Given the charming, nostalgic and pure architectural imagery of the place, it was decided that restraint should govern the design process in order to assure that the patina of time was not lost. The goal of the project was therefore to "respect, restore, and revive" while avoiding the appearance that "an architect had hit it." Indeed, the most prominent "new" design contribution to the cottage was in re-screening the front porch and the addition of a new decorative screen door simply reflecting the small diamond window in the attic gable. Out back, a severely dilapidated 12-foot by 18-foot boat shed was renovated and adaptively converted into a guest "bunkie" maintaining as much original material as possible. A vernacular raised-bed herb, vegetable, and flower garden was added as an organizing element to the outbuildings. All work was done in a manner that avoided artificial perfection, while enhancing the casual unpretentious atmosphere of a weekend fishing retreat.