Custom Lakeside Cottage in Atkinson, NH

At about 1,700 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths on a waterfront lot, with an $800,000 budget band, this cottage is the smallest of our recent custom homes: White Cedar Way in Newton is about 3,100 sq ft ($1,000,000) and the Andover Country Club estate about 5,000 sq ft ($3,000,000). As a guide, our custom home timeline guide puts a typical build at 8 to 16 months.

When the homeowners bought this waterfront property, they wanted the look of a classic New England lake cottage with the comfort and efficiency of new construction. We worked with them through design and construction on a waterfront-oriented floor plan, with the living spaces positioned to face the lake.

Large windows and wide glass doors look out to the lake from the main rooms and bring in daylight. The living, dining and kitchen areas are one open space, and a screened porch and composite deck overlook the water, with waterfront access.

The exterior takes its cues from traditional lakeside architecture: engineered board-and-batten siding with contrasting trim, architectural asphalt roofing, composite exterior trim and composite decking. They were chosen to hold up to a waterfront setting with low maintenance and lasting looks. Energy-efficient, high-performance windows and exterior doors and an energy-efficient building envelope keep the cottage comfortable year round, with architectural exterior lighting.

The kitchen has custom painted blue cabinetry, quartz countertops, a ceramic subway tile backsplash, glass-front display cabinets, a stainless appliance package, a beverage refrigerator, an undermount sink and a large center island with seating. The primary bath has a custom double vanity with a quartz top, oversized porcelain wall tile, natural stone accents, a natural pebble shower floor, a frameless glass enclosure and brushed nickel fixtures. Luxury vinyl plank floors, custom painted trim and custom built-ins run through the house.

For how we plan a custom home from the first site visit, see our new home construction and design-build pages.