Magic At Work: The Visual Art of Janice Feist

At the end of a heavily wooded laneway in Muskoka sits an inviting post-and-beam home and studio/gallery of visual artist Janice Feist. Impacted in elementary school by the life of post-impressionist painter, Vincent Wilhelm Van Gogh, Feist’s paintings reflect his love of landscapes and his bold application of colour and texture. However, it is impressionist …

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8 Fun Facts About Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas aren’t just pretty, they’re fascinating flowers. As we stay at home and dream of spring, we dug up eight essential(ly fun) facts about Hydrangeas. 1) Hydrangeas are known commonly as the “pom pom” flower. 2) Hydrangeas grow everywhere, from Muskoka to Malibu, to Timbuktu. 3) In Asia, giving a friend a pink hydrangea symbolizes …

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For Your Cottage Table

Trudy Crane’s art is a runaway hit. Her work — all-white tableware featured on lookslikewhite.com — is simplicity itself. It’s a style that reflects the ceramic artist’s dedication to a life filled with beauty, meaning, and purpose. Her debut book, Seasons: The Vegan Table, expands on that theme. The artist collaborated with her daughter — photographer Chloé Crane-Leroux …

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Old Iron by Allan Beckley

Sorry, No Vacancy

An ambitious showing of Paintings by Muskoka artist Allan Beckley titled “No Vacancy” at the Bracebridge Chapel Gallery. Based on personal photographs of his travels across Canada and the United States, Allan has produced a painstakingly crafted series of high realist acrylic paintings depicting historical neon signage. “Get your Kicks on Route 66” Sometimes whimsical, …

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A Sign of the Times

It’s a sign of the Muskoka times. Hand-crafted signage marking laneways, boathouses, docks, fireplaces, and bunkies has reached an all-time high on Pinterest and Instagram. Examples: Lake Rules, Life is Better at the Lake, and this self-assured favourite: Come In, We Are Awesome! Riding the wave is Kristen Moller, signmaker and sole proprietor of Muskoka’s …

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The Roundie

Is it really so hip to be square? The round beach towel — also known as The Roundie — challenges summer norms, taking on the traditionally shaped rectangular beach towel as the go-to for the beaches, boats, and docks of Muskoka. Leading the charge is Canada’s Tofino Towel Co., makers of “the original west coast …

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Unique Cottage Country Items inside Cottage Crate

What a delightful surprise! MuskokaStyle received a Cottage Crate at its door recently: a gift box full of goodies made in cottage country. Melissa Whittle, mastermind behind this new cottage company, curates these thoughtful gift boxes. Our Cottage Crate included Muskoka Boat House Soap, tasty Cranberry Maple Syrup, Muskoka Bear Wear socks — even music …

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From Malibu to Muskoka

In honour of #WanderlustWednesday, MuskokaStyle’s team is curating a selection of travel, shopping, and adventure experiences that are almost, but not quite, as special as summer in Muskoka. This week, our Los Angeles-based reporter explores Malibu, California, uncovering trends like turkish towels and frozen veggie soft-serves — trends we know will make their way from the Pacific …

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Muskoka’s Brush with Fame & Fashion

Diane von Furstenberg can make or break a fashion career. Just ask Michelle Vella, a fashion illustrator with sentimental ties to summers in Muskoka. The artist is experiencing skyrocketing Instagram fame thanks, in part, to… yes, the diva of the wrap dress, New York designer Diane von Furstenberg (DVF). From her summer studio — a …

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