As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards In general, Bryan and Connie Rellinger loved the charm of the old cottage they purchased on a Crooked Lake peninsula, north of Petoskey. Specifically, however, the presence of a live-well in the kitchen (a huge cement basin with running water for keeping fish alive was right in the kitchen entryway, seriously), rickety staircase and green shag carpet, not so much. An extreme renovation was the only solution. The downside? The rebuild would have to fit into the smallish nonconforming footprint. The upside? That footprint was built when folks could place a building close enough to the water to feel like they could dive in from the house. Ahhh... Stephanie Baldwin of Edgewater Design helped the Rellingers come up with a timeless cottage design that breathes efficiency into every nook and cranny. It also expresses the synergy of Bryan, Connie and Stephanie, who emailed each other links to products they liked throughout the building process. That teamwork resulted in an interior that sports a young take on classic cottage. Highlights include a brass sink and light fixtures, coffered ceilings with wide beadboard planks, leathered granite kitchen counters and a way-cool floor made of American chestnut planks from an old barn. Thanks to an abundant use of windows that deliver a grand view of Crooked Lake, the home feels airy and much larger than it is. Bryan and Connie also love how well the layout functions for their family - especially when they are entertaining. The kids' bedrooms are off a large landing at the top of the stairs - roomy enough to double as an entertainment room. When the adults are enjoying cocktail hour or a dinner party downstairs, they can pull a sliding door across the kitchen/great room area to seal it off from the kids' ruckus upstairs (or vice versa!). From its gray-shingled dormers to its sweet white window boxes, this charmer on Crooked Lake is packed with ideas! - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Connie Anderson Photography
Large transitional u-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Houston with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Connie Anderson Photography
Small backyard concrete patio photo in Houston with a roof extension

Connie Anderson Photography
Example of a large mountain style u-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in Houston with a farmhouse sink, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards In general, Bryan and Connie Rellinger loved the charm of the old cottage they purchased on a Crooked Lake peninsula, north of Petoskey. Specifically, however, the presence of a live-well in the kitchen (a huge cement basin with running water for keeping fish alive was right in the kitchen entryway, seriously), rickety staircase and green shag carpet, not so much. An extreme renovation was the only solution. The downside? The rebuild would have to fit into the smallish nonconforming footprint. The upside? That footprint was built when folks could place a building close enough to the water to feel like they could dive in from the house. Ahhh... Stephanie Baldwin of Edgewater Design helped the Rellingers come up with a timeless cottage design that breathes efficiency into every nook and cranny. It also expresses the synergy of Bryan, Connie and Stephanie, who emailed each other links to products they liked throughout the building process. That teamwork resulted in an interior that sports a young take on classic cottage. Highlights include a brass sink and light fixtures, coffered ceilings with wide beadboard planks, leathered granite kitchen counters and a way-cool floor made of American chestnut planks from an old barn. Thanks to an abundant use of windows that deliver a grand view of Crooked Lake, the home feels airy and much larger than it is. Bryan and Connie also love how well the layout functions for their family - especially when they are entertaining. The kids' bedrooms are off a large landing at the top of the stairs - roomy enough to double as an entertainment room. When the adults are enjoying cocktail hour or a dinner party downstairs, they can pull a sliding door across the kitchen/great room area to seal it off from the kids' ruckus upstairs (or vice versa!). From its gray-shingled dormers to its sweet white window boxes, this charmer on Crooked Lake is packed with ideas! - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Connie Anderson Photography
Mid-sized transitional open concept light wood floor living room photo in Houston with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Connie Anderson Photography
Inspiration for a transitional open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Houston with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Connie Anderson Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless enclosed dark wood floor family room remodel in Houston with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Connie Anderson Photography
Example of a transitional freestanding desk light wood floor home office design in Houston with brown walls

Keith Scott Morton Photography Wendy Hollender (botanical artist) The breakfast area in this large white kitchen provides a colorful space for family dining. The colors in the Somak rug was used to influence the accent colors in the room. The custom plank top dining table can easily seat 8 for casual family meals.

Connie Anderson Photography
Bedroom - mid-sized modern guest dark wood floor bedroom idea in Houston with beige walls

ETHAN ALLEN custom furnishings, area rugs, window treatments and accents. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY http://www.houzz.com/pro/rosstaman/rvp-photography

Connie Anderson Photography Eklektik Interiors
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Houston with medium tone wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Keith Scott Morton Photography This first floor guest powder is papered with wine color grasscloth. The antique console is topped with antique Japanese prints in Bamboo gold frames. The roman shades are made of embroidered linen floral design.

ETHAN ALLEN ARCATA SOFA, EMERSON CHAIRS, PETRA WOOD FRAMED CHAIR, BEAM LARGE COFFEE TABLE AND SOFA TABLE, FREYA ROUND END TABLE, BRANCHES ACCENT TABLE, JASON MEDIA, DESMOND SHAG AREA RUG, CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS, LIGHTING AND ACCENTS. RVP PHOTOGRAPHY

Connie Anderson Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Houston with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, green backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Connie Anderson Photography
Example of a backyard brick patio kitchen design in Houston with a roof extension

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards In general, Bryan and Connie Rellinger loved the charm of the old cottage they purchased on a Crooked Lake peninsula, north of Petoskey. Specifically, however, the presence of a live-well in the kitchen (a huge cement basin with running water for keeping fish alive was right in the kitchen entryway, seriously), rickety staircase and green shag carpet, not so much. An extreme renovation was the only solution. The downside? The rebuild would have to fit into the smallish nonconforming footprint. The upside? That footprint was built when folks could place a building close enough to the water to feel like they could dive in from the house. Ahhh... Stephanie Baldwin of Edgewater Design helped the Rellingers come up with a timeless cottage design that breathes efficiency into every nook and cranny. It also expresses the synergy of Bryan, Connie and Stephanie, who emailed each other links to products they liked throughout the building process. That teamwork resulted in an interior that sports a young take on classic cottage. Highlights include a brass sink and light fixtures, coffered ceilings with wide beadboard planks, leathered granite kitchen counters and a way-cool floor made of American chestnut planks from an old barn. Thanks to an abundant use of windows that deliver a grand view of Crooked Lake, the home feels airy and much larger than it is. Bryan and Connie also love how well the layout functions for their family - especially when they are entertaining. The kids' bedrooms are off a large landing at the top of the stairs - roomy enough to double as an entertainment room. When the adults are enjoying cocktail hour or a dinner party downstairs, they can pull a sliding door across the kitchen/great room area to seal it off from the kids' ruckus upstairs (or vice versa!). From its gray-shingled dormers to its sweet white window boxes, this charmer on Crooked Lake is packed with ideas! - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2015 Houzz
Example of a country kitchen design in Portland