We love it when a home becomes a family compound with wonderful history. That is exactly what this home on Mullet Lake is. The original cottage was built by our client’s father and enjoyed by the family for years. It finally came to the point that there was simply not enough room and it lacked some of the efficiencies and luxuries enjoyed in permanent residences. The cottage is utilized by several families and space was needed to allow for summer and holiday enjoyment. The focus was on creating additional space on the second level, increasing views of the lake, moving interior spaces and the need to increase the ceiling heights on the main level. All these changes led for the need to start over or at least keep what we could and add to it. The home had an excellent foundation, in more ways than one, so we started from there. It was important to our client to create a northern Michigan cottage using low maintenance exterior finishes. The interior look and feel moved to more timber beam with pine paneling to keep the warmth and appeal of our area. The home features 2 master suites, one on the main level and one on the 2nd level with a balcony. There are 4 additional bedrooms with one also serving as an office. The bunkroom provides plenty of sleeping space for the grandchildren. The great room has vaulted ceilings, plenty of seating and a stone fireplace with vast windows toward the lake. The kitchen and dining are open to each other and enjoy the view. The beach entry provides access to storage, the 3/4 bath, and laundry. The sunroom off the dining area is a great extension of the home with 180 degrees of view. This allows a wonderful morning escape to enjoy your coffee. The covered timber entry porch provides a direct view of the lake upon entering the home. The garage also features a timber bracketed shed roof system which adds wonderful detail to garage doors. The home’s footprint was extended in a few areas to allow for the interior spaces to work with the needs of the family. Plenty of living spaces for all to enjoy as well as bedrooms to rest their heads after a busy day on the lake. This will be enjoyed by generations to come.

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Bill Meyer Photography
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Photography by Andrea Rugg
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This project features our exclusive timber-frame style. Oversized posts, double header beam, knee braces and metal brackets create a substantial and sturdy look perfect for any home. Two different projections give the project even more dimension.

Humble and unassuming, this small cottage was built in 1960 for one of the children of the adjacent mansions. This well sited two bedroom cape is nestled into the landscape on a small brook. The owners a young couple with two little girls called us about expanding their screened porch to take advantage of this feature. The clients shifted their priorities when the existing roof began to leak and the area of the screened porch was deemed to require NJDEP review and approval. When asked to help with replacing the roof, we took a chance and sketched out the possibilities for expanding and reshaping the roof of the home while maintaining the existing ridge beam to create a master suite with private bathroom and walk in closet from the one large existing master bedroom and two additional bedrooms and a home office from the other bedroom. The design elements like deeper overhangs, the double brackets and the curving walls from the gable into the center shed roof help create an animated façade with shade and shadow. The house maintains its quiet presence on the block…it has a new sense of pride on the block as the AIA NJ NS Gold Medal Winner for design Excellence!

Detailing at central gable: Trio of windows with integral trimwork, horizontal banding with 'kingpost' trim, tongue and groove sheathing at roof overhang.

Example of a mid-sized country home design design in New York

A stunning center dormer with arched window and decorative wood brackets cap the entry to this extraordinary hillside estate. Exposed wood beams enhance the magnificent cathedral ceilings of the foyer, great room, dining room, master bedroom and screened porch, while ten-foot ceilings top the remainder of the first floor. The great room takes in scenic rear views through a wall of windows shared by the media/rec room. Fireplaces add warmth and ambience to the great room, media/rec room, screened porch and the master suite's study/sitting. The kitchen is complete with its center island cook-top, pantry and ample room for two or more cooks. A three-and-a-half-car garage allows space for storage or a golf cart.

Humble and unassuming, this small cottage was built in 1960 for one of the children of the adjacent mansions. This well sited two bedroom cape is nestled into the landscape on a small brook. The owners a young couple with two little girls called us about expanding their screened porch to take advantage of this feature. The clients shifted their priorities when the existing roof began to leak and the area of the screened porch was deemed to require NJDEP review and approval. When asked to help with replacing the roof, we took a chance and sketched out the possibilities for expanding and reshaping the roof of the home while maintaining the existing ridge beam to create a master suite with private bathroom and walk in closet from the one large existing master bedroom and two additional bedrooms and a home office from the other bedroom. The design elements like deeper overhangs, the double brackets and the curving walls from the gable into the center shed roof help create an animated façade with shade and shadow. The house maintains its quiet presence on the block…it has a new sense of pride on the block as the AIA NJ NS Gold Medal Winner for design Excellence!

Brian Radway, Photographer
Staircase - craftsman staircase idea in Milwaukee

A stunning center dormer with arched window and decorative wood brackets cap the entry to this extraordinary hillside estate. Exposed wood beams enhance the magnificent cathedral ceilings of the foyer, great room, dining room, master bedroom and screened porch, while ten-foot ceilings top the remainder of the first floor. The great room takes in scenic rear views through a wall of windows shared by the media/rec room. Fireplaces add warmth and ambience to the great room, media/rec room, screened porch and the master suite's study/sitting. The kitchen is complete with its center island cook-top, pantry and ample room for two or more cooks. A three-and-a-half-car garage allows space for storage or a golf cart.

The hammered copper sink has a coordinating copper faucet and sidespray...The backsplash under the window is of the same material as the countertop. The stone from the fireplace in the adjacent family room fireplace is introduced as wainscoting on the far walls.. Photography by Scott Metzger

Dan J. Heid
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Our clients wanted to downsize to a 2500 – 2800 square foot home. With grown children and one of them already retired, they wanted to design their final, forever home. Low maintenance exterior finishes with timeless detailing was important. They also wanted lots of windows to maximize the natural light and take advantage of their bird’s eye lake view. Another important design feature was sound dampening around all bathrooms, bedrooms, and floor systems to keep with the tranquil environment they were trying to create. They wanted open concept living with a master suite on the main floor and guest bedrooms for family visitors upstairs. The ample patio and yard space are also ideal for family gatherings and enjoying all that beautiful Northern Michigan has to offer.

Sub-Zero / Wolf stainless steel appliances compliment the kitchen design and their unique features help ease the duties of the home chef. Sub-Zero Wine Storage, Ice-Maker, and Refrigerator. Wolf Range, Microwave, and Warming Drawer. Photo by Gage Seaux