Tour Nicole Curtis' 'Rehab Addict' Lakeside Cabin

It’s the most expensive and most complicated project of Nicole’s career, but that makes the finished job all the sweeter. Take a look at her incredible lakeside cabin remodel, featured in Rehab Addict: Lake House Rescue.

By: Chelsey Bowen

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Photo By: Andrew D Myers

Designing a Family Lake House

Eight years ago, Nicole Curtis of Rehab Addict bought a cottage in her hometown of Lake Orion, Michigan. She’d seen too many historic homes demolished over the years and didn’t want the beautiful house to be one of the many. She thought her little lake cottage would be a breeze to renovate — turns out, she was wrong. It took eight years for her and her team to finish the remodel, but now the family's lakeside adventure home is ready for years of memory-making. Let's take a look around.

see more: Rehab Addict Lake House Rescue

Front Porch: A Personalized Welcome

Nicole made sure to welcome friends and family with an inviting entry. An extra-large chalkboard allows kids to get creative and guests to leave notes to one another (while relaxing in a pair of Adirondack chairs). But the pièce de résistance is the front door. Nicole had it in storage for 10 years, waiting for the perfect project to come along — which it turns out, was her cottage. “This is the house for that door," she said.

see more: Nicole Curtis Opens Up About Her 'Rehab Addict' Spinoff, 'Lake House Rescue'

From: Nicole Curtis

Main Bedroom: A Place to Escape

The top floor was formerly broken into four tiny sleeping quarters, but Nicole’s vision called for a grand main bedroom and bathroom. She and the team tore out everything that wasn’t original to the home and discovered a stunning vaulted ceiling and rustic wood walls. The original space boasted only four small windows, but Nicole wanted to flood it with natural light. So, she replicated the look of the original windows and installed them, along with a couple of skylights, to create a bright retreat.

see more: Spectacular Spaces From HGTV's 'Rehab Addict Rescue'

From: Nicole Curtis

Main Bathroom: Colorful and Luxe

What once was a sleeping porch is now a spa-worthy bathroom. For the first time ever, Nicole decided to try wallpaper — and she dove in completely. An old-school-meets-modern tropical pattern covers the walls with natural color and plays off warm wood and bright white touches. Nicole didn’t let a narrow staircase or the fact that she was three floors up keep her from her dream shower either: Large marble slabs and a cast-iron tub came in through the balcony, bringing ultimate opulence with them.

see more: 99 Stylish Bathroom Design Ideas You'll Love

From: Nicole Curtis

Second-Floor Den: A Peaceful Retreat

The former entry of the home was one floor up and served as a cozy den for the guest and kids’ rooms. Now, repurposed wood enhances the floor, ceiling and staircase, delivering warmth and rustic texture. A steamer trunk and vintage oars nod to the home’s locale.

see more: Rehab Addict Akron: A Deserving Family's Makeover

From: Nicole Curtis

Kids’ Bedroom: Let the Fun Begin

What lakeside adventure is complete without an actual boat to sleep in? Of course, Nicole brought in a salvaged one she transformed into a one-of-a-kind bunk bed. She painted the bow (or bottom bunk) green and white to honor her hometown’s colors. Reclaimed tongue-and-groove planking adds a decidedly nautical vibe to the space.

see more: 20 Themed Bedrooms for Kids

From: Nicole Curtis

Kids’ Bedroom: Ships Ahoy

To hang the stern (top bunk), Nicole’s team installed actual dock supports into the wall. Then they painted on a personal touch. Another saved door decorated the entry: This one's from her first house, decorated by her son, Ethan, years back.

From: Nicole Curtis

Second-Floor Bathroom: Step Back Into the Past

Although the second-floor bathroom is brand new to the house, Nicole wanted it to look like it was part of the original home. Subway tile walls bring 1900s style straight into the modern day. In addition to a salvaged cast-iron bathtub, Nicole also incorporated a sink she saved from her very first house.

From: Nicole Curtis

Guest Room: Sweetly Vintage

So many of Nicole’s collected-over-time furnishings found a new home in this enchanting bedroom. A vintage desk with hairpin legs doubles as a dressing table and workstation, while a curvy iron bed draped in soft white chenille makes it all cozy.

see more: 10 Times HGTV Stars Pulled Off Coastal Grandma Designs

From: Nicole Curtis

Guest Room: Pretty Hues

Though Nicole loves a neutral palette, she added a bit more color into her lake house design. A bright blue Jenny Lind bed, surrounded by windows, sits in the center of the bright bedroom. The team painted the mirrored closet doors sage green for a natural feel.

From: Nicole Curtis

Basement: Ready for Gatherings

When Nicole bought the 1904 structure it was a two-story, 700-square-foot cottage. The team jacked it up 15 feet, then added a basement and additional flooring. Now, the space is perfect for entertaining (it even features a bingo area).

From: Nicole Curtis

Basement: Where History Comes to Land

Nicole’s lakeside cottage features more than 1,000 salvaged pieces, giving each room distinct character and history. From the gallery wall of vintage frames to the antique jukebox, she infused the basement with her classic, timeworn design personality. As a nod to her hometown, she wallpapered a map of Lake Orion onto the walls of the sitting room.

see more: 20 Neutral Living Room Ideas From HGTV Stars

From: Nicole Curtis

Basement Bedroom: An Intimate Retreat

Nicole designed the basement as a full guest suite for visitors — and made sure this cozy bedroom was full of charm. Hung curtains create the illusion of a window and add height to the space.

From: Nicole Curtis

Basement Bathroom: Classic Simplicity

The guest area in the basement has a full bathroom with an extra-large shower. Floor-to-ceiling marble subway tile in the shower pairs with a marble-slab bench. Glass shower doors show off the beautiful tilework.

From: Nicole Curtis

Treehouse: A Special Hideaway

Nicole bought the property sight unseen because she knew someone would have torn down the home, as well as the mature oak trees in the yard. “Not only are we saving the house, we’re saving the trees,” she said. And to make the most of them, she built a cozy treehouse out of salvaged wood right in the middle of one.

From: Nicole Curtis

Treehouse: Completely Salvaged Design

Every part of this treehouse was salvaged. The distressed pine flooring came from the main house, the windows were taken from old job sites and even the antlers came from her son Ethan’s grandfather. "Everything I ever wanted in a tree fort as a kid is now in here, and it’s still versatile," said Nicole. "Adults can sleep here; the kids can sleep here. It’s just become this really cool hangout."

From: Nicole Curtis

Treehouse: The Ultimate Playground

Not only does the treehouse create extra sleeping quarters — it’s a makeshift funhouse for adventure-making and imaginative play. Decked out in rustic plaids and tweeds, the space boasts plenty of room for showing off artwork, designing a treasure map or curling up with a good book.

From: Nicole Curtis

Rehab Addict Lake House Rescue

Tour Nicole Curtis' 'Rehab Addict' Lakeside Cabin

Related To:

Shop This Look

Designing a Family Lake House

Front Porch: A Personalized Welcome

Main Bedroom: A Place to Escape

Main Bathroom: Colorful and Luxe

Second-Floor Den: A Peaceful Retreat

Kids’ Bedroom: Let the Fun Begin

Kids’ Bedroom: Ships Ahoy

Second-Floor Bathroom: Step Back Into the Past

Guest Room: Sweetly Vintage

Guest Room: Pretty Hues

Basement: Ready for Gatherings

Basement: Where History Comes to Land

Basement Bedroom: An Intimate Retreat

Basement Bathroom: Classic Simplicity

Treehouse: A Special Hideaway

Treehouse: Completely Salvaged Design

Treehouse: The Ultimate Playground

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