Photos courtesy of: Anice Hoachlander

Melanie Giordano, a principal with award-winning BarnesVanze Architects, discusses how she transformed an outdated and dilapidated Maryland lake house into a stunning summer retreat.

Tell us about your role at BarnesVanze:
\nI have been working here since 1991 and am one of six principals at the office. We\u2019re located in the Washington, DC neighborhood of Georgetown, and we have about two dozen architects. We are a full-service firm that does most of our work in the DC metropolitan area but has projects all over the country. We primarily do residential work, including a lot of historic renovations.

This home is located on Gibson Island. Would you tell us more about the area?
\nIt\u2019s a private island on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis. There are about two hundred homes there, and it\u2019s absolutely beautiful. You\u2019ll find a lot of older houses, many of which, like this one, have been renovated or rebuilt, as well as a lot of new construction.

How much of it did you renovate? Was it basically a gut job?
\nThese clients already had a smaller home on the island that they renovated, but it wasn\u2019t a waterfront property. When this house went on the market, they fell in love with it because of its wooded setting by the island\u2019s lake. We initially thought that we\u2019d just renovate the house, but that wasn\u2019t feasible because of its condition. So, we decided to keep the foundation and rebuild the upper structures, designing a home that would fit within the footprint of the original while adding a new garage wing on the side with two guest bedrooms above it.

Perhaps most importantly, the original layout didn\u2019t take advantage of the views. It didn\u2019t have enough windows, and it didn\u2019t open up to the water. We really focused on that with the new plan.

Do all the rooms in the house end up having a water view or only certain ones?
\nThe living room and kitchen are in the back of the house, offering views of the lake and opening to a large deck and screened porch, creating an indoor/outdoor transition. There\u2019s also a walkout basement with an exit to the back, as well as a path from the backyard to the lakefront. So they now have that transition from the upper level to the lower level and then to the water. In contrast, the dining room faces the beautiful, wooded area at the front of the property, but it\u2019s primarily used at night, so that quieter setting works.

We also constructed low walls throughout the home to separate the rooms and maintain a sense of informality and openness while also keeping the sightlines of the water. For example, the walls allow both the kitchen and one side of the dining room to open to the hallway on the interior yet also let people see through the house.

The living room has large windows and abundant light. Would you discuss your thought process for that space?
\nThe whole room was designed around its tremendous view and fireplace, with the goal of it being more than just a living room. We wanted it to be a space you don\u2019t just go to but where you want to spend all your time. The high ceiling was also a priority in designing this space because it gives you a sense of drama, especially considering the scenery. All in all, its abundant light is perfect for the setting, giving off a great room feel.

There\u2019s also a luxurious main-floor bedroom. Is that the master? Does it have two sections?
\nIt\u2019s basically two adjacent rooms: a sitting room/bedroom on one side and the bathroom on the other side, but it feels like one room because of the open, low walls. That layout allows the sitting room, which is more toward the middle, to get views and more light.

This is probably the nicest space in the home because it has views on two sides: one of the lake and one of the trees. Also, being on the first floor makes it very livable as an aging-in-place house down the road.

The kitchen is quite impressive. Is it the central hub of the home?
\nDefinitely. The wife is an avid cook and wanted top-of-the-line appliances, so we created a very functional kitchen. It has two sinks, pantry storage, custom-made cabinets, a huge island with additional refrigeration in its drawers, and both an induction oven and a regular gas range.

In addition, the windowed corner, where the breakfast table is, provides views of the outside and opens to the deck, where there\u2019s an outdoor kitchen. On top of it all, she chose a great color, an apple green, and the backsplash and checkerboard floor both feature beautiful stone.

How did you make the ceilings stand out throughout the house?
\nA ceiling is an opportunity to define a room; that level of detail is especially common in cottages like this. So we were thoughtful about how the ceilings were designed. For instance, those above the kitchen and dining room have beams and the master bedroom has a simpler, paneled ceiling.

Earlier, you mentioned the front of the house, which has a comforting country vibe. What informed your choices for this area?
\nThe home sits on a deep, tree-filled, two-and-a-half-acre lot with a long driveway, so the idea was to create a front porch that clearly welcomes guests. It\u2019s very peaceful, a place where you can sit on rocking chairs and look at a woodsy landscape. It also has a small courtyard, which probably gets the most use of anything on that side. Overall, the space is charming while adding nice scale to bring this big house down and make it feel friendlier and comfortable.

Was durability a primary consideration when choosing the exterior materials?
\nThat\u2019s a good question. From an aesthetic point of view, we like the look of board and batten for this cottage style. It is also more durable because instead of wooden boards, we use cement board. As a result, it\u2019s lower maintenance.

Your website says that BarnesVanze emphasizes beauty and authenticity. How do you believe this home epitomizes that?
\nDefinitely. The house\u2019s style is authentic, especially how it fits into and connects with the landscape. I think the project was very successful in that way. And by keeping the spaces informal with less wall space, we created a sense of openness that lets beauty permeate throughout the home.

For more info, visit barnesvanze.com

The post A Charming Cottage Makeover appeared first on Good to Be Home.

In recent years, minimalist features like plain Shaker cabinets and seamless doors have dominated interior design. As clean-lined and contemporary as these features may be, it might be time to reconsider some previously overlooked elements that are now back in vogue: statement-making hardware. From vibrant cabinet handles to visually striking drawer pulls and bold new takes on knobs, it\u2019s brimming with design potential.

The key question is: Are you underutilizing it? This summer, open the door to hardware that\u2019s more than just functional, serving instead as a focal point that elevates your home\u2019s overall style.

Unusual twists

Small features can make a big impact, and today\u2019s hardware trends reflect that. Consider embracing bolder colors, unexpected shapes, and artful patterns on your doors, cabinets, and drawers. But there\u2019s no need to overhaul every room. To experiment with style, install pieces like oversized handles that span the length of a cabinet or hand-painted floral knobs in one area, such as your pantry or under-sink cabinets.

Simple sophistication

For a more traditional aesthetic, replace builder-grade or plain hardware with an elegant alternative like matte-black metal or brushed brass. These finishes catch the light in modern ways and are available in a range of alluring styles. Focus on areas guests will notice and interact with, such as your front door handle, living room armoire, and kitchen cabinetry. Even in classic silhouettes, quality materials can make a refined impression.

Gem tones

To add dramatic flair, opt for hardware in bold and bright hues. For instance, liven up a bathroom filled with dark walnut cabinetry by swapping in jade-green knobs, or introduce a stately feel to a home office with sapphire-blue crystal doorknobs. To ensure that these vivid colors feel cohesive and not out of place, pull inspiration from existing accents in the room, such as vibrant wall art or subtle tones in stone countertops. When chosen with care, jewel-toned hardware will elevate any space to another level of color and shine.

Restored antiques

Certain design elements never go out of style. Case in point: antique keyhole covers, wrought-iron door knockers, and vintage ring pulls offer timeless appeal. You might uncover treasures at local thrift shops or by repurposing old furniture you already own since many vintage pieces just need a polish to shine again. To add regional character, incorporate elements inspired by your home\u2019s location and history, such as Scandinavian motifs in Minnesota, art deco features in New York, or fleur-de-lis accents in Louisiana.

Wonderful wood

Does the term \u201chardware\u201d only bring to mind metal pieces? If so, don\u2019t dismiss wood hardware, which, while more common on dressers and bedside tables, can also add warmth and texture to kitchens and bathrooms. Choose a tone-on-tone look for understated elegance, or create color contrast (e.g., light beech against dark mahogany) for a playful twist. To make the most of wood\u2019s natural beauty, skip the paint and opt for a clear finish that preserves the grain and ensures durability.

But you don\u2019t need to stop there. Once you\u2019ve added a little fashion to these functional pieces, consider elevating other overlooked accents, such as switch plates, doorway trims, or lighting. These subtle upgrades can help you create a breathtaking look that pulls any space together\u2014and transforms your home into a treasure trove of style.

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