This client came to us on recommendation from their designer after their family cottage burned down. For years this had been the place where they gathered to spend time together, so the loss was devastating. Rather than dwell on what was gone, they decided to treat it as a chance to start fresh and build something the whole family could enjoy for years to come.

With several grown children and families of their own, giving each member a space to call their own was a top priority. A three-story cottage was built with enough bedrooms and bathrooms for the entire family to feel at home.

The main floor brings the kitchen, dining area, and living room together into one large, open space, so the family can stay connected even while hosting or preparing meals. A finished basement adds a second gathering area, giving everyone room to spread out without losing that sense of togetherness.

Since the property sits on the lake, good views and easy access to the outdoors mattered just as much as the layout. Lofted ceilings on the main floor make room for large windows that flood the space with natural light and open up unobstructed views of the water. A large deck extends that connection further, giving the family a place to gather outside as easily as they do in.

The new space is more than an expanded footprint with additional room; it’s a place built for time with family and making memories together.