Could you post the floor plan so we can see what is going on?

In general I find such regular symmetry too formal for a beach house -- any way you could move the garage around to the side, or into a separate building of its own? Then give your front door more depth with a big porch -- you're after a welcoming feeling that will pull the viewer in, right?

This is the infamous Something's Gotta Give movie beach house, but it's illustrative: you would likely get a LOT of use and pleasure out of a much bigger porch that wraps around the home and provides a nice buffer between lake and house.

PS! This is my former bungalow, a very modest 24' x 37'. You can do an awful lot with overarching porches and dormers to increase the curb appeal and coziness, and negate the rectangular "double-wide" feeling.

If you have a sketch of the shape of the lot and what the landscaping is like, that would help immensely.

Circus: We are sill tweaking the floor plan, but here is what we have now. Essentially, we want kitchen/living room to take advantage of rear view. As for the lot/landscaping. There is a gentle left to right slope but the front to rear slope is drastic. We can't do a side load garage due to the lot size (and slope). There won't be any landscaping to speak of other than in the direct front of the house. The house will only sit about 20 ft off of a small lane/street. Lots of windows on back, but not many needed on the front side. I love that house photo from the movie, but need help making it still look cottage-like with a one story. Your bungalow is cool. Love it. Seems hard to keep the cottage look when needing low and wide rather than tall and narrow.

The slit-like windows and solid doors convey the feel of a fortress rather than a welcoming home.
Windows with a wider proportion and some glass at the doorway (sidelites if not a glazed door) make it more welcoming.
Casey

Can you post some pictures of the beachy/cottage look you are trying to get? They look different in different parts of the country and we have people here from all over.

Oh man... I don't care for those front windows at all!
Why so very narrow?

Take a look at this lakeside setting, which busts the cube and orthagonal geometry for great effect: http://www.ldarchitects.com/projects/view/bear_hill_pond

Good luck on your project.

Ha. I can widen those windows. Part of issue is security since not a full time home. Some we like are here:
http://pinterest.com/cair88/entrance/
I suppose real issue is whether to go with this footprint with symmetrical ends that stick out. We like these
http://associateddesigns.com/plan/30500
or maybe change to front more like these where center stick out
http://www.architecturalhouseplans.com/home_plans/200
Or
http://www.familyhomeplans.com/print_plan_details.cfm?PlanNumber=24717
Please understand I am open for ALL suggestions for mt dimensions with front load garage. But I do like screened porch idea behind garage.
I really appreciate feedback so far

[Contemporary Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2103) by Minneapolis Architect Andrea Swan - Swan Architecture

{{gwi:1420628}}

Source: search.har.com via Paige on Pinterest

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The stair is not ok. You have a landing that is 3' and the flights are 4'10" wide. The stairs is one of the things that needs to be defined early.

The front and back roof pitch can be different than the sides roof pitch in case you need the roof to look higher in the front.

Sometimes there is not need of too many bells and whistles in order to add charm to a cottage.
Are you going to involve a designer or an architect in the process?