Facebook

Tweet

Help

Grabbing the view

The kitchen inside this cabin cantilevers out towards the nearby lake and trees

View of the living space in this cabin ceiling, fireplace, flooring, hearth, interior design, living room, lobby, brown, gray
View of the living space in this cabin overlooking Lake Superior.

Full-height glass walls were an obvious solution for this house, which is surrounded by trees and has an outlook onto the constantly changing waters of one of the world's largest lakes.

Less obvious, but equally effective, was the other suggestion made by architect Nils Finne when he was asked to design a new cabin for a remote site on the shores of Lake Superior.

The owners and their three children wanted a simple cabin that was sympathetic to the site and made the most of the views.


Full height glass windows showcase the cabins views architecture, daylighting, dining room, estate, hardwood, home, house, interior design, living room, outdoor structure, patio, porch, real estate, table, window, wood, wood flooring, brown
Full height glass windows showcase the cabins views of Lake Superior.

"By cantilevering the house out from the foundations, we were able to bring the living areas to within twenty-five feet of the lake shore without violating set-back bylaws," says Finne.

The kitchen, dining and living areas of the cabin form one large room. This space is fronted by a 40ft-long, 18ft-high glass wall, which is 5ft above the ground so the house appears to float. A sleeping tower on one side provides space for bedrooms and bathrooms.

The layout of the kitchen is simple and planned around the view. Kitchen cabinetry, a freestanding range, microwave and the refrigerator fill the rear wall of the space. Generous space for cooking and meal preparation is provided by the island, which has a sink, and looks towards the trees and lake.

View of the kitchen spae which features 100% cabinetry, countertop, floor, flooring, hardwood, house, interior design, kitchen, real estate, wood, wood flooring, brown, gray
View of the kitchen spae which features 100% Bamboo cabinetry with mahogany features and a S-curved island to soften the space.

Vividly patterned Plyboo, a 100% bamboo, sustainable plant product, was chosen to face the cabinetry. For a quieter contrast and to add deeper color, the end panels of the island are finished in mahogany. The countertops are also a darker brown to complement the mahogany top on the custom-designed dining table.

Because of the rectilinear nature of the cabin, the architect designed an S-shaped curved countertop for the island. The same curve is repeated in the dining table top and in the lighting bars over the island and table.

"This wiggle is an interesting little gesture, softening the space and creating a slightly sensuous, fluid feel," says Finne.

Credit list

Architect and furniture designer
Nils Finne, AIA, design principal, Finne Architects (Seattle, WA)
Cabinetry
Plyboo Neopolitan cabinets with mahogany
Ceramic tiles on backsplash
KOI tiles by Ann Sacks
Dishwasher
KitchenAid
Accent lighting
Tech Lighting
Metal fabrication, custom light bars
Illume
Custom wood furniture, custom cabinetry
Taylor Made Furniture
Flooring
Michigan white maple
Styling
Patricia Hausman
Project architect
Brad Gassman, Finne Architects
Countertops
Wilsonart Gibraltar solid surfacing
Range
Viking
Refrigerator
GE Monogram
Pendants
Bruck
Light shades
Mechoshade
Dining chairs
Hans Wegner
Interior paneling
Michigan birch tongue-and-groove panels
Interior paint
Low VOC paint by Devine

Story by: Mary Webb

30 Dec, 2008

Home kitchen bathroom commercial design


Latest Post

22 Dec, 2024

22 Dec, 2024

15 Dec, 2024

We know the Specialists

Related Book

Similar Stories