I’ve been waiting months for this announcement!

We’re finally ready to introduce our latest remodeling project of The East Building and The Cottage at Seagull Bay.

In fact, we love this reno so much that Isaac and I did something we haven’t done before – we slept overnight in our own motel.

I’m Mollie, and my husband Issac and I are the owners of Seagull Bay: A Lakeside Motel. Since 2017, we’ve been restoring lodging in Bayfield, WI, just for you.

A quick backstory. Isaac and I left the big city to return to Isaac’s little hometown to raise our family. Our ticket home was purchasing a 1940s motel right on Lake Superior.

Since then, we’ve been working tirelessly on updating Seagull Bay and our adjacent property, Bay West. Some of our previous projects include:

• Creating a fresh brand and new logo
• Painting the exterior of all our buildings
• Installing air conditioning
• Updating our spaces with clean white linens
• Completing phase one of our 2022 Bay West Reno

What I love the most about our newest renovation is when you walk in, you instantly feel at ease. The cool, calming tones of blue and warm wood tones instantly allow your shoulders to relax.

Each room showcases the large lakefront windows framing the deep blue waters of Lake Superior. It’s peaceful and quiet. The perfect place to get away from it all.

Lodging in Bayfield, WI, Inspired by The June Motel

Who doesn’t love a good before and after? And I couldn’t have been more inspired when The June Motel hit Netflix. They were doing the exact same thing that Isaac and I were striving to do. Their ability to blend mid-century modern design elements with a Bohemian feel to create an inviting space caught my eye.

I love a clean, minimalistic design with classic mid-century modern accents. I like spaces that feel light and airy. The June Motel inspired me to use statement pieces like:

• Light fixtures
• Classic hardware
• Timeless furniture

To bring life to modern design that reflects Bayfield and its natural beauty. Our goal was to bring life to modern design that reflects Bayfield and its natural beauty. This is what we’ve strived to do in The East Building and The Cottage.

A Coastal Vibe With Modern Touches and Old-School Charm

The cottage might be my favorite renovation so far.

It’s always had the charm of a lakeside cottage. It’s full of nostalgia and reminds me of my Minnesota roots and our lake cabin. From the beginning, I’ve always had a soft spot for The Cottage – even with its 1990s green Berber carpeting.

During this renovation, we wanted to ensure we were still showcasing the parts we loved about the cottage – features like the tongue and groove walls and the upstairs bunk room. We added modern design elements, and I’m falling in love all over again.

To make the warm wood tones stand out, we’ve added crisp white trim and cabinetry to help brighten the space. Isaac’s brother handcrafted the railing and stairs leading up to the bunkroom mixing these two elements and creating an eye-catching design feature. The railing is by far Isaac’s favorite part of the entire renovation and for good reason.

The bunkroom showcases angled ceilings and vintage light fixtures and immediately invites you into this cozy space. It’s the perfect hangout for kids to play with Legos and race cars. It’s the perfect quiet place to steal away for a long afternoon nap.

Throughout The Cottage, you’ll find vintage-inspired lighting in the bunk room and the main living area and bathroom, elevating The Cottage’s simple and classic design.

The classic, cushy leather armchairs immediately invite you to sit down and relax. The clean mid-century modern design of the navy blue couch gives this space a classic feel.

The private balcony and patio furniture allow you to enjoy the expansive views of Lake Superior, Madeline, and Long Island. Sitting high above the shoreline, The Cottage reflects relaxing lodging in Bayfield, WI. For those looking for a fuss-free and restful getaway, this is the perfect place to land.

The East Building: A Peaceful Atmosphere Overlooking Lake Superior

It’s no secret that Lake Superior has many moods. And depending on the day, the color of the lake can range from:

• A bright and cheerful blue on a hot summer day
• Deep blue and calming hues of green
• Discontented gray and brown tones during rough and choppy seas

Our intention with this renovation was to showcase Seagull Bay’s best feature – Lake Superior. As soon as you open the sleek black door to your room in the East Building, you are greeted with:

• Soothing blue tones
• Warm wood accents anchor king and queen-size beds
• Crisp white linens with textured throws and pillows
• Modern brass fixtures and hardware
• Globe lighting hinting at a subtle deep-sea nautical theme

The brass light fixtures suspended from the ceiling and round bathroom mirror are reminiscent of the round windows, compass, and other classic fixtures found on a great sailing ship.

The warm wood flooring reflects tones of driftwood found on our beaches after it’s been tossed around by the wind and waves.

Eye-catching appliances imported from England, like the coffee makers, microwaves, and toasters bring visual interest to the full-functioning kitchens inside of The Cottage and the king-size rooms in the East Building.

But there’s nothing that grabs your attention more than the large window facing the lake. It draws you out onto the balcony overlooking Lake Superior. Here you can watch the sunrise over Madeline Island and sip your morning coffee. Or share a glass of wine before heading to bed.

The renovations at our lakeside Cottage and The East Building are truly a reflection of modern Lake Superior lodging in Bayfield, WI.

Lodging in Bayfield, WI, Inspired by Lake Superior Views

We couldn’t be happier with how these two renovation projects turned out.

It took 17 attempts to find the right tone of blue paint –“Hidden River and Hiding Space.” We had to wait months and months for the furniture and appliances to arrive, only to send some back when they didn’t quite fit. Of course, everything took longer and cost more than we expected. But we wouldn’t have it any other way because the end result is exactly what we wanted.

When we purchased the Seagull Bay Motel in 2017, it wasn’t just our ticket home. It was and still is a vision of undiscovered potential within this Lakeside property. Over the last six years, Isaac, our amazing staff, and I have worked hard to unlock its magic.

There is an element of relaxation and a high standard of hospitality instilled by its previous owners that we strive to live up to. As we continue to renovate and modernize this 1940s property, we want to keep this classic charm. A recent guest said Seagull Bay is the place where she would come to “breathe.”

When you come to visit us at Seagull Bay, whether you’re a:

• A solo traveler
• An adventurous couple
• Or an active family

We want you to feel peace and relaxation whenever you open the door to your room after a day filled with memorable Bayfield adventures.

Seagull Bay is inspired by the magnificent views of Lake Superior, The Apostle Islands, and the town we call home. Our lodging in Bayfield, WI is the place to be.

BOOK NOW and start planning your next vacation.

Restoring a slice of Bayfield just for you!

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks