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[Oznell]

@Carmie ,  while I like this house, I'd be thrilled to have ANY house, cottage or wee hut on a lake or body of water.  You beachside and water front dwellers of all types are so lucky....

Thank you, @Snowpuppy ,  I'm editing my thread title, from "Michigan Lake House" to "Lake Michigan House". 

****Edited to add, Hey, just realized I can change my own title, but can't edit the title when it appears in people's responses, gack.  Oh, well....

@mspatmac ,  oh, you know what a hopeless dreamer I am!   I like the whole range, from small apartments, to cute cottages, to rambling villas, and everything in-between....

I just love to see how other people live, and how other clever people arrange their domains, so over time, try to depict a variety of dwellings.  You'd be surprised, in the articles on these houses and portfolios of some designers, they often do actually mention the presence of kids, pets, grandchildren, etc. in even the swankiest houses.  Life has to go on, wherever you live, that's for sure.

I'll try to mention the families more, if they're mentioned, and how they cope with real life in even the most pristine settings-- that's always fun and instructive to know.   Good idea!   

[Desertdi]

Homes on Lake Michigan in Illinois are NOT "beach" houses.   They are MANSIONS owned by very wealthy Chicagoans...

[Oznell]

@Desertdi ,  while this property may not meet your, nor most people's immediate concept of "beach house",  that is indeed precisely how it is described by its designer in his portfolio.

Agreed, despite the comfortable rooms, it's got that "sheen" that certain luxurious shoreline abodes north of the city possess, and, what I noticed, an art collection that wouldn't embarrass a New York penthouse.   So, a 'sea shack' it's not!   But, they consider it a beach house, it has a stretch of water, so....

[Desertdi]

@Oznell    Just a little "local color".....    No matter what the expert believes, "beach houses" are located on the Chain O' Lakes in the Fox River Valley of Northeastern Illinois.   di   

[Big Joanie]

I'm parking myself in the conservatory and not leaving .....!!

[charsha]

Just beautiful!!

[vermint]

@Oznell Just beautiful! We live on an 18-acre lake/large pond in SC and, while our house is more "normal" than this beauty, there is just nothing like a water view! Every day is different from the day before. Wind, rain, fog, sunshine all give me a new "piece of art" to look at, and I'm very appreciative of God's creation. Never in my childhood could I have dreamed of living where I do!

I would love to see some of these houses on a regular day...with dog/cat hair, books, clothes, toys and shoes scattered around, not to mention a little dust.

We have two cats, and a very large dog who all shed constantly, plus the dog can be a drooler. He also swims most days, so add "eau de wet dog" to the fragrance of my house! We won't even discuss the cat litter problem (both cats track litter, one kicks it out of the litter box, even though it's covered)!

I have to keep my sofa covered, because the dog sleeps there. An appropriate size dog bed for him is in the way, no matter where we put it (we've tried several), so the sofa became his bed. My leather recliners are also covered, because...kitty claws. I do remove the covers on the rare occasions we have company.

I love all the high ceilings, and beams, but I know what a magnet for cobwebs they are, because I have 20 ft. and 15 ft. beamed cathedral ceilings in my living room and primary bedroom. If those beams are "rustic", as mine are, cleaning is a nightmare because everything snags on them, leaving behind fibers, even when the cobwebs are gone.

"Pristine" has never been an option for me, lol! I do my best, but "mostly tidy and reasonably clean" is mostly what I can achieve.

[DREAMON]

I LOVE everything about this gorgeous house. 

[manny2]

Beautiful! There are so many different moods and textures.         

[GingerHead]

@Oznell 

Nice! I especially love the coziness of the enclosed porch with the gorgeous stone wall and the rustic wood ceiling in the dining room.

But what really stands out to me is the various lighting fixtures used, I love all the rustic/outdoor looking, some oversized pendants and chandeliers.

I think lighting and fixtures are very important in design and is sometimes overlooked but not here!

Love it all. Thanks for the pretty....