The Minett Lakeside Renewal
Project Snapshot
| Location | Type | Size | Completed | Goal |
| Muskoka, ON | Log Home Remodel | 4,127 sq. ft. | October 2025 | Multigenerational Family Cottage |
A Log Home lEgacy
Tucked away on the edge of a quiet private lake in Minett, Ontario, stood a hidden gem: an original True North Log & Timber Home with decades of memories embedded in its logs. Though rich with character, the 1990s Louisburg-style home no longer reflected the needs or lifestyle of its owners. They envisioned a bright, modern vacation retreat where family and friends could gather comfortably for years to come.
Legacy North Construction Management was entrusted with bringing this vision to life: honouring the home’s history while transforming it into a contemporary, functional, and beautifully refined Muskoka retreat.
Legacy North refinished the log exteriors, sanding down the logs and replenishing the stain with more modern colours. This critical work will protect the home for years to come.
THe Vision
“We loved the character of the original log home, but it didn’t meet our needs. Our goal was to transform it into a modern, open, welcoming space while preserving the charm that made it special. Legacy North not only understood that vision—they elevated it beyond what we imagined.”
- The Homeowner
Legacy North retained signature elements of the True North Log & Timber Homes’ aesthetic, like dovetail corners, posts, beams, and a striking new timber frame entry, while modernizing the home inside and out.
Key features of the redesign include:
Main FLoor
- A dramatically opened space, made possible by removing structural walls and installing steel and LVL beams
- A bright whitewashed interior that transforms the log environment into a contemporary, airy living space
- A modern kitchen and dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows, custom cabinetry, and stone countertops
- A seamless transition to the outdoors, perfect for warm summer mornings and waterfront living
The kitchen of the re-finished home with modern light fixtures and a blend of neutral colours for a timeless appeal.
The living room with expansive windows over-looking the lake and the two-way fireplace.
Garage Conversion → New Sitting Room
Once a standard two-car garage, this space was completely reborn as a wide-open, glass-filled sitting room featuring:
- A single-sided wood-burning fireplace (later upgraded to a two-way wood-burning unit)
- Expansive views of the lake
- A cozy, social gathering area usable throughout all four seasons
Second Floor
The entire upper level was redesigned and rebuilt to offer privacy and comfort, including:
- Four bedrooms
- Four en-suite bathrooms (all custom tiled)
- Two walk-in closets
- A central laundry room
- Spacious bedroom wings connected to the main floor by stunning floating mono-stringer stairs with integrated glass railings
Each second-floor wing feels like its own retreat. It’s bright, spacious, and perfectly suited for hosting loved ones.
The landing for the second story, with dormer windows, custom glass railings, and matte black light fixtures.
The Design Journey
From the start, the family brought a clear, confident vision. Having recently completed a city home remodel, they understood the building process and arrived not with sketches or Pinterest boards, but with an exceptional ability to envision their lakeside retreat’s potential. This clarity made the early design phase remarkably efficient. Together, the Legacy North Team and the family spent a full day walking the property, discussing how each space should function, feel, and evolve. Their desire for a bright, open, modern layout that celebrated lake views and created a welcoming environment for hosting family and friends, became the foundation of the design.
While the overall concept remained, the design evolved with thoughtful enhancements, including a mid-build two-way fireplace connecting the living room and Muskoka Room. Converting the original wood-burning unit into a larger gas feature was complex, but it became a defining focal point, elevating the home into a modern, connected Muskoka retreat.
Quick Tip: Balance wood with other materials such as concrete, steel, stone, and glass. The contrasting textures of a polished stone countertops or black metals fixtures adds depth, sophistication, and balance to a wood-centric environment.
Technical And Structural Challenges
Transforming a 1990s log home into an open-concept modern space demanded finesse and proven expertise.
Challenges included:
- Removing load-bearing log walls
- Installing multiple steel and engineered LVL beams
- Integrating new window and door openings while removing others
- Ensuring every modification preserved the continuous log aesthetic
- Custom-building headers and log infill to blend seamlessly with existing materials
- Creating custom faux wooden beams in the living and dining room to conceal the newly added plumbing and HVAC.
Legacy North’s careful planning and coordination ensured structural integrity while achieving the homeowners’ visual and functional goals.
The beam above the window, is a custom faux beam. A creative strategy developed by Legacy North to conceal the new HVAC and plumbing added to the home during this renovation.
Budgeting, Planning, & Execution
Before finalizing the budget, Legacy North created a detailed, trade-specific scope of work. This included:
- On-site walkthroughs with subcontractors
- Accurate forecasting of potential challenges
- A clear roadmap aligned with the clients’ design intentions
As the project progressed, the final budget increased by 21%, due to:
- Client-driven enhancements (e.g., a new rear timber frame entry)
- Upgrading to a two-way see-through wood-burning fireplace
- Additional minor design changes
Despite cost adjustments, Legacy North maintained strict quality control and value optimization throughout the build.
The project remained aligned with permitting and regulatory timelines, with construction extending slightly beyond the initial anticipated completion. Consistent communication and proactive coordination ensured expectations were managed and met.
“This project pushed us to think creatively and technically removing structural log walls, adding new openings, and integrating modern systems into a 1990s log home is no small feat. But every challenge became an opportunity to elevate the design. The end result is a bright, contemporary retreat that still honours the spirit of the original home. We’re incredibly proud of how it came together and grateful to have earned the trust to continue building the next chapter of this lakeside legacy.”
- Steve Gallant, General Manager of Legacy North
The Finished Home – Before & After
The completed renovation is a breathtaking synthesis of craftsmanship, modern design, and natural beauty. From the whitewashed interior to the glass-adorned staircase, every detail was carefully considered to create a welcoming, timeless retreat.
The clients were thrilled—not only with the quality of the remodel, but with the experience. The relationship built during this project has grown into future plans: Legacy North is now preparing to construct a new boathouse and garage on the property.
The Kitchen
THe SItting Room
The Bathroom
The Staircase
A Space to Gather, Recharge, and Make Memories
Whether it’s stepping onto a private stone patio from the master suite, enjoying a sunrise over the lake, or hosting weekend gatherings in the open concept living space, this home now reflects the full potential of Muskoka living. Now, this family has the space to gather comfortably for generations to come.
Legacy North Construction Management didn’t just renovate a cottage; our team restored a legacy.
Build Your Legacy With Us
Whether you’re building from the ground up or reimagining a cherished family property, Legacy North is here to guide you; crafting inspired spaces that will be loved for generations.
Let’s craft your legacy, together.