Scott Transforms This Kawartha Cottage Into a Show-Stopping Executive Lodge

Chris and David knew there was major potential in their million-dollar Kawartha Lakes vacation property. But the space had too much of an open concept to feel cozy and only counted on one bedroom. Add in a dated sunken sofa and wood finishes that sucked up all of the light, and they knew they needed help from the pros. Enter Scott McGillivray and the Vacation House Rules team. See how they transformed the property into a luxury, show-stopping retreat that will catapult this property to the top of rental listings everywhere.

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Vacation home interior with stone fireplace and lake view

HGTV Canada

1 / 10

A Luxe Focal Point

The trick to this reno was keeping the cottage’s original charm intact while updating it to feel fresh and modern. To achieve that, Scott painted some of the original wood walls white, instantly brightening up the space. Then, he left the fireplace as a central focal point, which adds a nice contrast and a touch of cozy charm.

Overhead view of sunken couch in vacation house living room

HGTV Canada

2 / 10

Retro Charm

Rather than take away the original structure’s sunken sofa, Scott updated it into a cozy feature that’s perfectly situated for cuddling in front of the fireplace. A queen-sized mattress means it’s a sturdy sofa area that can double as extra sleeping space when needed, setting this home apart on the rental market.

Vacation home dining room with high ceiling and decorative photo wall

HGTV Canada

3 / 10

Extra Personality

The chandelier served as inspiration for this renovation, adding plenty of executive lodge vibes. On the back wall, Scott broke one of his own rules-never personalize a rental space. This time, he opted for a decorative photo wall that included a framed photo of himself, Chris and David ice fishing. After all, part of marketing a property is letting people see all of the great things they can do there, and a space like this is far too beautiful to only be rented during the summer months.

Wood cottage empty living room with white carpet floors

HGTV Canada

4 / 10

A Peek At the Old Space

Before, the space felt cavernous and lacked personality. Carpet (white carpet!) covered the area, which wasn’t exactly renter-friendly. Plus, with no furniture to delineate the space, renters probably wouldn’t look twice, mainly because all there was to look at was wood, wood and more wood.

Updated executive kitchen with dark cabinets and large table

HGTV Canada

5 / 10

A Posh Kitchen Space

Because this kitchen is speaking to the executive set (rather than the family set), Scott and Debra designed it with bar-frequenters in mind. The island table is designed so that every seat is that coveted corner seat with extra elbow room. As for the cabinets, the finishes are dark and sleek, which add personality and old-world charm.

Wood cottage upstairs with seating area and study space

HGTV Canada

6 / 10

Utilizing the Open Space

Upstairs, the massive landing space also underwent a transformation. Scott separated the area into two seating areas, a home gym and an office. Dividing the upstairs landing space makes it more functional, therefore speaking to even more potential renters. Now, this is a spot where you can hang out, entertain, exercise, or get some work done. Talk about multifunctional.

Spacious cottage bedroom with high ceilings and wooden beams

HGTV Canada

7 / 10

A Brand New Primary Bedroom

When you’re dropping serious coin on a rental property, you want a majestic place to sleep. This new primary bedroom certainly fits the bill. Under the main point of the A-frame is a massive king-sized bed, made even cozier with different textiles. The nature-inspired wallpaper makes for a beautiful and on-theme feature wall, while the extra seating area adds instant luxury. Not to mention the large skylights, ensuring the space is always bright and well-lit.

Exterior view of cedar barrel sauna entrance

HGTV Canada

8 / 10

Extra Special Items

To truly up the rental game of this property, Scott also installed an outdoor cedar barrel sauna, which adds even more luxury to the overall rental. Now clients can spend their days brokering deals and then unwinding by the lake and sweating out all of those work toxins.

Double beds in bedroom with dark blue and wood accent wall

HGTV Canada

9 / 10

Adding Even More Potential

While it’s nice to think that a couple could enjoy this large space by themselves, it’s not a practical rental decision. So Scott transformed one of the two garages into a whole separate wing with two bedrooms. In the third room, he decided to add two double beds. While a queen- or king-sized mattress always feels more luxurious, not everyone wants to share. And sure, sharing is caring, but when you’re renting out a space, you always want to offer up the most potential to clients.

Updated bathroom with walk-in shower and unique wall tiles

HGTV Canada

10 / 10

An Extra Bath

Speaking of extra potential, Scott also added a second bathroom to the rental so that executives coming here don’t have to share one shower. It’s one of several smaller but smart upgrades that add a ton of value for renters. Now Scott thinks Chris and David can rent this cottage out for $750 a night minimum year-round, a nice little sum that will surely help the guys pay off their million-dollar investment in no time.