Lake Michigan Cabin Makeover

Michiana Shores is known for homes characterized by log facades, massive stone fireplaces and generous screen porches. "It's a look unique to this community, and we wanted to be in harmony with what's around us," Paul says.

Although they bumped out the master bath and dining area, the cabin's exterior looks remarkably like the original. But that changes one step inside the front door, where dark and rustic give way to light and sophisticated.

"We knew we wanted to lighten the whole thing up," says Stephen, an interior designer who created the English-cottage feel. Stephen set the cottage tone by painting all the wood paneling soft white.

At left, the cabin's great room after renovation. Instead of a skylight over the fireplace, the owners added a cupola with working windows.