A cozy cottage is the ideal oasis. The goal of this project was to teardown and replace an existing lakeside cottage.
The site was on a protected watershed, which created constraints that needed to be addressed in planning. The new cottage needed to stay within the square footage of the existing structure.
A phased construction plan met requirements while allowing for the full scope of the owners’ plans and dreams. Initial construction created an open-concept cottage. A second phase accommodates a bedroom wing and screened-in porch while still complying with regulations.
The new cottage has a simple and classic look provided by board-and-batten siding. White oak timber framing creates a peaked overhang, giving the front entrance a solid presence.
A timber-framed screened porch is a prominent focal point. A deck extends across the rear of the structure, and glass railings provide an unobstructed view of the lake. A particular challenge was designing integration of the deck with existing stairs down to the water.
The interior features an open floor plan with timber-frame rafters open to the kitchen, dining room and living room. A rock wall highlights an air-tight wood burning fireplace and wood beam mantle. A floating island is the hub of a practical and elegant kitchen, with marble counter tops and stainless steel appliances.
Despite a limited footprint and tight constraints, a comfortable cottage is an entirely attainable dream.