Search results for "Second generation" in Home Design Ideas

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom.
- Jacqueline Southby Photography

Welcome to the Shasta plan at Revere - a two-story home boasting 3,457 square feet and an array of customizable options to suit your lifestyle. The covered entry porch, framed by split garages, leads you to a large tiled entry that offers access to the centrally located family room, the upstairs, or the standard dining room.
This home offers flexibility with its optional configurations. The dining room can be transformed into a multi-generational residence featuring a dedicated living room, bedroom, bathroom, and private entry, or it can serve as a dedicated media room and private home office.
At the heart of the home, the kitchen is equipped with an in-island sink and dishwasher, a five-burner stove, and abundant storage with a walk-in pantry and a separate Butler’s pantry. Adjacent to the kitchen is a spacious breakfast nook filled with natural light from the numerous windows and a slider leading to the covered patio. The first-floor owner’s suite, which also has access to the patio, is designed for luxury with an expansive walk-in closet, soaking tub, dual vanities, and a coffered ceiling.
The upstairs is designed for family living, featuring a relaxing loft area, three or four secondary bedrooms, and a well-equipped laundry room. The second floor comes standard with a bonus room, two bedrooms with walk-in closets, and a covered balcony. The fourth bedroom’s standard en-suite bathroom can be optioned as a shared Jack-and-Jill bathroom when the fifth bedroom is selected. The Shasta plan at Revere allows you to live large and tailor your home to your unique needs.

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom.
- Jacqueline Southby Photography
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Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom.
- Jacqueline Southby Photography

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.

In coming to Minnesota from Iceland, the owners of Home 4 found themselves more than 3,000 miles away from home, hoping to build something new – literally and figuratively – that would feel like home for their family of five. They purchased a scenic piece of land in Rochester and identified a general idea of the spaces they would need, but they struggled with how to define a sense of character that would incorporate their culture and identity into the design. The architect-led design team was tasked with creating a house that would help establish the homeowners’ roots in a new country while still recalling familiar comforts of their heritage.
The result is a warm family home that combines elements of Nordic design with a touch of American farmhouse aesthetic. Gracious proportions, custom woodworking, and cheerful details create a welcoming atmosphere, while modern conveniences like a large mudroom and second-floor laundry help day-to-day life feel easy.
Around each corner, a new detail greets the eye, from the Lundie-inspired column at the staircase, to the double-heart detail inscribed in the woodwork, to the custom table designed for the breakfast nook. Each element is lovely individually, but experiencing the holistic effect as the details intentionally pair and play together helps to craft a house that feels like home.
Most important, the homeowners’ history, heritage, and hopes are melded together into a home that represents their family. Each unique element and carefully considered material combine to form a house that feels as if it could have belonged to this family for generations, even though it is brand new.

Welcome to the Shasta plan at Revere - a two-story home boasting 3,457 square feet and an array of customizable options to suit your lifestyle. The covered entry porch, framed by split garages, leads you to a large tiled entry that offers access to the centrally located family room, the upstairs, or the standard dining room.
This home offers flexibility with its optional configurations. The dining room can be transformed into a multi-generational residence featuring a dedicated living room, bedroom, bathroom, and private entry, or it can serve as a dedicated media room and private home office.
At the heart of the home, the kitchen is equipped with an in-island sink and dishwasher, a five-burner stove, and abundant storage with a walk-in pantry and a separate Butler’s pantry. Adjacent to the kitchen is a spacious breakfast nook filled with natural light from the numerous windows and a slider leading to the covered patio. The first-floor owner’s suite, which also has access to the patio, is designed for luxury with an expansive walk-in closet, soaking tub, dual vanities, and a coffered ceiling.
The upstairs is designed for family living, featuring a relaxing loft area, three or four secondary bedrooms, and a well-equipped laundry room. The second floor comes standard with a bonus room, two bedrooms with walk-in closets, and a covered balcony. The fourth bedroom’s standard en-suite bathroom can be optioned as a shared Jack-and-Jill bathroom when the fifth bedroom is selected. The Shasta plan at Revere allows you to live large and tailor your home to your unique needs.

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.

At the outset, this project began with the transformation of a 2-car attached garage. The goal was to create a mudroom, an exercise room, and a breezeway to seamlessly connect the spacious detached garage with the main part of the house. Additionally, the project involved partial roof removal and the addition of a new front entry.
But then came an unexpected twist – scope creep.
We found ourselves veering away from the initial client-supplied architectural plans. After numerous consultations with the clients and several iterations of the design, we arrived at a significantly improved plan for the remodel and addition.
Our journey commenced with the demolition of almost the entire former 2-car garage, making space for a new, oversized 3-car garage measuring 40′ x 28′. This garage was strategically placed between the existing house and the large detached garage. We introduced a custom low-sloped flat roof, designed to address historical drainage issues.
To mitigate water pooling, we created a custom concrete step at the back corner of the garage, equipped with a sturdy metal grate that sits flush with the step. We also installed a PVC drainage system, commencing at the step and running beneath a newly designed patio, ultimately draining into the yard. These measures have significantly reduced water accumulation around the house.
The new garage boasts several features, including Longboard aluminum siding, custom full glass garage doors, interior drywall finished to a level 4, an abundance of can lights, an epoxy floor coating, vinyl base trim, a new forced air garage heater, and more.
The clients also requested a designated space for their three kids and their friends to enjoy, thus giving birth to the “Kid Zone.” We partitioned a section of the existing oversized garage, resulting in a space measuring approximately 22′ x 32′, brimming with entertainment possibilities. To enhance control over the temperature in the Kid Zone, we collaborated with our licensed HVAC partner to install a cold weather mini-split system.
One of the most significant challenges was the modernization and consolidation of the home’s main electrical systems. We reconfigured and combined 6-7 different electrical panels into just two. One panel serves the main house, while the second is dedicated to backup power from a generator. These panels, along with the boiler for the in-floor heating system, are housed in a newly constructed mechanical room within the Kid Zone.
Inside the main house, we completed various tasks, such as removing the ceiling in the hallway from the new garage to address prior water damage, improve insulation, and rework electrical and HVAC systems. We also replaced the ceiling from the front door to the base of the stairs, adding new can lighting and enhancing insulation. Skilled drywall specialists then installed and finished new drywall to a level 5 standard.
The exterior of the house underwent a complete overhaul. Before installing new roofing on the entire house and garage, we modified an existing flat roof by adding custom lumber and plywood to enhance the pitch, preventing future ice dams. A new rubber roof was expertly installed on the oversized 3-car garage, and the flat roof section we re-framed.
Our meticulous exterior team removed old white aluminum soffit, fascia, and gutters, replacing them with new framing to accommodate Longboard soffit material. This task was particularly challenging due to the age of the house and the non-standard wall and roof framing. Our skilled exterior subcontractors ensured a perfect fit.
Near the pool area, we discovered severe rot and decay from years of water intrusion. After informing the homeowners, we ordered and installed five new commercial-style block framed windows and a custom 8′ high Anderson patio door. This involved careful removal and replacement of window headers from the outside to avoid disturbing the finished part of the house. We reframed the large openings to fit the new windows, and our skilled trim carpenters installed new walnut casing, base, and window sills.
In total, we replaced around 900 lineal feet of soffit and installed approximately 32 squares of aluminum siding. The entire house was meticulously prepped, repaired, and painted according to the client’s chosen color.
Throughout the project, we incorporated numerous custom touches and unique design elements, some of which you can see in the pictures. Our team also addressed various unforeseen challenges, from soil issues to rot and decay repair, roof leaks, drainage problems, electrical and HVAC complexities, and much more.
At Xpand Inc., we take pride in making it all happen, turning your remodeling and renovation dreams into reality.

"About this Home: Upon entering, the grandeur of the home is immediately apparent, with 15' vaulted ceilings gracing the main living areas and a barrer ceiling in the foyer, creating an atmosphere of openness and airiness. The living space, adorned with cedar beams and a gas fireplace, flows effortlessly into the dining area, which opens to a covered back deck overlooking a large private yard—an ideal canvas for creating an outdoor oasis, perhaps with a pool and pool house.
The heart of this home is undoubtedly the meticulously designed kitchen. A culinary haven, it boasts Jenn Air appliances, custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a striking custom hood. Every detail was considered to provide both functionality and aesthetic pleasure. The site-finished hardwood floors underfoot enhance the overall sense of refinement.
The master suite, located on the main level, is a sanctuary of indulgence. The oversized bedroom leads to a spa-like master bathroom featuring a freestanding tub, an oversized shower with dual shower heads, and opulent finishes throughout. Ascending to the second level, you'll find a large en-suite bedroom and two additional bedrooms sharing a Jack & Jill bathroom, ensuring privacy and comfort for all residents.
Beyond the impeccable interior, the home is framed by a generous lot size of 0.7 acres, offering the potential to create a private retreat within the city. The vision for this home was not just to provide shelter but to curate a lifestyle—a life filled with refined comfort, entertaining possibilities, and an enduring sense of home. As the builder, we are proud to present a residence where every detail has been thoughtfully considered, resulting in a timeless masterpiece that will be cherished for generations to come.
Showcase Builders is a member of the Certified Luxury Builders Network.
Certified Luxury Builders is a network of leading custom home builders and luxury home and condo remodelers who create 5-Star experiences for luxury home and condo owners from New York to Los Angeles and Boston to Naples.
As a Certified Luxury Builder, Showcase is proud to feature photos of select projects from our members around the country to inspire you with design ideas. Please feel free to contact the specific Certified Luxury Builder with any questions or inquiries you may have about their projects. Please visit www.CLBNetwork.com for a directory of CLB members featured on Houzz and their contact information."

Rare, newly constructed 5 bedroom, 5½ bath townhome with private yard in downtown Hoboken. Thoughtfully designed to maximize all 4,000 square feet of living space, the open plan living areas and well-proportioned bedrooms are a perfect match for the urban family. Open to both living and dining areas, the professional chef’s kitchen features a Thermador appliance package with 48” gas range and wine refrigeration, timeless cabinetry and sprawling island with breakfast bar seating for 6. Relaxing second floor master retreat is replete with dressing hall, spa bath and private terrace. A private guest or au pair suite and expansive media room with NYC views complete the top floor. Lovely landscaped SynLawn yard, laundry center with full size washer and dryer, garden level storage, oversized Marvin windows, wide-plank hardwood floors, generous closet space, 3 zone HVAC and natural gas back-up generator. Conveniently located near parking, parks, schools and all NYC transportation. Flexibility to add a 6th bedroom and bathroom and 10 year new home warranty.

Context
Norbert and Robin had dreamed of retiring in a Passive House-certified home overlooking the Lubberland Creek Preserve in Southeastern New Hampshire, and they’d done their homework. They were interested in using four integrated Zehnder America (www.zehnderamerica.com) technologies to make the 1,900 square foot home extremely energy efficient.
They didn’t miss any opportunity to innovate or raise the bar on sustainable design. Our goals were focused on guaranteeing their comfort in every season, saving them money on a fixed income, and reducing the home’s overall impact on the environment as much as possible.
Response
The home faces directly south and captures sunlight all winter under tall and vaulted ceilings and a continuous band of slim-lined, Italian triple-pane windows and doors that provide gorgeous views of the wild preserve. A second-story office nook and clerestory provide even deeper views, with a little more privacy.
Zehnder, which previously sold its innovative products only in Europe, took on the project as a test house. We designed around Zehnder’s vent-based systems, including a geothermal heat loop that heats and cools incoming air, a heat pump cooling system, electric towel-warmer radiators in the bathrooms, and a highly efficient energy recovery ventilator, which recycles heat and minimizes the need for air conditioning. The house effectively has no conventional heating system—and doesn’t need it. We also looked for efficiencies and smart solutions everywhere, from the lights to the windows to the insulation.
The kitchen exhaust hood eliminates, cleans, and recirculates cooking fumes in the home’s unique kitchen, custom-designed to match the ways Norbert likes to prepare meals. There are several countertop heights so they can prep and clean comfortably, and the eat-in kitchen also has two seating heights so people can sit and socialize while they’re working on dinner. An adjacent screened porch greets guests and opens to the view.
A roof-mounted solar system helps to ensure that the home generates more energy than it consumes—helped by features such as a heat pump water heater, superinsulation, LED lights and a polished concrete floor that helps regulate indoor temperatures.
Photo credit Chris Smith

Our Ann Arbor, Michigan clients came to the Rochman Design Build team with a request that we turn their simple ranch house into a multi generation home, transforming this traditional ranch into a contemporary 2-story home. Our team enlarged the existing garage and living room, added a new family room on the first floor, a new formal entry and mudroom, renovated the existing 1st-floor en-suite, and added a modern stair tower to the 2nd-floor. The new 2nd-floor now has 4 bedrooms including a master suite, and 2 home offices. For this project, Rochman Design Build partnered with PJ Mehaffey of Alchemy Eclectic in Brooklyn NY for the Interior Design & Decor.

Located in a neighborhood characterized by traditional bungalow style single-family residences, Orange Grove is a new landmark for the City of West Hollywood. The building is sensitively designed and compatible with the neighborhood, but differs in material palette and scale from its neighbors. Referencing architectural conventions of modernism rather than the pitched roof forms of traditional domesticity, the project presents a characteristic that is consistent with the eclectic and often unconventional demographic of West Hollywood. Distinct from neighboring structures, the building creates a strong relationship to the street by virtue of its large amount of highly usable balcony area in the front façade.
While there are dramatic and larger scale elements that define the building, it is also broken down into comprehensible human scale parts, and is itself broken down into two different buildings. Orange Grove displays a similar kind of iconoclasm as the Schindler House, an icon of California modernism, located a short distance away. Like the Schindler House, the conventional architectural elements of windows and porches become part of an abstract sculptural ensemble. At the Schindler House, windows are found in the gaps between structural concrete wall panels. At Orange Grove, windows are inserted in gaps between different sections of the building.
The design of Orange Grove is generated by a subtle balance of tensions. Building volumes and the placement of windows, doors and balconies are not static but rather constitute an active three-dimensional composition in motion. Each piece of the building is a strong and clearly defined shape, such as the corrugated metal surround that encloses the second story balcony in the east and north facades. Another example of this clear delineation is the use of two square profile balcony surrounds in the front façade that set up a dialogue between them—one is small, the other large, one is open at the front, the other is veiled with stainless steel slats. At the same time each balcony is balanced and related to other elements in the building, the smaller one to the driveway gate below and the other to the roll-up door and first floor balcony. Each building element is intended to read as an abstract form in itself—such as a window becoming a slit or windows becoming a framed box, while also becoming part of a larger whole. Although this building may not mirror the status quo it answers to the desires of consumers in a burgeoning niche market who want large, simple interior volumes of space, and a paradigm based on space, light and industrial materials of the loft rather than the bungalow.

Welcome to the Shasta plan at Revere - a two-story home boasting 3,457 square feet and an array of customizable options to suit your lifestyle. The covered entry porch, framed by split garages, leads you to a large tiled entry that offers access to the centrally located family room, the upstairs, or the standard dining room.
This home offers flexibility with its optional configurations. The dining room can be transformed into a multi-generational residence featuring a dedicated living room, bedroom, bathroom, and private entry, or it can serve as a dedicated media room and private home office.
At the heart of the home, the kitchen is equipped with an in-island sink and dishwasher, a five-burner stove, and abundant storage with a walk-in pantry and a separate Butler’s pantry. Adjacent to the kitchen is a spacious breakfast nook filled with natural light from the numerous windows and a slider leading to the covered patio. The first-floor owner’s suite, which also has access to the patio, is designed for luxury with an expansive walk-in closet, soaking tub, dual vanities, and a coffered ceiling.
The upstairs is designed for family living, featuring a relaxing loft area, three or four secondary bedrooms, and a well-equipped laundry room. The second floor comes standard with a bonus room, two bedrooms with walk-in closets, and a covered balcony. The fourth bedroom’s standard en-suite bathroom can be optioned as a shared Jack-and-Jill bathroom when the fifth bedroom is selected. The Shasta plan at Revere allows you to live large and tailor your home to your unique needs.

Santa Monica Modern is a stunning single family residence perched atop a hill overlooking Santa Monica Bay. Featuring All Weather custom aluminum windows and doors throughout, this gorgeous project was a recipient of a 2024 AIA Los Angeles Residential Architecture Award, which exemplifies the highest standards of design excellence, creative execution, and transformative impact on urban landscapes.
Designed by Dimster Architecture, the 3 bedroom, 5 bath, 3,550 sq. ft. Santa Monica Modern residence sits on a 7,200 sq. ft. corner lot and stands out for its meticulous attention to detail and elegant curvature of its designs. An L-shaped scheme maximizes privacy towards the streets while exposing the interior to the garden and afternoon sun, encouraging indoor/outdoor living. The building mass is divided between two separate structures and is both articulated and accentuated with curved carvings.
The sunken living room features 10-foot tall All Weather Series 8100 multi slide doors in stacking and pocketing configurations on two sides for a pavilion feeling and serves as both passive cooling and a direct connection to the yard and pool. By combining the kitchen, dining room and den, the home offers flexible spaces for entertaining, meditation, work and hobbies and the potential for future multi-generational living.
A simple stair, concealed behind an open screen, leads to the second floor. The master suite spans the building’s width, while other bedrooms enjoy unique treetop views and expansive daylighting with All Weather Series 6000 operable and fixed windows.
Throughout the house, a cohesive and calming palette of materials and textures, the natural wood siding, and the beige concrete block wall adds an unconventional element and completes the concept.

Handsome 22 foot wide Bloomfield Street home perfect for today’s urban family. With a distinctive mansard roof and restored brick facade, this 4 story, 4 bedroom, 3½ bathroom home has undergone a complete renovation. The parlor floor features an open, airy layout with custom chef’s kitchen featuring quartz counters, classic white cabinets, top of the line Thermador appliance package and access to a low-maintenance landscaped yard. Master suite features dressing room, sitting area and en suite spa bath. Additional bedroom and office alcove complete the second floor. The top floor features 2 additional bedrooms each with custom en suite baths, generous closets and with soaring ceilings. Garden level playroom/media room features hot water radiant heated floors, oversized wood porcelain tile and full height ceilings. Wide plank white oak flooring, designer lighting, dual zone heating and cooling, full size laundry, custom Marvin windows and roof mounted backup generator. Private garage parking available for rent 1 block away.

Located in a neighborhood characterized by traditional bungalow style single-family residences, Orange Grove is a new landmark for the City of West Hollywood. The building is sensitively designed and compatible with the neighborhood, but differs in material palette and scale from its neighbors. Referencing architectural conventions of modernism rather than the pitched roof forms of traditional domesticity, the project presents a characteristic that is consistent with the eclectic and often unconventional demographic of West Hollywood. Distinct from neighboring structures, the building creates a strong relationship to the street by virtue of its large amount of highly usable balcony area in the front façade.
While there are dramatic and larger scale elements that define the building, it is also broken down into comprehensible human scale parts, and is itself broken down into two different buildings. Orange Grove displays a similar kind of iconoclasm as the Schindler House, an icon of California modernism, located a short distance away. Like the Schindler House, the conventional architectural elements of windows and porches become part of an abstract sculptural ensemble. At the Schindler House, windows are found in the gaps between structural concrete wall panels. At Orange Grove, windows are inserted in gaps between different sections of the building.
The design of Orange Grove is generated by a subtle balance of tensions. Building volumes and the placement of windows, doors and balconies are not static but rather constitute an active three-dimensional composition in motion. Each piece of the building is a strong and clearly defined shape, such as the corrugated metal surround that encloses the second story balcony in the east and north facades. Another example of this clear delineation is the use of two square profile balcony surrounds in the front façade that set up a dialogue between them—one is small, the other large, one is open at the front, the other is veiled with stainless steel slats. At the same time each balcony is balanced and related to other elements in the building, the smaller one to the driveway gate below and the other to the roll-up door and first floor balcony. Each building element is intended to read as an abstract form in itself—such as a window becoming a slit or windows becoming a framed box, while also becoming part of a larger whole. Although this building may not mirror the status quo it answers to the desires of consumers in a burgeoning niche market who want large, simple interior volumes of space, and a paradigm based on space, light and industrial materials of the loft rather than the bungalow.

Welcome to Sand Dollar, a grand five bedroom, five and a half bathroom family home the wonderful beachfront, marina based community of Palm Cay. On a double lot, the main house, pool, pool house, guest cottage with three car garage make an impressive homestead, perfect for a large family. Built to the highest specifications, Sand Dollar features a Bermuda roof, hurricane impact doors and windows, plantation shutters, travertine, marble and hardwood floors, high ceilings, a generator, water holding tank, and high efficiency central AC.
The grand entryway is flanked by formal living and dining rooms, and overlooking the pool is the custom built gourmet kitchen and spacious open plan dining and living areas. Granite counters, dual islands, an abundance of storage space, high end appliances including a Wolf double oven, Sub Zero fridge, and a built in Miele coffee maker, make this a chef’s dream kitchen.
On the second floor there are five bedrooms, four of which are en suite. The large master leads on to a 12’ covered balcony with balmy breezes, stunning marina views, and partial ocean views. The master bathroom is spectacular, with marble floors, a Jacuzzi tub and his and hers spa shower with body jets and dual rain shower heads. A large cedar lined walk in closet completes the master suite.
On the third floor is the finished attic currently houses a gym, but with it’s full bathroom, can be used for guests, as an office, den, playroom or media room.
Fully landscaped with an enclosed yard, sparkling pool and inviting hot tub, outdoor bar and grill, Sand Dollar is a great house for entertaining, the large covered patio and deck providing shade and space for easy outdoor living. A three car garage and is topped by a one bed, one bath guest cottage, perfect for in laws, caretakers or guests.
Located in Palm Cay, Sand Dollar is perfect for family fun in the sun! Steps from a gorgeous sandy beach, and all the amenities Palm Cay has to offer, including the world class full service marina, water sports, gym, spa, tennis courts, playground, pools, restaurant, coffee shop and bar. Offered unfurnished.

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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