Houzz Tour: A Contemporary Weekend Cottage Treads Lightly in the Forest
Architects help a Chicago couple retreat from their urban loft to a sophisticated remote getaway in the Michigan woods
After years of living an urban lifestyle in a Chicago loft, this couple decided they wanted to build a weekend retreat rooted in nature. The pair bought a 6-acre, tree-filled property adjacent to an 800-acre county park in southwestern Michigan, about a two-hour drive from their loft. After numerous trips spent camping on the site to experience the seasons, the two decided they wanted a modern home, but one that treads lightly on the steeply sloping land. To create their leafy getaway, they turned to Chicago architects Pam Lamaster-Millett and Greg Howe, who created a multilevel wood-and-glass dwelling that’s comfortable and compact enough for two, yet can accommodate frequent visits from family and friends.
The entry facade belies the home’s three levels, while an overhang creates a welcoming patio space. The underside of the overhang is knotty cedar that runs through the home all the way to the rear, as do the two glulam beams.
Shou sugi ban, or charred cedar, vertical slats add interest to the front elevation and help shroud the roof’s mechanical elements. “We used a true black cement siding for the exterior of the house,” Lamaster-Millett says. “It helps the house recede like a shadow into the trees.”
A freestanding garage stands away from the house (out of view in this photo), making the walk to the front door part of the transition from city living to woodland retreat.
Shou sugi ban, or charred cedar, vertical slats add interest to the front elevation and help shroud the roof’s mechanical elements. “We used a true black cement siding for the exterior of the house,” Lamaster-Millett says. “It helps the house recede like a shadow into the trees.”
A freestanding garage stands away from the house (out of view in this photo), making the walk to the front door part of the transition from city living to woodland retreat.
Looking toward the glass front door, the main levels cascade down the sloped land. “The different levels reflect the topography,” Howe says, “and help define the kitchen, dining and living room functions.”
The look of the interior is at once contemporary and rustic, Lamaster-Millett says. “Though the house is modern, it’s not a drywall box,” she says. “It has a cottage feeling.”
The owners chose the furnishings and art, reiterating the modern cottage theme with pieces like the live-edge walnut dining table, paired with classic Eames molded plastic chairs.
The look of the interior is at once contemporary and rustic, Lamaster-Millett says. “Though the house is modern, it’s not a drywall box,” she says. “It has a cottage feeling.”
The owners chose the furnishings and art, reiterating the modern cottage theme with pieces like the live-edge walnut dining table, paired with classic Eames molded plastic chairs.
Surrounded by walls of glass, the living room offers views of the surrounding oak, hickory, maple and beech trees.
Natural materials such as the knotty cedar ceiling, shou sugi ban wall cladding, slate flooring and black steel fireplace surround provide a backdrop for pieces like the midcentury-inspired sofas, a sculptural wing chair and moss green tufted ottoman.
Subtle black metal tube lights, suspended from the ceiling, provide uplighting via an LED strip.
Natural materials such as the knotty cedar ceiling, shou sugi ban wall cladding, slate flooring and black steel fireplace surround provide a backdrop for pieces like the midcentury-inspired sofas, a sculptural wing chair and moss green tufted ottoman.
Subtle black metal tube lights, suspended from the ceiling, provide uplighting via an LED strip.
The Rumford-style wood-burning fireplace adds a warming glow in the living room during colder months, with stylish storage for logs below. The home also features a geothermal system for heating and cooling, as well as radiant-heat flooring.
Though compact, the galley-style kitchen is well-equipped for the homeowners, who enjoy cooking and entertaining. Deep green cabinetry reflects the hues of the surrounding trees. Pale Vermont marble countertops, backsplash and hood cladding add contrast.
The staircase, set against a large window that brings light into the stairwell, leads up to the master suite. The slatted wall feature in the stairwell provides some privacy from county park trails.
The staircase, set against a large window that brings light into the stairwell, leads up to the master suite. The slatted wall feature in the stairwell provides some privacy from county park trails.
Off the entry, a short hallway leads to a guest bath, which doubles as a powder room for the main level. The architects designed a vanity mirror that folds onto the wall to the right when not in use, allowing views out the window.
The doors on the left hide the laundry room, while the opening on the right leads to the main-level guest bedroom.
The doors on the left hide the laundry room, while the opening on the right leads to the main-level guest bedroom.
The upper-level main suite provides the owners with privacy when hosting weekend guests. Corner windows create a treehouse effect, while a door at the other end of the bedroom leads to a deck.
The classic Eero Saarinen Womb chair is upholstered in a golden-plum-colored fabric, adding a peaceful glow to the space.
The classic Eero Saarinen Womb chair is upholstered in a golden-plum-colored fabric, adding a peaceful glow to the space.
The hallway into the main bedroom has a built-in wardrobe and small desk with bookshelves.
A floating cedar vanity and sleek soaking tub anchor the main bathroom, which overlooks the upper deck. The vanity mirror is double-sided; the other side faces the walk-in shower.
In the shower, a skylight reveals the textures and shadows of the glazed clay tile. “It’s like stepping into a limestone cavern,” Howe says.
The lower level, which opens to the backyard, includes a family room for TV watching, warmed by a gas fireplace. The cedar-clad walls and ceiling create a cabin-like ambiance.
An inviting leather sofa, leather sling chair and Danish-modern armchair create a comfortable conversation area.
An inviting leather sofa, leather sling chair and Danish-modern armchair create a comfortable conversation area.
In a hallway between the staircase and family room, the architects designed niches for four stylish bunk beds, tricked out with modern ladders and draperies for privacy.
Along with a queen-size Murphy bed in a corner of the family room, the home can accommodate 10 people. The three levels give the homeowners and their guests privacy.
Along with a queen-size Murphy bed in a corner of the family room, the home can accommodate 10 people. The three levels give the homeowners and their guests privacy.
A screened-in porch serves as a transition between the indoors and the main-level deck.
One of the homeowners is a master gardener who has planted more than 1,000 native shrubs and trees on the long and narrow property, augmenting the existing trees.
A small lawn offers a bit of breathing room on the site and space for outdoor games like croquet and badminton. The owners also enjoy canoeing, hiking and cross-country skiing at the nearby park and lakes.
The steps lead down to a fire pit and a creek at the bottom of the hill.
A small lawn offers a bit of breathing room on the site and space for outdoor games like croquet and badminton. The owners also enjoy canoeing, hiking and cross-country skiing at the nearby park and lakes.
The steps lead down to a fire pit and a creek at the bottom of the hill.
The screened-in porch and deck are accessible from the main level. The owners added a small plunge pool to the right of the deck, set partially above ground and surrounded by a low stone wall.
A side view of the house shows the living room’s windows and the home’s setting in the trees.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: An American Waterfront Home Gets Transformed
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What did you think about this home?
Read more:
Houzz Tour: An American Waterfront Home Gets Transformed
Tell us:
What did you think about this home?
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A Chicago couple
Location: Near Three Rivers, Michigan
Size: 2,300 square feet (214 square meters); two bedrooms, three bathrooms
Architects: Pamela Lamaster-Millett and Gregory Howe of Searl Lamaster Howe Architects
Builder: Estkowski Construction
The back of the house steps down the property slope. Poured-in-place foundation walls partially envelope the lower-level family room, while glulam (glued laminated) beams support deep overhangs that shade the glass walls of the main-level living, dining and kitchen areas. The main bedroom suite is on the upper level, at back.
The home’s positioning, remote locale and dense treescape made window coverings unnecessary. “The relationship with the site’s trees was important to the owners and helped shape the home’s design,” Howe says. “We only had to clear a few to facilitate construction.”
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