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Elements of Modern Canadian Cottage Design

Written by Land Ark

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October 19, 2021

The Canadian cottage lifestyle is one steeped in history and tradition, but that doesn’t mean your cottage has to be. With modern features like ultra energy-efficient design, sleek stainless steel appliances, and electric car charging rough-ins, your cottage can meet (and even exceed) the style of living you’re used to. Plus, we’ve included $25,000 worth of upgrades (lot premiums and finishes) in our designer finished homes!

The cottage-style homes at Watercolour Westport are built with the most advanced construction methods and building materials, so that your home can work just as hard for you as you do for it. And even though we’re fans of modern design, we also recognize the need for that familiar cottage look, so we incorporate craftsman styling at every turn. Read on to learn about how modern Canadian cottage design can make your vacation (or permanent) home so much more enjoyable.  

Energy Efficient Homes

The primary appeal of cottaging is reconnecting with nature in its most pristine state. In order to be the best stewards of our environment and preserve this beautiful land for future generations, we build cottage homes that exceed Ontario Building Code for energy efficiency. Every single home in Watercolour Westport is built to be Net Zero Ready. Our air-tight building envelopes consist of… 

  • A combination of spray foam and fiberglass insulation, including in the attic and under the basement slab for maximum warmth and comfortFoundations wrapped in high-performance drainage insulation membrane to increase warmth and ensure dry and comfortable living spacesPremium vinyl triple-pane windows to keep the cold out but allow in fresh air when you want it Highly efficient, forced-air heating and cooling system to keep energy bills downHybrid electric hot water heater so that you have as much hot water as you need, without the high expense

These envelope features make Watercolour homes up to 80% more energy-efficient than a typical cottage. Each home also comes with connections for a solar electric system and home battery that the homeowner may install, enabling the home to operate completely on the energy it produces, achieving a Net Zero status.

Exterior Features

Cottages are meant to be cozy and inviting spaces where family and friends can gather and make lasting memories. The scale can’t be too grand or imposing, but it’s always nice to have a little extra space on the inside. The cottage-style homes at Watercolour Westport hit the mark. The open-concept designs allow the kitchen, living and dining rooms to flow seamlessly into one another, making living easy and carefree.

Homes have wide, craftsman-style porches with thick wood columns — perfect for coffee in the morning or long conversations at sunset. Dormers add visual interest and contain peekaboo windows from the upstairs loft space. The siding is durable James Hardie Board™, the recognized siding leader in North America that’s known for looks and performance. It looks like traditional wood siding but you’ll never have as much ongoing maintenance. Your lot will be fully sodded, which means you get to enjoy soft grass underfoot as soon as you move in, and front walkways are hardscaped and driveways are paved to enhance curb appeal. Details like low profile ridge vents and harmonious exterior colour palettes add to the cottage-style beauty and aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood.

The Charleston bungalow at Watercolour Westport.

Interior Features

The craftsman aesthetic continues through to the interior, with a square trim style, 2-panel interior doors, craftsman-style hardware, and solid hardwood stairs. Homeowners have a choice of hardwood flooring throughout the main living spaces and ceramic tile at the front door, in bathrooms, and in the laundry/mudroom. The result is a first floor that’s highly livable and easy to clean when you come in from adventuring, and second-story bedrooms that are warm and toasty when you’re ready to rest.

In the kitchen and baths, cabinets have soft closing drawers and doors that come in a variety of finishes, and countertops may be chosen in granite or quartz. Select floor plans include a spacious kitchen pantry so that you don’t have to shop too often, and all homes come with a double stainless steel sink, stainless steel range, and refrigerator to make cooking (and cleanup) a breeze. 

Dining room and kitchen in a home at Watercolour Westport.

Rough-Ins for Future

To make sure your new cottage-style home stays up-to-date well into the future, it comes with four communication outlets of your choice (including data), a central vacuum system rough-in, and electric vehicle charging station rough-in in the garage. Even as the times change, your home can keep up with technology and secure your leisurely, luxury lifestyle well into the future. (Psst – did we mention all cottages feature 1G fibre optic internet??).

If you’d like more information on modern cottage design or new homes in Watercolour Westport, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We’ll meet you at the cottage!