A joyful duetBY LOR I FRANCZYK // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SANDY MACKAY

After years of being the architect of other people’s dreams, Mike Doucette has created his own piece of paradise in Muskoka.

A granite fireplace anchors the large, comfortable great room in this new home by Muskoka Creative

Construction & Renovation Inc. LEFT: Jane Lever and Mike Doucette enjoy country life just minutes from

town. BOTTOM LEFT: Carol Rudderham painted this acrylic rendition of the Algonquin forest.

Continued on page 28

26 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2 27

h o m e & b u i l d e r

Mike and his wife, Jane Lever, have spent the past three years designing, building and decorating their charming, 3,400 sq. ft. country home just west of Bracebridge. “We felt like pioneers because we carved this out of the bush,” Mike recalls.

Mike and Jane say the discovery of their property was pure kismet. “It was a happy accident,” Mike explains. “We were out for a drive and saw a homemade ‘For Sale’ sign on this property so we called the owner.”

Mike owns Muskoka Creative Construction & Renovation Inc. He focuses on quality work for his customers with special attention to detail. “He has a really good eye,” says Jane. “He is creative yet practical

and can envision what will and won’t work. He can take plans and make them better.”

“With your customers, you have to envision how they are going to use the space,” Mike adds.

Mike and Jane previously lived in the Covered Bridge neighbourhood of Bracebridge but as Mike’s business grew, he needed more space to accommodate his equipment. Their 10-acre, rural property is the ideal location for Mike’s business and to host large family gatherings. “We want to make memories and this house allows us to have everyone here for any function,” says Jane.

TOP LEFT: Upper cabinets with prairie-style doors and large lower drawers under a granite countertop give the kitchen a polished look. LEFT: Farm animals lend country charm to the cookery. ABOVE: Red pine flooring from Trans Canada Wood Products Ltd. is stained dark walnut and finished with five coats of tung oil.

Continued on page 30

28 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2 29

h o m e & b u i l d e r

They describe their home as cosy, upscale country. They did most of the decorating themselves. “We wanted to bring the outside in and create a Muskoka aesthetic,” explains Jane.

The kitchen is the heart of Jane and Mike’s one level, three-bedroom home. It is a masterpiece of beauty and convenience, functional yet warm and stylish. The open-concept design allows Jane to be part of family gatherings in the great room while preparing meals in the kitchen. “This is what makes my heart sing,” she says. “Being able to host family and be a part of the activities while I’m cooking in the kitchen.”

A number of unique touches set it apart from traditional kitchens. For instance, the backsplash over the gas cooktop features a polished marble inset, surrounded by tumbled marble. There is a special water heater and faucet that provide instant boiling water at the sink. Drawers instead of conventional lower cupboards allow easy organization and access to culinary paraphernalia. A convection oven, microwave and warming drawer are stacked to provide convenience and maximum use of space.

The kitchen appliances were purchased from Brown’s Appliances in Port Carling. The upper kitchen cabinets, installed by Sue and Wes Vibert of Custom Woodworking & Design, feature prairie-style doors and old-fashioned seed glass. Granite countertops, supplied by Simplex Marble & Granite, complete the polished, modern feel of the kitchen. The dining room and a games area flow off either end of the kitchen, accentuating the inclusive, open design of the house. Continued on page 32

The hall window-frame mirror is the first piece Jane and Mike bought together. LEFT: A vaulted ceiling and large windows allow afternoon sunlight to warm the dining room. BELOW: A Mennonite side table completes the dining room furniture.

Rescued from a building site, the dining table is surrounded by Mennonite chairs and a buffet from Muskoka Furniture. Metal wheat circles the chandelier stem and wall sconces.

30 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2 31

h o m e & b u i l d e r

An elegant fireplace, built from Muskoka granite, is the centrepiece of the great room. Crafted by Jane’s brother Mike Lever of MDL Stone, the fireplace contains an Elmira Stove Works wood insert that can supplement the in-floor heating system, powered by a propane boiler.

Manfred Jansen Electric & Heating of Bracebridge installed the heating system. Pine wall units, flanking the fireplace, brim with decorative pieces and family keepsakes that contribute to the distinctly Muskoka ambience of this enchanting room. “I want a house where you can put your feet up on the coffee table,” Jane says.

Mike and Jane have filled their home with unique, interesting furniture and pieces they picked up at garage sales, flea markets and during trips to locales like New Orleans and New York. For instance, an offbeat, copper moose, purchased from The Crow’s Nest in Midland, sits atop the cupola while a decorative bell, discovered at Saks Fifth Avenue, stands sentinel at the main entrance. The comfortable, casual furniture in the great room was purchased at Simply Country in Midland. Family has also helped furnish Jane and Mike’s home. Jane’s father, Jim Lever, made the pine furniture in one of the guest bedrooms while her grandfather, Arnold Lever, transformed an old radio into an elegant curio cabinet that graces a guest room. The cosy feel of the house is highlighted by wide plank, red pine flooring throughout the residence. A dark walnut stain adds richness and continuity to the warm, welcoming theme of Mike and Jane’s home.

The great room flows into an enclosed Muskoka room where expansive floor-to-ceiling windows provide an arresting panorama of the nearby woods. Windows and doors were provided by Window World of Bracebridge while Worth Repeating supplied wicker furniture in the Muskoka room. Small, wooden rocking chairs, refurbished by Jane’s father, add a homey feel to the room.

Comfortable and casual, matching leather and hardwood chairs in the great room provide ample seating for guests during large family gatherings.

The homeowners designed the house so that the kitchen is open, central and connected to the great room and

Muskoka room. TOP LEFT: In the fireplace, an Elmira Stove Works wood insert supplements the in-floor heating.

Continued on page 36

32 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2 33

h o m e & b u i l d e r

An oak-top table serves as a kitchen and games table on the east side of the kitchen.

705.762.1110 www.watersedgelandscaping.com

You came here to relax...

...leave the work to us

Water’s Edge

Muskoka’s premier professional choice since 1992Innovative. Connected. Green.

WATERS_EDGE_Fall11.indd 1 11-09-08 12:10 PM

34 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

h o m e & b u i l d e r

The en suite, adjacent to the spacious master bedroom, exudes a spa-like aura. From the luxurious, corner soaker tub to the inviting shower enclosed in travertine marble, this room is the perfect refuge at the end of a stressful day. Convenient dual sinks, inset in honed marble countertops, are lit by elegant candle wall sconces. A three-candle chandelier gently illuminates the soaker tub while a towel warmer provides warmth and comfort after a relaxing bath. A washlet with a heated seat completes the modern yet comfortable feel of this room. Andrew Banks of Plumbing Works in Bracebridge installed the plumbing.

Accentuated by floor-to-ceiling windows topped with a transom, the guest bedroom is a bright, cheery, inviting retreat for visiting friends and family. The guest bath features a travertine marble shower stall, marble floors and countertop and a custom-made linen cupboard, crafted by Northern Kitchen Studio.

Jane and Mike envision their home as a rustic refuge from the stresses of everyday life but also a warm, welcoming meeting place for family, friends and their children, Jeffrey, 26, Hayden, 24, and Shannon, 22.

“This house has been a joyful collaboration between Mike and I,” says Jane. “We have created our own dream.” OH

RIGHT: The master en suite is a luxurious oasis with a

soaker tub, shower, heated towel racks and flat-screen TV.

FAR RIGHT: As in the other bathrooms, cabinets from

Thomasville Cabinetry furnish the guest bath. BELOW: A

patio door in the guest room provides a walkout to the side

yard and future site of an outdoor hot tub.

Bracebridge (next to Wabora)

It is all about making it easy.From your internet to acomfortable home theatreto full automation.

Call David's for your personal evaluation. AUTOMATE WITH CONFIDENCE

The magic of a musicalperformance... anytime you want it.

Over 25 years of offeringonly the best brands.

Plan your Home/Cottage.It’s all about enjoyment.

Connect ABILITY

INSTRUMENTALSOUND

WATCH WITHCLARITY

SHARE THE EXPERIENCE

www.davidsmuskoka.com 705.645.4990

Creating Your Dreams in Muskoka

MUSKOKA CREATIVE CONSTRUCTION& RENOVATIONS INC.

DESIGN | BUILD | RENOVATE | MAINTAIN

www.muskokacreativeconstruction.com mcc.inc@hotmail.com

1044 Baldwin Road,Bracebridge

PH/FAX: 705.645.1380 cell: 705.644.4477

UNIQUE DESIGNS TO FIT ANY HOME

10 Entrance Dr, Bracebridge705.645.1236 northern@kitchenstudio.ca

36 o u r h o m e s s p r i n g 2 0 1 2

h o m e & b u i l d e r