This charming craftsman lake house was designed for a couple of empty nesters by Visbeen Architects, nestled lakeside just outside of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Spread out over two levels, this inviting dwelling encompasses 2,781 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms.
This residence skillfully integrates several features that you would normally find in 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 that connects to a screened porch.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Visbeen Architects BUILDER DeVries & Onderlinde Builders INTERIOR DESIGN Vision Interiors by Visbeen
Above: The exterior facade pays homage to the local vernacular, featuring Craftsman-inspired style, board-and-batten siding, and stone chimneys and accents.
Above: The front entry features a 4-by-8-foot hickory door with a transom. On the floor is bluestone.
Above: Inside you will find Hickory floors and doors and tongue-and-groove paneling on the ceilings and wainscoting — evoking a cabin-like vibe.
Inside, a linear foyer reveals a generous staircase with cascading landing. Further back, a centrally located kitchen is connected to all of the other main level entertaining spaces through expansive cased openings.
What We Love: This craftsman lake house features a palette of earth tones mixed with warm hues to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A number of fabulous design features add function and beauty to this house while making it seem larger than it is. A wonderfully designed home to cater to a couple’s everyday living and the occasional large crowd. The extra bedrooms, study/transition to the owner’s bedroom, and butler’s pantry to hide the mess of a crowd were well-thought-out ways to graciously host.
Tell Us: What details in the design of this craftsman lake house do you find most inspiring? Let us know in the Comments below!
Note: Take a look at another wonderful home tour that we have featured here on One Kindesign from the architects of this home, Visbeen Architects:
Above: In the kitchen, the hand-painted tiles are the Duquesa Raffaela Caramella, Walker-Zanger. The custom hood is fabricated out of metal.
Above: The study serves as both a public and private space, with two entryways. During the day, it is open to the living room, while in the evening the door to the living room can be closed off and serves as a sitting room to the owner’s suite — creating a hotel-like feel. This space is used for reading, a home office, and a TV den. The walls are clad with hickory paneling, the same material that is used on the doors throughout the cottage.
Above: Pocket doors connect the study to the owner’s suite. Features such as the hickory pocket doors and built-ins help the homeowners to live bigger. All of the furnishings were new to this home, but the homeowners did keep their art collection from their previous home.
Above: Despite its small footprint, the owner’s suite was cleverly designed to include several closets, built-ins, and an adjacent spa-like bath complete with a soaker tub flanked by separate enclosures for the shower and water closet.
Above: It is important for the homeowners to stay active, so they opted to have a home gym with lakefront views. The upper level takes the shape of a plus sign, with the hallway in the center. Along with the gym, there are also two bedrooms and a dual vanity bathroom. Hickory pocket doors with glass panes help to keep the space feeling light and airy.
Above: The second-story bathroom has been separated into two spaces. One has dual vanities, where a pocket door provides separation to a toilet and shower stall. When the homeowners have a full house, three people are able to use this bathroom at the same time. On the floor, clay tile adds an earthy feel, while brass finishes infuse warmth.
Above: The bunkroom is configured to provide sleeping accommodations for up to four people.
Above: The screen porch provides the ultimate in indoor-outdoor living. The screens are the Phantom Retractable Screens, while the fireplace is from Napoleon Products.
PHOTOGRAPHER Ashley Avila Photography
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