From Family Cottage to Timeless Timber Frame Home: Creating a legacy timber frame home
When our clients first came to us, they weren’t simply looking to build a home—they were carrying forward a legacy. For generations, their family cottage had stood proudly on the shores of what is now called Freshwater Bay. It was the kind of place where summers felt endless, kids ran barefoot from breakfast to sunset, and every creak of the old floors seemed to echo with laughter from decades past.
But time had taken its toll. The cottage that once held so many cherished memories was no longer meeting the needs of a growing, multi-generational family. The vision was clear: create a brand-new custom timber frame home that would embrace modern comfort, yet preserve the feeling and spirit that made this place special.
From the very first conversation, our team understood that this wasn’t about replacing a building—it was about protecting the heart of a family tradition. Together, we walked the property, listening to their stories: the morning coffee on the deck while the mist lifted from the lake, the annual family fish fry, the quiet moments on the dock watching the sun disappear behind the trees.
Our design team set out to weave those moments into every detail of the new home. Expansive windows framed the same breathtaking views their parents and grandparents once admired. Warm timber beams brought a sense of permanence and craftsmanship, evoking the rustic charm of the original cottage. An open-concept living space encouraged the same togetherness that had defined their summers for decades.
When the home was complete, it wasn’t just a structure—it was a living tribute to the past, ready to create new memories for generations to come. Standing on the shoreline of Freshwater Bay, it feels as though the spirit of the old cottage is still there, now wrapped in the beauty and strength of a handcrafted timber frame home.
This is more than building houses. This is preserving legacies.
