View from foyer to living. The wood wall is the backside of the cook wall in the kitchen. Lee Grider Photography - http://lgp.pixpawebsites.com/#/?i=413

Situated on the edge of New Hampshire’s beautiful Lake Sunapee, this Craftsman-style shingle lake house peeks out from the towering pine trees that surround it. When the clients approached Cummings Architects, the lot consisted of 3 run-down buildings. The challenge was to create something that enhanced the property without overshadowing the landscape, while adhering to the strict zoning regulations that come with waterfront construction. The result is a design that encompassed all of the clients’ dreams and blends seamlessly into the gorgeous, forested lake-shore, as if the property was meant to have this house all along. The ground floor of the main house is a spacious open concept that flows out to the stone patio area with fire pit. Wood flooring and natural fir bead-board ceilings pay homage to the trees and rugged landscape that surround the home. The gorgeous views are also captured in the upstairs living areas and third floor tower deck. The carriage house structure holds a cozy guest space with additional lake views, so that extended family and friends can all enjoy this vacation retreat together. Photo by Eric Roth

An open floor plan with high ceilings and large windows adds to the contemporary style of this home. The view to the outdoors creates a direct connection to the homes outdoor living spaces and the lake beyond. Photo by Jacob Bodkin. Architecture by James LaRue Architects.

Mountain style exterior home photo in New York

Sunroom - contemporary dark wood floor and brown floor sunroom idea in New York with a glass ceiling

Mike Kelley
Bedroom - mid-sized contemporary master dark wood floor bedroom idea in Los Angeles with beige walls and no fireplace

Great room - mid-sized contemporary medium tone wood floor great room idea in Denver with white walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic living room remodel with a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a contemporary dark wood floor living room remodel in New York with white walls and a standard fireplace

Design by Brehm Architects http://brehmarchitects.com/projects/houses/?id=02Michigan_Shores

Inspiration for a timeless dark wood floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Los Angeles

Example of a farmhouse white two-story gable roof design in Minneapolis with a shingle roof

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal formal medium tone wood floor family room remodel in Portland Maine with yellow walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

limestone steps, cut stone retaining walls, lake view
Photo of a small contemporary partial sun hillside stone landscaping in Kansas City.

Beach style wood exterior home photo in Burlington

This project was a Guest House for a long time Battle Associates Client. Smaller, smaller, smaller the owners kept saying about the guest cottage right on the water's edge. The result was an intimate, almost diminutive, two bedroom cottage for extended family visitors. White beadboard interiors and natural wood structure keep the house light and airy. The fold-away door to the screen porch allows the space to flow beautifully. Photographer: Nancy Belluscio

Example of a mountain style open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room library design with a wall-mounted tv, a ribbon fireplace and green walls

We designed this 3,162 square foot home for empty-nesters who love lake life. Functionally, the home accommodates multiple generations. Elderly in-laws stay for prolonged periods, and the homeowners are thinking ahead to their own aging in place. This required two master suites on the first floor. Accommodations were made for visiting children upstairs. Aside from the functional needs of the occupants, our clients desired a home which maximizes indoor connection to the lake, provides covered outdoor living, and is conducive to entertaining. Our concept celebrates the natural surroundings through materials, views, daylighting, and building massing. We placed all main public living areas along the rear of the house to capitalize on the lake views while efficiently stacking the bedrooms and bathrooms in a two-story side wing. Secondary support spaces are integrated across the front of the house with the dramatic foyer. The front elevation, with painted green and natural wood siding and soffits, blends harmoniously with wooded surroundings. The lines and contrasting colors of the light granite wall and silver roofline draws attention toward the entry and through the house to the real focus: the water. The one-story roof over the garage and support spaces takes flight at the entry, wraps the two-story wing, turns, and soars again toward the lake as it approaches the rear patio. The granite wall extending from the entry through the interior living space is mirrored along the opposite end of the rear covered patio. These granite bookends direct focus to the lake.

Rustic two-story wood exterior home idea in San Francisco