Come summer, a second home where guests are welcome, flip flops are favored, and wet bathing suits are fine sounds delightful. For interior designer Kelly Konoske, a cottage goes beyond a look: It’s a lifestyle. “It’s how you live, having fun with family and friends, and getting outside in an awesome community,” says the president of Cottage Company Interiors. Her wholehearted approach shows up in hospitable homes like this Harbor Springs beauty with breathtaking views of Little Traverse Bay, built by The Cottage Company of Harbor Springs.
Despite the serenity that defines the peaceful retreat, plenty of sweat equity went into the making. “You have to cross a bridge to get to the home, so every piece, from fixtures to furnishings, had to cross that little bridge — literally in the middle of winter,” she recalls. “It was a feat.”
A blue/gray façade blends into the landscape. “You really get that forest feel on the front side of the house,” Konoske says. Authentic cottage details include cedar shake shingles, spacious porches, expansive windows, Tuscan columns, and an upper trellis. She describes the interiors as a fresh take on traditional style, for a more sophisticated casual vibe that suits the scenic setting where family gatherings unfold. As Konoske explains, some design elements are synonymous with lakefront living. “Abundant windows let you take in breathtaking views and bring the outside inside as much as possible, to blur the lines,” she says, “and a color palette that represents sand and sun and surf and sky helps establish a sense of place.”
Here, the mere act of walking through the door has a calming effect for her New York-based clients and their steady stream of guests, thanks to soothing views of the water that can be seen from almost every room. Special touches that honor the topography include Petoskey stones in the lower-level bathroom shower and an
outline of the state of Michigan made from bendable bamboo that the kids can fill in with the classic stones as they find them.
“That way they have a connection with place to enjoy with family, make memories, and take a step back,” Konoske says. “We only put one TV in the home, so they can wind down around the fireplace in the great room and spend time outside.” Another great hangout is a three-season porch with a nautical feel that’s designed to look like an addition with shingled walls and painted floors. Personal items include a classic model sailboat and a basket for apple-picking. A farmhouse table and Windsor chairs keep the space airy and bright. “They bring in light and don’t take away from the view,” Konoske says.
For anyone who lives on the water, guests are a given. In a lake house, the designer says she carves out storage wherever possible, from classic built-ins to the compact closet that holds luggage in a guest room. Each bedroom suite has its own personality, as well as perks like porch access and attached bathrooms. One pays tribute to the dunes through neutral hues, while another features green décor that echoes the landscape.
On the lower level, a red, white, and blue bunkroom conjures images of giggles and whispers in the middle of the night. “I try to think about what I wanted to do when I was little,” says Konoske, who spent summers in the area as a child. Inspired by the highly anticipated Fourth of July festivities like the annual fireworks and the Paul Revere Run, the media/play room also sports a patriotic theme. “You can be bolder in your vacation home décor than you would be with your primary residence, so you’re more likely to go outside of your comfort zone,” Konoske asserts.
This house is a place for getting away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy nature. Family and friends alike are encouraged to kick off their flip flops and stay awhile.
Cottage Classics
DESIGNER Kelly Konoske takes lakefront living to another level with thoughtful planning and details like durable materials and storage galore.
Expansive windows capture views of the water and the surrounding landscape.
Repeat materials make a statement, like the stunning stone on the fireplace in the great room that also appears on the exterior.
For upholstered pieces, performance fabrics and forgiving slipcovers make cleanups a breeze. Roller shades protect furniture and art from the sun in a seasonal home.
In a cottage, practicality counts. Ample storage includes built-in dressers and window seats that are practical and pretty, while an outdoor shower washes away sand and dirt. Wood floors and quartz countertops can tolerate heavy traffic and usage.
— JM
BUYER’S GUIDE
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Kelly Konoske, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs, cottage-company.com
BATHROOM, MASTER
Cabinets – Custom, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; New Dimensions Construction, Harbor Springs
Countertop – Cirrus Quartz, LG
Flooring – Elon Tile, 5-inch Hex
Mats – Diamond Pebble Rug, Coyuchi
Mirrors – Custom, Cottage Company
Interiors, Harbor Springs; New Dimensions Construction, Harbor Springs
Sconces – Logan Wall Sconce, Hudson Valley Lighting
Wall and Ceiling Treatment – Single Beadboard
Window Shades – Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Pindler & Pindler Fabric, Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
BATHROOM, POWDER ROOM
Basket, Decorative – Pigeon & Poodle
Cabinet – Custom, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; New Dimensions Construction, Harbor Springs
Flooring – Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Chattaway Construction, Harbor Springs
Lantern Candleholder – Pigeon & Poodle
Mirror, Circular – Montara Mirror, Serena & Lily
Mirror, Cloud – Fiona Mirror, Made Goods
Sconce – Bryant Sconce, Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Display – Harlow Console, Bugalow 5
Wall Treatment – Thibaut, Turtle Bay, Blue, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy
BEDROOM, MASTER
Bedding – Barrington Duvet and Orlo Sheets, Sferra
Bedframe – Savannah Bed, Somerset Bay
Chest, Bedside – Classic Nightstands, Redford House
Lamp – Mariella Lamp, Arteriors, Lighting Resource Studio, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Baby Fawn
Window Shades – Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Pindler & Pindler Fabric, Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
BREAKFAST NOOK
Chairs, Armchairs – Edwin Chair, Redford House
Chairs, Dining – Tucker Chairs, Serena & Lily
Flooring – Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Chattaway Construction, Harbor Springs
Lamp – Maribel Lamp, Bungalow 5
Lighting, Wall Lamp – Barn Light Electric
Pillow, Accent – Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Pindler & Pindler Fabric, Beasley-White, Glenfield-Marina, Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
Sofa – Lee Industries, 3972 Series
Table, Coffee – Ramsay Cocktail Table, Stanford Furniture
Table, Dining – Houston George Dining Table, Tritter Feefer
Table, Occasional – Hayden End Table, Stanford Furniture
Wall Treatment – Cedar Shake
Window Treatment – Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
ENTERTAINMENT ROOM
Chair, Armchair – Winslow Chair, Vanguard Furniture; Duralee Fabric
Lamps – Formosa Lamps, Bungalow 5
Pillows, Accent – Custom, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Ryan Studio; Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
Pillows, Chair – Vanguard Furniture; Mariaflora Fabric, Acero-color 98/Aspect-Indigo
Rug – Racing Point Stripe, Red, Ralph Lauren
Shelving, Display – Custom, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; New Dimensions Construction, Harbor Springs
Sofas – Winslow Skirted Sofa, Vanguard Furniture; Duralee Fabric, Aspect-Indigo, Welted
Table, Coffee – Tucker Ottoman, Vanguard Furniture; Mariaflora Fabric, Acero-color 98
Tables, End – Ledra Side Tables, Vanguard Furniture
Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Baby Fawn
FAMILY ROOM
Ceiling Treatment – Coffered Ceiling, Single Headboard Inset
Chairs, Dining – Abigail Dining Chair, Redford House
Chairs, Striped Armchairs – Westwood Chair, Thibaut, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Chairs, Tan Armchairs – Madison Classic, Thibaut, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Chandeliers – Brighton Pagoda Lantern, Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Drapery – Custom, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs, Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
Fireplace – Custom, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; New Dimensions Construction, Harbor Springs
Flooring – Custom, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Chattaway Construction, Harbor Springs
Pillows, Accent – Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; C&T/Pindler & Pindler/Duralee/Jane Churchill Fabric, Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
Rug – Dash & Albert, Samson, Navy
Rug – Natural Tobago Collection, Jaipur Living
Sofa – Berkeley Sofa, Thibaut, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Coffee – Blake Raffia Coffee Table, Serena & Lily
Table, Dining – Lane Tyden Dining Table, Tritter Feefer
Window Seat – Custom, Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; New Dimensions Construction, Harbor Springs; Cushion, Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
KITCHEN
Appliances – La CornuFé
Bar Stool – Abigail Counter Stool, Redford House
Cabinets – Dutch Made, Signature Kitchens, Petoskey
Ceiling Treatment – Single Beadboard
Countertop – Blue Calcutta Island; Cirrus Perimeter, LG
Flooring – 6-inch White Oak, Custom Finish
Lighting, Bar – Barn Light Electric
Runner – Petit Diamond, Dash & Albert
Wall Treatment – 3×6 Subway Tile, Virginia Tile Co.
Window Covering – Cottage Company Interiors, Harbor Springs; Petit Diamond Fabric, Sarah’s Custom Sewing, Harbor Springs
EXTERIOR
Building Materials – Cedar Shake Shingles
Landscaping – Litzenburger Landscaping, Harbor Springs
Paint Color – Benjamin Moore, Foothills
Windows – Pella Windows and Doors
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