Location: Tiny Township, Ontario

Interior Design: Dart Studio (Olivia Botrie)

Construction: Forget Construction

Photography: Niamh Barry

Dart Studio shaped a 16,000 square foot lakefront home in Penetanguishene as a warm, layered retreat designed for large gatherings of family and friends. Engaged from the earliest planning stages, the studio collaborated closely with the clients, conceptual architect, engineers and builder to define the spatial organisation and establish a cohesive architectural and interior language. The project developed as a long term, deeply collaborative process spanning feasibility, space planning, interior architecture, finish selection, custom millwork, lighting, furnishings and styling, allowing every decision to sit within a singular vision.

The guiding principle was balance, pairing the scale of a substantial home with a human centred sensibility that feels grounded and enduring. Natural materials anchor the design, with warm wood ceilings, custom cabinetry, leathered stone and living metal finishes set against a restrained, earthy palette. Rather than relying on overt statements, the interiors emphasise thoughtful proportions, tactile finishes and composed details that unfold over time.

Sight lines frame views of the lake and forest, keeping the landscape as a constant visual anchor. Furniture, lighting and decorative elements were curated and custom designed to combine refined silhouettes with relaxed, liveable forms. Intimate moments such as a built in banquette dining area and a vintage portrait gallery wall introduce history and soul, offering a cosy counterpoint to the home’s scale.

By layering reading nooks, window seats and tucked away lounges within generous gathering spaces, Dart Studio created a home that feels expansive yet personal, rooted in its landscape and designed for everyday life.