In lakeside contemporary, an upscale haven

Although the road that leads to this waterfront haven on Lake Cochituate passes tiny cottages built in the early 1900s, this home is essentially new: gutted, raised above a new 10-foot foundation, and rebuilt as a contemporary in 2005. The owner, Robert Murray, retired chief executive of Corporate Interiors and WorkSpace Designs, created peaceful indoor and outdoor spaces with stone pavers and paths, a screened porch surrounding the front door and dining room, a deck overlooking the multiterraced landscaped yard and the lake, and various cozy sitting areas beside flowering bushes and small trees of all kinds.

"I just love it," Murray said of his outdoor retreat.

Inside is an open living area, with cathedral ceilings, recessed lighting, ceiling fans and air conditioning, two bright walls of glass with French doors, and a fireplace in a wall of fieldstone.

"This is the heart of the house," said the listing broker, Christine Norcross of William Raveis Exceptional Properties. The kitchen includes cabinets made of distressed cherry, granite countertops, a tumbled marble backsplash, a Miele dishwasher, and JennAir stainless appliances. The breakfast bar has a built-in wine rack and cabinets with glass-front doors. Floors throughout are natural wide maple hardwood with radiant heating underneath.

The first floor has two bedrooms and a library. Down a maple stairway with intricate metal railing is the master bedroom suite, with doors that lead out to the backyard.

The suite has an office, exercise/media area, and oversized steam shower with custom glass doors and a double Bain spa.

This feels like an ideal bachelor's pad, with all walls painted off-white, an indoor-outdoor sound system, a back-up generator, and a heated oversized two-car garage with running water.