SML Home Spotlight: Cottage Comforts, Camp Soul

When Dori and Larry Witek first spotted the listing on Zillow, they weren’t actively searching for a lake house.

Like many Smith Mountain Lake dreamers, they had been watching lots, imagining what they might someday build. But something about this modest 1970s cottage in Moneta — tucked along a quiet, deep-water cove near Virginia Dare Marina — felt different.

“We came up the very next day and bought it,” Dori said. “The floors and the fireplace were what did it for me. Everything else felt fixable.”

At the time, the home measured roughly 1,700 square feet and was dated and worn, the result of decades of love followed by years of limited upkeep as the previous owner aged. Still, its bones told a story, one Dori recognized instantly. Wide pine floors with decades of patina, a simple stone fireplace and a setting that offered long water views and privacy year-round.

“We always said we bought the view,” she said. “The house was nothing much to look at, but we knew we could make it right.”

The Witeks purchased the property in 2022 and spent several years using it as-is, a decision that would later shape the success of the renovation. Living in the cottage helped the couple understand how the home functioned — and where it fell short.

“That turned out to be one of the best things we did,” Dori said. “You learn how the light comes in, where people naturally gather, what spaces don’t work. It helps you avoid mistakes.”

Preserving the Spirit of the Past

Before the renovation, the cottage was undeniably dated, but it had quirky charm. And charm was something Dori was determined not to erase.

“I grew up going to lakes in upstate New York, old cottages from the ’60s and ’70s that felt like summer camp,” she said. “That feeling was important to us. We didn’t want this to turn into something too polished or perfect.”

That philosophy guided every decision. Rather than chasing trends, the goal was to create a warm, organic home that felt lived-in and easy, a place where wet towels, muddy dogs and grandkids were part of the plan.

Pine, integral to the original home, remained central to the renovation, reinforcing the cottage’s 1970s roots. Bedrooms and baths stayed intentionally modest. Durable materials were prioritized. Original features, including the wide pine floors (and even a few well-placed squeak) were preserved.

“That’s camp to me,” Dori said. “Those sounds and imperfections bring back memories.”

A Light-Filled Heart of the Home

The most dramatic interior change came in the kitchen and dining area. Originally tight and dark, the space no longer suited how the Witeks gathered with family and friends.

To create room for a proper dining space, they bumped out one side of the house. It was a move that not only allowed for a full-size dining table and a wall of windows overlooking the lake, but also made it possible to reconfigure the primary suite with a new bathroom and additional closet space.

To bring the vision to life, the Witeks worked with Eric Buck, owner of Comprehensive Home Designs and a longtime draftsman in the area, whose familiarity with lake homes and thoughtful approach helped translate their ideas into a cohesive plan.

“That one change made the biggest difference in how we live here,” Dori said. “This is where we sit all night, playing cards, reading, talking, having a drink. It’s where everyone ends up.”

The kitchen itself remains intentionally small, reflecting how the home is used. The white paint palette provides a clean, neutral backdrop, while a bold pop of red on the lower cabinets adds personality without overwhelming the space. Butcher block counters and retained retro appliances reinforce the cottage’s relaxed character.

“I love white because it lets the architecture and the view take center stage,” Dori said. “The walls are just a backdrop.”

The adjacent dining area also serves as a casual office and library, reinforcing the home’s multifunctional, no-fuss approach to living.

Comfort Where It Counts

Another major transformation was the addition of the master bathroom, designed with comfort and longevity in mind. Heated floors and a practical, easy-to-use tub replaced what had been a shared, undersized bath.

“I wanted something that felt good to live with,” Dori said. “This isn’t a show house.”

Today, the home includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms, thoughtfully arranged to accommodate family and guests without losing the cottage-scale intimacy that drew the Witeks in from the start.

Downstairs, guest rooms and gathering spaces were designed to withstand heavy use. Luxury vinyl plank flooring accommodates dogs, kids and lake gear, while a restored fireplace with gas logs adds warmth. Storage solutions — from built-ins to repurposed vintage cabinets — keep clutter at bay without sacrificing character.

Dori’s approach to furnishing reflects that same balance. Basic, comfortable furniture forms the foundation, layered with repurposed, vintage and primitive pieces that add texture and story. A saddle trunk in the living room serves as a coffee table, while a vintage ice box in the lower level stores fishing gear.

Designed for the Outdoors

Outside, the renovation focused on low maintenance and seamless connection to the lake. Shake siding, a green metal roof and outdoor furnishings made of composite materials minimize upkeep, allowing weekends to be spent enjoying the property rather than maintaining it.

A cozy lakeside fire pit, added early on, quickly became a favorite gathering spot. A rare beach area provides easy water access, while the quiet cove attracts wildlife, including birds Dori loves to watch and photograph from the kitchen window.

“The house is really just a frame for what’s outside,” she said. “That’s what we’re here for.”

A Place That Feels Like Home

Today, the cottage encompasses about 2,100 square feet, modest by lake standards but perfectly suited to the Witeks’ lifestyle. It’s a place meant for shorts and T-shirts, puzzles and quilts, kayaks and coffee on the porch.

The couple, along with their goldendoodle Tate, split their time between SML and Cary, N.C., but “We want to be here all the time now,” said Dori. “It feels like we’re part of the community. It’s small-town, welcoming. It’s exactly what we were hoping for.”

Her advice to others considering a lakehouse renovation?

“Live in it first,” she said. “Let the house tell you what it needs.”