As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards For years, Jeff and Ellen Miller spent their vacations sailing in Northern Michigan—so they had plenty of time to check out which small harbor town they might like to retire to someday. When that time arrived several years ago, they looked at properties up and down the coast and along inland lakes. When they discovered a sweet piece on the outskirts of Boyne City that included waterfront and a buildable lot, with a garage on it, across the street, they knew they’d found home. The couple figured they could find plans for their dream lake cottage online. After all, they weren’t looking to build anything grandiose. Just a small-to-medium sized contemporary Craftsman. But after an unfruitful online search they gave up, frustrated. Every plan they found had the back of the house facing the water—they needed a blueprint for a home that fronted on the water. The Millers first met the woman, Stephanie Baldwin, Owner & President of Edgewater Design Group, who solved that issue and a number of others on the 2015 Northern Home & Cottage Petoskey Area Home Tour. Baldwin’s home that year was a smart, 2000-square cottage on Crooked Lake with simple lines and a Craftsman sensibility. That home proved to the couple that Edgewater Design Group is as proficient at small homes as the larger ones they are often known for. Edgewater Design Group did indeed come up with the perfect plan for the Millers. At 2400 square feet, the simple Craftsman with its 3 bedrooms, vaulted ceiling in the great room and upstairs deck is everything the Millers wanted—including the fact that construction stayed within their budget. An extra courtesy of working with the talented design team is a screened in porch facing the lake (“She told us, of course you have to have a screened in porch,” Ellen says. “And we love it!’) Edgewater’s other touches are more subtle. The Millers wanted to keep the garage, but the home needed to be sited on a small knoll some feet away in order to capture the views of Lake Charlevoix across the street. The solution is a covered walkway and steps that are so artful they enhance the home. Another favor Baldwin did for them was to connect them with Legacy Construction, a firm known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Miller home, outfitted with touches including custom molding, cherry cabinetry, a stunning custom range hood, built in shelving and custom vanities. A warm hickory floor and lovely earth-toned Craftsman-style color palette pull it all together, while a fireplace mantel hewn from a tree taken on the property rounds out this gracious lake cottage.

Example of a mid-sized transitional girl carpeted kids' room design in Phoenix with multicolored walls

Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in London

Photo: Michaela Dodd © 2015 Houzz
Eclectic kids' room photo in Austin

Pondless Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond. You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond. The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless! The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family.

Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in London

Prior to filling the pool with water. One of our favorite vinyl liner installations. This custom cut liner uses one of our favored liner patterns/colors.

The homeowners wanted to remove their lawn in favor of plants that use less water, and they wanted a natural but colorful front yard. Acacia created this by building a berm with several large boulders and inistalling plants native to California that will thrive with little water in their natural environment.

Oklahoma Pondless Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond. You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond. The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless! The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family.

The tub was eliminated in favor of a large walk-in shower featuring double shower heads, multiple shower sprays, a steam unit, two wall-mounted teak seats, a curbless glass enclosure and a minimal infinity drain. Additional floor space in the design allowed us to create a separate water closet. A pocket door replaces a standard door so as not to interfere with either the open shelving next to the vanity or the water closet entrance. We kept the location of the skylight and added a new window for additional light and views to the yard. We responded to the client’s wish for a modern industrial aesthetic by featuring a large metal-clad double vanity and shelving units, wood porcelain wall tile, and a white glass vanity top. Special features include an electric towel warmer, medicine cabinets with integrated lighting, and a heated floor. Industrial style pendants flank the mirrors, completing the symmetry. Photo: Peter Krupenye

This young couple was ready to make some changes to their master bedroom. They already laid a great foundation for me: beautiful wall color, carpet and trim. We just needed to update their furnishings and make this space feel more like them. They requested a bedroom that was more classic than trendy and a space that feels relaxing and spa-like. I started with the big pieces. I know they liked the light, upholstered bed look, which is awesome because I get so many clients who shy away from this option for fear of it getting dirty. Next up were the case pieces: dresser, night stands, high boy. I know a lot of designers who favor designing a bedroom with non-matching sets, but in this case, I thought opting for matching nightstands and dressers was the most classic choice and will stand the test of time best. They also a requested an area for the wive to do her make up and hair separate from the bathroom with ample light. I found a vanity, replaced the matching stool with an accent chair in a grey ikat print and used a pair of existing lamps. Extra seating is provided at the end of the bed on a tufted grey bench. The inverted pleat drapes are custom made with black out lining. Accessories and wall art were added to infuse personality and warm up the space.

Pondless Waterfalls allow you to enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond. The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. The Pondless Waterfall has made many Kentucky water-lovers who were previously unable to indulge in the sweet sounds of falling water, very happy. It’s a great alternative for those who are trying to get their feet wet, or looking to fit a little bit of paradise into their own backyard. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, then a Pondless Waterfall is perfect you! If you live in Kentucky (KY) Contact us to get started with your Pondless Waterfall design. Photos By H2O Designs Inc. Lexington Kentucky

The Denver is very practical, and designed for those who favor the open room concept. At over 2700 square feet, it has substantial living space. The living room and kitchen areas are perfect for gathering, and the generous screened in room completes the picture perfect main floor. The loft is open to below and includes a beautiful large master bedroom. With a cathedral ceiling and abundance of windows, this design lets in tons of light, enhancing the most spectacular views. www.timberblock.com

Bee Creek Photography
Dining room - contemporary dining room idea in Austin

Customer wanted to ditch their grass yard in favor of colorful native plants that would create a charming scene for friends and neighbors alike. They dreamed of a gathering space in their front yard that looked out over their native plantings, so we added a seating area with cafe lights and raised steel planters so that the plantings could be enjoyed while seated. Black star gravel was added for furniture and plant contrast, making them pop against the home and landscaping.

The combination of cherry and painted blue cabinets create a complimentary color palette. The waterfall counter on the island and matching counter on the range wall unify the space. Small back splash windows bring in natural light. The oversized subway tile blend the older style of the house with the owner's modern taste. John Tsantes

A coastal home loses its dark Tuscan roots in favor of a modern palette of blue and white. Wood floors anchor the living space, with white textured laminate cabinetry surrounds the space. A pop of bright blue frames in a stainless steel countertop around the professional cooktop and range hood. A hidden bar joins the kitchen and living space.

Escape to your private oasis in this exclusive, gated lakefront community. With its custom design and open concept layout, this 3-bed, 3.5-bath home embodies luxury and style. Enjoy breathtaking lake views from every corner and indulge in boating adventures with the covered boat dock. From the serene surroundings to the spacious living areas, this property is the epitome of a tranquil retreat. Embrace the favored lake life and experience unparalleled relaxation in this exquisite, custom-built haven.

Finding the Perfect Match Caribbean Blue Pools did a great job on this Franklin Lakes home, affectionately known as grandma’s house. Matching the existing stone on the house was challenging because the stone was no longer being quarried. This meant beginning the search for a similar stone that was still available. Ultimately using the experts at Braen Supply, a natural blend was selected to match the existing stone for the pool house as well as the focal point of the backyard, the fireplace. Perfecting the Details The details on this custom built fireplace, which include custom bluestone surrounds, bluestone chimney caps, and bluestone wall caps, were hand chiseled to enhance the look of the fireplace surrounds. Moss rock boulders and Kearney stone steps were chosen to help add natural beauty to the project. Norwegian Buff was an easy choice for the patio due to its favorable temperature and beauty around pool areas.