Eastport Cottage
Eastport, MI

This cottage is located on a narrow lot with a bluff that overlooks Lake Michigan.  The living room, dining room, and kitchen are open to each other and tall sliding glass doors are located all along the side of the house that looks over the water.  The doors also wrap around to the side walls to allow for a panoramic view and cross breezes in the summer (when the doors can be opened to make the space feel like it is outside).  The design of the house is inspired by a farmhouse style, but the simple forms of the house and window placement make the house appear contemporary.  The main roofs are 45 degrees and many of the windows are squares.  The siding is board and batten, which is traditional, but also appears contemporary on this house.  An entry “pergola”, off the side of the garage, leads to the front door.  It provides a roof over the walkway to the front door, but is also a very distinctive element that creates an interesting appearance because of the exposed rafters.