The Owners of a home that had been consumed by the moving dunes of Lake Michigan wanted a home that would not only stand the test of aesthetic time, but survive the vicissitudes of the environment. With the assistance of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as well as the consulting civil engineer and the City of Grand Haven Zoning Department, a soil stabilization site plan was developed based on raising the new home’s main floor elevation by almost three feet, implementing erosion studies, screen walls and planting indigenous, drought tolerant xeriscaping. The screen walls, as well as the low profile of the home and the use of sand trapping marrum beachgrass all help to create a wind shadow buffer around the home and reduce blowing sand erosion and accretion. The Owners wanted to minimize the stylistic baggage which consumes most “cottage” residences, and with the Architect created a home with simple lines focused on the view and the natural environment. Sustainable energy requirements on a budget directed the design decisions regarding the SIPs panel insulation, energy systems, roof shading, other insulation systems, lighting and detailing. Easily constructed and linear, the home harkens back to mid century modern pavilions with present day environmental sensitivities and harmony with the site. James Yochum

Fireplace, Cabinets with Shelves above, Double Sided Fireplace
Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in Seattle with a two-sided fireplace and a tile fireplace

Inspiration for a cottage gender-neutral medium tone wood floor kids' room remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Family room - country light wood floor and beige floor family room idea in Austin with a bar, white walls and a corner fireplace

Barry Grossman Photography
Trendy master carpeted bedroom photo in Miami with no fireplace and gray walls

The original kitchen was reconfigured allowing for a large dining area, suitable for children's projects as well. Custom cabinets were installed. Features include a breakfast counter, sprayed conversion lacquer coating and Caesar Stone counter tops with a waterfall edge. All new trims, baseboards, doors, modern lighting and heated, du chateau floors were installed. Bruce Damonte Photography

David Durbak, Durbak Photography,
Study room - transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor study room idea in Miami with beige walls

Lake Front Country Estate Living Room, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.
Inspiration for a timeless formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Farmhouse exterior home photo in San Francisco

Family room - mid-sized coastal open concept gray floor and light wood floor family room idea in Orange County with white walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Roehner and Ryan
Living room - mid-sized contemporary open concept travertine floor and beige floor living room idea in Phoenix with gray walls, a wall-mounted tv and a ribbon fireplace

Mid-sized farmhouse mudroom photo in San Francisco with beige walls

Trendy gender-neutral carpeted and gray floor kids' room photo in Chicago with white walls

Ryan Garvin
Trendy 3/4 gray tile and glass tile medium tone wood floor and brown floor bathroom photo in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Remodel by CSI Kitchen & Bath Studio. Photography by Kurtis Miller Photography.
Example of a country medium tone wood floor living room design in Atlanta with gray walls, no fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a stone fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Salt Lake City with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2014 Houzz
Example of a classic gender-neutral medium tone wood floor kids' room design in Dallas with beige walls

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional gender-neutral carpeted and beige floor kids' room remodel in Burlington with white walls

The kitchen in this DC Ranch custom built home by Century Custom Homes flows into the family room, which features an amazing modern wet bar designed in conjunction with VM Concept Interiors of Scottsdale, AZ.