Lake Life

An interior designer transforms a lake cottage from a soulless basic build into a stunning retreat that’s full of heart.

- Autumn Krause

GOING BEYOND THE BUILDER

When Emily and Stephanie first arrived at the cottage, they weren’t sure what to expect. Emily opened the front door and felt like she’d walked into a city home. “It had the vibe of a new build plunked down in the middle of this beautiful landscape,” she says. “There was drywall everywhere, the bathrooms had shiny tiles and plastic shower inserts and the kitchen felt especially dated and out of place.” It was builder basic, without the soul of a true cottage, so the designers knew it needed a full transformation. They reported back to the clients with a proposal detailing four key recommendations. “We suggested cladding all the walls in beadboard, replacing the broadloom carpets, painting the place a warm white and finally, but most importantly, ripping out the kitchen and converting the cooking and dining rooms into one spacious area,” she says. “Everyone agreed on those four things, and we started working on all the rooms from scratch.”