Completely Custom

STORY RENEE ALKASS | PHOTOGRAPHY SANDY MACKAY

Featured in the Barrie, Orillia, Midland & Innisfil - Holiday/Winter 2025/26

Building a custom home is never easy. It requires hard decisions, compromise and a lot of trust. “From start to finish, it’s a marriage between the builder and homeowner,” says Chris Bondar, president of Gilkon Construction Ltd. “With the proper respect, listening and hard work, the marriage will be successful and last a lifetime!”

These unwritten rules form the foundation of Chris’s company and are among the core reasons Gilkon has thrived since 1976. The company builds high-end custom homes and cottages in the southern Georgian Bay area. “We want to provide homeowners with something they can cherish and pass down through generations,” explains Chris.

Along a rocky point near Sawlog Bay, one of Gilkon's most recent projects surpasses expectations. It’s a legacy cottage crafted for a Toronto family who wanted an escape from the hustle of city life. The main goal of this build was to establish a retreat where the whole family could play, relax and work.

The homeowners found Gilkon through word of mouth, which is how the company receives most of its referrals. A true structural beauty emerged from a seamless collaboration with Joe Iozzo of Baldwin & Franklin Architect Inc. The space was designed to meet everyone’s needs, and contruction began in the fall of 2022.

The spacious lot is embraced by towering trees and opens to an expansive shoreline with a beach, perfect for the little ones in the family. But a teardown of the old cottage had to happen before the new construction could begin.

“The first step of a new build is always numerous meetings with the clients and architect,” says Chris. “This is crucial to any successful build.”

At the outset, there were a few challenges – namely, weather and groundwater conditions. “The team at Charles Morden Construction Inc. was able to keep the groundwater in check with sump pumps and erosion control,” says Chris. “We managed to keep Mother Nature at bay with wind walls and by finishing areas of the home susceptible to weather wear.” And after a year of hard work, the home was ready to be enjoyed.

Pulling into the driveway, the property commands attention. A red roof and front door from Dundas Doors & Windows Inc. make a bold statement, while cedar shingles embody a rustic, cottage-core aesthetic. A wood-barrel vaulted ceiling adds architectural character to the entryway and was meticulously crafted on-site by Randall of Gilkon, the lead finisher on the project. Triple Tech Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration wired the entire home for electricity.

Upon entry, the home gives way to views of Georgian Bay. Five walk-outs to the backyard transform the main floor into a central hosting space where the family can come and go all day long.

Shiplap ceilings and wood beams give the interior a coastal edge, and a charcoal stone fireplace from Home & Cottage Centre serves as a dramatic focal point in the living room. There are custom bookshelves on both sides of the fireplace to add character and give the homeowners a place to store board games, books and handmade cards from their grandchildren.

Colourful, vibrant carpets are spread throughout the main floor to bring a burst of flavour to the interior. Most of the handknotted carpets and other interior furnishings were purchased from Alexander Karpuchian at Alexander’s Gallery.

While colour is established through décor, neutral tones are infused using organic materials like wood, stone and leather. All of the cabinetry and flooring were completed by Alexander’s Gallery.

The chef’s kitchen grounds the cottage in luxury. Unique light fixtures and chrome hardware keep the space feeling modern, while an oversize island with a waterfall countertop includes storage on both sides to enhance functionality.

A butler’s pantry off the kitchen provides extra space for appliances and a personalized coffee bar to brew the perfect espresso. With the laundry room and garage access right around the corner, it’s easy to see how clever the architect and builder were in creating a space with natural flow.

The homeowners opted to keep the primary bedroom and its en suite on the main floor, another clever design choice. It keeps the home accessible and easy to enjoy for years to come.

Upstairs is where the rest of the family lives. There are four bedrooms, including a bunk-bed zone for the grandchildren. All beds were purchased at Alexander’s Gallery. A secret hideaway is tucked into the kids’ room and can only be accessed through a dropdown ladder. Chris and his team transformed the attic into a play space with skylights and views of Georgian Bay. “When I was a kid, I would have spent most of my time up there,” says Chris. It’s a testament to how custom Gilkon can really get.

There’s so much to love in this attractive home, but its real beauty lies in the construction. The layout is well executed, the finishes are high-end and structurally, its bones are as strong as they come. There’s no doubt the homeowners will be able to pass this home down for generations. OH