❤️ Would you like to save this?
We'll email this article to you, so you can read it later!
By saving, we'll email this post to you for later. Unsubscribe anytime.
This Cliff House in Harbor Springs, Michigan has a distinctive coastal vibe, with its attractive deep blue siding and white trim, perched on a cliff with sweeping views over Lake Michigan. This lake front guest house is an architectural feat originally conceived by the Cottage Company founder Rob Mossburg and his wife Vee, the house was built on a site once deemed “unbuildable” due to the precipitous incline from the lakefront.
Using steel reinforcements they built a peaceful retreat that would serve as a guest house for the client’s late father, a lifelong “Parrothead” and the heart of their family. Even though their main house is situated nearby, the family poured even more love and resources into this compact but thoughtfully designed home, where every room offers its own water view.
DESIGN DETAILS
CONTRACTOR Cottage Company
INTERIOR DESIGN Cottage Company Interiors
CUSTOM CABINETS Stillwater Custom Cabinetry
From the staircase lyrics etched with favorite Jimmy Buffett songs (they attended over 40 concerts with their father) to original artwork that tells the story of their dad’s life, this home is a celebration of him, the music he loved, and the family legacy that lives on.
Accessibility was important: an enclosed private tram system takes guests from the road to the cliffside home and down to the beach, designed with older family members and mobility in mind. This home was built for everyone to enjoy, today and for generations to come. There are 65 steps up and down to the home from the road.
Despite its smaller footprint of 1,648-square-feet, no detail was spared. This is a guest house that lives large, with cozy gathering spaces, thoughtful finishes, and layered textures that reflect the surrounding landscape. It’s a place to slow down, connect, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
A Private Tram System Connects the House to the Beach
Inside a Coastal-Style Living Room with Lake Michigan Views
What We Love About This Home
This beautifully designed cliff house shows in Michigan how a smaller footprint does not mean you have to sacrifice comfort or aesthetics We love how the precarious cliffside site, once considered unbuildable, was transformed into a peaceful retreat where every room captures its own water view. Personal touches throughout, from the Jimmy Buffett lyrics etched into the staircase to the enclosed tram offering accessible passage to the beach, make this home feel like a true family legacy.
Tell Us: What details in this cliffside retreat do you find most unique? Let us know in the Comments below!
Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other amazing home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of Michigan: Step inside this dreamy Michigan lake house with stunning coastal style and This stunning Northern Michigan lake house boasts epic views of Glen Lake.
A Screened Porch and Outdoor Kitchen Overlooking the Water
Above: On the porch overlooking the water, an outdoor kitchen by Kalamazoo Gourmet and St. Martin porch furniture by Palecek create a relaxed, tropical-inspired atmosphere.
A Navy and Brass Kitchen with Lake-Facing Windows
Above: The kitchen features Blue Star appliances in Midnight Blue and trimmed in brass. The exquisite cabinetry is by Stillwater Custom Cabinetry.
A Staircase with a Built-In Dog Nook
This staircase makes the most of every inch, including a charming built-in nook for the family dog. These under-stair design ideas show even more clever ways to use that often-overlooked space.
Coastal-Inspired Bedroom and Sitting Area
Spa-Style Bathroom with Marble and Brass Finishes
❤️ Would you like to save this?
We'll email this article to you, so you can read it later!
By saving, we'll email this post to you for later. Unsubscribe anytime.
PHOTOGRAPHER Jacqueline Southby
0 comments