Murphy & Co. Design - 2101 Pulaski Rd, Buffalo, MN 55313

Moonlight Cottage

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Tucked into a heavily wooded 3-acre site with mature oaks and pines, this Scandinavian lake cottage sits on an elevated bluff 50 feet above the water’s edge. The design is rooted in authentic Norwegian influences while incorporating elements of relaxed Minnesota lake homes. A glassed entry breezeway connects the master wing to the main living wing, and features a series of French casements and a five-foot-wide front door, allowing the home to open to cool lake breezes. The heart of the home is the screen porch, which has a twelve-foot glass wall that opens to the kitchen and includes a three-sided Norwegian wood stove that can be viewed from the porch and the six-foot cantilevered balcony.

  • Contractor: CAMPBELL CONSTRUCTION
  • Interior Design: Owner
  • Landscape Architect: Owner
  • Photography: Spacecrafting
A glassed breezeway with french push-out casements serves as the entry and is guarded by a kind dog
A glassed breezeway with french push-out casements serves as the entry and is guarded by a kind dog
A iron fox door knocker greets guests
A iron fox door knocker greets guests
A glassed breezeway with french push-out casements serves as the entry and is guarded by a kind dog A iron fox door knocker greets guests

Video by Spacecrafting
Video by Spacecrafting
A winding stone path leads past the symmetrical front façade and down the hill for easy lake access
A winding stone path leads past the symmetrical front façade and down the hill for easy lake access
A winding stone path leads past the symmetrical front façade and down the hill for easy lake access
A door directly off the kitchen opens to a covered BBQ area
A door directly off the kitchen opens to a covered BBQ area
A large stone chimney with moss rock anchors the end of the home
A large stone chimney with moss rock anchors the end of the home
The stone terrace off the dining room offers a calm firepit nook on windy days
The stone terrace off the dining room offers a calm firepit nook on windy days
A door directly off the kitchen opens to a covered BBQ area A large stone chimney with moss rock anchors the end of the home The stone terrace off the dining room offers a calm firepit nook on windy days
Black siding details are accentuated by contrasting white trim and timbers
Black siding details are accentuated by contrasting white trim and timbers
Main house view with garage and sleeping wing beyond
Main house view with garage and sleeping wing beyond
The dining windows are recessed into a hand-carved timber alcove with wood pegging
The dining windows are recessed into a hand-carved timber alcove with wood pegging
Black siding details are accentuated by contrasting white trim and timbers Main house view with garage and sleeping wing beyond The dining windows are recessed into a hand-carved timber alcove with wood pegging
Custom wood garage doors were designed with a beaded chevron detail
Custom wood garage doors were designed with a beaded chevron detail
A firewood storage area took design cues from corn cribs to allow wind flow for drying
A firewood storage area took design cues from corn cribs to allow wind flow for drying
Custom wood garage doors were designed with a beaded chevron detail A firewood storage area took design cues from corn cribs to allow wind flow for drying
The screen porch was designed with solid timber floor framing, wall posts, and timber outriggers
The screen porch was designed with solid timber floor framing, wall posts, and timber outriggers
The home is positioned on the edge of a bluff overlooking the lake
The home is positioned on the edge of a bluff overlooking the lake
The screen porch was designed with solid timber floor framing, wall posts, and timber outriggers The home is positioned on the edge of a bluff overlooking the lake
The rear façade features design details such as patterned aluminum gable vents, vintage light fixtures, and Scandinavian inspired antlers
The rear façade features design details such as patterned aluminum gable vents, vintage light fixtures, and Scandinavian inspired antlers
The rear façade features design details such as patterned aluminum gable vents, vintage light fixtures, and Scandinavian inspired antlers
An antique french bistro bench draped in sheepskin sits below a series of french casements in the entry breezeway
An antique french bistro bench draped in sheepskin sits below a series of french casements in the entry breezeway
An antique french bistro bench draped in sheepskin sits below a series of french casements in the entry breezeway
A massive stone fireplace anchors the living room while reclaimed white oak boards form the ceiling
A massive stone fireplace anchors the living room while reclaimed white oak boards form the ceiling
A massive stone fireplace anchors the living room while reclaimed white oak boards form the ceiling
A vintage McIntosh audio system resides in a stone niche adjacent to the fireplace
A vintage McIntosh audio system resides in a stone niche adjacent to the fireplace
Chiseled stone corbels span between a hand-picked stone lintel
Chiseled stone corbels span between a hand-picked stone lintel
A vintage McIntosh audio system resides in a stone niche adjacent to the fireplace Chiseled stone corbels span between a hand-picked stone lintel
The chevron ceiling boards slope down to a wall of glass that continues into the kitchen
The chevron ceiling boards slope down to a wall of glass that continues into the kitchen
The chevron ceiling boards slope down to a wall of glass that continues into the kitchen
Large timber corbels between the kitchen and living room assist in supporting the ridge beam
Large timber corbels between the kitchen and living room assist in supporting the ridge beam
A custom dutch door leads to the screen porch (and keeps wet dogs at bay)
A custom dutch door leads to the screen porch (and keeps wet dogs at bay)
Large timber corbels between the kitchen and living room assist in supporting the ridge beam A custom dutch door leads to the screen porch (and keeps wet dogs at bay)
A carved timber opening frames the dining alcove and features a ceiling wallpaper of birds and clouds
A carved timber opening frames the dining alcove and features a ceiling wallpaper of birds and clouds
The large living room windows wrap the corner and terminate into the stone
The large living room windows wrap the corner and terminate into the stone
A carved timber opening frames the dining alcove and features a ceiling wallpaper of birds and clouds The large living room windows wrap the corner and terminate into the stone
The dining alcove was inspired by cozy irish seating nooks, complete with a banquette bench, bookcases, and guitar for those spontaneous folk songs
The dining alcove was inspired by cozy irish seating nooks, complete with a banquette bench, bookcases, and guitar for those spontaneous folk songs
The dining alcove was inspired by cozy irish seating nooks, complete with a banquette bench, bookcases, and guitar for those spontaneous folk songs
The priority of the kitchen was views and function - shelving for everyday items sits adjacent to a large glass wall, and island seating is positioned for optimum lake views
The priority of the kitchen was views and function - shelving for everyday items sits adjacent to a large glass wall, and island seating is positioned for optimum lake views
The wall of glass over the sink slides open to the screen porch, providing easy pass-through and conversation
The wall of glass over the sink slides open to the screen porch, providing easy pass-through and conversation
The priority of the kitchen was views and function - shelving for everyday items sits adjacent to a large glass wall, and island seating is positioned for optimum lake views The wall of glass over the sink slides open to the screen porch, providing easy pass-through and conversation
The pantry is painted a lichen green, and houses a bar, coffee area, and additional cooking appliances
The pantry is painted a lichen green, and houses a bar, coffee area, and additional cooking appliances
A stone shelf and backsplash are flanked by wall boards
A stone shelf and backsplash are flanked by wall boards
English reeded glass panels line the upper cabinetry
English reeded glass panels line the upper cabinetry
The pantry is painted a lichen green, and houses a bar, coffee area, and additional cooking appliances A stone shelf and backsplash are flanked by wall boards English reeded glass panels line the upper cabinetry
The screen porch is timber framed, and includes a three-sided norwegian wood stove and cantilevered balcony with glass railings
The screen porch is timber framed, and includes a three-sided norwegian wood stove and cantilevered balcony with glass railings
The screen porch is timber framed, and includes a three-sided norwegian wood stove and cantilevered balcony with glass railings
A five foot wide door opens to the entry breezeway, which includes hand-made clay pendants hung from the vaulted timbers
A five foot wide door opens to the entry breezeway, which includes hand-made clay pendants hung from the vaulted timbers
Authentic steel strap hinges support the custom designed door
Authentic steel strap hinges support the custom designed door
A five foot wide door opens to the entry breezeway, which includes hand-made clay pendants hung from the vaulted timbers Authentic steel strap hinges support the custom designed door
Scandinavian wallpaper brings the outdoors into the owner's bath
Scandinavian wallpaper brings the outdoors into the owner's bath
Pale blue paneled walls wrap around a pedestal lav and mirror framed with a stag motif
Pale blue paneled walls wrap around a pedestal lav and mirror framed with a stag motif
Scandinavian wallpaper brings the outdoors into the owner's bath Pale blue paneled walls wrap around a pedestal lav and mirror framed with a stag motif
A concealed door with vintage rim lock hardware is set within a large cased opening
A concealed door with vintage rim lock hardware is set within a large cased opening
Inspired by simple norwegian details, boards were custom cut with a diamond opening around the winding stairs
Inspired by simple norwegian details, boards were custom cut with a diamond opening around the winding stairs
A concealed door with vintage rim lock hardware is set within a large cased opening Inspired by simple norwegian details, boards were custom cut with a diamond opening around the winding stairs
The owner's suite is wrapped in glass
The owner's suite is wrapped in glass
Reclaimed timbers were used as a supporting ridge beam and braced down to the walls
Reclaimed timbers were used as a supporting ridge beam and braced down to the walls
The owner's suite is wrapped in glass Reclaimed timbers were used as a supporting ridge beam and braced down to the walls
A wall of sliding windows set directly on the countertop opens the kitchen to the screen porch, while the dutch door opens to the living space
A wall of sliding windows set directly on the countertop opens the kitchen to the screen porch, while the dutch door opens to the living space
A wall of sliding windows set directly on the countertop opens the kitchen to the screen porch, while the dutch door opens to the living space
The home is tucked into the bluff and old growth oak trees
The home is tucked into the bluff and old growth oak trees
Wooden stairs wind through the trees and down to the lake (but there's also a zipline!)
Wooden stairs wind through the trees and down to the lake (but there's also a zipline!)
The home is tucked into the bluff and old growth oak trees Wooden stairs wind through the trees and down to the lake (but there's also a zipline!)
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