This century-old lakeside home was reimagined to create a connection to the view at every turn – and the moody meets Scandi style echoes it perfectly

This article details how designer Vanessa Helmick approached the challenge of creating a modern yet classic aesthetic for a Maine lake house, which serves as a gathering place for an extended family. The clients had a strong preference for a strict blue and white color palette, a common theme in nautical decor. Helmick's objective was to infuse interest into this classic scheme and prevent the space from appearing kitschy, especially in a lofty guest room. To achieve this, Helmick centered the guest room design around a modern platform bed. She introduced a graphic block-print pillow with a subtle touch of terra cotta to add a contemporary element and break the monochromatic dominance. The walls were painted with Benjamin Moore’s Oxford White, while the millwork was accented with Chantilly Lace, a strategy employed to highlight architectural details and prevent the high-ceilinged room from feeling overly cavernous. For window treatments, the designer selected blackout roller shades in navy blue fabric with a cross-hatch texture. These shades created a striking color-block effect behind the bed, serving a functional purpose while also contributing to the room's modern aesthetic, moving beyond traditional vinyl options. Nods to the lake house setting were incorporated through elements like hand-painted paddles from New England Canoe Co., sourced via Etsy. Helmick arranged these paddles creatively, flipping the center one in the opposite direction to add an artistic touch rather than a purely conventional display. The chosen CB2 bed features an upholstered headboard, offering comfort without obstructing the windows, and its low-slung, platform style makes it practical for families with small children. The king-size bed ensures ease of access and comfort. Underfoot, a wool herringbone rug was selected for its resemblance to seagrass but with superior softness, durability, and ease of cleaning. Braided jute ottomans were included for their versatility, functioning as child-friendly seating and footstools for a nearby glider. To avoid a overly uniform appearance, Helmick opted for two distinctly different nightstands: a side table with rope accents and a steamer trunk from Pottery Barn Teen. This choice maintained a sense of symmetry to anchor the room while preventing a 'matchy-matchy' aesthetic. The steamer trunk also provided practical storage for extra blankets, enhancing both form and function within the space. The overall design successfully balances traditional nautical elements with contemporary design choices, creating a sophisticated and functional retreat. #HomeDesign #LakeHouse #InteriorDesign #NauticalTheme #ModernDesign #ColorPalette #GuestRoom #MaineDesign

This blog post features a unique custom-built home located at 3482 Flamingo Ave. on Siesta Key, currently on the market for $5.8 million. Completed in 2019, the residence seamlessly blends Old World architectural elements with modern design aesthetics. The owner, Gary McDermott, who had no prior experience in architecture or home design, custom-built the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom house with personal touches that also appeal to a broader market. McDermott is selling the home due to a relocation to Raleigh for work. The exterior of the home showcases more than 24 feet of hand-carved Cantera stone framing the double front doors, which are 10-foot-tall mahogany. These carvings include frangipani, his wife’s favorite flower, and a flamingo, a nod to the home's address. Wall-climbing vines and a water fountain contribute to a regal entrance, while wrought-iron balconies overlook a Roman-style pool. The property sits on an acre of land on the north end of Siesta Key and includes a three-car garage. Inside the 4,152 square-foot residence, the fusion of styles continues. An interior courtyard houses a 45-foot lap pool, surrounded by stone pillars. This five-foot-deep pool not only serves as a focal point but also functions to cool the house, reportedly lowering the temperature by 10-15 degrees and creating a natural draft. The pool area also offers views of a large backyard and canal access to Sarasota Bay. McDermott sourced the hand-carved stone from Mexico, emphasizing his preference for Old World styles while maintaining a clean, modern look. The interior features extensive tiling throughout, with traditional furniture pieces and light fixtures complementing updated bathroom and kitchen cabinetry. The kitchen boasts blue azul granite countertops, a material also used around the pool. The owner noted that delays in finding specific tiles provided ample time to refine their vision for the home. A notable amenity for contemporary living is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house equipped with a full kitchen and a luxury office, catering to remote workers. Looking ahead, the roof was intended for further development, with plans for a greenhouse, a day bed, a putting green, and a bocce ball court, adorned with cacti and bromeliads. These future projects are now available for the next homeowner to undertake. Steve Abbe of the Abbe Ross Team with Coldwell Banker Realty in Florida is the contact for inquiries regarding the property. #SiestaKey #CustomHome #LuxuryRealEstate #MediterraneanArchitecture #OldWorldDesign #ModernDesign #SarasotaHomes #HomeForSale #ArchitecturalFeatures

This article details the comprehensive renovation of a historic 1894 officer's quarters on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, undertaken by Donivon and Anne Glassburn. The project aimed to retain the home's historic aesthetic while integrating modern amenities and design. A significant aspect of the renovation involved carefully dismantling and then reusing 200-year-old oak boards from the original structure, which were milled into floorboards for the second level, creating a sense of continuity with the ground floor's reclaimed wood. This approach contributed to the home's perceived 'soul,' as noted by interior designer Allison Elebash. Architect Beau Clowney was instrumental in designing a 900-square-foot addition that harmonized with the original structure's scale and details. This addition primarily created an open living space at the back of the house, featuring steel doors that open to a pool area, envisioned by the Glassburns as a private resort. Elebash's interior design strategy focused on bridging the old and new elements through classic finishes, sculptural furniture, durable fabrics suitable for a coastal environment, and the strategic display of the family's modern art collection. The renovation emphasized creating a sense of spaciousness. The addition of a wall of steel windows and doors in the living area, despite its moderate size, makes the room feel significantly larger. Careful planning by Clowney and Elebash regarding interior doorways, kitchen layout, and furniture placement contributes to the illusion of a much larger home, with visitors often estimating it to be 3,600 square feet, when it is actually 2,950 square feet. The front room serves a dual purpose as an everyday entry and a special-occasion dining room, facilitated by clever furniture choices like a round dining table that allows for ample foot traffic. The design incorporates a mix of high-end and inexpensive items, such as antique dining chairs paired with an acrylic table and a durable seagrass rug, ensuring both elegance and practicality for daily life with pets. The kitchen, where the addition meets the original structure, features marble used in contemporary ways, such as a waterfall island and slab backsplash, creating a focal point on the range wall. Transom windows above the doorways enhance light flow and character. Shaker cabinets, painted in a diluted Benjamin Moore's Collingwood (OC-28) to match the original window and door trim's thin bead detail, and walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Simply White (OC-117) complete the cohesive look. A pass-through area, originally intended as a sitting room, was converted into a cabinet-lined butler's pantry, easing traffic flow during entertaining and complementing the petite kitchen. The cabinetry in this area is painted Farrow & Ball's Stone Blue (No. 86) as a nod to the coastal setting, and polished nickel hardware was predominantly used, with brass accents in the butler's pantry. Upstairs, a bedroom was transformed into a den, initially appearing bland with white walls. Elebash introduced Thibaut's Kasai wallpaper to add a significant visual impact. The renovation budget was managed by limiting the home's size to 2,950 square feet, allowing for investment in high-end materials and features like a vaulted ceiling with early 20th-century style beams and shiplap walls that visually distinguish the new addition from the original drywall. The main bathroom includes carved storage nooks to address an awkward bump-out and a wall-to-wall mirror to enhance the sense of space. The daughter's bedroom features a cheerful Quadrille's Sigourney Small Scale fabric for the headboard, bed skirt, and Roman shades, complemented by a bright white palette, rattan accents, and colorful woven baskets as wall decor. Externally, Clowney restored the exterior to its original 1890s appearance while adding modern touches, such as a 10-foot-deep porch, substantial shutters, and dramatic rooflines with replicated trusses. Contemporary elements like ipe decking, oversized pool pavers, and modern landscaping by Sheila Wertimer contrast with the historic facade. This blend of historical preservation and modern convenience has created a home that the Glassburns cherish, with their daughter already expressing a desire to inherit it. #HistoricRenovation #CoastalHomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalAddition #ReclaimedMaterials #LuxuryRenovation #SullivanIsland #TraditionalMeetsModern #HomeTransformation

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

Modular housing is gaining popularity across America, offering a blend of traditional aesthetics and contemporary construction techniques. A prime example is the Lake Muskoka Boathouse, an 870 square foot prefabricated home situated on the shores of Lake Muskoka in Ontario, Canada. Designed by the Torontonian architecture firm MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, this charming lake house seamlessly integrates a traditional boathouse façade with eco-conscious construction. The architects, known for their expertise in prefab modular buildings, have created a home that is both cozy and spacious. The design emphasizes natural textures through the extensive use of wood, glass, and other organic materials, which contribute to an interior that is consistently filled with natural light and fosters a strong indoor-outdoor connection. This design approach positions the house as an ideal retreat for spending full summer days by the lake. The exterior of the Lake Muskoka Boathouse features a distinctive gabled roofline and a combination of vertical and horizontal wood siding. Ample windows are strategically placed to maximize natural light and offer expansive views. The house's exterior design is characterized by its rustic appearance, harmonizing with the surrounding landscape. Natural materials are integrated into the architecture to create a cohesive look, with exterior walls painted in warm brown tones and shingle siding made of cedar in a similar color. Large windowpanes and transparent doors invite sunlight indoors, providing breathtaking views of the lake and the vibrant forest. Black-colored trim around the windows complements the shingle siding, adding a cohesive design element. A central chimney, visible on the roof, serves as a visual marker for the building. The combination of stone and wood siding further enhances the aesthetic appeal, blending the prefabricated family home with the natural beauty of the lake environment. Inside, the modest 870 sq ft prefab lake house features an open-plan layout for the primary living area. A prominent exposed wooden-beam ceiling and a stone fireplace serve as focal points. The living room flows seamlessly into the kitchen and dining room, creating a continuous space ideal for hosting and social gatherings. The large, expressive wooden beams of the ceiling contribute to the rustic style and create an illusion of greater space within the compact home. The architectural design is further enhanced by timber beams that intertwine with the window panels, offering picturesque views of the lake. Despite its modest size, the clear geometry of the house contributes to a spacious feel. Wood paneling on the walls and ceilings provides a cozy, cabin-like ambiance. The stone fireplace acts as a central attraction, complementing the natural color palette used throughout the room. This prefabricated house is designed for individuals seeking a natural living environment with a warm and familiar atmosphere, offering a quick assembly process with minimal environmental impact. #PrefabHouse #RusticArchitecture #LakeMuskokaBoathouse #ModularHousing #EcoFriendlyConstruction #NaturalMaterials #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SustainableLiving