Cottage Refresh
A humble cottage-style home in an established neighborhood needed an update to match its serene lakefront surroundings just blocks up the street. Built in 1887, what this house lacked in functionality, it made up for in character. We set out to tackle this cottage refresh by re-working the space to combine the home’s classically charming style with a timelessly practical floor plan.
Cottage Refresh
A humble cottage-style home in an established neighborhood needed an update to match its serene lakefront surroundings just blocks up the street. Built in 1887, what this house lacked in functionality, it made up for in character. We set out to tackle this cottage refresh by re-working the space to combine the home’s classically charming style with a timelessly practical floor plan.
The home’s unique rooflines were intentionally maintained to preserve the massing and character of the exterior. Retaining the quirky roof proportions kept the house grounded in the neighborhood both in scale and style. By reusing the bones of the house and reimagining the interior space, the design focused on improving the layout and flow without sacrificing originality.
With their idea of home focused on modest living, the owners envisioned their renovated space being a backdrop for their family to settle long-term. Because of this, the functionality of the living space was key. Merging the existing front porch into the family room doubled that space, and the front entrance of the house was moved to allow the living room to serve as a gathering area rather than a walkway. A modest addition and relocation of the kitchen made the space both significantly larger and a central feature of the home. The improved kitchen is now equipped with a large island for food prep and extra seating. The original kitchen was then converted into a main level bathroom to further accommodate entertaining.
As an extension of the modest living philosophy, the cottage refresh design also meets any future one-level living needs. The design was planned out to include a convertible sleeping area in the rear four-season porch and a main level washer, dryer, and bathroom. Today, the expanded living area and kitchen serve as the perfect, cozy backdrop for this family.
Completed
2021
Team
Shelter, Minnesota Fine Homes, Safe Haven SE
Photographer
