Home Interior Style: michigan cottages

<div style="text-align: center;">The warm up yesterday gave me hope that spring will be here soon, however, as I am watching it snow (again) I cannot help reminiscing about warmer days spent at the lake...</div><div style="text-align: center;">When it comes to lakefront living there are few things to consider. Waterfront: Take advantage of the views provided by mother nature. Lot size and slope:  Both can impact the decision of the size of your cottage and the style. How will you use the cottage: Will it be a private retreat or are you interested in hosting large groups of people, will it be a single family home, have room to entertain or will it be a multifamily cottage? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Vision you have for your lake cottage will be executed perfectly when working with the team at Visbeen Architects. Your dream home will be drawn out on paper in detail and you will know exactly what you are getting before your home is even built. Check out these before and after images of lake style cottages designed by <a href="http://wwwivisbeen.biz/">Visbeen Architects</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emmett:  Detached Garage to fit the narrow lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1S2wf-CL0zkF0Ht8E_LtotlOgDFVI2-JFnSTqxa5bkxiPeGAF6G81l9JUfBKjZ_P83jPoWi0czbP2N9obwsTjTcuFGb_nol41tqJsRW970B7CT4JtdqEdr0XUCNrhB9172HQf4gzCTNgR/s1600/Emmett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1S2wf-CL0zkF0Ht8E_LtotlOgDFVI2-JFnSTqxa5bkxiPeGAF6G81l9JUfBKjZ_P83jPoWi0czbP2N9obwsTjTcuFGb_nol41tqJsRW970B7CT4JtdqEdr0XUCNrhB9172HQf4gzCTNgR/s1600/Emmett.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Allenwood:  Multi-family cottage with dual master suites and room for guests.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Jq6olrOyg0ff6ujRn6OuCyUO-pgvTCi49fOn3ueb-gJfSEWurh-0guNtDr7v_Vlkl6xf63WzpcPHpMr3aOq2-E42HnyWtrqnZAZ2J1vrUHjSNTPDuOnMNbHmiQUhuwUC3-coWDfdnJHd/s1600/Allenwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Jq6olrOyg0ff6ujRn6OuCyUO-pgvTCi49fOn3ueb-gJfSEWurh-0guNtDr7v_Vlkl6xf63WzpcPHpMr3aOq2-E42HnyWtrqnZAZ2J1vrUHjSNTPDuOnMNbHmiQUhuwUC3-coWDfdnJHd/s1600/Allenwood.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Stoney Pointe:  The perfect size with plenty of outdoor entertainment space.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJei5wWxxtrOhBGcZNIPbSzFPmfGn1fQnhUkiED9XQnW_wvGbjz978gdymuSmo3GzvSjKizKRyI9l4MfVul0bkgwGfWOYDjWGK8mybSxGtS3c11ixip9xQBHRFoED7OdXuX-MP4TY9npq9/s1600/Stoney+Pointe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJei5wWxxtrOhBGcZNIPbSzFPmfGn1fQnhUkiED9XQnW_wvGbjz978gdymuSmo3GzvSjKizKRyI9l4MfVul0bkgwGfWOYDjWGK8mybSxGtS3c11ixip9xQBHRFoED7OdXuX-MP4TY9npq9/s1600/Stoney+Pointe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Tupelo:  Built on a steep slope resulting in a 20 foot drop from the front door to the second lower level.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw61Z8I2pz6uJLB_sGjDbmhQ9PrB-TTpHvyP8E7eJa62yJkYNU6GnACQva53-KlIWBsR8Z-2pBaX8tMFZJAADt8QIq_kYn15gvuHr8e1cTuXco0ziqk4-JfIY8hTjTBXzlnRydU5WLNvWN/s1600/Tupelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw61Z8I2pz6uJLB_sGjDbmhQ9PrB-TTpHvyP8E7eJa62yJkYNU6GnACQva53-KlIWBsR8Z-2pBaX8tMFZJAADt8QIq_kYn15gvuHr8e1cTuXco0ziqk4-JfIY8hTjTBXzlnRydU5WLNvWN/s1600/Tupelo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Hasserton:  Single-Family modern lake home that takes advantage of the panoramic views.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rmNBPXbbetaWgSD2J4eXKx7nWAtdzMYbfmF0XU00ghFfk9TUTp298uezYI6QkB_6bZCRgaTWKK_71ff2XqKtDoI9EWKR-iMqZEb9WoFN9clIq6B0hwgDpzkoRyK9c611klNKYg0u7Lq-/s1600/Hasserton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rmNBPXbbetaWgSD2J4eXKx7nWAtdzMYbfmF0XU00ghFfk9TUTp298uezYI6QkB_6bZCRgaTWKK_71ff2XqKtDoI9EWKR-iMqZEb9WoFN9clIq6B0hwgDpzkoRyK9c611klNKYg0u7Lq-/s1600/Hasserton.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">West Wind:  Sitting on a narrow lot this home lives large by taking advantage of every square foot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw-cqhKdreYRsCFwxjsu7fXjaLdQOcXkBhCF-NYFpAci4GpuucVUe1StNcyiNQZOOPAXd4Eg_cLsuRvBzKBILMr8SHFIL461JwJHMKBg2Sgleclg8TggB7XCO-VAXGwC0kv4aD5cEZ_b0/s1600/West+Wind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw-cqhKdreYRsCFwxjsu7fXjaLdQOcXkBhCF-NYFpAci4GpuucVUe1StNcyiNQZOOPAXd4Eg_cLsuRvBzKBILMr8SHFIL461JwJHMKBg2Sgleclg8TggB7XCO-VAXGwC0kv4aD5cEZ_b0/s1600/West+Wind.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

Lake Style Cottages

The warm up yesterday gave me hope that spring will be here soon, however, as I am watching it snow (again) I cannot help reminiscing about ...

A term that originated from the Middle Ages, a "cottage" referred to the dwellings of agricultural workers, or cotters, and their friends a family.  Cottages were smaller peasant units, usually on the property of larger plantations or estates.  Today, cottages most often refer to buildings used as second homes or weekend getaways for city dwellers.  The architectural style aspects of cottages were inspired by medieval styles of the English countryside and became popular with American architects in the 1920s and 1930s. <br /><br />Although not required characteristics, the common features of a cottage style home may include...<br /><ul><li>Steep roof pitches, often gable or <a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/2012/05/architectural-tutorial-gambrel-roof.html">gambrel</a> with cross gables</li><li>Arched doors</li><li><a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/2010/11/architectural-tutorial-windows-windows.html">Casement windows</a> with small panes</li><li>Brick, stone, stucco, or natural shake siding</li></ul>The look of a cottage can vary greatly, since a variety of styles can fit into the "cottage" category.  The local vernacular often determines which materials and style features are emphasized, so location can have a look of it's own:<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">1.  Nantucket: </i>Rustic meets elegant in Nantucket style cottages.  Utilizing mostly natural architectural elements on their exterior, their natural colors of greys, whites and blues make a striking statement against the bright blue sky, lush green landscape and white-capped waters of the surrounding ocean.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nX96vj38nCarbfZhkAQ_cEuvfGxyTncjWEpgss6HEAAB1ipmqADWNHI0bbrko9V8SDbRh02Vj4AZF-Nwkgu7xKRfukKUtMLurM2Fgvdx_bymrVny0p0onxcF3effIUctdRQlYsHTNeJi/s1600/Nantucket+cottage+HC+and+G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nX96vj38nCarbfZhkAQ_cEuvfGxyTncjWEpgss6HEAAB1ipmqADWNHI0bbrko9V8SDbRh02Vj4AZF-Nwkgu7xKRfukKUtMLurM2Fgvdx_bymrVny0p0onxcF3effIUctdRQlYsHTNeJi/s320/Nantucket+cottage+HC+and+G.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><a href="http://hydrangeahillcottage.blogspot.com/2011/09/nantucket-shingled-cottage.html">via</a></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB3IWt00UDz_IdGkFxvQYOg7tfivxFUzgXUiJgMDaUzPTpTC1R1YC5S2M-Lxk3UbKlQA-ZuN6HAUWA1CDIZwSMGiUobYljFBj5PnJVnEdAN-JBiFOggJLoSZLgA82lHR-AyXrWg4UxQEM/s1600/nantucket_cottage-gone-crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB3IWt00UDz_IdGkFxvQYOg7tfivxFUzgXUiJgMDaUzPTpTC1R1YC5S2M-Lxk3UbKlQA-ZuN6HAUWA1CDIZwSMGiUobYljFBj5PnJVnEdAN-JBiFOggJLoSZLgA82lHR-AyXrWg4UxQEM/s320/nantucket_cottage-gone-crazy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><a href="http://relaxshax.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/nantucket-smalltiny-stilt-house-updated-and-more/">via</a></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVjmSS1rbZe2A590cyf4OB72SK3T2xPrHW-wWa9rw3QN6aSUglG9Mbbfu6sjrwQxbEpryWteu5yXmZG-m4hVHfRrfogsaOKrKkXGCuCKRIA20fwzHPRT_ehBNzS8JcEmjZtN-QMBGwLhT/s1600/1+House+Stripes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVjmSS1rbZe2A590cyf4OB72SK3T2xPrHW-wWa9rw3QN6aSUglG9Mbbfu6sjrwQxbEpryWteu5yXmZG-m4hVHfRrfogsaOKrKkXGCuCKRIA20fwzHPRT_ehBNzS8JcEmjZtN-QMBGwLhT/s320/1+House+Stripes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i><a href="http://www.theartoftheoccasion.com/2011/10/nantucket-realized-part-i.html">via</a></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0erA9AAV7csjoiW58WYcNFXWRXxA7AO2KNlD_f-R6Cr2sPES-teBAh3NagjBBkPA7MRgN74VMdNRQ2ToiVTczmKYSBW2hX3VsIfZmiGsKNM12DUvyNEC1DqdbDX72y3YhnTU3s91wqls/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0erA9AAV7csjoiW58WYcNFXWRXxA7AO2KNlD_f-R6Cr2sPES-teBAh3NagjBBkPA7MRgN74VMdNRQ2ToiVTczmKYSBW2hX3VsIfZmiGsKNM12DUvyNEC1DqdbDX72y3YhnTU3s91wqls/s320/front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.theperiwinkle.com/cottages/"><i>via</i></a><br /><br /><br /><b><i>2.  The South: </i></b> The image that the words "Southern cottage" calls to mind is one of a wrap-around or double stacked porch.  Often called Low-country, a major influence on this this style is the hot and humid weather of the Carolinas and deep South.  These cottages often have a raised first floor to accommodate floodwaters and to allow breezes to circulate throughout the home.  Architectural elements like louvered shutters and metal roofs are also indicative of this style.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-8UCxTRV_u4K4Cm-NUua1dJLXcRnnkLq6YakwW83lAjCedjS3-E6UJWJH20kMFUEUKd8zC85ngyFFDNO_NfUTw45AzhZ_8R5Qov-1Fc4OWtdJ6h9WtdB7nRFDZBZ1WT6QeK_bjMB9PsM/s1600/Laurel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-8UCxTRV_u4K4Cm-NUua1dJLXcRnnkLq6YakwW83lAjCedjS3-E6UJWJH20kMFUEUKd8zC85ngyFFDNO_NfUTw45AzhZ_8R5Qov-1Fc4OWtdJ6h9WtdB7nRFDZBZ1WT6QeK_bjMB9PsM/s320/Laurel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>Our low country cottage design, the Laurel</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWZQ--av36dIAjLolMAmOKKrUlzpjEfIIYbWPi1o7RcCoNcyz7Lyug3O4b1AiDMkYZDHaUWv-NfKYVuHC3FYQUptzHEvIr4rG7vrVHgEcqofiGg1URwMAqeZdUmqXp3xiKGgovmx7T-kf/s1600/mld104004_0808_savannah_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWZQ--av36dIAjLolMAmOKKrUlzpjEfIIYbWPi1o7RcCoNcyz7Lyug3O4b1AiDMkYZDHaUWv-NfKYVuHC3FYQUptzHEvIr4rG7vrVHgEcqofiGg1URwMAqeZdUmqXp3xiKGgovmx7T-kf/s320/mld104004_0808_savannah_xl.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/275224/home-tour-riverside-cottage">via</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD-hFGKnRv-DhjVWxl7h_U0Z82vLPX-OR_A6r_-hWR9LBIj-y4KtrN1ker-lVQxWnHBtTTHXQigUG_AbdMH-U9AEgvHx-DpZETxYGcYqoAMttU2jrKO-du1K5c_Cy9RTLdTl05ESx7mLn/s1600/1898285-exterior2-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD-hFGKnRv-DhjVWxl7h_U0Z82vLPX-OR_A6r_-hWR9LBIj-y4KtrN1ker-lVQxWnHBtTTHXQigUG_AbdMH-U9AEgvHx-DpZETxYGcYqoAMttU2jrKO-du1K5c_Cy9RTLdTl05ESx7mLn/s1600/1898285-exterior2-l.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.myhomeideas.com/specials/home-giveaway/habersham-south-carolina-00400000049149/">via</a><br /><br /><b><i>3.  Michigan:</i></b>  For us Michiganders, a cottage usually is a summer residence up north near or on a lake.    This is a style for which we here at Visbeen are very familiar, since it is a good portion of our custom residential business.  We combine a variety of styles to create our Michigan cottages, from Shingle and Victorian, to Arts and Crafts and Bungalow.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LhIy4NyOKsI8f778s4HeOHsRv3EO-_dqext9J4h5PFfhfKixl9gM9yGAVlNoWWSaIkvKzaLplcvS3sZiPSgaNciimWP-vZIn5wlkkAgz38D2lpkdifEl8kbq90LukC06OCfHsY08JQPn/s1600/Clareville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LhIy4NyOKsI8f778s4HeOHsRv3EO-_dqext9J4h5PFfhfKixl9gM9yGAVlNoWWSaIkvKzaLplcvS3sZiPSgaNciimWP-vZIn5wlkkAgz38D2lpkdifEl8kbq90LukC06OCfHsY08JQPn/s320/Clareville.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwWS_FFTgb3Z4iSbmYuEqtze4yQp6pKYA8A7840OfpDXkU_dbVzpv9MTCwlgdraaJhS0aa6gfgAGX_18OxPLhoW798LtjiyoMHfg3_rGsp2GwzMcZv-5osakKdMKejdy5O3zFHV6t9_d5/s1600/Dune+View+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwWS_FFTgb3Z4iSbmYuEqtze4yQp6pKYA8A7840OfpDXkU_dbVzpv9MTCwlgdraaJhS0aa6gfgAGX_18OxPLhoW798LtjiyoMHfg3_rGsp2GwzMcZv-5osakKdMKejdy5O3zFHV6t9_d5/s320/Dune+View+Front.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWub5UOASD5Ei9ygNFe_6rzw_FfbWtmAgCYoE9KJm26rvYapsycne0XYYAsiT_-90FJq7SLgwy591YyxbcFMSeTqq-db-e1BvDnq-3df2BAm0gyxCjV4c8lN3LkFVEL2aEhhzSBJk7VUck/s1600/Ext+Front+-+1508-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWub5UOASD5Ei9ygNFe_6rzw_FfbWtmAgCYoE9KJm26rvYapsycne0XYYAsiT_-90FJq7SLgwy591YyxbcFMSeTqq-db-e1BvDnq-3df2BAm0gyxCjV4c8lN3LkFVEL2aEhhzSBJk7VUck/s320/Ext+Front+-+1508-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpvd4Pf9SLQyapqGeKd9gEFhQfSMXQk0OLf4fHxeQGOJpkUboQbMRxqFljvGBFfzmM-0ANjRcU0nm1yni_jDwIXCFzLFYZ5tKeNgmdjktfNumuC3YNUncu8OnrvD8wJloTSaEjuAcZENl/s1600/Rylestone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpvd4Pf9SLQyapqGeKd9gEFhQfSMXQk0OLf4fHxeQGOJpkUboQbMRxqFljvGBFfzmM-0ANjRcU0nm1yni_jDwIXCFzLFYZ5tKeNgmdjktfNumuC3YNUncu8OnrvD8wJloTSaEjuAcZENl/s320/Rylestone.jpg" width="206" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpvd4Pf9SLQyapqGeKd9gEFhQfSMXQk0OLf4fHxeQGOJpkUboQbMRxqFljvGBFfzmM-0ANjRcU0nm1yni_jDwIXCFzLFYZ5tKeNgmdjktfNumuC3YNUncu8OnrvD8wJloTSaEjuAcZENl/s1600/Rylestone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJBHoXnCmy3uzfVZoIAWl33YMq0WUUligYAAnkWu8UH3M4dsGuSfpbE-ouRNy0NxCgxJihf0Co8RIFeyn5itcU5w3L8_StehLzhyP_Sc-Cn_IuS74HTUJrs-Xi8QlLtEdDGtNsms8irKw/s1600/IMG_9667++Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJBHoXnCmy3uzfVZoIAWl33YMq0WUUligYAAnkWu8UH3M4dsGuSfpbE-ouRNy0NxCgxJihf0Co8RIFeyn5itcU5w3L8_StehLzhyP_Sc-Cn_IuS74HTUJrs-Xi8QlLtEdDGtNsms8irKw/s320/IMG_9667++Final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl4KKZrC9WLnBtSv-O8DmigoKQRcZnsiLJzDtyJRi-4hsDIyMEHMJE3WLChcC1PbnSMT-9Oh42HlW7MwgtYloJ8tTDIAPC143Uvcd2oVF7WCqLDrCZTNG4gXX1Ts3H62LJNovEXIDKry-/s1600/Summer+HavenRendering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl4KKZrC9WLnBtSv-O8DmigoKQRcZnsiLJzDtyJRi-4hsDIyMEHMJE3WLChcC1PbnSMT-9Oh42HlW7MwgtYloJ8tTDIAPC143Uvcd2oVF7WCqLDrCZTNG4gXX1Ts3H62LJNovEXIDKry-/s320/Summer+HavenRendering.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Here are a few products that we often use in cottage-style residences...<br /><br /><b><i>Roofing</i></b>:  <a href="http://www.gaf.com/">GAF Roofing</a> has a great product called Camelot II Lifetime Designer Shingles, which add a luxury look to a cottage style residence for only pennies-a-day more than standard architectural shingles. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpNM8hpd5-4ELd2RgQsSckklxJlSpgVdBEVJFR3_ojiwv_ldTW7K_m_fenEqPdVVUWuwnGWbafM5uehV5Uy1QbGbpKpR2L1DoWmRnvuYJvQopKb7Jjt8xRc_sM6yi5T-6qXLwsZzXbePR/s1600/GAF_2011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpNM8hpd5-4ELd2RgQsSckklxJlSpgVdBEVJFR3_ojiwv_ldTW7K_m_fenEqPdVVUWuwnGWbafM5uehV5Uy1QbGbpKpR2L1DoWmRnvuYJvQopKb7Jjt8xRc_sM6yi5T-6qXLwsZzXbePR/s1600/GAF_2011.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEgb9ytcD6LohDe3hNvayQO27TXm1pX14SGokhjLD7Zw89B0SHapIS0QznD3ZoICp_HHCUwXHNzCBT_KzRGg39q-jRQaKzFxYDQ5FqzJ7PaUiMx15WmLH9d49d784dOzs4V0EqIfhCZCt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-29+at+7.17.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEgb9ytcD6LohDe3hNvayQO27TXm1pX14SGokhjLD7Zw89B0SHapIS0QznD3ZoICp_HHCUwXHNzCBT_KzRGg39q-jRQaKzFxYDQ5FqzJ7PaUiMx15WmLH9d49d784dOzs4V0EqIfhCZCt/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-04-29+at+7.17.28+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">Retractable Screens:  </i>Nothing ruins a summer night like mesquites here in Michigan.  We would all love to sit on open porches overlooking a sunset on the water, but sometimes that is not possible.  And then there are some evening that are perfect for it.  Great solution for this debacle? Retractable screens.  They turn an open porch into an enclosed screened porch in moments.  Companies like Phantom Screens make the top of the line in retractable screen products.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rnYN-rNjMJbbMfQiqn_m6mlzGJQskAheqUrJgUlS8vuXORqEGeq9aZJfTD1CAXaLcRCTPnYyka_BOtv9yZG4scBnPDzXy-2QwA21R4NHxLKSkl7mswQId0v0lccI7aBNEQVa6DC7eoEa/s1600/Phantom+Logo+Back+Blue+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rnYN-rNjMJbbMfQiqn_m6mlzGJQskAheqUrJgUlS8vuXORqEGeq9aZJfTD1CAXaLcRCTPnYyka_BOtv9yZG4scBnPDzXy-2QwA21R4NHxLKSkl7mswQId0v0lccI7aBNEQVa6DC7eoEa/s320/Phantom+Logo+Back+Blue+2.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SzoSi82V8d_nU_raTWNidL95YQSLE-zSnT0nEQfmYamc39G-HfG5Nk6YMrqruKLGMqjOKK90xJXPMDHHji62kIg7yjfS5LW4PYR-i8bQM3M5eG8CdqcwIgffJasD8rOBiDXKzVY0m1Qf/s1600/IMG_9871+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SzoSi82V8d_nU_raTWNidL95YQSLE-zSnT0nEQfmYamc39G-HfG5Nk6YMrqruKLGMqjOKK90xJXPMDHHji62kIg7yjfS5LW4PYR-i8bQM3M5eG8CdqcwIgffJasD8rOBiDXKzVY0m1Qf/s320/IMG_9871+Final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>Kearney Hill has a great example of Phantom Screens in use.</i><br /><br /><br /><i><b>Movable glass doors:</b></i>  On that same note, movable glass doors are another great way of turning a cottage into an open air oasis.  A company called Solar Innovations makes high-quality folding glass walls at a fraction of the cost of some of the other big name companies making similar products.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLl5zNx9FFTCngIN_HMvOxkKuLsq-ryZRTPrDlejaySw5lXs7D1KQp7OfiR7dw1KlR0lvtrdLxY7uhAeF4f3wvINXHQU8zoKkL4W6sci5n_tCDRuihs4mOLztlHCEHEomwgc8yUqjecG-/s1600/New-Logo-2011-Green-500x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLl5zNx9FFTCngIN_HMvOxkKuLsq-ryZRTPrDlejaySw5lXs7D1KQp7OfiR7dw1KlR0lvtrdLxY7uhAeF4f3wvINXHQU8zoKkL4W6sci5n_tCDRuihs4mOLztlHCEHEomwgc8yUqjecG-/s320/New-Logo-2011-Green-500x300.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br /><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/house-styles/#page=8</i></span><br /><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottage</i></span><br /><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>http://www.ehow.com/about_6371669_cottage-style-architecture_.html</i></span><br /><br />

Style Guide: Cottage

A term that originated from the Middle Ages, a "cottage" referred to the dwellings of agricultural workers, or cotters, and their ...

Home Interior Style

Lake Style Cottages

Style Guide: Cottage

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