Sparrow Landing
Meet the Wilkinsons. Their 75-year-old cottage had more nature inside than out. See what they replaced it with.
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2,715 sq ft
Finished Lower Level
Log + Timber Frame Accents
5 Bedrooms
4.5 Bathrooms
Two Levels
How to go from “more bedrooms” to the perfect cottage
You know your cottage journey has been a successful one when four years later, you’re curled up in your new cottage, smile on your face, marvelling at what you’ve created.
We’ve all heard about the renovation nightmare or new build horror story: budgets run amuck, the cottage that’s never finished. It’s as if it can’t possibly go smoothly.
Not so, says Confederation client, John Wilkinson.
Not only did the project go smoothly, “It became an important aspect of our lives.”
He admits, “we missed the experience of it when it was done.” John and his wife looked forward to their weekly visits to the cottage to oversee its progress.
Having a cottage to escape to on the weekends is nothing new for the Wilkinsons. The old cottage in the Muskokas had been in the family for 75 years.
At a certain point however, the writing was on the wall… quite literally. As John says, “there was more nature on the inside than outside.”
It was time for something new. And while the couple didn’t have a specific design in mind, they knew they needed more bedrooms for their adult children—more space in general.
How do you get from “more bedrooms” to the perfect cottage?
According to John, the big turning point was a site visit with Rich Kinsman who helped the couple break from what had always been, to reimagine a new cottage oriented on the property in a different direction.
“Rich listened to what was important to us and started sketching out the beginnings of a plan on the back of an envelope.”
“Rich is very good at what he does. That was the tipping point... he offered ideas that we had actually never contemplated.”
But Rich’s visit wasn’t the first step.
The first step was a visit to a close friend who had built his own Confederation cottage. Like so many of our client relationships, this one began with the recommendation of a trusted friend.
The Wilkinsons visited other log home companies before visiting us at our headquarters in Bobcaygeon—something we recommend as you begin your journey.
While Confederation was not on the way to the cottage, the visit to our headquarters was worth the trip.
“The whole thing is impressive. And we were warmly welcomed,” he recalls.
Before too long, Rich’s suggestions turned into blueprints with the help of our lead designer. It all came to life with a virtual 3D walkthrough that helped to confirm the direction and allow for refinements in finishes.
We’ve all heard about the renovation nightmare or new build horror story: budgets run amuck, the cottage that’s never finished. It’s as if it can’t possibly go smoothly.
Not so, says Confederation client, John Wilkinson.
Not only did the project go smoothly, “It became an important aspect of our lives.”
He admits, “we missed the experience of it when it was done.” John and his wife looked forward to their weekly visits to the cottage to oversee its progress.
Having a cottage to escape to on the weekends is nothing new for the Wilkinsons. The old cottage in the Muskokas had been in the family for 75 years.
At a certain point however, the writing was on the wall… quite literally. As John says, “there was more nature on the inside than outside.”
It was time for something new. And while the couple didn’t have a specific design in mind, they knew they needed more bedrooms for their adult children—more space in general.
How do you get from “more bedrooms” to the perfect cottage?
According to John, the big turning point was a site visit with Rich Kinsman who helped the couple break from what had always been, to reimagine a new cottage oriented on the property in a different direction.
“Rich listened to what was important to us and started sketching out the beginnings of a plan on the back of an envelope.”
“Rich is very good at what he does. That was the tipping point... he offered ideas that we had actually never contemplated.”
But Rich’s visit wasn’t the first step.
The first step was a visit to a close friend who had built his own Confederation cottage. Like so many of our client relationships, this one began with the recommendation of a trusted friend.
The Wilkinsons visited other log home companies before visiting us at our headquarters in Bobcaygeon—something we recommend as you begin your journey.
While Confederation was not on the way to the cottage, the visit to our headquarters was worth the trip.
“The whole thing is impressive. And we were warmly welcomed,” he recalls.
Before too long, Rich’s suggestions turned into blueprints with the help of our lead designer. It all came to life with a virtual 3D walkthrough that helped to confirm the direction and allow for refinements in finishes.
Next Step: Choosing the Right Builder
An important step in the process, John explained, was choosing the right builder. The Wilkinsons chose one of Rich’s recommended builders after a lot of consideration and due diligence.
Chiefly, the couple was looking for someone with log home building experience. And it was also important to find someone “that was a good match for us... who is simpatico with us.”
After their many weekly trips to the new cottage to check its progress, inevitably one day you drive up the driveway, open the front door and it’s done. It’s a special moment.
But perhaps more important, says John, is that that feeling still happens.
“When we open the door, we still have that feeling—we can't believe it's our place. And then your friends come to visit and you experience it all over again through their eyes.”
And just like that, a cherished family cottage is reborn ready for new memories and new generations.
Have a question about getting started or the process? Reach out. That’s what we’re here for.
An important step in the process, John explained, was choosing the right builder. The Wilkinsons chose one of Rich’s recommended builders after a lot of consideration and due diligence.
Chiefly, the couple was looking for someone with log home building experience. And it was also important to find someone “that was a good match for us... who is simpatico with us.”
After their many weekly trips to the new cottage to check its progress, inevitably one day you drive up the driveway, open the front door and it’s done. It’s a special moment.
But perhaps more important, says John, is that that feeling still happens.
“When we open the door, we still have that feeling—we can't believe it's our place. And then your friends come to visit and you experience it all over again through their eyes.”
And just like that, a cherished family cottage is reborn ready for new memories and new generations.
Have a question about getting started or the process? Reach out. That’s what we’re here for.
