Story Maddie Johnson

Photography Sandy MacKay

Greenery Kettlewells

A CLASSIC SKI CABIN IS GIVEN RENEWED LIFE NEAR CRAIGLEITH SKI CLUB

When you think of a traditional ski cabin from the 60s, what comes to mind?

Perhaps it’s old wooden chairs, gingham curtains, a dark space and sub-par schnitzel.

That is far from the case at Sheila and Bill Williams’ chalet.

Located next to the slopes of their ski club, the cabin has been expanded into a chalet with an addition and renovation that has become their permanent home.

Marrying the original and new addition to create a cohesive building was achieved using the same siding, cedar accents and window style as the 60s cabin on the right. Windows are from Inline Fiberglass Windows & Doors.

Sheila, Bill and their children Jackie, Greg and Ben are all members at Craigleith and have been frequenting the area all their lives. Purchased in 2006, the property was used as a weekend ski retreat until recently, when they started thinking about moving from Barrie and living there full time.

*The family team, Bill, Sheila, Ben, Greg and Jackie with Hazel and Ren. The stairs are from Georgian Stair Company Inc. with custom railing by MCR Industries.*

The Williamses knew the existing 1,400 sq. ft. cabin, although ideal for ski weekends, wouldn’t suffice for full-time living. They started brainstorming ways to expand the space and build the retirement oasis they’ve always dreamed of.

“We were in a dilemma as to whether we should tear down or rebuild, but there were many features on the existing side that we really loved,” says Bill.

*Comfortable seating surrounds the fireplace in what was the original cabin where the cedar beadboard ceiling has aged to a rich golden patina.*

So, with continued family ski weekends and holidays in mind, they designed the addition to comfortably accommodate their three kids and friends. In the end, the charm of the original cabin was preserved, transformed and became the inspiration for the expansion.

The dining area in the home overlooks the mature trees in the rear yard. The chair and table are family heirlooms that fit perfectly in the space. Hazel and Ren love to have afternoon naps under the table.

*The built-in sideboard has a live-edge top and was designed and built by Gregory Alan Designs.*

“We really wanted to maintain the authenticity of the 1960s ski cabin, while creating a contemporary feel for the new addition,” adds Sheila. “We planned the design to accommodate those two design elements without losing that ski cabin feel.”

The Williamses owned a timber-frame model home previously at Highway 400 and Innisfil Beach Road, where Bill represented Normerica Timber Homes. When Bill and Sheila decided to renovate they knew an extensive timber frame would be incorporated into the design, something with a contemporary appearance.

*A large family room and office is sheltered under the roof’s timber-frame trusses.*

“We wanted to make it more modern,” says Bill. “People think timber frame is a traditional style and you can’t really get a modern look out of a big wooden building, but our new building has achieved just that.”

Bill enlisted the help of his daughter Jackie, who recently graduated with honours from the Architectural Technology program at Georgian College and together they worked out the design for their new home.

The initial goal was to add a primary bedroom and powder room for guests to the main floor, plus a garage. Because of the way the property was situated, they couldn’t add a basement, so the addition included a second storey with an extra bedroom, second living space and a studio and design office, where Jackie and Bill now work together and have several projects in the works under their new residential design company, Cutting Age Design.

Jackie reads at a table that can also be used for puzzles and family card games on the upper-level bridge that unites the old building with the new. The sliding barn door was refinished using the Japanese technique called Shou Sugi Ban. Jackie created the artwork on the shiplap wall.

Their son Ben, a professional engineer and project manager for Blake Farrow Project, helped bring the plans to life, and the building and design process took off from there.

Like siblings, the new section looks after the original, seamlessly connecting the two with tall glass windows and an interior upper bridge, allowing natural light and ease of flow throughout the entire space. The addition of new openings and high ceilings, the choice of materials and the attention to architectural details all bring a contemporary touch to the traditional chalet, while maintaining memories from the past.

“We love being on the new side, but I love how we were able to preserve the old cabin and marry each side blending the two time periods,” says Sheila.

*Marrying the old with the new extends to the furnishings, with many family heirlooms thoughtfully placed throughout the home.*

The traditional-modern balance is emphasized in a showpiece solid black walnut kitchen, built by their son Greg, who owns Gregory Alan Designs, where he designs, manufactures and installs custom kitchens and cabinetry.

“The kitchen design is true Mid-century modern, which is what the 1960s represent,” says Sheila. “We end up spending a lot of time in the kitchen, it’s very cosy.”

The Mid-century modern design in the kitchen was executed by Gregory Alan Designs using black walnut on the cabinetry. Push-to-open latches and simple finger latches let the grain of the wood shine without distraction. The kitchen faucet was sourced at Georgian Design Centre.

The Williamses love that the project was a family affair, and for the most part, they completed the entire project together during the pandemic.

“Our whole family has been involved throughout the entire process,” says Bill. They started in the fall of 2019, with PineRidge Timberframe Inc. erecting the shell of their new home, and then had the roof shingles put on, the windows installed, a temporary furnace wired and the kitchen appliances added just before Christmas of that year.

Bill and Sheila took a few months off from their building project that following winter to travel, arriving back home just in time for COVID-19 to close everything down. When a number of trades were put on pause, they started experimenting with different design styles and features themselves.

Natural elements found throughout bring the outside in, with the stone exterior extending inside and lining the staircase. Inspired by a design element they encountered on a ski trip to Austria, they experimented with a Japanese technique of burning wood, called Shou Sugi Ban finishing, where they charred the reclaimed 50-year-old cedar black with a Tiger Torch and then hand-rubbed the wood with double-boiled linseed oil. The result is stunning.

The newly-created front entrance highlights the timber-frame structure from Pineridge Timberframe Inc. The custom fiberglass wood grain 42-inch wide door with glass side panels came from the Fibercraft Door Company. Cutting Edge Design installed the stone sourced from Simcoe Block.

Bit by bit the house has come together, not always in the way that they expected, but the outcome was better for it in the end.

“When you build something yourself, it opens up opportunities and allows you to be more creative,” says Bill. “The process might have been a bit messy but the end result is beautiful.”

*The black walnut credenza in the front hall is a custom piece from Gregory Alan Designs. The artwork hanging above is by Jackie Williams.*

Bill and Sheila are also grateful that the concept of expanding their retirement home to include space for their adult children has been embraced by all three.

“If you build it, they will come,” laughs Sheila. “Along with friends and neighbours, the skiing life and après-ski life continues! OH

It’s A Family Affair

Vacation Getaway

Honouring History