Life at the cottage! Swimming and sunbathing, boating and hiking, sunsets over the lake — the refreshing scent of the water and the lulling sound of the waves. It’s the yin to the yang of everyday work life. The cottage itself could be a cozy and comfy cabin, or a spacious and elegant summer home, but one overriding objective is shared by the owners — to provide a welcoming retreat where they and their guests can relax and unwind from the hectic urban pace.
This goal surely explains the appeal of the classic vintage styles increasingly favoured by today’s cottagers: in the architecture, the landscaping, the interior décor, and the fixtures and furniture. The ambience helps to set the right mood for just kicking off the shoes and taking it easy. And there’s an added benefit: the sturdy materials and weathered appearance make maintenance less of a burden.
Throughout many eras, pristine and polished furniture was frequently the fashion of the day; but contemporary trends favour a diversity of textures, patterns, and colours. Designers are freer to indulge their creativity and explore a wide array of options. This evolution is welcomed by Darragh and Alicia Hughes of Thomas James Cabinetry, whose passions for rich grains and custom hues are among their trademarks. It’s all about 100% custom character!
Darragh is a fourth-generation joiner, apprenticed in his home country of Ireland after early initiation in his grandfather’s carriage-making shop. Alicia is an interior designer, trained at Sheridan College, with a degree in Art History from Queen’s University. They combine their creative talents to produce one-of-a-kind cabinets and furniture customized to their clients’ tastes.
Distressed finishing is one way to exude an aura of comfortable charm. Darragh explains that their techniques are conceptualized and planned right at the beginning of the process, with degrees of age, wear, and patina, ranging from light to medium to heavy effects. A pleasing time-worn look can also be captured through the selection of classic colours, the use of crackle finishes, and the addition of period accent pieces, such as antique knobs and hinges.
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, there is a practical plus-factor to vintage styling. There is no need for stress when the kids and dogs come in from a day on the beach and tromp all over the sunroom floor. Furniture and surfaces that already show the interesting scars inevitably bestowed by the passage of time can easily withstand the onslaught of sandy feet and wet bathing suits.
Darragh and Alicia recently had the opportunity to indulge their tastes and talents at a new cottage on an island property. The owners were dedicated to the vision of true Muskoka character, reflected in the selection of native woods and granite, as well as the services of passionate craftspeople for the architecture, construction, and interior décor.
The superb design of this 6,000 square foot home demanded a parallel authenticity in its furnishings, resonating perfectly with the skills of Thomas James Cabinetry. Darragh and Alicia were commissioned to do a full kitchen installation, a dining-room cabinet and table, beds, bathroom vanities, and various furniture pieces. Alicia played an important role in the execution of the interior design of the cottage; and the architectural elements inspired by nature, with high wooden ceilings, hemlock floors, and Muskoka granite, are beautifully integrated with the specially commissioned cabinetry and furniture, creating an interior space that is in perfect harmony with the spectacular setting.
Thomas James generally opts for solid walnut and maple — often tiger-striped or curly, which exploits an anomaly of nature, providing stunning effects whether throughout the piece or as interesting accents on the inside of drawers. Finishes are natural and organic, hand-mixed and custom-coloured, using non-toxic materials such as protein pigments and plant-based tannins.
The partnership was destined for success from the beginning. Their clients reviewed every detail with them thoroughly. “They even weighed in on the simulated worm holes”, says Darragh. Extensive samples were perused for every item, with painstaking attention paid to the hand-blended and nontoxic paints, oils, and stains, the level of distressing, wood species sourced, and cabinetry hardware.
Beautifully designed cabinets and furniture are enhanced by top-quality hardware, and Darragh and Alicia aided their clients in selecting their custom-finished hardware from high-end North American based suppliers that are committed to producing products domestically in their Canadian and American manufacturing facilities. These carefully chosen final touches are both handsome and functional, with sturdy traditionally styled hinges, handles, and pulls that all work in tandem with ‘soft-close’ drawer glides for ease of motion.
An island property, a stunning cottage, owners committed to authenticity, designers and craftspeople dedicated to perfection — ideal ingredients for the creation of an interior that is truly reflective of classic Muskoka style. CCH
Photos: Robert Nelson
