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Houzz Tour: Contemporary Family Retreat on Lake Michigan
This home's design responds to views, topography and the surrounding woods
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
This home nestled in the woods on the shore of Lake Michigan serves as a second home for a couple with a lot of family in the area, and it has become a year-round retreat for family gatherings. This house was designed to be a part of the landscape, says project architect Pam Lamaster-Millett of Searl Lamaster Howe Architects. "This was accomplished by how the house sits in the site, the placement of windows and the position of walls for views."
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Algoma, Wisconsin
Size: Approximately 2,100 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Algoma, Wisconsin
Size: Approximately 2,100 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths
| The entryway provides a sneak peek at the home's views, as the windows provide an uninterrupted view from the front door through the house and out to the lake. Topography and existing trees influenced the design. "Trees helped define the floor plan," Lamaster-Millett says. "The couple walked the site and marked the important deciduous trees they wanted to save." The design was also influenced by homes in the area. "Historically, the area was an agricultural community with older farmhouses, mixed in with post-1950s split-level ranch houses," Lamaster-Millett says. The split-level ranch was used as a point of departure and addressed the sloped site, while simple lines and details were inspired by farmhouses. The stone wall in front came from a local quarry. |
Here you can see how the design uses a split-level ranch strategy to address the site's slope, taking advantage of views of the lake and the woods. The windows you see on the right are the master bedroom; on the left is the dining area. Two guest rooms and guest bathrooms are located below, providing a private zone for guests.
Textures and materials also relate to the greater context. The wood surrounding the small electric fireplace is from a barn in Texas. "We felt the reclaimed wood was appropriate for the main focal point of the living space, as an extension of the wooded site into the house, and a nod to the agricultural area of Algoma," Lamaster-Millett says.
The reclaimed barn wood also surrounds the refrigerator.The counters are Richlite, a sustainable material made of resin covered paper. "There was so much white in the house that we needed some contrast," says Lamaster-Millett. The long horizontal windows let in the light, let the line of cabinets continue uninterrupted, and provide a connection between the front porch picnic table and the kitchen.
FLOS Glo-ball pendant lights were a splurge, but Lamaster-Millett saved money by using cabinets from IKEA. She had the millworker who made the island provide them with proper bases, and added a valance for undercabinet lighting.
FLOS Glo-ball pendant lights were a splurge, but Lamaster-Millett saved money by using cabinets from IKEA. She had the millworker who made the island provide them with proper bases, and added a valance for undercabinet lighting.
Here's a view from the other side of the refrigerator surround. If you look closely, you can see how the kitchen lines up with the dining area across the room.
The high ceiling (it peaks at around 17 feet), open floor plan and white walls make this relatively small space feel much larger. The island, crafted by a millworker, separates the living room from the kitchen.
| The outdoors looks chilly in this picture, but the home is cozy and warm. The couple uses the lake house just as much in winter as in summer. Lamaster-Millett addressed the cold climate with sustainable solutions including geothermal heating and ultra-high-efficiency wall and roof construction. Radiant heat from the floors, ceiling fans and an electric fireplace keep things toasty. The room at the back of this image is the master bedroom. A step at the door helps emphasize its separation from the public areas of the home. |
| Because this relatively small house was designed to host large family gatherings, the contractor built an irregular-sized table to fit the space, and Lamaster-Millett designed a flip-up bench on one wall to save space. This bench helps define the dining space. |
"The master bedroom gets the perfect view that's all lake, and its placement on the corner of the house makes the plan flow and provides privacy," Lamaster-Millett says. In fact, the clients have nicknamed this room "the treehouse."
The 8-inch-thick sill at the base of the windows helps save space by providing a spot for books, lights, a clock, etc. without having to bring extra furniture into the small room.
"The extra pop-out enhances the feeling of floating in the trees," Lamaster-Millett says. The exposed beams, high ceiling and light color help the room feel bigger as well.
The 8-inch-thick sill at the base of the windows helps save space by providing a spot for books, lights, a clock, etc. without having to bring extra furniture into the small room.
"The extra pop-out enhances the feeling of floating in the trees," Lamaster-Millett says. The exposed beams, high ceiling and light color help the room feel bigger as well.
| Because it's on the main (upper) floor, the master bedroom has privacy from outside the house as well. In terms of balancing the overall budget, the spectacular windows are a permanent element that were well worth the investment. If you look over the windows, you'll notice a lighting system that Lamaster-Millett describes as "highlighting the ceiling in a soft glow." |
"The view back into the woods is almost as important as the lake view," Lamaster-Millett says.
One taking a soak gets the best of both worlds: woods on one side, the lake on the other. "We used large windows and the corner to break down the walls and expand the space," she says.
The upper-level placement provides privacy, and the operable windows can be opened to let out steam from the tub.
One taking a soak gets the best of both worlds: woods on one side, the lake on the other. "We used large windows and the corner to break down the walls and expand the space," she says.
The upper-level placement provides privacy, and the operable windows can be opened to let out steam from the tub.
| Here's a detail from over the front door. "This design came out of the functional, to provide cover from the snow without having to add a huge canopy element," Lamaster-Millett says. If you look back to the first image, you'll see that a line of trims continues from the overhang around the front of the house. As you scroll down further, you'll see how it relates to the beams in the master bedroom, giving a hint of what you'll see inside. "It goes back to a functional farmhouse aesthetic; like framing in a barn, it's beautiful because of how it functions," Lamaster-Millett says. This philosophy is an apt description for the entire home's design. More: Houzz Tour: Style and Surprise in the Hamptons Houzz Tour: A Modern Renovation in Seattle Houzz Tour: Open and Cozy Family Space 5 Fantastic Homes With a Treehouse Feel |
Comments
newmouse What a beautiful house. It looks like a great place to be in a snow storm - especially with heated floors.
18 months ago · Like
valpre Lovely home indeed! clever use of colour and such nice furniture and finishing touches.
18 months ago · Like
Judy Beautiful home. Cheeseheads, unite!
18 months ago · Like
texturedink I just wish there was MORE COLOR but a lovely house
18 months ago · Like
Dichotomy Interiors Who did the piece above the fireplace?
18 months ago · Like
Dichotomy Interiors Also, who was the interior designer/decorater? It doesn't appear Searle did the interior decor...It isn't in their portfolio at least...
18 months ago · Like
jeg700 700 Love the reclaimed barn wood used! Great grey colour instead of boring brown!
18 months ago · Like
hannahlogg To contemporary for me, looks cold, and no color
18 months ago · Like
beckyok I want to spend my winter in this house. The bedroom is amazing!
18 months ago · Like
susanlobdell Maybe one of the most unattractive exteriors I have ever seen. What were the architects thinking???
18 months ago · Like
kateskouros brrrrrrr!
18 months ago · Like
Dichotomy Interiors I agree that the exterior does not match the interior. It would have been nice to see some warmer wood tones as well. I do love the piece above the fireplace though!
18 months ago · Like
Becky Harris Personally I think the white used on the interior is what makes it look so much larger than it is, and makes a great backdrop for other textures to stand out against. I also really like the simplicity of the exterior and they way it responds to/references the context. But like I always say, to each his own; if we all liked the same things the world would be a very boring place. ;)
18 months ago · Like
connierogers I am sorry but to my eyes, this house is a very boring house. There is no life, no color, no interesting features. It is just not my taste.
18 months ago · Like
wandm Nicely done. I'd love to see the same photos in other seasons; wonderful views to see the changes throughout the year. Looks like a great place to gather year-round.
18 months ago · Like
anniebird looks just as cold on the inside as it does on the outside....
18 months ago · Like
Whitney F I do like the interior design/architecture, but with a palette of grey, black, and white, I wouldn't describe it as "warm and cozy". It would be interesting to see the same interior at the height of summer when everything outside is green.
18 months ago · Like
Maria Pedro Pinho Giríssima, gira, gira, gira..
7 weeks ago · Like
Ideabook published on Dec. 8, 2011.
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