Just like
“
The Little Engine that Could” in
2005,
Laurie proved her point by being ac-
credited by LEEDGOLDNC. an internationally
recognized mark of excellence. LEED (Leader-
ship in Energy and Environmental Design)is a
third-party certification program and an inter-
nationally accepted benchmark for the design,
construction and operation of high perform-
ance green buildings. Numerous other presti-
gious awards have also been awarded to
E’Terra and to Laurie herself - the list is long, im-
pressive and varied.
Staying at the E’Terra feels like being a pam-
pered house guest in the private villa of a
friend. There are just six suites, each with a dif-
ferent theme and personality, and all have
equal standards of high-end luxury. We were
given the Merlin - a two-level suite with a bal-
cony looking through cedar woods and be-
yond to Georgian Bay. Quiet, peaceful and
private — the comfort was mesmerizing.
Exquisite furnishings throughout offer comfort
with subtly elegant textures and earth-toned
hues, splashed here and there with eclectic
combinations of reds, blues and aubergine.
Room spaces are grand with soaring ceilings
and expansive windows so proportion is key
to maintaining balance. Deep cushioned sofas
and chairs bring a human scale to the rooms.
Walls are adorned with custom designed tap-
estries and artwork by local artists and photog-
raphers. Heated stone bathroom floors,
2-
person soaker tubs, rare hand-knotted
Afghan and Persian carpets, and all-natural
fiber bed linens, towels and robes simply add
to the calm and overall sensual enjoyment of
escaping into this somewhat magical place.
*
44
Escarpment Magazine Fall 2012
ESCARPMENT FEATURE
|
If I build it...
The beauty moves seamlessly from outdoors to
in. Windows, doors, colours and textures all work
in harmony with the nature that surrounds and
stunning sunsets capture the heart and take one’s
breath away.