Sited on a stunning stretch of shoreline along Lake Michigan, this Harbor Springs home was once a small summer cottage—complete with a single gabled roof, charming arched windows, a true stone fireplace, and custom-routed tongue-and-groove siding. Nearly untouched after 100 years on the lakeshore, an extensive renovation and addition project was undertaken to restore the essence of its original character and merge historic charm with modern functionality. The final design envisioned removing the entire upper level floor system to create a new double-height great room that occupied the entire footprint of the original cottage, with the radiused windows serving as stunning clerestories that bring ample natural light into the space. The original true stone fireplace was maintained as a visual bookend to the room, and the vintage furniture and the huntsman-inspired decor highlight the great room as the anchoring moment of the home, a defining space in both scale and character.

The detailing on the addition echoes the original cottage detailing – gable end roof overhangs, exposed rafter tails, divided lite windows, traditional trimwork, architectural brackets – blending old and new. The addition is designed to adopt the language presented by the cottage; the replication of existing detail was crucial to the project, and creates a home that feels unified and cohesive by design. Large multi-paned feature windows in nearly every room draw the eye towards views of the lake. Subtle textural and tonal variation in the interior decor add visual interest, without overpowering the experience of the landscape beyond. Picturesque private beach access and the nearby Tunnel of Trees only add to its romantic narrative as a family home meant to be remembered and cherished, and intended to be utilized inside and out throughout the year.