Arriving at this camp-like Maine lake house feels like stepping into Narnia

Exterior of a shingled barn-style structure with wood doors, overlooking a lake through the trees

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For generations, the owners’ family gathered at Clearwater Lake, Maine, swimming, fishing, and boating, honoring the bonds among cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. After years of searching, they found their own lakefront site to carry that spirit forward, where the dinner bell might again draw relatives to share evenings by the water. The home was designed by Whitten Architects to honor that legacy while creating a lasting gathering place for the family.

The existing camp was beyond repair, but the lakeside site offered optimal solar exposure and expansive lake views. Working within the allowable building footprint, bounded by a riparian woodland edge along Moe Brook to the north and west, the architect located the new home on higher ground to the east, overlooking the south-facing shoreline bathed in sunlight from dawn to dusk.‍‍

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECT Whitten Architects
CONTRACTOR Sebastian Tooker Construction
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Albert Putnam Associates
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Richardson & Associates
LANDSCAPE & OUTDOOR KITCHEN INSTALLATION Atlantic Landscape Construction
INTERIOR DESIGN / DECORATIVE LIGHTING Whitten Architects
MILLWORK Sebastian Tooker Construction
LIGHTING DESIGN Reflex Lighting
SOLAR ENERGY Revision Energy

Stone pathway leading to a lakeside guest house, flanked by ferns and birch trees

The home welcomes guests equally from the northern driveway and southern waterfront. In summer, the lakeside approach first appears as a gap in the canopy, then as a focal point between the barn and the house, visible from the dock across the native landscape.

A Screened Porch Built for Lake Views

Cedar-shingled cottage with standing-seam metal roof, chimney, and screened porch

From the parking court, paths naturally diverge toward the north entrance porch and the southern lakeside spaces. All routes converge at the central gathering rooms, the indoor kitchen, the outdoor kitchen, and the screened porch, allowing the family to gather in any weather.

Screened porch with vaulted wood ceiling, dining table, and sectional sofa overlooking a lake

Turning into the driveway, visitors are greeted by nature, barn, and plantings, a door to the owners’ own Narnia, away from modern cares and into simplicity. Inside, natural materials echo the landscape. Hardwood decking links the outdoor entry to the interior hall, each detail refined as you move inward.

A Warm, Welcoming Entrance

Evening view of a wood-shingled home's entrance with warm interior lighting

Cedar-wrapped walls and ceilings connect directly to the screened porch opposite the entrance. The open kitchen, living, and dining space seats twelve comfortably. Variegated stone and white oak cabinetry provide tactile warmth.

Built-in mudroom storage with cubbies, hanging coats, boots, and a sheepskin-covered bench

Beyond its natural beauty, the home delivers exceptional performance. Blower-door tests exceeded Passive House standards, while rooftop photovoltaics power efficient heat-pump systems.

A Powder Room with Bold Natural Stone

Powder room with dark green marble sink, brass antler mirror, and globe pendant lights

Designed to endure, the home opens itself and serves as a threshold between land and water, shelter and sky. At the lake’s edge, it becomes a place to gather, nurture, and grow, a sanctuary where the family’s story can deepen with each season on the lake.

A Living Room Centered on a Stone Fireplace

Living room with stone fireplace, mid-century chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows facing the lake

A Kitchen with Marble Countertops and White Oak Cabinetry

Kitchen with marble countertops, wood cabinetry, and angled windows overlooking greenery

The island reads like a stone lake with water-wave patterns, while the counters evoke a green forest wall by the stream, lit with beautiful birch accents.

Kitchen prep area with marble backsplash, open shelving, and a built-in wine fridge

Pantry, bathrooms, and bedrooms feature distinct natural stones, unified by handcrafted oak millwork, from the central stairway to custom desks, dressers, and beds.

Close-up of a stainless kitchen faucet and marble sink beneath tilted awning windows

A Cozy Home Office Nook

Compact home office nook with built-in desk, bookshelves, and a wood swivel chair

What We Love About This Home

Cedar shingles and hand-selected stone shape this Maine lake house into a home designed for gathering. The driveway arrival alone, with its barn, plantings, and gap in the canopy, sets the tone for a home the owners describe as their own Narnia, a threshold from modern cares into nature and simplicity. Every space, from the screened porch to the individual bedroom vestibules, is built around the ritual of slowing down and connecting with family.

Tell Us: What feature of this Maine lake house would you love to have in your own home: the screened porch, the stone-topped kitchen island, or those dreamy bedroom vestibules with lake views? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Have a look at a couple of other incredible home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of Maine: Resilient modern home in Maine rises above a rugged coastal landscape and Prairie-style lake house in Southern Maine in perfect harmony with nature.

Screened porch corner with a wicker chaise lounge and red throw blanket