Inside, we refreshed every room with beadboard, wainscoting, and creamy trim. A standout move was converting a seldom-used formal living room into a dual-purpose library and dining room, complete with built-in shelving and an antique table set near the fireplace. An open-air porch was enclosed to create a sunroom with a new fieldstone fireplace—perfect for enjoying three seasons of Michigan weather.

The kitchen was also dramatically updated. Dark cabinetry and granite were replaced with bright white cabinets and marble surfaces. A former dining nook was opened to create a relaxed sitting area—now the homeowner’s favorite spot thanks to sweeping lake views and enough space for multiple cooks.

A pale-blue antique Swedish Mora clock, a piece treasured by the homeowner, inspired a soft, airy palette of off-whites and muted blues used throughout the home. While many heavy French antiques were replaced, each room retains at least one antique piece for timeless character. Careful layering of textures and thoughtful reimagining of spaces have turned this once-fussy cottage into a coastal-inspired sanctuary.