Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

Maine Contemporary Cottage

Dwight M. Herdrich - Architecture + Design

Winter Park Road Residence After

Robert A Harris Architect

View of remodeled home with second storey added.

Beach House on Point

SGDI - Sarah Gallop Design Inc.

This beach house was renovated to create an inviting escape for its owners’ as home away from home. The wide open greatroom that pours out onto vistas of sand and surf from behind a nearly removable bi-folding wall of glass, making summer entertaining a treat for the host and winter storm watching a true marvel for guests to behold. The views from each of the upper level bedroom windows make it hard to tell if you have truly woken in the morning, or if you are still dreaming… Photography: Paul Grdina

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Dream Home 2015

Stephen Alexander Homes & Neighborhoods

Jonathan Edwards Media

Boardwalk Builders

Beach house rear cottage above garage. Boardwalk Builders, Rehoboth Beach, DE www.boardwalkbuilders.com

Silver Creek

12,000 Lakes Construction

Second story addition with extended sunroom. Black clad Marvin windows with Kleerboard pvc white trim. Hardie Board grey siding shake.

Northern MN Lakeside Home

Lenox House Design

This expansive lake home sits on a beautiful lot with south western exposure. Hale Navy and White Dove are a stunning combination with all of the surrounding greenery. Marvin Windows were used throughout the home.

Custom Home, Palm Harbor, FL

Homes By Southern Image

The beach cottage appeal of this exterior is fitting for its location overlooking a water canal leading to a large lake. The cupola floods the main living core of the home with natural light. The separate garages give the exterior nice balance and draw visitors to the entryway.

Petoskey - Beach House Retreat

Visbeen Architects

This beautiful, three-story, updated shingle-style cottage is perched atop a bluff on the shores of Lake Michigan, and was designed to make the most of its towering vistas. The proportions of the home are made even more pleasing by the combination of stone, shingles and metal roofing. Deep balconies and wrap-around porches emphasize outdoor living, white tapered columns, an arched dormer, and stone porticos give the cottage nautical quaintness, tastefully balancing the grandeur of the design. The interior space is dominated by vast panoramas of the water below. High ceilings are found throughout, giving the home an airy ambiance, while enabling large windows to display the natural beauty of the lakeshore. The open floor plan allows living areas to act as one sizeable space, convenient for entertaining. The diagonally situated kitchen is adjacent to a sunroom, dining area and sitting room. Dining and lounging areas can be found on the spacious deck, along with an outdoor fireplace. The main floor master suite includes a sitting area, vaulted ceiling, a private bath, balcony access, and a walk-through closet with a back entrance to the home’s laundry. A private study area at the front of the house is lined with built-in bookshelves and entertainment cabinets, creating a small haven for homeowners. The upper level boasts four guest or children’s bedrooms, two with their own private bathrooms. Also upstairs is a built-in office space, loft sitting area, ample storage space, and access to a third floor deck. The walkout lower level was designed for entertainment. Billiards, a bar, sitting areas, screened-in and covered porches make large groups easy to handle. Also downstairs is an exercise room, a large full bath, and access to an outdoor shower for beach-goers. Photographer: Bill Hebert Builder: David C. Bos Homes

Shake At The Lake

Elite Design Group

Builder: Artisan Custom Homes Photography by: Jim Schmid Photography Interior Design by: Homestyles Interior Design

Colors of The Cottages: Worth its Weight in Gold

The Cottage Building Company

Worth its Weight in Gold--- Benjamin Moore "Golden Honey" is the perfect color for this charming cottage on the park. The front door in Valspar "Ship Ahoy" is a nod to the nautical. Mark Ballard & Kristopher Gerner

Lakefront Cape Cod House

Hoover Architecture, PLLC

Philip Jensen Carter

Bay Road Exterior

Halliday Architects

Large cape cod style beach home with concrete fiberboard exterior and a trellis accent. Photo: Erin McClusker

Home Beach Designs

Home Beach Development

BEECH HAUS ADU

Dyer Studio Inc.

Converted from an existing Tuff Shed garage, the Beech Haus ADU welcomes short stay guests in the heart of the bustling Williams Corridor neighborhood. Natural light dominates this self-contained unit, with windows on all sides, yet maintains privacy from the primary unit. Double pocket doors between the Living and Bedroom areas offer spatial flexibility to accommodate a variety of guests and preferences. And the open vaulted ceiling makes the space feel airy and interconnected, with a playful nod to its origin as a truss-framed garage. A play on the words Beach House, we approached this space as if it were a cottage on the coast. Durable and functional, with simplicity of form, this home away from home is cozied with curated treasures and accents. We like to personify it as a vacationer: breezy, lively, and carefree.

Rear Exterior Porch and Pool of Craftsman Coastal Cottage

Sea Island Builders LLC

Rear of two story craftsman coastal cottage home built in 2016 by Sea Island Builders. White hardie exterior with Anderson impact windows and metal roof. Pool that extends under the home with living area underneath.

Sea Change- Hybrid Construction

Grand Floridian Builders, Inc.

Eric Marcus

Georgia Park Heights Custom Home

Made To Last Custom Homes Ltd.

Georgia Park Heights Custom Home is a “West Coast Modern” style home that was built in Crofton, BC. This house overlooks the quaint Cowichan Valley town and includes a gorgeous view of the ocean and neighbouring Salt Spring Island. This custom home is 2378 square feet, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master bedroom and ensuite of this home are located in the walk-out basement, leaving the main floor for an open-concept kitchen, living area and dining area. The most noteworthy feature of this Crofton custom home is the abundance of light. Firstly, the home is filled with many windows, and includes skylights, and sliding glass doors to bring in natural light. Further, upper and under cabinet lighting was installed in the custom kitchen, in addition to pot lights and pendant lights. The result is a bright, airy custom home that is perfect for this Crofton location. Additional design elements such as wood floors and a wooden breakfast bar complete the “West Coast” style of this Georgia Park Heights Custom Home.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Dream Home 2015

Stephen Alexander Homes & Neighborhoods

Jonathan Edwards Media

Beach Style Exterior Design Ideas with Concrete Fiberboard Siding

The front exterior of your home – the driveway, front yard, verandah and entrance – is a fantastic place to start making that all-important first impression on house guests. Even mailboxes and house numbers can have a wonderful way of grabbing people’s attention. The architectural design should reflect the overall beach style style of your house and the family that live there; while your choice of materials will help your house blend in with its surrounds. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for the exterior of your beach style house, and strike up a conversation with the architects and designers of your favourite picks. You’ll find house designs for contemporary, eclectic, modern, traditional styles and more.

How do I decide on the exterior style of my home?

Your location, overall sense of style, budget and current home layout will dictate the style of your exterior. If you’re renovating a period home, the materials and features you use should reflect the date in which it was built, while a unique colour scheme could add contemporary flair. New homes may prefer to look to modern or contemporary designs with structural simplicity, whereas, if you live by the ocean, a beach-style design may better suit your locale. That’s not to say you can’t build a new home that has period influences. If you’re a traditionalist, you can borrow architectural details from the Art Deco period, for instance, or use finishes that reflect more of a Scandinavian style, too.

What exterior house colours and materials should I use?

Traditional homes typically use brick and timber building materials, while stone, board-formed concrete and metal cladding are popular contemporary options. Again, the materials you use will depend on your location and the statement you want to make. Your budget will also affect your choice. Vinyl siding is affordable and easy to install, while stone is more expensive but durable and low maintenance. If you’re not ready to renovate but want to update the exterior of your home, you can still paint it. Look to your neighbours when choosing exterior house colours. Consider the streetscape and what type of colours are already in use, firstly, so you don’t replicate next door’s shade; and secondly, so you don’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you’re renovating a period home, you could paint features or intricate details in a bold, standout hue. Front doors, garage doors and window trims also look great in eye-catching colours, even if the rest of the house’s facade is neutral.

How can I maximise my home’s street appeal?

To spice up your home’s architectural design, landscape the surrounding area with plants and pathways that accent the beach style style of your home. If you just need a quick revamp, look at your cement and pavers – these can split and crack over time; and repairing or replacing them can do wonders for your street appeal, especially if it’s a large area like your driveway. Plants, garden paths or low walls can can also add structure to your front yard. Light up your home with sufficient outdoor lighting to make walking up to the front door easy at night. You could use bollard lights along your entry path, or replace tiny wall sconces with statement pendant lighting at the entrance or on your verandah. Decorative elements such as house numbers, mailboxes and doormats will also add character. And if you're looking to sell your house, it may be worth hiring a stylist to help make the most of your property.