Scott McGillivray Gives a Family Cottage a Luxe Muskoka Makeover

When Alison’s parents wanted to sell their cottage, she made the emotional decision to buy it from them so she could keep the property (and the decades of memories) in the family. Because she had to take on a mortgage to purchase the vacation home Alison was feeling the stress of the financial burden. With the help of her daughter, Kelsey, Alison turned to Scott to help them use their $75,000 renovation budget to overhaul the place — so they could rent it out, and cash in on the prime Muskoka location. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/photos/canadian-summer-cottages-1900808/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Canadian Cottages You’ll Want to Escape to This Summer</a>

Muskoka is one of Canada’s hottest (and most prestigious) vacation destinations — which means that an up-to-standard vacation home rental can be a real money-maker. This dated cottage (and kitchen!) didn't measure up. Using his first rule, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/scotts-vacation-house-rules/photos/scott-mcgillivrays-rules-for-a-successful-vacation-rental-property-1938457/#currentSlide=1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Do Your Research,”</a> Scott found that the average rental rate for a three-bedroom property in the region is $500 per night — which could go a long way towards paying the mortgage and maintenance costs. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/scott-mcgillivray/photos/scott-mcgillivray-on-cottage-renovations-the-best-and-worst-for-resale-value-1928878/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scott McGillivray on Cottage Renovations: The Best and Worst for Resale Value</a>

To elevate the cottage to the level that Muskoka renters expect, it was all about the design. People who can pay for a high-end vacation rental are more likely to have high standards, which makes great design paramount to success. Enter Scott’s next rule, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/scotts-vacation-house-rules/photos/scott-mcgillivrays-rules-for-a-successful-vacation-rental-property-1938457/#currentSlide=2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Plan Your Design,”</a> and his designer, Debra Salmoni. The cottage was cozy, but the layout was cramped and the design was outdated with a lot of busy wallpaper and retro details. Now it's an open space framed by high-end appliances. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/photos/scott-mcgillivray-turns-an-outdated-cottage-into-a-bavarian-dream-1938315/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scott McGillivray Transforms an Outdated Cottage Into a Dream Vacation Rental</a>

The kitchen makes a big impression on renters, but the cottage’s layout made the cooking space tiny and unappealing. To address the serious space issues, Scott removed the wall between the sunroom and dining space and flipped the rooms — creating a larger, more open kitchen. Custom-built, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/easy-ways-to-make-your-home-more-energy-efficient-1907310/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">energy-efficient</a> windows make the most of the incredible lake views, while luxe stone counters (hand-selected by Alison, Kelsey and Debra) enhance the high-end, bespoke feel. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/most-popular-kitchen-design-ideas-pinterest-1935742/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Our 12 Most Popular Kitchen Design Ideas on Pinterest</a>

The old kitchen was super small, but Scott’s layout changes repurposed the former kitchen area into a cozy <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/tags/dining-rooms/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">dining area</a> — perfectly inviting for potential vacation home renters that want to relax and share a meal together. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/dining-rooms/photos/dining-room-lighting-trends-2020-1932768/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">15 Dining Room Lighting Ideas That'll Shine in 2020</a>

Inspired by the iconic Muskoka scenery, Debra used a palette of soft earthy colours (like greys, greens and yellows) and rich engineered hardwood floors throughout the space. In the living room, faux-wood beams and bright-white shiplap add high-end, cabin-inspired character to the ceiling. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/soaring-kitchen-ceilings-that-will-give-you-design-envy-1937689/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">14 Soaring Kitchen Ceilings That Will Give You Serious Design Envy</a>

By playing up the property’s unique strengths, you make your vacation home rental more likely to be seen in the sea of other listings. For Alison and Kelsey’s cottage, the surrounding wilderness, lake and the beauty of Muskoka are the big draws, so Scott and Debra emphasized nature in the indoor and outdoor design. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/blog/how-to-clean-outdoor-furniture-1917257/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Clean Outdoor Furniture Like a Pro: Everything You Need to Know</a>

If you really want your <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/12-things-renters-immediately-judge-when-they-check-out-a-rental-1913381/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rental property to get noticed</a>, find fun, distinctive features. To highlight the natural theme of the cottage (and to give renters a cool backdrop for their vacation selfies and photos), Scott added a unique sculpture to the exterior. Instead of going store-bought, Scott found an award-winning sculptor — and even pitched in himself — to carve a friendly bear sculpture out of wood. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/see-the-most-jaw-dropping-carvings-by-the-carver-kings-1051694/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">See the Most Jaw-Dropping Carvings by the Carver Kings</a>

The transition from family cottage to vacation house rental was a big one — so Scott involved the mother-daughter duo in the process by having them help create a shiplap feature wall for the bedroom. Doing a little sweat equity where you can (which is Scott’s next rule, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/scotts-vacation-house-rules/photos/scott-mcgillivrays-rules-for-a-successful-vacation-rental-property-1938457/#currentSlide=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Roll Up Your Sleeves,”</a>) helps people feel a sense of confidence and accomplishment in their reno — while also helping them keep overall costs down. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bedrooms/photos/8-super-easy-ways-to-add-character-to-your-bedroom-1901491/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">8 Super Easy Ways to Add Character to Your Bedroom</a>

A top-dollar, executive-level vacation rental needs to feel luxe and high quality, so it’s important to think about your renters every step of the way. By using Scott’s final rule, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/scotts-vacation-house-rules/photos/scott-mcgillivrays-rules-for-a-successful-vacation-rental-property-1938457/#currentSlide=5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Be Your Guest,”</a> Scott and Debra put plenty of attention to the details throughout (like using premium cookware and amenities) to make the Muskoka rental home a truly high-end experience. To ensure the once-tiny bathroom fit the bill (and to add the convenience of on-site laundry), Scott expanded the space — removing the wall to the walk-in closet so he could add a huge step-in shower and <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/scott-mcgillivray-tips-laundry-room-1922685/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">laundry closet</a>. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/scott-mcgillivray/photos/scott-mcgillivray-best-bathrooms-1905735/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scott McGillivray's 17 Best Bathroom Designs</a>