Family cottage Petoskey, Michigan

I can not begin to express my love for this home. It has really been the catalyst in creating great memories for my blended family. My Parents have had this cottage since I was three years old (I wont date myself but thats almost 35 years). I spent every summer here fishing on the dock with siblings, playing wolf around the fire. Thirty some years later when my parent started kicking around the idea of renovating I asked them if I could be the one to redesign it in partnership with the architect of record.

As a trained Industrial Designer, never dabbling in interior or architectural design I knew this would be a challenge. I reached out to a good friend of mine Matthew Lisk who was an Industrial Designer turned Interior Designer to see what I needed to best start the process. Matthew taught me SketchUp in one night, so that I could easily convey intent to the Architect. I started the process with my parents by listening to their hopes to expand and areas for opportunities within the landscape of the home. Years later the exterior has just been finished and we have started finalizing the interior layout.

This was the project that kicked off my understanding and training of designing a space. As I look back now as former Creative Director at a Detroit based Interiors Firm, this was the project that changed the future of my career.

Renderings & design refinement help from 100 Bond Studio.