Seth Petersen Cottage

Nestled in Mirror Lake State Park in Wisconsin, the Frank Llyod Wright designed Seth Petersen Cottage was a beautiful experience for romantic weekend getaway. Just South of the Wisconsin Dells, the state park and cottage has ready access to the amenities of the town while offering the opportunity to hide yourself away for a few days, to get lost in the wilderness, and be.

The hand operated gated drive introduces the pace and tone of the experience: deliberate movements, experience. After the vehicular procession through the gate, closing it behind you blocking out unwanted visitors and the hectic world beyond, a winding gravel/dirt road lined with wooden lanterns leads you seemingly deep into the woods of the park. It was mid March with a warm trend, lows of 40's and highs of 60's, but small patches of snow remained in strategic areas among the bare but dense forest. At the end of the trail was the cottage. Both perched and nestled on a hill top overlooking Mirror Lake, its external presence was meek. Through a screened door (screens on every opening as the original design from '53 had no A/C) and through a slim, tall double door - warmth enveloped you like a mother's warm blanket after being caught in a cold rain. The first breath was dripping with campfire. Combined with the warm orange glow of the sun splashed great room, I had the impression I was walking into the smoldering embers of deep and passionate fire.

While the space was only 880 sqft with two rooms an a bath, there was still clear division of spaces and sequence as the experience unfolded. The hearth facilitated the separation of entry/kitchen and living space when first entering the space. Around the corner of the hearth, another thin passage lead to the cave-like sleeping room with bathroom deeper yet. Once inside of the space, the hearth and the stone vocabulary unified the space; the different "rooms," including the outdoor rooms, now separated by subtle items: view, glass and frames, furniture.

The primary sitting porch overlooking the lake was where we spent most of the day on Monday: sipping hot chocolate, bathing in sunlight, watching the birds feast and squirrels quarrel. The music of the breeze blown evergreens and trees was soothing and timeless. I was happy time did not pass quickly, nor did I feel the urge to move on or do something - we were doing what we were to do. Only by the waning sun, did we acknowledge that dinner reservations were looming and we should greet the outer world.

I can't think of a more beautiful experience with the love of my life - my partner - and now my fiance.