Here for the Views

A pair of Atlanta empty nesters settles into a laid-back routine at nearby Lake Lanier

- CAMERON BEALL,ELLIOTT FUERNISS

Open Some Doors A six-panel sliding glass door allows the whole wall to retract, connecting the main living space to a screened porch with a fireplace, lounge area, and large dining table. "I love how we can open everything up," says homeowner Mary Page. "It's my favorite part of the house."

WHEN MARY AND GARY PAGE decided to build on Georgia’s Lake Lanier, it wasn’t a new location they were looking for, as they’ve had this property for over 20 years. Rather, they wanted to create a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the original home and “Fish Cabin” just up the hill. “We love the idea of it being a family compound with different little guesthouses and outbuildings and a main home for everyone to come back to for meals, games, and movies,” says Mary, who hopes it’s a landing place for generations to come. “We’re a big family, and we’re big on family time.” So, although they didn’t intend for their smaller, newly built escape—fondly nicknamed the “Dockside Cabin” for its waterfront location—to turn into a gathering hub, the gracious indoor-outdoor living spaces and lake vistas quickly made it just that.