Scott McGillivray Debuts Wasaga Beach Country Club Vacation Home

Elena and Kelly had big plans for their inherited family vacation home in Wasaga Beach. Their main goal was to rent it out to help put the kids through school and to eventually retire in it. There was only one problem; after 40 years in the family, the structure itself looked more like a portable than a desired vacation home.

So they called up Scott McGillivray and the Vacation House Rules team. Together they transformed this lacklustre property and its awkward features into a country club vacation home worthy of competing with the nearby waterfront rentals.

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Blue vacation home with wood portico and seating area

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A Bright and Welcoming Entry

In order to establish this home’s tone from the moment renters drive up, Scott transformed the exterior with updated siding and this natural portico. The final product is a warm and welcoming home front that’s reminiscent of a country club, complete with exterior seating and some simple landscaping that only adds to the warmth.

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Creating a Cozy Vibe

Inside, the team created a bright but rich country club colour scheme with greys, blues and whites. They added texture through finishes like the fireplace and applied moulding. They made the space feel even more comfortable and complete with oversized furniture and lots of throw pillows, which can easily be swapped out and changed in the future.

Modern blue and white kitchen with white tiles on wall

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A Gourmet Kitchen is Always a Sell

When Elena saw this kitchen, she was swooning-she even joked that she was foregoing the renters and just moving in. That’s because a gourmet kitchen like this, with a custom range, functional flow, and updated finishes, is always a sell. By reconfiguring the room and adding lots of storage and counter space, Scott and co. transformed this kitchen into a bright room that renters will always want to hang out in.

Old cottage interior with dated kitchen and furniture

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The Great Before

To give you an idea of what the space looked like before the renovations, here’s a shot. There was plenty of room, but it wasn’t being utilized in the right ways. And the outdated wallpaper, floors and furnishings definitely didn’t help in terms of appealing to modern and savvy renters.

Sunroom with dining table and office space

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Soaking In the Sun

Even the sunroom got a complete overhaul in this renovation. Before, it was a sad space that collected dust. But now, thanks to a few tweaks, Scott transformed it into a multi-purpose room with plenty of beautiful finishes. The large table is perfect for family-style dining, plus there’s a small office nook for anyone who wants to get a little work done on their vacay. Above, the beams help to delineate the room without adding too much separation, and there are beautiful views everywhere you look, thanks to the new energy-efficient windows.

Bedroom with applied moulding feature wall and plaid bedding

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Sprucing up Sleeping Quarters

All three bedrooms got a refresh in this renovation, including this second bedroom with a wall that mirrors the applied moulding from the living room. Adding that moulding isn’t just a great way to designate a feature wall, but it can also help set a continuous and classic theme throughout the house without feeling forced.

Checkered wallpaper in bedroom with bunk bed

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Heads in Beds

Whenever you’re marketing a vacation home, you want to think about how many people you can sleep there. To optimize the sleeping quarters, Scott installed this single-over-double bunk bed set in the third bedroom. Now a couple with a child can stay here together, or three kids can bunk at once. Of course, it’s still totally on-theme thanks to the country-club inspired wallpaper and complementary finishes.

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Adding Character to Bathrooms

The bathrooms on this property were also redesigned to suit the country club theme. The team selected this plaid wallpaper and paired it with the same statement colours as the rest of the house to create a cozy, character-filled space. These updates make for a fresh and polished finished look-which is exactly what a renter is looking for when they’re putting down serious money to stay there.

Watch: REVEAL! These homeowners were shocked to see how Scott transformed their rental into a Latin American inspired retreat.

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Crafting a Rentable Space

When people book a vacation home, especially during the summer months in a beach town like Wasaga, they’re looking to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Given that this rental isn’t located on the water, Scott wanted to ensure there were plenty of other outdoor attractions to make the rental stand out. So he had the owners help him craft these mini putting stations and added other outdoor, country club inspired games to the property. Now, not only will potential renters remember the beautiful designs, but they’ll note those fun extras, too.

Watch: REVEAL! Scott and the team worked their magic to create the ultimate canoe club rental.

Outdoor seating area with grey and blue furniture

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Creating an Outdoor Oasis

Never underestimate the importance of outdoor furniture. In a vacation rental, it gets just as much (if not more) use as the indoor furniture, plus it needs to stand up to the elements. This space gives renters an extra spot to hang out during their coveted vacation. With the new upgrades and unique concept, Scott estimates Elena and Kelly can rent their property out for $300 a night-an impressive sum that will totally help them achieve their retirement goals.

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