Entire Home Remodel

These high-end clients live a hectic and busy lifestyle and are constantly on the go. They desired a lake home that was both luxurious and modern, but also close enough to the city that they could easily escape to it, without adding an extensive commute. Finding the lake and location they loved, they were left with a small, dingy, and dark cottage. The cottage was a 900 square foot one bedroom and one bathroom home, that also had an old loft that was rarely used rendered unsafe due to the construction of the stairs. Overgrown landscaping shielded the beautiful lake views from the inside of the home and hindered direct access to the home’s private pier.

A luxurious, large lake house that maintained the characteristics and charm of a small lake cottage, provided brighter views, and was filled with modern amenities were the demands of these clients. Given the limitations of the lot, both with width and soil consistency, adding the additional space required proved to be challenging. To increase the size of their retreat, the home was built up as opposed to out, and a 900 square foot addition was added over the existing two and a half car garage. This addition provided for the original living space to be reimagined creating a three-bedroom, three-bathroom home, while also creating a private master suite retreat for this jet setting couple.

This large lake house pays homage to its cottage roots through the whimsical blue vinyl Smart Siding, and oversized almond Smart Side Trim. The almond color was specifically chosen to contrast to the blue while adding depth and visual interest to the sides of the cottage. Matching blue shake was installed in the home’s eaves to subtly continue the character details of typical of cottage living. The landscaping surrounding the home was cleared and cut back allowing for the home to become more immersed in the natural beauty of the lake; while the quaintness of cottage living was continued in the new square brick pathway surrounding the home.

Additional outdoor living space was added with an Azek stepped deck. This not only provided a more formal entryway into the home but also cleverly hides the access panel to the crawlspace beneath the home.

The existing garage’s roof was removed and rebuilt to provide the foundation for the new 900 sq ft addition. The location and size of this addition presented many obstacles and challenges in the initial building phase. Because the addition was being added over the garage, one of the challenges was how to keep the ceiling of the garage high enough to allow for vehicle clearance and the mechanicals that were being added to the home, but also was strong enough to support the new extension of the home. To accommodate the additional weight special headers were installed throughout the garage. To provide proper drainage for the new second story, the garage floor was excavated 4 feet down, then new concrete was poured and the entire floor sealed with a four coat chip sealant.

To continue the cottage charm of the home, corbel details were added beneath the overhang and a carriage style garage door adds elements of whimsy to the home’s curb appeal. To improve the energy efficiency of the home, spray foam insulation was installed throughout to help keep in the heat and keep out noise. Anderson triple pane windows were also added, not only energy efficient but large in size to fill the space with light, and truly bring the beautiful lake scenery into the home.

Bright and open with an emphasis on clean lines and functional living space. That was what these clients were looking for in their main floor. The addition of the new living space allowed the homeowners to take the previous dark, cramped, and compartmentalized home and open it up. To make the space feel expansive and bright, the previously unused loft space was eliminated and vaulted ceilings were created throughout most of the first floor.

To achieve the level of brightness they were looking for multiple recessed lights were added to the vaulted ceiling, the windows were enlarged and two Velux solar-paneled skylights were added. This, combined with the white walls and woodwork, make the space feel sprawling and bright, while still being energy-efficient. The mix of natural and general lighting ensures that no matter the time of day, this home will be bright and inviting.

This large living space was previously comprised of the living room, bedroom, family room, and small dining area. The walls were removed and an open concept space created for the family to enjoy, while the bedrooms and additional bathrooms were moved into the second story addition.

Part of the appeal of having a lake home was to be able to enjoy the lake whether they were out in nature or inside relaxing as a family. When inside, they wanted the views to act as the artwork of the home. To further emphasize these views the walls and trim were specifically chosen to be neutral, thus ensuring that there was nothing to distract and compete with the colors of the landscape. The back exterior wall of the home previously was split between two rooms and had one small window in each room. When the wall was removed this allowed the area to be combined and enlarged to a picture window with side casements. The windows on both of the adjacent walls also received new double casement windows. The neutral white was carried through the window framing to seamlessly blend into the walls and eliminate any potentially jarring breaks to the sightline. Wide planked oak hardwood floors were laid and custom stained on-site, providing a warm and balancing anchor to the expansive room.

The previous layout of this cottage was a series of small rooms, that made the overall home feel closed off and cramped and didn’t feel like the home away from home they desired. To rectify this, the entire first floor was gutted to the studs and built to create the open concept first floor that the homeowners were looking for. The original kitchen layout included a small work and cooking area, a small dining nook, and housed the home’s stacked washer and dryer unit. Functional, but a tight use of an already small space. Because this family often cooks together, they required a space that not only functioned as just cooking but also provided more counter and cabinet space for maximum work area and storage.

The remodeled kitchen removed the laundry area from the kitchen and also extended the counters and cabinet layout from wall to wall; encompassing what previously held the peninsula and small eating area. Custom maple cabinets were painted white and extended to the ceiling with elaborate crown molding for a bit of unexpected flair and interest in the space. The counters were topped with an exotic level granite, chosen to provide traditional black and white contrast and the added element of white veining throughout the granite to further tie the kitchen together.

The redesigned kitchen not only provided the increased storage and workspace the homeowners desired, but also allowed for the new farmhouse sink to be relocated underneath the window. This gave the clients an opportunity to enjoy the natural lake views that their home offers. The original space was lit by a single pendant light that was dim and left the main work area dark and hard to cook in.

Since lighting and brightness was a large concern for the client, multiple recessed can lights were installed to ensure the entire space was bright and useable and not focused on smaller specific areas. The small nook dining space was incorporated in the extension of the kitchen counters, and a larger dining table and area moved into the main living space of the great room.

Because the original cottage was so small and built without a basement, the main kitchen area was used as a laundry and cooking area. These new homeowners, however, desired the laundry be moved to a less prominent area and the kitchen remain strictly for their culinary exploits. By removing the laundry from the space, this created more area for the custom pantry to be installed and built around a new, larger refrigerator that seamlessly integrated the space into one large piece. Crown molding continues throughout the cabinet tops, and the coordinating granite laid to finish off the kitchen space.
The addition of this storage area into the kitchen ensures that the homeowner’s desire for increased storage space in their kitchen was maximized for all the space had to offer, and the white painted cabinets continued the bright, modern feel they wanted throughout the home.

The previous one bath home was large and dated. A non-functioning whirlpool tub dominated the space, and a separate stand up shower was tucked into the corner. The client’s desired a modern, spacious bathroom, that was cohesive with the style of the first floor and would provide guests plenty of space to refresh themselves after a day spent on the lake.
To give the bathroom a luxurious feel, the existing tub, window, and closet were removed and replaced with a large walk-in tile shower. The glass half-wall and door provide clean, seamless site lines, enhancing the expansive feel of the shower. Marble plank tile covers the walls and ceiling; the white tile and dark grout mimicking the color palette used in the kitchen while also coordinating to the exotic granite vanity countertop. Dual rain shower heads continue the guest’s spa experience.

The single vanity was replaced with matching custom maple painted cabinets and exotic granite as was used in the adjacent kitchen. This not only continued the modern styling of the first floor, but also makes the rooms cohesively flow as stylistic extensions of one another. The new vanity not only provided increased storage space, but the granite countertop was installed oversized to include an overhang that provides more prep space and also hides the garbage from view.

Because the window was removed, the loss of lighting was compensated for with an increased number of recessed lighting. These both brightened the entire space while also provided more functional task lighting over the vanity area. New heated marble floors replaced the existing linoleum flooring, adding another element of style and comfort for any guest.

To accomplish both the goals of moving the laundry to a less prominent area, and also increase storage in the bathroom, the existing stand-up shower was removed, the area re-framed, and new high-efficiency washer and dryer units installed in the space. This maintained the accessibility and convenience of first-floor laundry while tucking it out of sight and removing it from being an undesirable focal point of any room. To increase the vanity area of the bathroom, the door size and opening were decreased and this allowed for the additional space to be used for the oversized vanity counter.

These clients hoped for a space that they could relax and enjoy with their family and friends, but to make this possible the previous one bedroom layout of the cottage would not do. With the addition to the home, the newly created upstairs was able to more than adequately satisfy this desire. In addition to a master suite, two more guest bedrooms and bathrooms were added to the space. Both of the rooms continue the design motif of the first floor with the warm stained oak floors, white walls and white wood work, and are also filled with plenty of natural and recessed lighting.

The additional guest bedrooms also have their own full guest bathroom as luxurious and large as the first-floor bathroom. Styled with a mix of matching tower and double storage vanity cabinets, there is plenty of space for even the most sprawling of guests. The exotic granite counters and custom cabinetry are continued from the first floor. The wall and ceiling tile of the shower are a nod to the spa like bathroom below with a smaller profile plank tile and dark grout lines, continuing the repetition of the larger shower on this smaller scale. Barn style glass sliding shower doors finish the
framing of the space. Heated marble floors in a long plank design mimic the wood paneling of the rest of the home.

Staying true to the client’s desire to fill the home with light, even in the bathroom a small window was added to let natural light in while still maintaining their privacy.

The home wouldn’t be a true retreat without a master suite for the couple to start and end their days in. This large bedroom overlooks the lake and takes advantage of the views with new energy-efficient windows on all three walls. Vaulted ceilings were added in this portion of the home to mimic the expansiveness and style of the first floor. The bed is balanced by two entryways, one providing the main entry into the space and the other access to the private master ensuite.

The simple design style of white walls and woodwork paired with large planked warm oak flooring is continued throughout this space as well. Creating a seamless addition marrying both the original and new portions of the lake house so that they feel like one and make it impossible to find where one ends and the other begins.

The large master bathroom of this home leaves little to be desired. The custom cabinets and granite countertops are
repeated here as well, and the same heated marble floors carry throughout this space. A large floor to ceiling walk-in shower is nestled into the corner of the room and finished with small white subway tile and white grout, the change from
dark grout to light was a deliberate decision given the size of the shower. The repetition of white on white was specifically chosen to keep the eye from stopping on any one spot. Recessed lighting provides needed general lighting and an additional window lets in natural light to fill the space.

The large master bathroom also has access to the couple’s walk in closet, as well as access to the main hallway.

The original lake home was in the exact location these client’s desired, but the home itself left everything to be desired. They wanted open concept and filled with bright light and lake views. Additional bedrooms, bathrooms and storage were high on their list as well; all wrapped up in a home that was fresh and modern yet still maintained some cottage charm.

The details combined to transform a dingy cottage into the lake house of their dreams.

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