Maine Lakeside Home reinterprets the traditional summer camp for a young family and a steady stream of guests. Set on a narrow peninsula with water roughly 25 feet away on both sides, the 2,200 sf house follows the footprint of the cottage that previously occupied the site but sits slightly farther back from the lake. A stone base, red cedar shingles, and standing-seam metal roof give the new home a familiar presence in the rural landscape.
Inside, the plan is open, informal, and closely connected to the water. A west-facing wall folds away behind a 12-foot screen, allowing the great room to take on the character of a porch. A substantial stone fireplace anchors the space, while timber framing, V-groove walls, and reclaimed barn boards bring texture and the memory of older camp buildings to the interior.
The kitchen sits within the main living space, where two walls of windows capture changing light across the lake. Concrete countertops, deep lower drawers, a generous pantry, and wide circulation paths make the room practical for cooking and entertaining without closing it off from family activity. Durable finishes were selected with wet bathing suits, sandy feet, and long summer days in mind.
Flexible bedrooms and bunk rooms allow the house to accommodate extended family and friends without losing its sense of ease. Throughout, contemporary planning is balanced by natural materials and straightforward detailing, creating a lakeside home that feels relaxed, useful, and settled into its setting.
The point of a camp is to hang out and relax, so the finishes are durable, nothing is too precious. "We wanted bulletproof."
