1950s lakefront cottage in Massachusetts gets a charming makeover

By One Kindesign July 24, 2024

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JN Interior Spaces has beautifully reimagined this lakefront cottage retreat as a guest house and personal getaway, situated in central Massachusetts. Originally constructed in the 1950s, this waterfront property was completely rundown. However, this family of four saw the perks of purchasing the home. It could be used as a serene spot to host their visiting guests and an excuse to purchase a motorboat!

Situated just a mile from their main residence, this idyllic cottage is just 674 square feet, just enough space to meet their needs. They opted to preserve the existing structure, retaining the history and character of the cabin. The interior underwent a full-scale gut renovation, updating the home with a modern sensibility. The original fireplace and wood ceiling were the only details that remained intact.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECTURE Haynes Lieneck & Smith INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE JN Interior Spaces INTERIOR DESIGN JN Interior Spaces BUILDER Apex Property Services

“Indoor and outdoor spaces blend seamlessly with a wall of disappearing glass opening to a sweeping deck for entertaining and accessing the dock. Original, reclaimed, and luxe new materials blend harmoniously for a unique and modern mix, rich and highly patinaed,” states JN Interior Spaces.

Above: At the heart of the home, the large fireplace was given a facelift, featuring a reclaimed wood mantel and cast concrete hearth. The original ceiling of this cottage was lightly sandblasted to bring back its original character.

This lakefront cottage can host up to six overnight guests. There is an upstairs loft that accommodates two guests and a Murphy bed along with two daybeds on the main level. Over time, the owners have found that their guest home has now morphed their their personal family retreat. It made for a cool hangout spot to enjoy quality time together, playing board games and music, along with swimming and boating in the lake. An important detail to note, there is no TV in this home, making it all about family time!

What We Love: This lakefront cottage was revitalized to offer fresh, delightful spaces in this compact design that reflects the personality of its owners. We love how the project began as an overhaul of a small cottage to host their family and friends and morphed into a place where they could retreat for some quality family time. This beautifully updated home offers a respite for relaxing and enjoying the lake life!

Tell Us: Would this be your idea of the ultimate lakefront retreat? Let us know why or why not in the Comments below!

Note: Check out a couple of other wonderful home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of Massachusetts: A shingle-style home gets a charming and cozy update on the South Shore and A Greek Revival home gets restored to its former glory on Cape Cod.

Above: The sitting area features a statement chandelier and serene views of the lake.

Above: A ladder made of industrial pipe fittings and reclaimed hemlock leads up to a sleeping loft where you will find a queen-sized bed for overnight guests. The sleeping loft is located above the Murphy bed, which is painted in Hague Blue No.30 by Farrow & Ball.

Above: This open-concept kitchen can host plenty of guests. The custom cabinets are painted in Hague Blue No.30 by Farrow & Ball.

Above: An L-shaped bar wraps around two sides of the fireplace. This provides a casual dining spot that does not take up that much space and removes the need for a dining area. If the owners wish to have larger gatherings, they can take it outside to the expansive deck.

Above: The bathroom features a curbless shower, which gives a seamless design without a divider between the bathroom and the shower floor. It has a full-width linear drain so there is no need for an enclosure.