Custom Happens The Modern Lakehouse with a lot of personality

Every so often a client comes around that is unexpected. We have many clients that we fall in love with after we start working with them.  Some even become like family.  We know their kids and pets and we are melancholy when the project is complete because we don’t want to say goodbye.  When this client called to discuss her upcoming new build, a modern lakehouse, we were excited. We love new projects! 

The Client ….

This project brought a rare gem to us, though.  We knew Ms. E was going to be fun to work with right from the start. You know the coolest girl in the room?  The one who is cool just because she is comfortable with who she is and everyone wants to talk to her? That is our client on this design project. Think I exaggerate? Wait until you see what is behind those gorgeous front doors.  

A surprising discovery 

On our initial call to talk about the project , I asked the standard question “How did you hear about us? What made you give us a call?“ We were told it was because of the bathroom on our website designed after the movie “the big Lebowski.”Wow . That was another great space and was incredibly fun to create.  Everyone asks us about it. Very few have the inspiration to follow the lead of going so far out of the box. (I hope Mr. Lebowski Remodel is reading this because he is way too cool, as well. ) 

 

However, it is seldom that we hear a client hire us because we pull off a man’s bathroom , with a urinal,  designed as omage to the bowling cult classic movie . Apparently, we really tied that room together. That might have been a clue that we were in for a fun ride then and there.

 

Getting Started on the Modern Lakehouse 

As there was no home to go to for our initial meeting, we ended up meeting for lunch to discuss what the scope of the project was. This was a new build with only dirt and architectural plans. Usually those first meetings can be a little formal. You make small talk, gather some basic information and discuss next steps . This was not the case. We did all of that, of course . Hard to work on a new build without the scope of the project.

Kismet. 

However , our new client quickly showed us her personality and it was a match at first sight. It was clear she shared our slightly warped sense of humor while being genuinely kind in the way that you don’t usually find with strangers.   I think we spent more time laughing than eating at that first meeting. It is not often that a client hears ideas and says things like “Bitchin”  and I was loving every minute of it.We quickly learned that this was a lady who knew her mind and loved her dogs – two things that made us adore her immediately.

 

The Foundation of A Modern Lakehouse (Or any large building project) 

It is important to know for full transparency that we are not the builder of this specific project. We were brought in after the builder was hired. However, every design selection and decision in that home is a product of the collaboration between our client and Sutton Place. It is also important to know that the client gave us as much joy as hopefully we gave her design guidance and a home that she loves for years to come .

Usually, we find that clients love creative design. They hire us to push them out of their comfort zone. However , when you look at the investment in a remodel or building a home, it is natural to be a bit more conservative in final choices.   A client will tend to go towards a more timeless choice when picking things like wallpaper or furniture.  

 

This house will be full of joy because it was designed with happy. 

Not Ms. E! She had this increble perspective that she just wanted to love it, not settle on it. If it was art or a rug, a chair or a light fixture. That made this project so much fun because while it is our place to ensure good decisions were made and when we selected furniture , Kimberly and I were pulling out tape measures out and looking at cushions. Will it fit with table ABC up on the 3rd floor? I guess that is one way to do it. Another way?  Ms. E grabbed the chair and went up two levels on the escalator to sit it next to the actual table. 

 

 

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The glances in the showroom were less than casual and it was hilarious to see their faces as this sweet lady schlepped chairs all over the place. If you asked me? Her way was much more practical (not to mention fun.)  And, when we met who would be sharing that outdoor space, we knew why it was important to get it right! 

 

This home will be one of a kind and everyone who visits will want to see everything! 

When selecting wall finishes ,  We were really getting in the vibe and understood that while Ms. E wanted to make good decisions, she wanted to love her home. She wanted this modern lakehouse to feel happy and reflect her sunny self.  So, we were off and running. Here are some of our favorite selections that might surprise you with how fun they are…

 

To start with, we landed on happy dancing zebras with a sunny gold background for the wallpaper in the laundry room.

 

 

There is a guest bedroom full of romantic roses and a chandelier that screams gorgeous. 

 

We love the GORGEOUS wallpaper in a romantic rose pattern for the guest room. It adorns all of the walls and acts as a compliment to the beautiful lake view and statement chandelier. It is a perfect fit for the modern lakehouse and guests will want to stay forever!

 

 

 

                                                                A vibrant home office in this modern lakehouse takes full advantage of it’s 180 degress views .                                                                                                          Glossy teal walls and animal prints with  an antler chandelier because why not                                                                                  with such a fantastic work space? 

 

A Modern Lakehouse that has us saying  ” There’s no place like home “

An Emerald green vanity to make The Wizard envious with brushed gold fixtures to create a glam effect next to the colorful zing.

 

      

 

 

                                                                                                             A subtle greeting for guests in the shower. 

      

 

 Amazonian critters are hiding around every corner in the powder room . 

              

 

 

Oh yeah – the bathtub in the master bath has hand made walnut legs to elevate it and show off its star power .

Would you expect anything else from a modern lakehouse as gorgeous as this? </h4>

 

 

 

 

 It might sound a little chaotic but this is WHY hiring a design team is so important. You may know what you like. Making it work together is where it gets tricky. Thanks to a client that knew her mind but trusted our expertise, solid communication and years of experience, we were able to bring her dream home across the finish line.  The selections make here happy and the bold choices work exceptionally well for this modern lakehouse. 

Kimberly and I had so much fun working with Ms. E. If we were making selections, there was no doubt it was a pass or fail. A simple nose crinkle to be gentle with our feelings or “she loves” said it all . I had to ask who “she” was at first but then Kimberly and I  caught on to the use of 2nd person immediately and she caught onto my midwestern terms like “somewheres over there” and we were finishing each other’s sentences pretty quickly.

Custom Happens 

As anyone that has built a home or done a remodel knows, even the best laid plans experience a few hiccups.  A discontinued item or modification required us to make  change in a few places. A light fixture here or a faucet there. Nothing major but still, these things can be overwhelming. Ms. E had the attitude of “Dude. It’s a light fixture. Let’s find a similar one. I trust you. ” We have had client’s that were disappointed or angry or even cry. I have never once had one call me “Dude.” Which is where the Big Lebowski must circle back in (if you haven’t seen the movie, at least google it !) and made the norms of problem solving on custom builds so much smoother. We found alternatives that worked out perfectly. 

 

  This was the inspiration for the master bath shower in the modern lakehouse. We landed on a similar style that evolved from this.

 

I hope you check out the pictures of this modern lakehouse from  the start to finish and enjoy the pictures . I really hope you can see a bit of this lovely person shine through in her home and I hope you are inspired to step out of your comfort zone the next time you want to make a change in your own space . Even if you just start with one dancing zebra.


Creatively yours .

 

Kimberly and Andrea