Senns Beach Shabby Chic is a specific response to the attitude and lifestyle of its inhabitants.  It caters to a multigenerational family currently rooted in California that has ties back to the cabin and beach of more than 5 decades.  With such limited time to use the property, it needed to allow for a moment to unwind, relax, and spend the entire week in swimwear and without shoes.  The main cabin houses the grandfather and 4 grandchildren (and often times friends) while the guest house acts as a personal retreat for mom.  The setup of the guest house was a solution that doesn’t allow guesthouses to principal structures, unless they are predominantly used as storage.  The garage door meets the requirement, however, is a main feature that transforms the space as a part of the landscape.  New and old materials were used in conjunction to help create a sense that nothing should be too precious at the lake, while the craft of the finished product elevates the experience to nothing short of exceptional.  It’s both laid back and highly tailored through specific attention to detail of views, sounds and sunlight.  Both the landscape and built environment were thought about simultaneously to really push the idea of privacy and a plan for growth that will accommodate many more generations to come.  It’s a beautiful example of preserving the old and integrating the new with attention to scale, open space, and the impression that perhaps it’s always been.  A recipe that always aims towards the experience as a whole, rather than signifying an order of importance relative to age.  It’s now something that can age over time and continue to remind those that visit, to not take yourself so seriously – welcome to Minnesota lake country!