HOME ON THE LAKE: AREA EXPERTS OFFER

Lauren Glinn, sales manager for Wayne Homes, says the company has introduced a “Lake Collection” that’s popular not just in builds along the Lake Erie shore, but also in inland markets. Exterior trim on Lake Collection homes includes arched gable brackets and shake siding — hallmarks of many waterfront homes. Together, she says, these touches offer a more weathered look to give it more dimension.

The Lake Collection features four different floor plans, each with a narrower house

Everything, it turns out, is better when you’re surrounded by water.

“The same kind of chores that seem like work at home — mowing the grass and trimming the bushes — they don’t seem like work on the island,” Bob says.

Brunner grew up visiting the Lake Erie Islands just as her father did. But once her dad built their own place, she started spending entire summers on the island.

“It’s definitely a getaway,” she says. “You look out on Lake Erie, and there’s all of these different islands, and they each have their own story and history.”

Brunner’s two daughters (Isla, 12, and Immy, 8) love visiting Middle Bass, too. They’ve made friends with other children on the island and spend their days swimming, kayaking, searching for beach glass and taking a walk to the Middle Bass General Store to get candy.

“It such a great environment,” Brunner says, noting that the new marina in the state park is one of the nicest on the lake.

One day, Brunner and her husband, Rob, were taking a walk on the island and found a waterfront lot, with a dock, for sale. In May designed to fit on a lakefront lot — or a smaller lot within a city. Many of the floor plans include a great room with big windows and in, some instances, a balcony.

Bucky Kopf of Kopf Builders is offering new homes in his Harbor’s Edge development at the Catawba Island Club, including homes with golf course views.

Many of the flourishes he is seeing are in the bath, including large showers with ornate fixtures, decorative tile work and heated floors.

Clare Opfer of S&H Blinds and Floors, meanwhile, notes that homeowners are paying more attention to backsplashes in both kitchens and bathrooms. And luxury vinyl

2021, they purchased the property and are now in the process of building their own summer escape — a 1,700-square-foot ranch next to historic houses in the Middle Bass Club. To give the cottage character and blend in with other homes in the area, the exterior will be light gray, with thick white trim around the windows and doors, and cedar shake accents. The interior will be light and airy with light wood floors. The primary bedroom will include a space facing the lake for Brunner to paint.

Brunner, who lives about an hour away in Perrysburg, says a lot of people don’t truly understand the treasure we have.

“The beauty of it and being on that ferry coming over is peaceful in itself. It’s part of the journey,” she says, adding that there’s a special essence about Middle Bass Island that she hopes to capture at her cottage.

“We will decorate with neutrals, with pops of blues, whites and greens through art and accent pieces. I am hoping to create a couple of pieces specifically for the home,” she says. “Once our house is built, we’ll be able to share the island with our friends and have more people experience it.” flooring is always popular in homes that are subjected to sandy feet, large lakeside gatherings — or even just the reality of daily life with kids or dogs.

Of course, the supply chain issues that have been an issue over the past three years haven’t entirely gone away, and Kopf, who also offers high-end developments in his hometown of Avon Lake, Ohio, says there’s still a worker shortage.

That’s why it’s important to start planning as soon as possible, Opfer says.

“It’s never too early to get going,” she says. “I’d rather wait for you than have you waiting for us.” tourchautauqua.com - 866-908-4569