A rotting boathouse on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Park, has been transformed into a tiny concept home.

"It was a mess," said designer Debbie Rossman, owner of Tiny and Smart LLC, who renovated the small shed. "This wall didn't even touch the ground."

Rossman was one of nearly two dozen volunteer designers featured in this year's Designers' Show House, a charitable event using the luxury estate on which the boathouse sits as a home decorating showcase.

The biennial showcase allows top local designers and decorators to reimagine the interiors of stately Grosse Pointe-area homes.

They decorated the interior of a three-story English Tudor at 15500 Windmill Pointe Drive this year, and it's on display through May 22.

But the 220-square-foot boathouse needed a little extra love.

A crew from J.D. Engle Construction shored-up the walls and added a new garage door to allow the breeze to roll in from the lake, with a bar that sits right at the lake's edge.

"It's looks bigger because of all the windows," Rossman said.

She added a tiny kitchen space in the entryway, a shower stall and toilet, a living space with stools tucked under a coffee table and an elevated bed, accessible by ladder.

"And the lake, it adds to the square-footage," Rossman said.

"... It's all a matter of perspective."

The tiny concept home isn't yet connected to running water.

It's a model of more things to come from Rossman, who is looking to build a community of tiny homes in Detroit.

It's the first time a tiny home model is included in the Designers' Show House.

Designer's Show House:

A 5,300-square-foot home adjacent to the boathouse is the main attraction.

Built in 1927 for Col. Jesse G. Vincent, an American aircraft designer and Packard Motor Car Company executive, the home was designed by architecture firm Benjamin and Straight and features a boat canal that from the lake to an indoor boat well under the living room.

The Designers' Show House charitable fundraiser has been held every other year since 1976, allowing top local designers and decorators to reimagine the interiors of stately Grosse Pointe-area homes.

Proceeds benefit the Junior League of Detroit, which is partnering with local non-profit Humble Design to bring essential kitchen appliances -- pot, pans and utensils -- to families in need. The project will also support healthy and nutritional eating opportunities for Detroit children and families.

When the show ends on May 22, the furniture and decorations will leave with the designers, and the home will be returned to its owners, who handed the keys over to the volunteer designers after buying the estate last year.

Tickets:

The Designers' Show House is open through Sunday, May 22.

Tickets are $25 at the door or through the Junior League of Detroit office: 313-881-0040 or jldetroit.org.

Hours:

Monday and Friday: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Tues, Wed & Thurs: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Sunday: Noon- 5 p.m.