A Designer Turns Her European-Style Cottage Into A Year-Round Home

After falling in love with her Muskoka cottage, designer Parris McKenna sold her property in the city and permanently moved to the beautiful country property on Lake Muskoka. “I wanted this space to have a European aesthetic,” says Parris, who focussed on using natural materials that create a seamless connection between indoors and out. See how she totally transformed her country house and find out her 3 favorite design moments.

Design By Parris McKenna

Thumbnail Photography By Lauren Miller

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[Carterlewis]

I'm glad you made this video, it reminds me of my transformation from a nobody to good home, $75k biweekly and a good daughter full of love ❤❤❤

[sitterfo]

I’m going to watch this at least 17 times… and then maybe another 17 times… bravo!!!

[EmorettaRobinson]

This cottage was done so well. It's a beautiful property. I think the paper towel holder being hidden was a great idea. Being from Florida most swamps are stagnant and contain alligators. Lol. But hers sounds more like a pond. I'll bet the sound of that stream is incredibly relaxing. They did a great job at remodeling this cottage.

[snorlund]

The bathing suit drying area is incredible! Nice bar area! Beautifully designed cottage! ❤

[heatherw.]

I don’t know about it looking like a cottage in Europe but I absolutely love it!

[dv]

The property has stunning views and I can only imagine how lovely the brook sounds throughout different seasons. The house is also open and airy yet with the wooden ceilings and floors I imagine it must be nice and warm, which is much needed for most of the year in Canada

[annjohnson]

This is one of the most beautiful, well-designed homes I've ever seen! It must be an absolute joy to live there. Thank you for the wonderful tour! 😊

[ginacrusco]

The place looks great, but I don't really catch the European cottage vibe, except possibly for the Italian porcelain mudroom floors. The very best idea is the bathing suit drying station.

[nasevedodge]

Absolutely refreshing and well thought out What a incredible designer 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💕🇨🇦

[SruthiPeter]

Not sure about the European cottage look but it’s beautifully designed and executed!!

[najwaalm]

قمة الذوق والأناقة
"ألا بذكر الله تطمئن القلوب'

[sanjuktaroy]

Such beautiful surroundings 😊 and the home compliments it

[Kyrie]

Maravillosa casa bendiciones ❤😂🎉desde New York

[neirishsmiles]

Beautiful design thank you for sharing

[creationslandscapedesigns]

I wonder what the cost of this home is?

[sarahbirdcage]

I don’t understand ‘European Cottage’ aesthetic? Europe is a huge continent, so which country are we talking about? Germany, Spain or Italy?

[LineChau]

It’s really pretty. But it doesn’t look European cottage at all, rather McGee style.
This is very instagram influenced.

[mahsasalimi]

This looks nothing like European style, because there's no such thing as European style 😅 Europe is not one country. That's a very uneducated thing to say