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Vibrant blue paint saturates the vertical tongue-and-groove cedar siding, in sharp contrast with the metal roof, on a residence designed by Margaret McCurry, of the Chicago-based firm Tigerman McCurry Architects. The street façade is set into a hillside above Lake Michigan's eastern shore.

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In the living area, a balcony on the left, patio access on the right and windows along the rear wall create an immediate connection to the outdoors. The goal was to "emphasize simple, relaxed relationships of public spaces with balanced, light-filled views," notes McCurry.

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A half flight of stairs leads from the entrance hall to the dining area. On the rear wall is a plaster fire surround with custom stainless-steel inlay. An antique wood-frame barn structure is on the table. Chairs from Restoration Hardware.

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The view from the dining table extends to the wooded wetlands of the Galien River across the road. The dual staircases lend a unique geometry to the space. Coming together half a flight up, the stairs continue to the second floor, with the steps articulated in the ceiling below.

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In the kitchen, a cooking island doubles as a counter for casual dining. The balcony to the right is suspended over the garage. Range and ovens, Gaggenau.

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In the sunroom, French doors open into the dining area and to a pair of balconies beyond. Throughout the residence, contemporary furnishings were chosen by the owners and paired with antiques and accessories selected by McCurry to harmoniously blend old and new.

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The clients wanted all major rooms, including the bedrooms, to have lake views, which was achieved by the trilevel floor plan.

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Crisp colors in the master bedroom reflect the hues of the lake and the surrounding woods. The balcony and deck are shared by the two chil-dren's rooms. Striped pillow fabric from Perennials. Carpet from Karastan.

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The sunroom is an ideal space to enjoy a panoramic sunset over the lake. An antique surveyor's stand forms the base of the floor lamp.

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"The small, upper-story windows create a wavelike pattern as they flow across the façade," says McCurry.

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She uses nautical imagery in describing the house, which "sports a continuous white-railed widow's walk' across its second story." The bedroom doors open onto the balcony, offering direct access to the "ship's rail." Patio furniture, Richard Schultz.