Inside Interior Designer Michelle Boudreau’s Big Bear Lake Getaway

The article highlights the unique design of a lakeside cottage on Lake Michigan, featuring a cantilevered living room that provides exceptional views of the surrounding natural landscape. The cottage, designed by Lucid Architecture, is specifically crafted for an extended family, including the primary owners and their three grown children, necessitating a design that accommodates both privacy and communal gatherings. The architectural approach integrates the cottage seamlessly with its environment, utilizing natural materials and a layout that maximizes exposure to the lake and forest. The design process began with extensive site analysis, considering the topography, tree lines, and optimal views. Architect Toby Gebben focused on creating a structure that would not overwhelm the natural setting but rather become an extension of it. The cottage spans 2,500 square feet, thoughtfully laid out to serve multiple functions for its occupants. The most striking feature is the living room, which is elevated and extends out from the main structure, wrapped in glass to offer panoramic views of Lake Michigan. This 'floating' effect not only provides a unique aesthetic but also enhances the indoor-outdoor connection, making the lake a central part of the living experience. The interior of the cottage is designed with an open-plan concept, allowing natural light to penetrate deeply into the spaces and ensuring a continuous visual link to the outdoors. The material palette consists of locally sourced wood, stone, and large expanses of glass, reinforcing the natural theme and contributing to the cottage's warm and inviting atmosphere. Custom-built furniture and thoughtful interior design elements complement the architecture, creating a cohesive and comfortable living environment. The layout includes multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a large communal kitchen, and various seating areas, all designed to facilitate both large family gatherings and individual retreats. Outdoor living is a significant aspect of the cottage's design, with several decks and patios providing opportunities for relaxation and entertainment. A particularly notable outdoor feature is a screened-in porch, which offers a sheltered space to enjoy the lake breeze without the intrusion of insects. The landscape design around the cottage also emphasizes natural integration, with native plantings that require minimal maintenance and blend with the existing ecosystem. This attention to detail extends to sustainable practices, with features such as energy-efficient windows and insulation, contributing to the cottage's overall environmental performance. The cottage’s innovative design addresses the specific needs of an extended family by providing versatile spaces that can adapt to different activities. The separation of sleeping quarters from the main living areas ensures privacy, while the expansive common spaces encourage interaction and shared experiences. The cantilevered living room serves as a focal point, drawing attention to the spectacular views and making the cottage a distinctive landmark on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Ultimately, the project successfully marries modern architectural principles with the rustic charm of a lakeside retreat, creating a home that is both functional and aesthetically captivating. #LakeMichigan #TobyGebben #LakesideCottage #ExtendedFamily #Architecture #InteriorDesign #ModernHome #WaterfrontProperty

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration

This article details the unique Lake Norman home of dentist Bob Vaughan, a modern three-story concrete structure designed to serve as both a lively entertainment space and a comfortable family residence. Vaughan discovered the property, initially a small plot with a private beach and a trailer, during a WaveRunner excursion and purchased it, later transforming it into his current home. The house, built predominantly from concrete, is characterized by its imposing presence and a distinctive cobalt blue entrance door that opens into a light-filled hallway adorned with contemporary art. The home reflects Vaughan's dual life as a dentist and a father, balancing spaces for his two children, such as loft areas connected to their bedrooms and a separate playroom, with adult-oriented areas including a fully stocked bar. A key design principle was to integrate the surrounding lake environment, achieved through extensive wall-sized windows that offer panoramic views and abundant natural light throughout the house. The living room features a cozy yet contemporary design with bright pink Poliform chairs, a cowhide patch rug, and three-dimensional felt wall art, custom-designed by Vaughan, in black and white. A glass crystal fireplace, constructed from custom concrete and slate tile, serves as the central focal point of the living area. Adjacent to the living room, the dining room is elevated on a concrete stage and decorated with modern art, including a gold diamond dust print by Shepard Fairey. Collaborating with Paige Brice of PB Interior Design, Vaughan selected Italian dining room furniture with clean lines and classic colors. The deep brown dining table and six upholstered grey chairs are complemented by two hot pink stools, echoing the color scheme of the living room chairs. Three metallic light fixtures from Modern Lighting Design of Dilworth, hung at varying heights, emphasize the room's high ceilings and open ambiance. Vaughan's passion for entertaining is evident throughout the house, with speakers installed in every room, controlled by touch-screen remotes. The concrete bar features a deep blue acrylic backsplash and glass shelves displaying numerous drink options. Outside, the property includes a pool, a private beach, a dock with a speedboat, and WaveRunners. At night, colorful pool lights transform the outdoor space into a vibrant party setting. Despite the emphasis on entertaining, Vaughan also prioritized personal sanctuary, designing a master suite as a relaxing escape. The master bathroom is a highlight, featuring a 700-pound textured onyx soaking tub carved from a solid slab of granite, which served as the inspiration for the home's overall aesthetic. The master bath also includes a waterfall shower with changing lights and integrated music, creating a unique and immersive experience. This detailed approach to design creates a home that is both functional and expressive of Vaughan's lively personality and lifestyle. #LakefrontLiving #ModernArchitecture #LuxuryHome #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #EntertainmentSpace #ContemporaryArt #LakeNorman

This article features an interview with Betsy Moyer, an interior designer and co-founder of Retreat, where she shares her career journey and five actionable tips to enhance joy in living spaces. Moyer, a serial entrepreneur with a background in creative design and digital content strategy, co-founded The Estate of Things and The Blissfield Acres before launching Retreat in 2020. Retreat specializes in elevated, experiential design for short-term rental properties in the Joshua Tree area, offering services from real estate consultation to interior design. Her professional journey also includes roles as director of digital content strategy for NPR affiliate KCRW and The Design People, and she holds a Bachelor's of Art in History and is pursuing a master's in interior architecture and design. Moyer's passion for home, renovation, and real estate began early in life, leading her to co-launch her interior design and real estate blog, The Estate of Things, in 2008 with Sarah Farrell. This partnership chronicled their efforts in buying, renting, building, renovating, designing, and staging properties, and even included a brick-and-mortar shop. Her collaboration with Kate Shaw, founder of Riley Properties, an Airbnb Investment and Property Management company, naturally evolved into Retreat. Moyer recounts the rapid success of Retreat, noting that they quickly received more inquiries than they could handle after a weekend website launch, indicating a strong market demand for their specialized design services in Joshua Tree. A key lesson Moyer learned early in her career was the importance of balancing client satisfaction with personal well-being, moving from overcommitment to strategic project selection. She emphasizes focusing on enjoyable projects and creating a positive work environment for her team. Currently, Retreat is engaged in an interesting consulting project for new Airbnb construction and an exciting landmark project involving Kate Shaw's latest property, which will serve as a showcase for Retreat's capabilities. Moyer shares a deeply personal life lesson derived from a Rupi Kaur poem, reflecting on the transformative period of experiencing her daughter's birth, her mother's death from cancer, and her own cancer diagnosis and treatment. This period reshaped her perspective and intensified her drive. She credits Sarah Farrell for significantly influencing her design style and her husband for supporting her pursuit of a master's degree in interior design. The five recommendations Betsy Moyer provides for sparking more joy in a living space are: organizing the kitchen with beautiful storage, investing in high-quality bedding and mattresses, thoughtfully considering lighting, ensuring every item has an assigned place, and developing a cohesive space plan, 'vibes guide,' and color scheme. She believes these elements contribute significantly to creating a healthy and joyful home environment. Moyer concludes by proposing a movement centered on wellness in home design, advocating for spaces that support mental and physical health. She also expresses a desire to meet or work with Elon Musk, admiring his innovative spirit and skills, and jokingly suggests he hire her for his vacation home in Joshua Tree, CA. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #Entrepreneurship #Lifestyle #WellnessInDesign #AirbnbDesign #RetreatHome #SmallBusiness #JoyfulLiving