Marine Living

Story Kathleen Duncan | Sandy MacKay

Sheer curtains dance gently in the breeze to a distant melody, while luxury cruisers sway on blue waves beyond. Two years ago, when that image was still a promise, Danielle and Gino Larice arrived on the manicured shores of Friday Harbour, an exclusive resort on Innisfil’s Big Bay Point.

The visionary duo had recently moved north to Midhurst. With three teenage children at school in Newmarket and Collingwood, they sought a lifestyle where their busy lives could flow together.

Gino launched The Creative Co-Opt Inc. advertising and design agency in downtown Barrie and began leveraging his extensive experience on behalf of businesses across the region. A creative powerhouse in her own right, Danielle brings an attention to detail and a keen eye for interior design to her own clients.

When looking for a vacation home to complete the shift, the couple found paradise a short boat ride away.

“It’s like a modern Venice,” says Gino, noting the marine village’s network of boardwalks and canals. “Sunsets are spectacular – and we see them twice: once over the marina and then, when we turn toward Barrie, we see it again over the water.”

He appreciates Friday Harbour’s proximity to Toronto and easy access to the Lake Simcoe community – including the dock-to-dock commute to work. 

“We have friends all over the lake,” he says. “It’s a different vibe than Muskoka. When you’re walking the dog on the boardwalk, you feel like you’re away on holiday – not in Ontario.”

Today, Danielle views the billowing white curtains with satisfaction. As they conjure romantic images of leisurely days in extravagant settings, they also represent the successful culmination of a very personal project.

“I love creative ways of bringing ideas to life,” she says.

While the scene-stealing waterfront is showcased by a full wall of windows on each of the three floors in this 2,200 sq. ft. freehold townhouse, Danielle is careful to balance decorative elements with practicality. To ensure privacy and shade options, she called on the experts at Complete Blinds, who brought a solid reputation, quality products and competitive pricing to the task.

“The windows are floor-to-ceiling (10-feet high on the first floor and nine feet on those above), and every single floor views the water,” explains Danielle. The second floor opens to a balcony, while the rooftop terrace offers an enviable panorama – and an abundance of natural light. “That’s why you need the blinds.”

With programmable remotes on each floor, the Hunter Douglas motorized panels can be pre-set or adjusted manually.

“I went with Complete Blinds because I wanted the great one-on-one relationship and the ability to customize the order,” she added.

She chose an elegant but simple blind style to match the mid-century modern charm she created throughout, using a rich blue accent colour to tie into the home’s natural setting. She optimized the menu of high-end finishes offered by the builder, Geranium Homes, choosing bold wall colours and texture to add sophistication with a playful nod to the beach.

“As much as I really like design, I also really like to be economical without compromising the aesthetics,” says Danielle.

Her design eye led her into country shops, popular online and big box retailers, and specialty stores.

In Craighurst’s Dwellings Home and Gift, she sourced a unique tree stump coffee table for the music room that grounds the otherwise sleek space. It contrasts an Italian-made, high-gloss bar cabinet that stands comfortably against the far wall.

In this lounge, functional guitars double as wall art.

“If you know how to play, take it off the wall and go ahead!” encourages Danielle, backed up by the images of Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, David Bowie and Jimmy Page that adorn the walls – all Pietro Adamo pieces purchased through charity in support of veterans, women’s and men’s shelters, and mental health initiatives to name a few. 

Those billowing curtains lead to a spacious covered porch with comfortable furniture arranged for conversation. Tall plants screen the retreat from the boardwalk at the water’s edge without compromising the view. “I like people, but I like my privacy, too, and here I can get both,” notes Danielle.

In the main living area on the second floor, an oversize white quartz waterfall island and stainless steel Fisher & Paykel appliances frame the kitchen, while a church pew discovered at The 400 Market adds warmth and bench seating to the dining room. New pieces from Structube and Restoration Hardware are woven into existing treasures, like a pair of Bose speakers from Gino’s teenage years.

A self-avowed DIYer, Danielle doesn’t hesitate to paint or paper a feature wall to achieve her desired effect. She’ll also create the art to go on it. Photo galleries in several rooms were crafted by printing images from Shutterstock and popping them into frames from HomeSense.

With their holiday home complete and ready for entertaining, the family ventures beyond their street-gated court to enjoy the growing list of on-site amenities that includes chic restaurants and shops and a lineup of special events.

For the active, a state-of-the-art gym and outdoor basketball court are popular options, but Gino prefers The Nest.

 “I love the golf course,” he says, referring to the championship course designed by award-winning architect Doug Carrick. “I was surprised at the sculpting and challenge.”

Danielle is a willing participant, and admits her game’s dramatically improved since enrolling in the courses offered by the resort. Boating is another one of their passions; sometimes they will play the front nine before heading out on the water.

The wide range of year-round options close to home is exactly why they chose the resort.  OH