Slim Shady

A long thin island in a remote part of Lake of the Woods, covered with rock and forest, is the site for a new summer home to a youthful couple with a large extended family.  An existing cottage was initially hoped to be salvageable with new additions - including a little tower with commanding views above the treetops - but a sketchy foundation and overall decrepit state made building new a more attractive option.  A vintage, yet contemporary, cookstove is one of the few remnants of the old place.  A pair of prefab Bunkie cabins provide ample room for guests, so the main cabin can remain compact, with two bedrooms and generous socializing spaces.  There is a rich tradition in the area of grand old family cabins, notably ones with distinctive flared rooflines and skirted bases hugging the ground.  These traditional silhouettes informed the design, as well as reminiscences of their Granny’s original summer home.