Interview with the Owners of Heartland–a stunning log home on 32 acres
587318 10 Sideroad, Mulmur, ON
What do you love most about your home?
Our favourite part of the day begins with waking to a stunning sunrise right from our bed in the primary bedroom. Our private porch and jacuzzi are a great way to start the day.
Our living room is another cherished space. There’s nothing quite like curling up by the fire on a snowy winter day, surrounded by the warmth of our log home. And we absolutely adore our outdoor dining space, sheltered from direct sun but still letting us soak up all the beauty of being outdoors. We have many meals as a family there and it allows us to extend our days even further in an outdoor space.
As a family, one of our favourite pastimes is movie night in the cabin—a cozy way to end the day together. And for entertaining this space is fantastic—
Where is your favourite place to sit and read a book or just relax?
The covered porch is perfect on summer days. Shade and lovely breezes -- It’s such a cozy retreat in every season—almost like having a little getaway right at home.
I (Ingrid) also love my light-filled studio space upstairs where I paint and watch bits of sunset through the trees in the evening. It is somewhat separated from the main house so I feel it also allows me some privacy and quiet time.
Your trail network is lovely!
Where is your favourite spot on the trail, and what makes it special?
The trails are such a beloved part of our home and lifestyle. We walk them daily—usually twice a day—and they’ve become a place to observe the ever-changing rhythm of the forest, both through the seasons and over the years. In winter, when the snow cooperates, we cross-country ski along the trails, transforming the forest into a true winter wonderland. One of our favourite spots is on the west side of the property, where the sunsets are simply phenomenal.
Autumn is magical as well, with vibrant colours and the sound of leaves crunching underfoot—a favourite family pastime. Each spring, thousands of white trilliums bloom along the trails, expanding their reach every year, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a rare red trillium tucked among them. And nighttime walks are another special experience. With the moon and stars above and our house glowing through the trees, it’s a truly enchanting sight.
Bailey Hill is another favourite, especially for its beautiful winter vistas. We love foraging along the trails too, gathering raspberries, black raspberries, and blackberries in season. These wild berries are perfect for baking or just snacking along the way. In spring, we tap our maple trees to make our own syrup—a cherished family tradition. We like to say we have five seasons here: summer, fall, winter, maple syrup season, and spring!
Why did you call it Bailey’s Hill?
We moved to Heartland over 12 years ago. The house and the property have brought us so much joy. It has been a wonderful place for our son. He has thrived spending many hours each day outside, especially being on the trails whether it is hiking, skiing or collecting the sap to make the maple syrup. One goal our son had from the beginning was to cut more trails through the woods and he really wanted to have a ski trail up the high hill at the back of the property. Our son’s best friend is our golden retriever, Bailey. Bailey supports him through everything and as we were clearing the trail, with Bailey’s help, the hill got named after him. It became known as “Bailey’s Hill”. When our son goes up on the hill by himself, he still feels the connection to his best friend. It has always been a cherished place
Not only do you have extensive forest and trails, but you also have a lovely grassy area behind your house
Tell us about this space?
In warmer months, we love playing outdoor games like bocce and badminton in our backyard. Our perennial gardens are another highlight, with daffodils, tulips, and lilacs in spring, peonies and lilies in summer, and hydrangeas as fall closes in. When evening arrives, the landscape lighting and fire pit make our outdoor space magical.
What are some of the hidden gems on your property?
We have a hardwood forest that becomes a sea of wildflowers in spring, and the Bruce Trail is just a short walk away, with gorgeous nearby hikes like the Oliver Creekside Trail and Boyne River. A bit further out, there are scenic spots along the Pine River and Murphy’s Pinnacle.
What do you know about the history of your home?
The log portion of our home dates back to the 1850s, but there are layers of history beyond that. The bricks around our enamel wood-burning stove were salvaged from the Tottenham Inn after it burned down in 1895, and the beams in the living room came from a local barn. The cabin on our property dates to the 1860s and was re-erected here in 2004, adding a special chapter to our home’s story.