This warm and cozy lakefront cottage was designed by Rehkamp Larson Architects, nestled along Gull Lake, Minnesota. In this region, the tradition of vacation at the lake brings back memories of early mornings fishing, long days on the water, and sweet light fading to starry skies.
While the architecture of the vernacular cottage form was secondary, its practical charm provided the essential home base. The homeowners of this new cottage grew up spending summers at the lake. Inspiration was found in the modest one-story seasonal structures that once surrounded the lake’s shores.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Rehkamp Larson Architects CONTRACTOR Craig Williams CUSTOM CABINETS Traditional Cabinetry
These structures often had exposed framing inside, given no insulation on the walls and roofs. That same framing created a rhythm of rafter tails at the eaves. This new pair of gabled forms are linked by an entry that welcomes you in and sends you right back out to the lake — should you choose to go.
One gable includes the main living space, a screen porch oriented toward the water, and three small guest rooms street side. The other volume holds the owners’ suite lakeside, backed by an attached garage and retirement workshop – both appreciated for year-round use and play.
The two facades clearly express the orientation – a few small windows toward the road and double-hung windows lined up corner-to-corner toward the lake. The living room and screen porch fireplaces share the fieldstone chimney. Inside, a sustainable reclaimed wood floor and wall siding ground the cottage’s aesthetic to traditional forms of the past.
What We Love: This cozy Minnesota cottage features a neutral color palette so as not to detract from the picturesque views of the lake. Living spaces were designed with entertaining in mind, and there are plenty of wonderful options including a screened porch that can be enjoyed throughout most of the year. Overall, the project team did a fabulous job of creating a warm and welcoming home away from home.
Tell Us: Would this be your idea of the perfect lake house retreat? Let us know in the Comments below!
Note: Have a look at a couple of other fascinating home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of Minnesota: A rustic contemporary lake house with marvelous views of Christmas Lake and Charming shingle style lake house designed for family living in Minnesota.
PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Amundson
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