Kabin: Escape with Colin + Justin
VOLUME ONE / ISSUE FOUR / WINTER 2023
Our December issue is now available at participating retailers and locations in Cottage Country.
Click HERE to find a location near you.
Warm winter greetings
Breaking news: winter is hot. Yup, just think about the fun you could have as the mercury begins its ominous descent: cuddling, for instance, in front of a crackling fire, or watching a heavy snow fall, safely ensconced (indoors) with a tumbler of delicious whisky. Or, erm, getting good ’n’ steamy in a sexy wooden sauna or a dramatically bubbling hot tub. Blimey, the foregoing are just a few winter pastimes to set temperatures racing for you and your significant other. To learn more, defrost our sweat packed guide and discover a warming (and somewhat sensual) approach to winter home style.
Hey, before you know it, Santa will be packing his merry yield and tipping his bountiful sack down chimneys everywhere, and you and your better half will be closer (literally) than ever before, as you tame the frigid calendar. Talk about a warm front, in this, our latest issue.
So, what else do we have? Well, loads, actually. Thoughtful pressies (for the gifter and giftee) that pay homage to Canadian artisans and makers? We’ve got your back: our ribbon-wrapped, bow-topped packages bulge in anticipation. And how about precious gifting with which to stuff your stockings? Worry not. Christy Wright’s inspired edit uncovers a roster of gifts that win – from savoury nuts, to sweet-smelling scents and more, our festive elf has your holiday shopping all wrapped up.
And the biggest present of them all? Success. Kabin loves little more than a spirited tale of entrepreneurs making it big in Cottage Country. To that end, we meet Terri Matthews-Carl and Christophe Carl, the inspirational couple behind the much-lauded Rhubarb Restaurant. Their farm-to-table destination in Minden fuses relaxed service with a celebration of seasonal, local produce. Given the feted eatery’s convenient position (at the junction of Highways 118 and 35), it’s little wonder diners come from all points to enjoy the inspired menu. Whet your appetite and pore over the Rhubarb story: it’s every bit as layered as the delicious fare upon which the fabled dining room has built its stellar reputation.
Forever on the lookout for design inspo, we visit a Sommerhus for all seasons, and in doing so discover how architect Wanda Ely merged her Danish clients’ roots with her own vision of Canadian rural life. Along the way, Ely created a unique four-season home, one that immerses its occupants in nature, whilst serving welcome decompression from a fast spinning world. Listen up and pour a mug of cocoa, Danish stylee: it’s time to get your hygge on.
Also in this issue, Kabin editor Gale Beeby explores the wonder of wool, a natural textile that’s perfectly suited to face off against those winter chills. Clearly appreciative of the natural cabin life dictum, Gale also showcases a roster of local artisans who use foraged and recycled wood to create beautiful pieces that turn the forgotten into the unforgettable. La Beeby’s roundup has fascinating insight for anyone looking to decorate their home or cottage with beautiful objects.
If stuck for ideas to make the party season swing, take a tip: mix yourself a Cosmo and enjoy Kristen Eppich’s tempting guide to cocktail soir.e eats and tipples. Follow her advice and make that elusive stress-free gathering a reality. Cue prep-ahead recipes that can be stored away, then pulled out when it’s time to let the good times roll. Furthermore, learn how to use store-bought items to boost your favourite dishes, and how to create large batch drinks (in advance) to minimize bartending time, mid shindig.
Guess all that remains is to wish you a great winter. We hope the colder months will be filled with joy and companionship. Whilst Canada, at this time of year, can be chilly, the wonderful people who populate our beautiful landscape are undeniably warm and welcoming. So, buckle up, because temperatures are dropping and the ice age doth cometh. Whatever you’re doing, and whatever you have planned, we – and the entire Kabin family – hope you have a fabulous Christmas and the best holiday season ever. We’ll see you on the other side.
Colin + Justin
Our style, three ways:
City, Kabin and Cottage...
Traveling design experts Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan share how they choose home decor to best represent their three distinct styles and Kabin: Escape with Colin + Justin magazine makes its debut on Cityline with Tracy Moore.
Thursday, November 24, 2023
Scroll through our current digital issue of Kabin.
Endless Summer
by Timber Masterson / photography by Caitlin Dunlop
Douglas + Son in Bobcaygeon offers unique and original merchandise, and owners Bill and Sacha Douglas take pride in their designs, attention to detail and curated high-quality aesthetic.
A few months back, I picked up a super cool and stylish sweatshirt for my special girl, Kelly, that boasted on the front: “Small Town Girl.” It was purchased at a uniquely curated and welcoming store in Bobcaygeon called Douglas + Son. So, the other day, while taking a stroll on the main drag, we decided to go in and introduce ourselves to the creative purveyors, Bill and Sacha Douglas, who, like me, relocated to Kawartha from Toronto.
Opting for brand new adventures, nature, and an eminently more relaxed existence (and much better parking), the couple have created a custom clothing and vintage goods shop, established in 2013, that purveys apparel inspired by classic northern imagery printed on modern-cut clothing. I’ve always admired people who follow their passion and have an amazing sense of design and aesthetics. Bill and Sacha certainly check all those boxes. Fascinated, I chatted with Bill to discover more.
“We moved up here, on a whim, in December 2009,” recalls Bill, a noted graphic designer who had been living in Toronto with his wife, Sacha, and their newborn son. “We were in the downtown east end and were completely ensconced in all that went with that. We had a studio, an eclectic event space where we hosted art, food and wine gatherings (Sacha is a chef) and all manner of associated stuff. It was great being part of such a nourishing community,” he says with a smile.
“We didn’t know anyone up here and it took us a while to find our crowd,” Bill continues. “When we started to investigate properties, word got out that a young family from the city was hunting. When we saw an old farmhouse, we knew it was for us. And, when we were ready, our realtor, Ted Johnston, led us to the coveted main street in Bobcaygeon to open our store. The owner wanted someone who would make a go of it, a company that would stick around for a while, who’d offer something different and engaging.”
They didn’t simply blow into town and announce, “We’re here, look out!” They took time to carefully assess what was needed in the blossoming community, and what would work. They appraised how they saw themselves fitting in, and how they could contribute to the community.
Listening to their shoppers is an essential element of the business: “What’s important to customers, I’ve learned, is comfort. Tons of people say, ‘Oh, its so soft,’ which is complimentary, but quality is the first thing I consider, and I design every single piece. Everything we sell derives from things about which I am passionate. It’s a labour of love, certainly, and I throw myself into it.” Wise words indeed.
“We added more home style stuff as we went along, and retro and vintage aspects are becoming stronger all the time. I remember going nuts at an auction, discovering this treasure trove of records. Vinyl is getting hotter and hotter and, as witnessed during COVID, more people started to hunker down, stay in and get out their turntables. Even now, I don’t see that changing.”
Bill and Sacha clearly take pride in knowing they have something highly original – and sustainable – to offer. To me, that’s inspiring – and indeed rare. The mix of the two is wonderful, and people visiting for the first time pick up on the sincerity and passion the couple delivers.
“Whereas some places slow down after Labour Day,” suggests Bill, “we remain a functioning town throughout the winter months. And it’s an easier drive from Toronto than, say, Muskoka. We still make our way down to the city every month or so, though the most fun thing is escaping the urban sprawl and heading back up here to Cottage Country.”
Enthusiastically, Bill continues: “We’re not a seasonal store per se, so we don’t really change that much across the calendar. We’re ultimately a lifestyle destination and our customer base is a mix of seasonal cottagers, locals and visitors from all over. People are appreciative that they can visit during the winter months before heading down south. I like to think our main vibe is kind of Canadian surf shop without the surf boards.” An Endless Summer sensibility, one might say? “Yes, exactly. We open on weekends only through January and February, which gives us time to curate the store and design for the upcoming busy season.”
After reminiscing about what it takes to maintain a creative life in the big city, Bill and I discover we’re both tennis fans, and soon make plans to meet at the Fenelon Falls Tennis Club for a game. We make our way to the courts and, in-between rallies and picking up stray balls, I decide this might be as good a time as any time to gather a little more info, so I ask Bill where his inspiration comes from. “It just comes from my mind!” he explains.
This rings true, being that every true artist I know feels they have something to offer the world, something that represents their exciting artistic endeavors, their limitless passion and, ultimately, their relationship with the world. Bill, I learn, created the visual culture magazine Coupe, a title which some might say straddled Life and Vice, delivering, as it did, an emphasis on design, art and popular culture.
The creative also knows a thing or two about his adopted town. “Funny, we’d get some folks coming into the area for the first time, either not knowing how to correctly pronounce Bobcaygeon, or, even odder, thinking there was actually a guy named Bob Caygeon. So, I designed a fictional concert t-shirt for him, as if this guy Bob had a tour!” How’s that for creativity? Bill explains that the recorded name of the town is Bobcajewanunk and comes from a Mississauga Ojibway word, probably baabaagwaajiwanaang, meaning “at the very shallow currents.” But it could also be giishkaabikojiwanaang, meaning “at the cliffed cascades,” or obaabikojiwanaang, “at currented rocky narrows.”
Continuing to look around the store, I ask Bill if he and Sacha have considered selling PJs. Bill is quick to respond: “Well, we have done sweats, and cut-off shorts for a time, too. Ultimately, I’ll go with what I’m passionate about, but we certainly do consider what our clients make mention of.” And how about doggie wear – “Tiny Town Pooch” would be a winner, surely? This is certainly a dog-friendly town, notes Bill. “Our shop is no different, it’s kind of a slobber-intensive area at times, but we don’t mind. We want people to feel comfortable and welcome when they make their way in, and that extends to their dogs, of course.”
At this point, I try to impress Bill with my stellar knowledge of geography, having discovered that Kawartha is a Huron word which means “bright waters and happy lands.” With the inside track on what’s up in his area, he quickly puts me to shame, however, with a superior knowledge of the region. He tells me that the first lock in the Trent-Severn Waterway was built in Bobcaygeon in 1833, that the town sits on three islands connected by bridges with Pigeon Lake on the east and Sturgeon Lake to the west. Bobcaygeon is a community on the Trent–Severn Waterway, it was incorporated as a village in 1876, and became known as the “Hub of the Kawarthas.” For sure, Bill knows – and is steadfastly proud of – his lovely town.
Leaving the store, and strolling down the street towards the lock, I swear I can hear, off in the distance, Gord Downey from The Tragically Hip singing “Bobcaygeon.” I can almost make out the words: “ … where I saw the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time.” I may be romancing the moment, but I feel a sense of being home, and, in that moment, make a mental note to decorate my own home with everything from this wonderful retail outpost.
Douglas + Son serves a unique and original offering, and takes passionate pride in its attention to detail via high-quality aesthetics. The shop certainly stocks beautiful wares, inspired items you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else. So, why would you visit? I think the question should really be: Why wouldn’t you?
A Sommerhus for all Seasons
by Colin + Justin | photography by Scott Norsworthy
For the new rural dweller, the optimal cottage delivers immersion in nature and much needed decompression from a fast-spinning world. Take schematic and lifestyle cues from Sommerhus, a tailored space which, regardless of Mother Nature’s (oft’ perilous arsenal), does precisely that.
Nestled in the grassy fields of Mulmur is Sommerhus (summer house), a captivating vacation retreat designed by Toronto-based architect Wanda Ely. It’s a spectacular affair, to be honest – both inside and out – with spare, uncluttered lines that whisper architectural restraint at every turn.
Ely designs spaces that merge architectural precision with the schematic ambition of those who engage her services. Translating client style, and distilling it, thereafter, into relevant accommodation can indeed be challenging, but corralling all that – and more – lies at the very heart of what a good architect does best.
The owners of this project, a Danish family, aspired to a simple and functional respite, one that would plunder the core principles of Nordic design in a barn-like structure to echo the farm-style vernacular. Chatting with Ely, she explains: “We aimed to create a home that facilitated family gatherings of various sizes, as well as delivering a feeling of refuge, all year round. The house is located on a large farmstead with other homes owned by members of the same family. It really is a family affair, and we wanted the house to reflect that.
“We focussed on blending the design principles of Danish simplicity, functionality and restraint, with hints of rural Ontario’s architectural vernacular,” she continues. “The plan was to create a contemporary version of the traditional sommerhus, one that feels site specific.” Pausing, for a moment, she adds: “The dominant palette of white and black, with occasional pops of colour, is also a hallmark of Danish design and felt so right for this project.”
There’s no denying it – this truly is a holiday home for all seasons, a beautiful nest that acts as a gathering place for celebrations and quiet moments alike. A sequence of discreet fans cools the environment in summer, whilst radiant membranes ensure the abode feels warm in winter, without the need for visible radiators that might otherwise interrupt the clean lines and spare aesthetic.
The home’s emphasis is all about sharing and, divided as it is into two identical buildings, it certainly delivers. One structure is composed for familial gatherings such as cooking, eating and relaxing, whilst the other space serves for bathing and sleeping. Joined by an elegant glass corridor, the imaginative double footprint is at once practical and beautiful.
Ely took great care considering the location of each room, to amplify the surroundings and embrace the sun’s position at different times of the day. Details like positioning windows to perfectly frame horizon views, and power lines buried underground to keep sightlines undisturbed, aren’t lost on us. As we see it, the project is all about creating a relaxing connection with the outdoors. “It’s really important to embrace what’s special about your building’s site, and to create a relationship between interior and exterior spaces,” explains the spirited architect. “Linking them though certain views, or via the building’s orientation, makes a huge difference, both indoors and out. With thoughtful design, the architecture and the surrounding landscape can really enhance each other’s beauty.”
The home’s exterior stance is one of quiet surprise, its black casing retreating into the background, almost like a shadow of the building itself. The dramatic inky tone was chosen as a contrast to the lush colours and textures of the surroundings areas, across all four seasons. We really admire the way in which the black-on-black colourway accentuates the sometimes vertical, sometimes horizontal siding, the jet fenestration, and the sharp lines of the ribbed steel roof. From a distance, the edifice might look like a stark, minimalist cut out, yet wander close and the detail is commanding.
Just as compelling (as darkness yields to light) is the cabin’s interior which, for the most part, is purest white. The pared-back space tempts quiet contemplation thanks to lofty, vaulted ceilings finished in a clean, chalky palette. A modern church-like feel prevails: it’s definitely a space to worship, the extra ceiling volume reaching towards the heavens, devoid of any visible beams or supports that might break up the sense of stature.
Following the Danish tradition, monochrome finishes are punctuated with pops of colour that shoot in via overhead kitchen light fittings and lively upholstery. The open-concept feel is anchored by a wood-burning fireplace raised on a simple stone plinth. Both the hearth, and its companion wood storage vault, are cleanly finished in powder coated metal, the resultant crisp band wrapping across the base of the chimney, ultimately returning to meet the corner window beside which it sits.
The kitchen is a balance of jet and snowy tones, but, rather than the black elements appearing heavy, the upper areas are mostly open shelved and white, with the island unit contrasting confidently in front of a backdrop of darker cabinetry. We oft’ opine, schematically speaking, that a host of smaller elements, played thoughtfully, are the very elements that deliver the magic. In this kitchen, for example, a small window cuts into the backsplash to offer furtive vistas across the beautiful landscape, and this sense of detail isn’t lost on us.
This is indeed a special home. Nothing feels even remotely contrived or forced, and we’re keen to leave Ely in no doubt that we appreciate the space, and indeed her efforts to make it work as well as it does. Her secret? “Carefully considering views, and fostering a visual and physical connection between the interior and the exterior are important considerations,” smiles the talented visionary. “For example, the large corner window and sliding doors off the living room allow the space to open directly on to the large deck in summer, facilitating indoor and outdoor living and entertaining.”
Ely and her team have clearly played masterful cards with Sommerhus, and it shows. The traditional Danish space is a family-centric retreat that facilitates large or small gatherings. The simple, yet sophisticated design conspires an environment that is comfortable, functional and beautiful. It’s the perfect retreat from the stresses of urban life, and one that celebrates the beautiful Ontario countryside in which it sits.
We can’t visit a Danish inspired home and sign off without at least touching on hygge, a lifestyle buzz term that’s Scandinavian in derivation. In short, hygge (pronounced hooga) pertains to taking time away from the daily rush to be together with important people – or even alone – to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures in a backdrop of beautiful, uncomplicated things. In Canada, we’ve been doing that for years: we call it cottage time.
Architect: WandaElyArchitect.com
Area: 2,150 square feet
Manufacturers: TorpInc.com
Lead Architect: Wanda Ely
Builder: RaisedUpBuilding.ca
Structural Engineer: ContactEngineering.ca
Millwork: AGDesignsCollingwood.com
Materials
Siding: Exterior siding, Maibec Modern 399, Mystery Black em+ Textured siding, used both vertically and horizontally. Entry wall and soffit, Maibec Modern 201, Sand Dune White, used horizontally
Roofing: Break form standing seam roofing, Ebony Matte 9822
Kitchen: Custom millwork by A.G. Designs; countertops by Caesarstone, 4600 Organic; backsplash, Passepartout Module #3, Bianco Mix, sourced from Ciot; pendant lights, Aballs T ME suspension, copper with black, sourced from Lightform
Primary bathroom: Custom millwork by AG Designs; Pendant Muuto E27 in pale blue; Niche tile embossed steel Blue Matte, sourced from Stone Tile; Floor and shower tile, Islanda Stone, Norvegia Matte, sourced from Stone Tile
Fireplace: Stuv 21/125 wood-burning fireplace
Rhubarb Delights
by Andrew Cruickshank | photography by Dana McMullen
At a crossroads, Terri Mathews-Carl and Christoph Carl created Rhubarb, a farm-to-table restaurant and retail emporium that has diners coming back for more.
During an evening at Rhubarb Restaurant, white dishes heaped with schnitzel, striploins and duck confit poutine circle the room. There’s the low thrum of voices as regulars sidle up to the bar and diners slice through steaming plates of fine fare at nearby tables. The interior, all stone and light wood with decorative nods to Canadiana, is cast in an ambient glow from several fireplaces. And beyond, through the restaurant’s northern wall of windows, are the darkening hues of Mirror Lake.
There’s something comforting about Rhubarb beyond the welcoming smiles and friendly service. There’s something about its food. Despite the restaurant’s upscale fare, the menu has a homecooked feel – chicken pot pie made using puff pastry, a house-made burger topped with double-smoked bacon, and pork schnitzel drizzled in delicious mushroom sauce.
The genial atmosphere can be attributed to owners Terri Mathews-Carl and head chef Christoph Carl, a characteristic they inherited from Christoph’s mother, Uta. In fact, Christoph can trace much of his culinary experience back to his creative parent. Towing along two sons, Uta emigrated to Haliburton from Germany in the 1980s. With help from her father, who’d relocated to Haliburton earlier than the rest of the family to start a sawmill near West Guilford, Uta built The Old Country House, a German restaurant on Haliburton’s main street, today the site of the Maple Avenue Tap and Grill. “Uta did everything from cooking, to creating the menus, to laundering and ironing the tablecloths and napkins, to doing the books,” explains Terri.
This is where Christoph’s passion for cuisine was sparked, despite the fact that he and his brother spent their teenage years toiling in the dish pit for as long as 13 hours some days. When he finished high school, Christoph attended George Brown’s culinary institute, while his brother followed a similar trajectory, becoming a sommelier.
After travelling for a few years, Christoph returned to the family restaurant in Haliburton. When Uta decided to sell The Old Country House in 2008, Christoph knew it was time to branch out. Partnering with friend and fellow chef Dave Adam, they founded Rhubarb, setting up shop on Eagle Lake, a 15-minute drive north of Haliburton.
Christoph and Dave chose the name Rhubarb, not because of any affinity for the fleshy red stalks, but because of their location. “Eagle Lake is called the rhubarb capital of Ontario,” Terri relates. “I’m not sure if it’s still there, but there was always a sign that said Eagle Lake was the rhubarb capital. So, they decided to call it that and the name just stuck.”
Despite producing the restaurant’s name, the Eagle Lake location wasn’t drumming up the number of customers Christoph or Dave expected. “We were very busy in the summer,” Terri says, “but unless you were going to Sir Sam’s ski hill, you wouldn’t really head out there during winter, so it didn't have any walk-in traffic.”
After five years, Christoph and Dave decided to part ways. Dave took a job working at Sir Sam’s Inn, and Christoph and Terri relocated Rhubarb to its current location at Highway 118 and Highway 35. “Our first year at the new location, our winter revenue exceeded our summer revenue at the old location,” Terri recalls. “That’s because it’s a crossroads. We get people from Huntsville, Bracebridge, also from Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon. We’re about 45 minutes to an hour from a lot of different centres, so it’s a great location to access.”
While the location may get customers’ attention, it’s the food that keeps them coming back for more. Rhubarb prides itself on using seasonal ingredients from local farmers, and they even grow some of their own ingredients. “We grow rhubarb at the front of the restaurant, and people always ask why it’s not on the menu all the time. But Chris is such a big proponent for in-season ingredients that we only have rhubarb on the menu when it is in season,” Terri says, adding that all the meals are prepared in-house from scratch, including Rhubarb’s bread. One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes is its schnitzel. Christoph channels his German ancestry to craft authentic pork schnitzel – there are three version on the menu – that customers snap up. To wash it down, a pint from Boshkung Brewery is always on tap.
Given their innovative spirit, it will come as no surprise that Terri and Christoph were the founders of Boshkung Brewery. In 2015, the couple launched Boshkung with two friends as a small batch brewery in the basement of Rhubarb. “It seemed like a very symbiotic relationship, having an on-site craft brewery as well as a farm-to-table restaurant,” explains Terri. Eventually, the couple bought the friends out and ran Boshkung themselves. The brand grew exponentially. Sufficiently so, in fact, that the couple was able to expand the brewery.
“It was fantastic. We were able to get the beer into the LCBO and the grocery stores, and we’re really proud of that,” Terri boasts. “But to be honest, it just became too much having two very full-time businesses to run. We were spread too thin and the restaurant was Chris’s first love, so we decided to sell.” In 2020, the couple handed Boshkung off to some long-time cottagers.
Boshkung wasn’t Terri and Christoph’s only foray into extracurriculars. Since 2014, Rhubarb has hosted an annual auction for Haliburton’s Heat Bank. The event takes place each year on a Sunday in November, when the restaurant is closed to the public and staff donate their time to work at the auction. A ticket costs $100, which includes a three-course meal, open bar and live music. One hundred per cent of the proceeds go towards local residents who can’t afford to heat their homes over the winter. Last year, Rhubarb’s auction raised $33,000.
On a more day-to-day basis, Rhubarb has also opened its own market, which is attached to the restaurant. There they sell goods from local brands, including frozen pizzas from Dorset’s Pizza On Earth, and vegan items from Minden’s Nourished. And, of course, the restaurant’s own fare, all made in-house. “Our amazing baker crafts all our bread. People come to our market to get fresh sourdough, fresh focaccia, challah bread, croissants and pot pies. Her desserts and baked goods are out of this world,” enthuses Terri. “People travel from afar to get them before they sell out every morning. They’re made fresh every day, from scratch, with really high-quality ingredients.”
Looking down the road, Christoph will continue innovating in the kitchen, cooking up mouth-watering delicacies, but Terri would like to focus on expanding the market. “It’s been so successful, and we enjoy bringing in local items we love, and items from out of town that you can’t find here,” she states proudly. “So, it’s likely our retail offering will be expanding in the future.” Given the couple’s creative flair, whatever they come up with will surely be remarkable.
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