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Absolutely gorgeous Muskoka lakeside dream house overlooking Lake of Bays

By | Published on April 27, 2026

Filed Under: Architecture

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Dark gray modern farmhouse cottage with black metal roof and large windows at dusk, Ontario lakeside

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Bigwin Cottage is a lakeside dream house designed by Sophie Clapperton Designs, nestled on the Lake of Bays, a private island paradise in Ontario, Canada. Perfectly situated along the edge of the historic Bigwin Island Golf Course, this transitional-style cottage is surrounded by rolling Muskoka terrain and accessible only by water. Crafted to balance everyday living for a couple, they desired a home that would provide effortless entertaining for friends and family.

At the client’s request, the design was inspired by the architect’s original Topajo Cottage, yet reimagined as a bungalow format. While the designer rarely replicates designs, as each project is tailored to its client, Topajo, being Sophie’s personal project, combined with the distance between the lakes, made it an ideal starting point for this home.

DESIGN DETAILS

DESIGN Sophie Clapperton Designs Inc.
CONSTRUCTION Groh Construction
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER de Koning Group
FURNISHINGS Cassis Design Studio
MATERIALS Muskoka Lumber
FRAMING & TIMBERS Cutting Bros Inc.
CABINETRY Bateman Fine Cabinetry
ELECTRICAL Rally Electric
TILE Muskoka Tile Inc
LANDSCAPING CN Landscaping LTD.
DRYWALL Djs Drywall
MASONRY Agnew Masonry

MATERIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The materials for this home were all supplied by Muskoka Lumber.

• Siding: 1×6 Cape Cod Cove
• Interior Beams: Muskoka Lumber’s Miter Lock White Oak
• Interior Walls: 12” 1–Panel MDF, 1/4” Gap
• Interior Ceiling: 12” 2–Panel MDF, 1/4” Gap
• Casing & Base: 1×8 D4S Poplar Base with 1×4 D4S Casing & Backband

Front entrance of black modern cottage with oval door detail and gabled roofline, fall landscape

Although the exterior nods to Topajo, the interior has been completely redesigned for a modern bungalow lifestyle. The floor plan separates the master wing from the guest quarters, allowing the homeowners to close off the guest wing when not in use. Ample storage supports island living, reducing trips back and forth to the mainland.

Bird's eye aerial of black cottage on lakefront property with wooden dock and fall forest

The 3,500-square-foot home features three bedrooms, a bunk room, and all necessary amenities on a single floor, creating a functional, comfortable, and elegant layout.

Aerial view of lake house with stone pathway steps and large glass sliding doors at twilight

Bigwin Cottage blends timeless Muskoka character with contemporary sensibilities, providing a lakeside retreat that is both intimate and luxurious.

Detached black garage with warm cedar barn-style doors and hip metal roof

What We Love About This Home

The dramatic all-black exterior, with its complex, multi-gabled metal roof, makes a bold statement yet feels perfectly at home in the Muskoka landscape. Inside, the contrast between the bright white shiplap great room and the moody cedar-lined family lounge creates two completely distinct atmospheres under one roof. The thoughtful details throughout, from the sage green powder room with hand-painted mural wallpaper to the dark shiplap wine storage alcove, reveal a designer who understood that a cottage for entertaining should feel both effortless and considered.

Tell Us: Would this lakeside cottage be your idea of the perfect retreat for entertaining family and friends? Let us know why or why not in the Comments below!

Note: Check out a couple of other fabulous lake house tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the province of Ontario: See this Canadian lakefront cottage with stunning views of Georgian Bay and Experience this fabulous dream cottage on Lake Joseph, Ontario.

View of detached garage with cedar doors from main cottage entry with stone pathway

Street-facing view of dark modern cottage with glowing windows and stone chimney at dusk

Aerial view of dark modern lakeside cottage with circular driveway and detached garage, autumn foliage

Bright cottage foyer with black French doors, antler chandelier, shiplap walls, and oak floors

Vaulted great room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, wood beams, and lake views through black-framed windows

Bright cottage living room with stone fireplace, round chandelier, exposed beams, and large indoor tree

Close-up of stacked stone fireplace with wood mantel, lit fire, and black iron chandelier

Open-concept living room with stone fireplace, vaulted beamed ceiling, olive tree, and lake views

Open-plan living and dining area with vaulted ceiling, black chandelier, and glimpse into kitchen and wine room

Casual living room flowing into kitchen with blue sofas, wood coffee table, and indoor olive tree

Dining area with geometric wood beam ceiling detail, long table, and view into dark-walled lounge and wine storage

Open-plan dining and kitchen with geometric beam ceiling, long table, black cabinetry, and marble backsplash

Dark-walled lounge with vaulted cedar ceiling, exposed beams, stone fireplace, and built-in wine storage

Built-in wine rack in dark-walled lounge nook with cedar ceiling and recessed lighting

Full-view built-in wine storage wall with diamond and grid racks, framed by dark shiplap molding

Dark-toned family lounge with cedar vaulted ceiling, stone fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling lake-view windows

Dark-walled family lounge with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, cedar ceiling, and open view to dining area

Dining room framed by dark doorway with geometric beam ceiling, long table, stone fireplace, and kitchen beyond

Open dining area with geometric beam ceiling connecting to black and white kitchen with marble backsplash

Cottage kitchen with black island, white cabinetry, marble slab backsplash, black pendant lights, and wood range hood

Kitchen island with leather barstools, marble backsplash, wood-accented range hood, and black pendant lights

Cottage kitchen with black island, wood barstools, white range hood, marble backsplash, and stainless fridge

Close-up of stainless gas range with wood-trimmed white range hood and full-height marble slab backsplash

Built-in stainless side-by-side refrigerator flanked by dark floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in cottage kitchen

Kitchen island marble countertop with sink, wood pantry cabinet, and black pendant lights

Dark kitchen island with leather barstools, white range hood, marble backsplash, and black pendant trio

Tall custom natural oak pantry cabinet with X-detail and black hardware in cottage kitchen

Bright cottage foyer nook with console table and oval window opening to powder room with green vanity

Powder room with sage green vanity, brass fittings, oval mirror, and watercolor landscape mural wallpaper

Full powder room view with sage green vanity, landscape mural wallpaper, black window, and brass fixtures

Primary bedroom with walnut four-poster canopy bed, lake view through black-framed glass doors, and patterned rug

Close-up of canopy bed headboard with layered pillows, dark nightstand, and black-framed window with fall foliage

Primary bedroom with four-poster bed, lake view, wall-mounted TV, and glimpse into dark walk-in closet

Walk-in closet with dark floor-to-ceiling wardrobe cabinets, black hardware, and lake view window with ottoman

Walk-in closet open shoe shelves flanking black-framed lake view window with round upholstered stool

Dark walk-in closet with open shelving, bags, hats, and built-in drawers viewed through doorway

Primary ensuite with freestanding soaker tub, dark double vanity, oval mirrors, and large black-framed windows

Freestanding white soaker tub beside large black-framed window with round chandelier and forest view

Primary bathroom double vanity with dark cabinetry, dual oval mirrors, silver pendants, and woven basket storage

Primary bathroom with dark vanity, round mirror, glass-enclosed shower, and silver pendant light

Glass-enclosed walk-in shower with white subway tile, rain showerhead, and teak bench

Walk-in shower interior with white subway tile, patterned accent tile niche, rain showerhead, and teak bench

Bright shiplap hallway with black interior doors, oak floors, and landscape painting at the end

Home office and sitting room with green sofa, Toronto skyline painting, black-framed windows, and wood desk

Close-up of green sofa with pillows beneath large Toronto skyline painting and rattan side cabinet

Bedroom doorway view into ensuite bathroom with dark vanity, round mirror, and wall sconces

Guest bathroom with dark vanity, round mirror, wall sconces, and glass-enclosed shower with patterned floor tile

Close-up of dark bathroom vanity with round mirror, chrome faucet, wall sconces, and fern plant

Cottage foyer with dark shiplap accent wall, black-and-white photo gallery, console table, and landscape painting

Kids bedroom with built-in dark bunk beds, wood X-railing, stair steps, under-bed drawers, and striped rug

Built-in dark bunk beds with wood guardrail, oak stairs, wall sconces, and under-bed storage drawers

Guest bathroom double vanity with dual round mirrors, dark cabinetry, chrome sconces, and woven basket storage

Full guest bathroom with shiplap walls, double vanity, dual round mirrors, glass shower, and black-framed window

Close-up of dark bathroom vanity with large round mirror, black wall sconces, chrome faucet, and fern plant

Guest bedroom with white board-and-batten walls, blue pillows, black-framed sliding glass doors to lakeside patio

Guest bedroom with white vertical shiplap, white dresser, round gold mirror, and black-framed lake view doors

Lakeside rear facade of black modern farmhouse glowing at twilight with expansive lawn

Glowing lakeside cottage rear facade at dusk with floor-to-ceiling windows and manicured lawn

Dark modern cottage rear exterior lit at twilight with stone pathway steps leading to patio

Rear patio of dark cottage with wicker furniture, large windows revealing lit interior at dusk

Wide aerial view of black cottage nestled on lakeside peninsula surrounded by fall foliage

Dramatic aerial of lake cottage property adjacent to golf course with sweeping lake views

Top-down aerial showing black metal roof layout of cottage with dock extending into lake

Angled aerial of lakeside black cottage with stone patio and wooden dock in autumn

High aerial view of black cottage on lakefront with golf course fairways in background

Water-level aerial of dark lakeside cottage with dock, golf course visible in background

Long driveway approach to black modern cottage with detached garage, fall trees

Top-down aerial showcasing complex multi-gable black metal roof geometry of cottage

Aerial view of cottage rear with large slate patio seating area and circular driveway

Close aerial of natural slate patio with wicker outdoor furniture beside cottage glass walls

PHOTOGRAPHER Clint Spalding

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