area that you're considering, the roads will be plowed.
Take advantage of recreational facilities. A large provincial park close to both couples’ cottages offers big beaches, hiking trails and bird watching opportunities in summer. Winter brings cross-country skiing and tobogganing. With four children and 10 grandchildren who live within an hour’s drive, having kid-friendly amenities nearby is important for the Miniellys. Other great cottage-only options include ready access to a lake and the great fishing and boating that can then become a possibility.
Consider one-floor living. Make sure the home can age with you. Though both couples made this a priority, it has been especially important for Judy Minielly, as she had knee replacement surgery. As one ages, deteriorating knees, hips and backs can make stair-climbing a chore. Young children can benefit from one-floor living too, with no stairs to tumble down.
Seek out social opportunities. Just because you may be moving to a smaller community doesn't mean that you have to give up on fun. John Minielly loves to play golf and he is happy that there are five courses within a 20-minute drive of his new home. There’s also a community centre and public library that offer myriad activities.
The Forsters have been spending weekends and vacations at their cottage for 14 years and have built fast friendships that will continue, as many of their neighbours are choosing to live full-time at their cottages as well.
Though the Miniellys were among the first to purchase at Deer Run, many social groups have been spawned and there’s always something to do.
Don't forget about healthy decisions. A factor that is important to take into account at any age is health care issues. Many rural communities are reducing or closing health care and emergency services, so speak with locals to find out about doctors and nearby hospitals.
Bringing the cottage to the city
Urban living is great for some, but others yearn for the calm of the country - even in the midst of gridlock. Here are some tips from Style at Home's editor-in-chief Erin McLaughlin to help rediscover peace in your home.
1. It's amazing what a single can of white paint can do to transform everyday furniture into cottage-style masterpieces. A group of ersatz vintage wooden chairs can get an easy update with a coat or two of white paint. Or try painting the legs of your upholstered pieces off-white for a bright look that makes summer last all year. Go all out and paint wooden floors with glossy white paint (Farrow and Ball and Beauti-tone both have excellent floor paint products). White wooden floors bring that relaxed cottage aesthetic home - plus it has the added bonus of making small rooms seem bigger!
White paints to try: Benjamin Moore's Cloud White cc-40, Purity from Beauti-tone's Style at Home Colour Collection and Farrow and Ball's White Tie.
2. Bring the relaxed look of wicker outdoor furniture into your living room, dining room or bedroom to create a pretty cottage look. Try a wicker chaise longe in the bedroom or a wicker loveseat in the living room. Experiment with modern or traditional outdoor furniture silhouettes - the trick is to make sure that there is a visual balance between the wicker furniture and your upholstered pieces.
3. Summer stripes can freshen up any space year-round. Try using a few throw cushions in the classic blue and white ticking fabric pattern on your sofa or arm chairs. Or go bold with brilliantly striped cushion covers in hot hues of violet and orange or pink and red.
4. An easy decorative cottage-style touch is to collect vintage Mason jars throughout the year. Use them as vases and fill liberally with whatever flowers are available. Arrange filled vases on the dining table in groups of three or more, or line them on a window-sill for a whimsical touch of pretty! No flowers available? Try using branches or fill the jars with pebbles or seashells.
5. Many homeowners roll up their carpets for the summer season. Instead of rolling them back out for fall, give them the year off and buy some inexpensive coir or seagrass rugs instead. The natural fibres add an organic touch to the room and the light neutral tones of the rugs easily coordinate with any look. Best of all, there is something so cottagey about natural fibre rugs - they are informal, low-key and easy to clean.
