A stunning multigenerational home overlooking a scenic New Hampshire lake

Twilight exterior of shingle-style lake house with turret and wraparound porch above stone retaining wall

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Nestled among native woodlands on a multi-property lakefront site in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, this shingle and stone-clad home was designed by TMS Architects to bring together generations of one family under a single roof. They were asked to create a spacious 11-bedroom vacation home that could accommodate an extended family of up to 50 guests while maintaining a sense of intimacy, flow, and connection to the landscape.

The original 1990s home nearby served as inspiration for the architectural character of this new structure, but the design was deliberately distinguished by refined detailing and updated proportions. Influenced by the grand early-20th-century vacation estates in the New England Lakes Region, the house takes on a modernized shingle-style form, balancing generous massing with cottage-like warmth.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE TMS Architects
GENERAL CONTRACTOR Wood & Clay, Inc.

Shingle-style turret and covered porch overlooking lake at dusk, mountains in distance

Project Details

Original home built in 1993
Clients with a large and expanding family looking to have overnight hosting capabilities, making bedroom and living space essential
Views focused towards the lake
Heavy emphasis on the flow of interior living to outdoor recreation spaces
Ample windows on the waterside and increased window coverage on the second floor
Aesthetic similar to the previous home of mostly whites, natural stone accents, cedar roof shingles, and high windows with muntins above head height
Large, open living spaces with wide hallways and tall ceilings
Toy room/playroom
Large wood masonry fireplace in the living room
10 beds, each accompanied by its own bathroom
Theater room
Exercise room

Lake house exterior at dusk with stacked porches, stone wall, and log benches around fire pit

Above: Just below the custom hardscape sits a classic campfire, which acts as a charming reminder of lake life’s simple pleasures.

A Grand Entry with Curved Staircase and Wrought-Iron Chandelier

Curved staircase with wood railing beneath a wrought-iron chandelier in entry hall

They drew on traditional architectural elements, such as white cedar shingle siding, Tuscan columns, and a cedar-shake roof, but refined their expression to create a more tailored, balanced facade.

An Elegant Living Room with Stone Fireplace and Grand Piano

Living room with stone fireplace, coffered ceiling, neutral sofas, and grand piano

The home’s orientation and layout were driven by waterfront access and the prioritization of views. Great consideration was taken to provide lake views to all major bedrooms, while the bunk rooms (facing the driveway) were designed to maximize flexibility.

Grand piano in sunroom corner with built-in display shelves and garden views

Since the array of guests often shifts, each bedroom was designed with modularity in mind, allowing future reconfiguration to accommodate king beds, twin beds, or bunks.

View through paneled archway into sitting room with grand piano and built-in shelving

With a multigenerational family in mind, they implemented sound-mitigating materials, including a specialty floor assembly with a sound mat, wall insulation in shared walls, and carpeting to buffer the activity of the family’s grandchildren and large gatherings. The bedrooms are intentionally separated from common living areas for privacy and relaxation.

A Gourmet Kitchen with Coffered Ceilings and a Dark Wood Island

Kitchen with white cabinetry, dark wood island, glass pendant lights, and coffered ceiling

The garage pass-through provides direct access to the lake for watercraft and equipment, and links the new and older homes, reinforcing the physical and visual connection between the two properties.

Charming Indoor and Outdoor Dining Spaces

Dining nook with framed nature prints, blue sideboard, and lantern pendant light

What We Love About This Home

This New Hampshire lake home shows that hosting generations of family under one roof doesn’t mean sacrificing intimacy or warmth. The architects balanced grand, vacation-estate-scale with cottage-like coziness through details such as sound-mitigating walls, flexible bedroom layouts, and a garage pass-through connecting the new home to the family’s original lake house. From the turret-topped silhouette at twilight to the curved staircase and stone fireplace within, every space feels both elevated and welcoming.

Tell Us: What’s your favorite space in this multigenerational lake retreat? The turret-topped exterior, the cozy bunk room, or the lakeside porch made for family dinners? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Check out a couple of other amazing home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of New Hampshire: Luxurious New Hampshire lake house on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and See this cozy rustic modern house with idyllic views of a New Hampshire lake.

Dining room with oval wood table, lantern pendants, and French doors opening to lake views

Covered porch dining area with teak table set for eight overlooking the lake

Cedar Shingle Details and Wraparound Porches

Close-up of cedar shake roofline and shingle siding along the home's exterior

Corner of covered porch with white columns framing a wooded lake view

A Curved Bar and Cozy Built-In Bookshelves

Curved oak bar with striped barstools facing a stone fireplace and built-in bookshelves

Living room with stone fireplace, wood mantel, model sailboat, and built-in shelving

An Owner’s Suite with Fireplace and Spa-Style Bathroom

Bedroom with vaulted shiplap ceiling, fireplace, oval mirror, and bay window overlooking trees

Primary bedroom seating area with oval mirror above stone fireplace and bay window

Double vanity bathroom with vertical shiplap paneling and matching mirrors

Freestanding white tub beneath picture window framing trees and water

Bed with bamboo-style headboard, ikat pillows, and framed mountain landscape photo

Wood-paneled bathroom with arched ceiling detail, double vanity, and lake-view window

Freestanding tub with fluted wood surround beneath large window framing lake and trees

Curved shower with vertical reeded tile, built-in niche, and glass partition

Playful Bunk Room Designed for Grandchildren

Bunk room with three wooden bunk beds, striped pillows, and yellow dresser

Blue beadboard bathroom with double vanity and honeycomb tile shower visible through doorway

White marble bathroom with glass shower stall and patterned runner rug

Walk-in shower with blue subway tile, built-in bench, and mosaic tile floor

Powder room with arched alcove ceiling, marble wainscoting, and arched window

A Lower-Level Theater and Media Room for Family Movie Nights

Media room with built-in bookshelves, sectional sofa, and ceiling-mounted projector

Lower-level lounge with patterned sectional, wall-mounted TV, and lake-view window beyond

Home theater with navy leather recliners, sectional sofa, and star-lit ceiling

Relaxed Outdoor Living with New Hampshire Lake Views

Wicker armchairs on screened porch overlooking lake, islands, and mountains

Stone-walled patio with lounge chairs along the home's covered porch and lawn

Twilight view of the home's long shingle-style facade with porches and turret lit from within

PHOTOGRAPHER Rob Karosis Photography