Lakeshore cottage

On the wooded shores of Lake Michigan, this property has been a summer refuge for one family since the 1950s. What began with tents pitched among the trees evolved into a modest screened-in shelter in the 1960s. Years later, an addition by German architect Christoph Melchers gave the cottage its distinctive mid-century modern character.

As the family grew, so did the need to thoughtfully renew the house – updating aging systems, reworking key interior spaces, and expanding gathering areas while preserving the spirit of the original design.

The renovation focused on the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and office, along with a careful extension of the great room to better accommodate large family gatherings.

New glulam beams span the expanded space, opening it from front to back and framing views of the surrounding woods and the lake beyond. Generous new windows strengthen that connection to the landscape, while a wood stove adds warmth and resilience during Michigan’s severe winters.

Materials were chosen to complement the existing mid-century aesthetic. A new cork floor brings softness and durability to the great room. Existing furnishings were refreshed with new upholstery rather than replaced. A custom, illuminated alcove was designed to display family heirlooms, celebrating the home’s layered history. Even the smallest spaces, such as the guest bath, were carefully detailed with considered materials and lighting.

An expanded wraparound deck creates a series of outdoor rooms – places for conversation, reflection, and long summer evenings under the trees.

The result is not a reinvention, but a continuation: a beloved cottage renewed with care, ready to serve the family for generations to come.