This beautiful Craftsman lake cabin, set on the Pend Orielle River in North Idaho, is a vacation home for a family with young children. The owners wanted a place to escape during the Summer heat and spend time on the water during weekend getaways. The entire focus of the location is toward outdoor living with a simple cabin designed for comfort, meal prep, rest, and storing equipment for time on the water.
Its design, location, and aesthetics are an extension of the lake. For the construction of the home, the lot required special engineering to create a build site. We created multiple setbacks to ensure proper design against the river. From the lot viewers can see across the river to the hills and alpine forests beyond.
As we designed the home we went through several variations, one of which included double rows of window muntins, classic to the traditional architecture found in National Park lodges. Exposed timbers, along with natural materials throughout, contribute to a rustic camp style vibe, acknowledging the appeal to nature alongside expected home comforts.
On the exterior a porch allows for extended season usage, supporting access to the natural scenery. The interior makes use of a spiral staircase to maximize square footage and internal space. The footprint contains many sleeping areas for allowing guests to stay over, and the kitchen offers views of the lake, and a generous pantry supports all the activities needed for temporary stays. The kitchen, dining, and living area are all open to each other; so no matter where a guest is, they’re able to be part of what’s going on.