Denali Custom Homes’ Coastal Cottage on Lake Minnetonka

A classically nautical cottage with an open floor plan and easy flow to a lakeside terrace creates the perfect space to entertain

Photos by Spacecrafting

In both the exterior
 and interior, a mosaic palette of nature-derived grays, whites, and tans echo the beach and the hydrangeas out on the lawn.

As anyone familiar with the area knows, living on Lake Minnetonka is all about the beach, which is why the owners of this charming house made sure to purchase shoreline property after their kids left home. To take advantage of the views, the sand, and the waves, the couple retained Denali Custom Homes to build a 5-bedroom, 5-bath home that would allow them to enjoy the beach in any season. The two-story residence is a coastal cottage complete with a lakeside terrace that connects them with the lake.

Nature is pulled inside with wooden ceiling beams, twine-colored woven chairs, and a stone fireplace.

The open floor plan allows for an easy flow of guests when the couple entertains, and ample use of glass on the lakeside portion of the house allows guests inside—sitting by the fireplace, cooking in the kitchen, or pouring themselves a glass of wine—to keep track of kids and friends on the attractive sandstone patio outside. From the lake, the view is elegant and perfectly scaled: Three dormers are flanked by a pair of stone-clad chimneys, and white trim, projecting rafters, and a custom metal balcony rail made by a local craftsman give the home a smart, attractive look.

Inside, a neutral color palette of whites and beiges echoes the beach colors found outside and allows views of the lake to take precedence, while white oak floors finished with a custom stain add warmth to the space. In the kitchen, clean white cabinetry fitted with glass panels accented with an X-trim are situated above a neat farmhouse sink, enhanced by a glimmering white tile backsplash. Countertops are natural quartzite, and appliances are Sub-Zero and Wolf. A favorite spot in the house is the sunroom, which opens up to the patio and features a wood-burning fireplace. However, as the years go by, more highlights are bound to pop up: The home includes several unfinished spaces that can be utilized as additional bedrooms, fitness, or storage as the homeowners’ needs change.

The main living area contains a stone fireplace topped by a panel of vertical shiplap, warmed by posts and beams made from reclaimed wood. A bar area becomes a focal point when the mood turns to entertaining. But eventually—and inevitably—all eyes return to Lake Minnetonka. As Denali’s marketing manager Jodie Unger summarizes, “Here, it’s all about the views.”

“Here, it’s all about the views,” says Jodie Unger, marketing manager at Denali Custom Homes.

The Details

  • Builder: Denali Custom Homes
  • Home Location: Minnetonka
  • Bedrooms: 5
  • Bathrooms: 5
  • Style: Coastal cottage

Tour this project on Midwest Home‘s Virtual Tour here.

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