Marblehead - A Cottage Remodel for the Next Chapter

Retirement marks a new beginning, and for one Ohio couple, that meant reimagining their beloved lakeside cottage. Their goal? To transform their cozy retreat into a spacious and functional home where they could comfortably spend more time and welcome family and friends. This cottage remodel focused on enhancing livability, expanding space, and maintaining the charm of their getaway while adapting it for the next phase of their lives.

"Erin did a great job helping us visualize and design the remodel and new addition to our cottage. We enjoyed working with her and she works on the project as if it were her own house. We were also impressed that she gave us contractor names who could provide us with a construction cost from her rendering for budgetary purposes. I would highly recommend using Erin for all your design projects."

The Vision: Expanding for Family and Functionality

For years, this cottage served as a weekend retreat, but with plans to spend more time there in retirement, they needed a remodel that would offer both comfort and practicality. The challenge was designing a space that worked equally well for quiet, everyday living and bustling family weekends when their children and grandchildren visited.

Before they reached out to me, they had already started discussions with a contractor to explore ideas for the expansion. While the conversations were helpful, they struggled to visualize how the concepts would look and feel in reality. That’s when they reached out to me—to bring those ideas to life via 3D visualizations and explore variations that could maximize both function and aesthetics. We first modeled the initial ideas they had been discussing, then created a few alternative layouts. Once we finalized the designs, they took the deliverables back to their contractor to refine estimates before deciding how to move forward.

The key priorities for the remodel were:

• Adding at least one additional bedroom to accommodate guests more comfortably.

• Incorporating an extra bathroom area to better serve family gatherings and overnight stays.

• Relocating the hot water tank from the kitchen to a more functional, dedicated space.

• Expanding the living and dining areas to provide ample seating and a better entertaining space.

• Optimizing storage solutions to maintain an organized, clutter-free home.

  
  

The Design Concepts: Exploring Possibilities

Through an in-depth design kickoff session, we explored multiple remodel concepts, each considering their lifestyle, budget, and long-term usability.

Concept 1: A Two-Story Addition

This design involved a 20-foot addition to one side of the home and an additional 5-foot expansion on the front.

• The 20-foot addition contained a two-story garage with two bedrooms on the first floor and two additional bedrooms on the second floor.

• A mudroom off the garage entry provided additional storage and convenience.

• The existing structure was reconfigured to create a larger, open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area with plenty of seating for large gatherings.

• A second full bathroom was added to improve functionality.

• The main entry door was repositioned to the front of the home (previously on the side).

Concept 2: Expanding Horizontally

This version maintained a single-story layout for the main living space but expanded outward and included a second-floor addition above the garage.

• A 14-foot addition was added to the side of the home, providing space for two large bedrooms, a mudroom, and a half-bath.

• An additional 20-foot, two-story garage was placed next to this expansion, offering two additional bedrooms upstairs.

• The entry remained on the side of the home.

• The kitchen and living area were expanded, improving functionality and flow.

• Unlike Concept 1, this plan did not include the additional five feet on the front of the home.

Final Concept: A One-Story Remodel

After reviewing both multi-story concepts, the couple decided on a one-story design that would maximize accessibility and cost efficiency while still meeting their needs.

• A standalone garage was placed behind the home instead of being attached.

• Three feet were added to the front of the home, allowing for a front-facing main entry and a more spacious living area.

• A 25-foot expansion was added to the side of the home, creating more room without adding a second floor.

• The new layout included a master suite with an en-suite bathroom.

• Two guest bedrooms remained largely the same size as before but were relocated to the addition to allow the existing structure to be repurposed.

• The kitchen was expanded, featuring a large island and a designated dining area for entertaining.

• A standalone laundry room was incorporated, improving storage and accessibility.

The Result: A Cottage Remodel Built for the Future

With these thoughtful updates, this lakeside cottage remodel now balances comfort, style, and practicality. The final design ensures the home is just as enjoyable for quiet mornings as it is for large family get-togethers.

If you’re dreaming of a cottage remodel to better suit your lifestyle, I'm here to help bring your vision to life. Let’s transform your space—reach out today to start the conversation!