Weekend retreat

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All the informality of a summer vacation is captured in this lakefront cottage designed by Burns + Beyerl Architects

View of a house designed by Burns + ceiling, floor, flooring, furniture, hardwood, home, interior design, living room, room, window, wood, gray — View of a house designed by Burns + Beyerl Architects

View of a house designed by Burns + ceiling, estate, home, interior design, living room, outdoor structure, porch, real estate, window, gray

View of a house designed by Burns + cottage, estate, farmhouse, historic house, home, house, outdoor structure, porch, property, real estate, siding, window, gray, brown

Simple pleasures are what define most memorable family vacations. And for the owners of this new vacation house near Pentwater Michigan, there was never any question their home would be designed to accommodate a relaxing and informal holiday lifestyle.

Architect Ed Twohey of Burns + Beyerl Architects in Chicago says the location helped determine the style.

"The site is within a heavily wooded forest that breaks open to the lake shore on the crest of a sand dune bluff. Even the journey from the main road to the door is an adventure in itself. The architecture needed to reflect this sense of escape."

Twohey says the clients' desire for a classic cottage look also influenced the design of the shingle-style house.

"The rich texture of all the detailing provides plenty of character. The exterior brackets, beadboard and ceiling battens, for example, are all true to the style. We carried the exterior architecture through to the main living and dining spaces to enhance the informality."

The main floor of the house features an open kitchen and living room, and a 20ft-diameter screened porch that provides great views of the lake. A circular sitting room above the porch is designed to capture the best views of the weather systems and sunsets. Other rooms include two children's bunk bedrooms, set up for a permanent slumber-party atmosphere.