Steel water bowl from The Pot Company

This cozy lake cottage skillfully incorporates a number of features that would normally be restricted to a larger home design. A glance of the exterior reveals a simple story and a half gable running the length of the home, enveloping the majority of the interior spaces. To the rear, a pair of gables with copper roofing flanks a covered dining area and screened porch. Inside, a linear foyer reveals a generous staircase with cascading landing. Further back, a centrally placed kitchen is connected to all of the other main level entertaining spaces through expansive cased openings. A private study serves as the perfect buffer between the homes master suite and living room. Despite its small footprint, the master suite manages to incorporate several closets, built-ins, and adjacent master bath complete with a soaker tub flanked by separate enclosures for a shower and water closet. Upstairs, a generous double vanity bathroom is shared by a bunkroom, exercise space, and private bedroom. The bunkroom is configured to provide sleeping accommodations for up to 4 people. The rear-facing exercise has great views of the lake through a set of windows that overlook the copper roof of the screened porch below.

A playground by the beach. This light-hearted family of four takes a cool, easy-going approach to their Hamptons home.

Chris Foster

Sunroom with glass garage doors on a lake house outside metro Detroit. Photo: Kirk Allen / http://kirkallenphotography.com/

Builder: Mike Schaap Builders, Inc | Architectural Design & Interiors: Benchmark Design Studio | Photo Credit: Ashley Avila

Green Hill Project Out Door Decks Photo Credit: Nat Rea

Christian Williams

Berger Partnership

Custom landscape lighting amongst colorful perennials. This is a handmade bronze lamp fixture with handmade glass globe and reclaimed redwood post. We had all the lighting on the lake side of the project created by an artist group in California. Photo by Landscape Artist: Brett D. Maloney.