Hitting the Jackpot
Story: Liz Bruckner | Photography: Harold Clark
This Princess Margaret Lottery cottage is the ultimate family haven.
“I’ll never forget that phone call,” says Rocco Loccisano of the serendipitous conversation he had last February 16th with a Princess Margaret Lottery representative.
“I’d already purchased five tickets for the lottery and the person I was speaking with asked if I’d like to upgrade to a pack of 10 tickets for an additional $350. My mind immediately went to my brother, who has been battling cancer for 13 years, and I said yes to the five extra tickets.” Months later, when he received the call informing him he’d won the Early Bird prize, he learned two things: Not only were he and his wife Antoinette being gifted a stunning $1.3 million cottage in the beautiful Kawartha Lakes, the winning ticket was the seventh of the 10 tickets he’d purchased.
“That conversation was surreal; they told me I’d won the prize, but I had no idea what the prize was,” Rocco says, laughing. “Winning felt and sometimes still feels surreal, but even more so when I think of how it all came about. Five extra tickets – that’s what made it possible for us to have this beautiful place we now consider our second home.”
Set on White Lake, this beautifully crafted cottage was designed by Linwood Custom Homes and built by Brad McFarlane Construction Inc. to capitalize on the mesmerizing view of the water and maximize the property’s existing footprint. “The idea was to stretch the existing width as much as possible, allowing the cottage to feel as spacious as possible,” says Craig McFarlane, vice president of retail sales for Linwood Custom Homes. “As with every project we collaborate on, we discussed every detail with Princess Margaret to create a site-specific design that would result in the perfect home for this location, and I really believe we’ve accomplished it.”
That process began with the selection of one of Linwood’s more than 10,000 home templates, which was then modified and customized to suit the property’s idyllic lakeside surroundings. Next, property preparation began. Following the removal of a cottage previously on site and the trimming of a handful of lakeside trees, Brad McFarlane and his team began crafting what is now a literal dream cottage.
Linwood Custom Homes provided much of the home’s building materials, including timbers, windows, front door and roof supplies, while trim, mouldings, interior doors and hardware were sourced from Kerr’s Home Products. All flooring finishes were supplied by Ontario Carpet Supermart, kitchen cupboards were sourced from Chemong Home Hardware, appliances from Kawartha TV & Stereo, and all lighting fixtures were provided by Lando Lighting.
Kawartha Stair & Rail Ltd. built and installed the home’s stairs and railings, Friendly Fires supplied both the living room and master bedroom fireplaces, and Bardon Supplies Ltd. provided all kitchen and bath fixtures. Drain Bros. Inc. delivered on the landscaping and hardscape materials and Lakeshore Designs was enlisted to inject each area of the home with a purposeful and cohesive mix of style and comfort.
The result is a bright and open cottage with finishes that are equally modern, traditional and welcoming. “We couldn’t love this home more if we’d designed it ourselves,” Antoinette says. “Everything is perfect, from the Juliet bedroom balcony that opens to the living room, to the fact that almost every room in the house is western-facing and provides the loveliest view of sunsets, to the details – they thought of everything – weaved throughout that make this cottage feel so authentic. Even our neighbours are incredible; we feel so lucky to have won such an amazing home.”
“It’s funny because Antoinette and I had the discussion that if we ever won a cottage through Princess Margaret in Muskoka, we’d sell it without question,” Rocco adds. “We live off of Highway 400 and don’t want to be part of the mass of drivers who head north each weekend, but coming here is different. In fact, years and years ago, I used to come fishing with my grandpa in this region. It’s so interesting to me that life has come full circle in bringing me back, and I couldn’t be happier about it.” OH
