Lake Melissa, Minnesota · A new chapter in a family tradition
The project
Rooted in memories. Ready for what comes next.
For generations, a family cottage on Lake Melissa held the stories of summers together. Easy Breezy began with the decision to replace that beloved cottage with a new home designed to welcome the family today and for generations to come. At its heart, an attached glass breezeway recalls a defining feature of the original cottage, carrying a familiar connection into a new chapter. Windows draw the lake into shared meals and everyday moments, while a beautiful double-sided fireplace brings warmth to adjoining gathering spaces. With multiple bedrooms and room to come together or retreat, this is a home built around a lasting family tradition: returning to the lake, together.
The new lake home and glass breezeway beneath mature treesA wall of windows opens the home toward Lake MelissaThe lakeside path leads back to the family gathering spacesThe glass breezeway sits beside the two-story lake-facing facadeTimber accents frame the entrance to the glass breezewayA wide view of the home, breezeway and lakeside lawnA welcoming front porch beside the light-filled breezewayThe garage echoes the home's siding and timber detailsA generous kitchen island welcomes family and friendsA long dining table runs alongside the breezeway windowsLake views surround the dining and sitting areasThe double-sided fireplace connects two gathering spacesThe island and dining table offer room for everyone to gatherBreezeway dining with a direct outlook across Lake MelissaA comfortable sitting area beneath the warm wood ceilingThe open kitchen pairs island seating with a family dining cornerThe long island connects the kitchen to the adjoining dining spaceA view through the kitchen toward the dining table and patio doorsFour island seats face the kitchen's light cabinetryThe living room, fireplace and stair connect the main floorA wood-railed staircase leads to the upper levelThe double-sided fireplace anchors the wood-ceilinged breezewayA relaxed living area beside the fireplace and open stairThe main living room opens into the breezeway gathering spaceA dining nook nestled beside the breezeway windowsTimber trim and a stone base add texture to the exteriorA bench and coat hooks create a practical entry nookLight cabinetry and countertops frame the kitchen sinkA stainless range and white tile backsplash in the bright kitchenA close view through the double-sided fireplaceFamily keepsakes add a personal layer to the new homeWarm wood balusters meet the carpeted stairWhite subway tile and brushed metal cabinet hardwareFlowers and wood accents soften the light kitchen finishesShaker-style island cabinetry beneath the pale countertopThe island's countertop overhang creates a comfortable seating edgeA curved kitchen faucet beside the windowA compact sink and light cabinetry form a useful serving areaFamily photographs mark the passage into the breezewayThe fireplace brings warmth to the main living areaA timber bench sits beneath the breezeway side of the fireplaceWood stair rails frame the connection to the kitchenSide elevation and walk across the lawnGabled side wall beneath autumn treesFront entry beneath layered timber gablesUpper windows and timber gable accentsGlass breezeway connecting the home and garageStraight walk toward the covered entranceUpper lounge beneath the sloping ceilingGuest bedroom with a colorful quiltBathroom vanity beside the tub and showerLiving room beside the open stairLiving room facing the lake and patio doorsWood stair railing beside the loungeStair and fireplace viewed from the living areaGuest bedroom with blue patterned beddingCompact bathroom with a gray vanityBedroom with a metal bed frame and tall windowGuest bedroom with a white quiltGuest room with wood furniture and bright windowsBunk room with additional twin sleeping spaceDouble vanity beside the bedroom doorwayGlass shower enclosure in a bright bathroomPaired mirrors above the double vanityWindow-lined bedroom overlooking the outdoorsBedroom surrounded by corner windowsLake-facing bedroom with broad glazingLong row of windows beside the bedroomBunk bed and twin bed in the guest roomBlue-quilt guest bedroom from a second angleGuest room with white bedding and wood nightstandsBright guest bedroom with colorful wall accentsBathroom tub and shower beneath a high windowGray bathroom vanity and wide mirrorVanity counter beside the tub enclosureView down the carpeted stairGuest bedroom with a star-pattern quiltWood-floored hallway connecting the roomsUpper bedroom beneath a sloped ceilingUpper guest bedroom with striped beddingCompact bathroom beneath the upper ceilingBathroom vanity beside the wood doorUpper lounge with a small game tableFoldaway game table beside the doorwayOpen living room and stair beside the fireplaceGlass breezeway with timber ceiling and lounge seatingBreezeway gathering space beneath a wood ceilingLiving room looking toward the bright kitchenBedroom dresser beside a tall windowPatterned chair in a window-lined cornerThree-shade bathroom light fixtureWood-trimmed window with patterned curtainsBathroom faucet and framed mirrorWhite kitchen island and open dining area
Begin with a conversation
A place to return. A story to continue.
A property, a rough sketch, a home you want to rethink. Wherever you are starting, we would like to hear about it.
