This cottage was the first cottage ever built on the shore of Long Pond. Although we seek to restore homes wherever possible, the original home was crumbling and needed to be rebuilt. We tore down the original Cliff Cottage and rebuilt onsite using the existing footprint and honoring the home’s history.
The homeowner wanted to be able to enjoy the cottage without having to worry about constant maintenance. We installed a gas stove with the look of a wood stove, enabling the owner to easily heat the home without having to worry about bringing in wood. We also used LP SmartSide siding for a low-maintenance exterior.
To make the most of this small space and fit the priorities of the homeowner, we installed several custom, built-in features. A half-closet provides a convenient place for coats without blocking the gorgeous view, and a reading nook adds additional comfortable seating. The built-in pantry features a glass-front French door, giving it the feel of a vintage cabinet while providing extra storage for the small kitchen.
We included several architectural details that were present in the original Cliff Cottage. We installed a stained beadboard ceiling that featured in the original kitchen, and the walls are all random-width shiplap painted white.
The original cottage also featured striking red stairs, so we honored that history by staining the treads of the new stairs a barn red while keeping the risers a wood tone. The diamond window echoes diamond elements of the original while providing a gorgeous view.
We preserved beams, windows, and hardware from the cabinets and doors to reuse in the new home. Two windows feature as interior windows in the loft, and beams from the original cottage were reused on the lakeside deck and loft.
Durable, painted wood floors and solid Douglas fir doors throughout the cottage add to the vintage feel.
