Shingle Style Pool House, Fox Point (Lake Michigan), WI
Architecture & Interior Design
Nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, the Beach Retreat Pool House is an extension of a long-time client’s main residence, providing a luxurious yet approachable setting for seasonal entertainment, lake recreation, and multigenerational use.
Property Considerations
Located on an adjacent lot, the client envisioned a standalone residence that echoes the shingle style of their main home while embracing a cleaner, more modern interpretation. The Pool House includes a bedroom suite designed for aging in place, a dedicated lake bath with changing area and laundry, a full kitchen and great room, a screen porch with fireplace, a spacious in-ground pool and spa, and a detached garage designed to accommodate boats and vehicles. The site required careful engineering to address erosion and grading.
Design Goals
The client’s vision centered on creating a resort-inspired haven for family and guests, with a focus on seamless indoor-outdoor living. Likewise, the property was designed for future resale flexibility with aging in place accessible features, including barrier free entry points and a zero-threshold transition to eliminate steps.
The interior design was carefully considered, featuring shiplap walls, ceiling beams and a dedicated art wall created to highlight an oversized David Yarrow photograph. The relaxed yet refined style evokes a casual, coastal aesthetic that complements the lakefront setting.
Distinctive Features
The open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area was designed for entertaining, with generous proportions and thoughtful flow for any sized gathering. The screen porch functions as an extension of the living space, outfitted with a retractable screen system, multi-slide doors, and radiant heaters, creating functionality throughout the seasons.
Outdoor amenities promote an active lifestyle with a raised spa and a pool with an auto cover that has a full-depth design suitable for the diving board, basketball, and swimming. An adjacent outdoor kitchen, grill, and pizza oven connect cooking with recreation. A remote-start firepit and discreet landscape lighting integrated into speaker-equipped bollards enhance evening ambiance and safety.
This Beach Retreat offers a thoughtful synthesis of resort luxury and residential practicality, creating a timeless lakefront escape designed with lighter materials and subtle architectural distinctions that echo the main residence while establishing a more modern, relaxed character of its own to inspire generations to come.
