Tag: lake house

Deeply Rooted: Billy Reid Refashions the Family Cabin on Alabama’s Wilson Lake

Posted on Jeanne Delathouder
Billy Reid and family with dog on steps in front of Wilson Lake, Alabama

Photography: Robert Rausch

One look inside Billy Reid‘s family cabin, and it becomes apparent that his eye for style extends far beyond his flair for fashion design. Celebrated for his line of modern Southern clothing—with 15 boutiques across the country—Billy’s innate sense of form and function seeps through the entire home, from room to room. Perched above Shoal Creek on Wilson Lake in Northern Alabama, the seven-acre site tucks into a lush canopy of hardwoods just beyond the water’s edge. Billy and his wife, Jeanne, bought the property in 2015. Over the next few years, while working nights and weekends with their local carpenter friend Sam Magill, they handcrafted a highly personalized space that truly embodies who they are as a family.

Treehouse Vibe

exterior reclaimed family cabin by Wilson Lake

“We wanted to create a loft-style space with tons of light and the feel of a large treehouse,” Billy says. “The cabin is surrounded by trees and situated on Shoal Creek, connected to the Tennessee River. It’s incredibly private and is barely visible from the water.”

When the project started, the couple knocked out walls and dropped ceilings in the top-floor living area. In addition, they incorporated what was once the screened porch into their open floor plan to increase the square footage. Next, to resolve the lack of an open-air porch, they outfitted the back and sides of the house with floor-to-ceiling windows. This created a breezy indoor-outdoor effect—perfect for when southern temps start to cool down in the fall.

“The back deck leads to a walkway along the water line to a private boat dock and sun deck, where we spend a ton of family time in the summer with our friends,” notes Billy. “Someday, we’d like to develop the property with tiny houses for the family. But that will have to wait a few years. We worked on the space for six years, completing project after project until finally putting it all together. It’s been a labor of love, and now that it is somewhat finished, we can fully enjoy it.” 

Visually Connected

View of dining room, living room, and fireplace in reclaimed family cabin

By knocking down walls and absorbing the screened porch into the house, the couple created an effortless open floor plan. As a result, their family cabin visually connects the living spaces while capturing the woodland view from nearly every vantage point. “With the large windows, the woods and water become a backdrop,” says Billy. “I feel that keeping the interior colors neutral is more compatible with the outdoors and helps the space stay bright.”

The couple installed a mixed species of reclaimed flooring and left it unfinished to generate warmth and a modern vibe. They used pine plank walls throughout—there is not one piece of Sheetrock anywhere in the house. In addition, the Reids also chose a soft white hue to allow the warmth of the old flooring—reclaimed from a South Carolina home built in 1840—to shine through, emitting a light, clean feel. They applied the same shade on the walls and ceilings to ensure fluid continuity and bring out the wood’s well-worn patina. “Some people don’t like that,” adds Billy, “but I think it creates a new life while leaving visible character.”

Billy and Jeanne integrated their love for meaningful décor and quirky furniture finds into the space. Plus, they often design their own furniture. For example, the dining table is a flea market find—a metal frame foldable school cafeteria table they reworked with reclaimed wide-plank pine. “We built in personal touches through the use of materials,” Billy notes, “like the salvaged pieces of a staircase from my great-grandmother’s house we used on the stairway down to the lower level.”

Repurposed Chandelier

living room chandelier made from reclaimed driftwood

“The focal point of the family cabin is a massive chandelier made from driftwood I collected from the creek,” says Billy. “I used an iron chandelier from our garage and stacked driftwood on the fixture to create a large hive. Then, we secured it and electrified it with a dimmer switch, creating some really cool lighting effects.”

A tufted sectional wraps the space in front of the whitewashed fireplace and defines the living area. The coffee table is another of Billy’s handcrafted creations using leftover marble pieces inlaid into reclaimed LVL beams. For an adjacent seating area by the windows, the couple repurposed an oversized leather ottoman to incorporate book storage. They paired it with conversation benches made from leftover church pew ends from an 1850 church in Vicksburg.   

“We are huge sports fans, so we built a TV into the den and kitchen to allow 360-degree viewing,” Billy adds. “The open format of the space makes it possible for everyone to have a great seat when entertaining for a game or pregaming with friends. Having the kids and their friends over is a consistent occurrence, and really some of the best times and memories throughout the years have been made at the cabin.”

Private Island

handcrafted counter-height island in eat-in kitchen

Billy and Jeanne’s plan to fold the existing screened porch into their interior layout paid off. For example, it allowed them to add an eat-in kitchen, an adjacent reading nook, and a corner studio space along a vast expanse of windows. The couple handcrafted a makeshift counter-height island from marble scraps inlaid into reclaimed LVL beams. The open shelving—a brilliant concept for a wall of windows—displays aesthetically pleasing necessities without obstructing the view.

Culinary Artistry

kitchen with open shelving displaying family collectibles and artwork

The kitchen surprisingly houses some of the family’s most eclectic and meaningful artwork and collectibles acquired over the years. Here, sculptural driftwood mingles with flea-market finds, framed miniature paintings, and a black-and-white photo from the first-ever Billy Reid photo shoot. “I believe art should have some personal meaning,” says Billy. “Our art is mostly from friends, sentimental finds, gifts, and various family-made pieces.” 

Seamless Studio Space

Billy Reid's home studio with Ekornes chair

Situated in perhaps one of the best seats in the house, Billy’s at-home design studio carves out a private workspace yet blends seamlessly with the surrounding interiors. “My office and studio are at the cabin, so it’s used regularly,” he says. “It’s just 20 minutes from our house in Florence, so it’s super convenient for us to get there often.” 

Whether working or relaxing, Billy says his favorite spot is his black leather Ekornes chair. Both stylish and comfy, it sits in the corner and nestles amidst the trees and water.

Rustic Comfort

Owners' bedroom that opens to back deck

Tucked into a cozy enclave on the far end of the house, the master bedroom offers a private oasis that visually connects to the woodsy landscape. Bedroom doors on the creek side open up to the back deck, allowing fantastic water views and easy outdoor access. A layering of bedding, pillows, and billowy floor-length curtains lend a soft touch to counterbalance the room’s rustic elements and driftwood accents. “We used leftover textile scraps from our collection to make bedding and decorative pillows,” says Billy.

Spa Serenity

Owners' luxurious spa-like bathroom with soaking tub and Alabama marble accents

Next, the Reids converted an unfinished space that was formerly under the old screened porch into a master suite that includes a luxurious spa-inspired bathroom. Clad in Alabama marble, an extra-long soaker tub spans the length of a wide window revealing tree-canopied lake views. Plus, a matching vanity features large double mirrors that amplify the scenic setting. With this addition, the couple’s reclaimed family cabin takes on a fresh and modern aesthetic.

downstairs hallway with colorful artwork by Butch Anthony

Visible from the top level, a colorfully funky composition by local artist Butch Anthony entitled Never Sell the Farm draws the eye to a refurbished downstairs area. Formerly an unfinished basement, the space held two bedrooms that were both affected by flooding. “We diverted the flooding and replanned the layout to include a hallway, mud room, laundry area, two bedroom suites, two baths with a soaking tub and steam shower, and a third bunk bedroom,” says Billy. “We built generous storage areas and cabinets downstairs to accommodate lake and household supplies and large closets to accommodate full-time living.”

Wrapped in White

downstairs guest room with all-white palette and built-in shelves

Despite being downstairs, this bedroom’s all-white palette emits a bright, cozy feel. Layers of bedding piled high and a plush area rug underfoot lends both tactile and visual softness. In addition, built-in shelves and drawers surround an inviting window seat and stow an abundance of books, collectibles, and guest essentials. Perfect for overnight visitors, this delightfully private space adds yet another element of versatility to the family cabin.

Vertical Space

downstairs bunk room with bright orange bedding

Built-in bunk beds bring another innovative, handcrafted touch to the downstairs area and guest quarters. Bright orange bedding, quirky memorabilia, and a bold, patterned rug give a visual punch to the whitewashed space.

Porch Appeal

Front porch of reclaimed family cabin with grilling station and intimate seating area

Pieced together with repurposed railroad ties, the front porch embodies the rustic charm that emanates throughout the family cabin. A grilling station is conveniently situated just steps from the double-door entry near the kitchen. Plus, intimate outdoor seating offers a peaceful ambiance for morning coffee or alfresco entertaining. Undoubtedly steeped in southern culture, Billy—having grown up in Louisiana, just south of the Mississippi border—says his roots don’t necessarily define his sense of style. “We don’t really design spaces with the idea of being Southern,” he explains. “We put our point of view on decorating—a warm mix of found objects and self-designed pieces, blending the modern with the reclaimed. Hopefully, that results in an inviting, warm, and personal space. The Southern aspect is really just a result of being ourselves in the process—nothing intentional.”

Camp MINOH: Rustic Lake Home on Lake Michigan

Posted on Jeanne Delathouder

Photography by Matthew Carbone
Architecture: Daniel Kaven and Trevor William Lewis, William / Kaven Architecture

 

Just a few miles north of downtown Charlevoix, this stunning lake home graces the dramatic, windswept shores of Lake Michigan. Nestled among pine and birch trees, the house is positioned to face the intense winter winds that charge across the lake from the Upper Peninsula and Canada. Designed as a vacation home for a multi-generational family, the dwelling is ideally situated for outdoor activities and adventures in the summer, yet feels snug and protected throughout the long—and often harsh—cold winter months.

Before the build, the owners consulted with architects Daniel Kaven and Trevor William Lewis, brothers and collaborators at their Portland, Oregon-based studio, William / Kaven Architecture. The architects were tasked with creating a comfortable residential structure yet with strength and scale that matched the great body of water that can be viewed from every room in the house.

“When we begin any project, the first thing I do is walk the site, film, and take pictures,” explains Daniel, who led the project for its duration. “During the design phase, I often reflected on that moment of first facing the lake and its power. So we knew we wanted to design a structure commensurate with the drama of Lake Michigan.” The owners affectionately named their new lake home Camp MINOH, an acronym for Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio—all special places where they have lived.

Rugged Elegance

When the project began, the architectural team opted to keep the overall color palette understated to spotlight the home’s scenic natural setting. On the exterior, they used cypress Shou Sugi Ban, a Japanese technique used to extend the life of the wood by charring it. This ensured the house would stand up to the extreme exposure to storms and UV light.

“We were inspired by the textures of the site,” says Daniel. “The western shores of the lake are rocky, with prevailing winds from the west. Vast stretches of soft sand beaches and dunes line the eastern shores. The northeastern shores near Charlevoix are sculpted by large bays and dotted with inland lakes. We felt that the charcoal-like, distressed texture created by the Shou Sugi Ban would evoke the craggy surfaces of the natural surroundings, such as the wind-beaten trees, rocks, and sandy hills.”

Site-cast concrete balances the dark wood and contributes a rawness, strength, and subtle elegance to the exterior. Expansive glazing presents shimmering reflections of the trees and water and allows the residence to further blend into its surroundings.

Dramatic Entrance

Although spare and simple in design, the massive entrance hall is still visually impactful with its well-balanced mix of natural finishes. The space’s grand proportions and apparent emptiness create an immediate sense of tranquility upon first entry. Even the family dog finds it utterly relaxing and the perfect place to soak up the sun.

“Early on, the client expressed a desire for a rugged, low-maintenance home—a stipulation that informed the simple interior palette,” notes Daniel. “Exposed Douglas fir beams make up the ceiling, while dark and rich tones of walnut and polished concrete floors anchor the space.” 

Boldly Built

The ground floor is the main gathering space, with a long and linear connected floor plan, stunning views, and a blackened-steel wood-burning fireplace. The upper floor is highlighted by rift-sawn white oak, creating an intentional contrast to the ground floor below. An upper cantilevered living section and framed views of the lake add to the concept of airiness, serving to connect the interior space with the dramatic exterior environment. “We designed Camp MINOH to be a highly customized refuge for extended family gatherings, with large, open communal spaces and cozy nooks for privacy,” notes Daniel. “The interior plays between opaque and transparent spaces to showcase the beauty of the site.”

Beautifully Blended

Camp MINOH is furnished with comfortable but refined modern pieces in primarily neutral tones to deliver a sense of serenity and comfort. Furnishings were kept minimal to allow the inherent beauty of the architecture to speak for itself.

“We selected an oversized leather couch for the living room to give a rustic, cabin-like feel, as well as to anchor the space,” notes Daniel. “A mix of bright and dark gives the house a quality of solidity and boldness without crossing over into the realm of heaviness.”

Sleek Efficiency

The team knew they wanted to design a sleek, energy-efficient kitchen and include visual references to elements of the rustic Midwestern landscape, including a nearby old barn that had been charred in a fire years before. Richly toned, black walnut cabinetry with a continuous grain defines the boundaries of the kitchen and the living room.

Raw Beauty

A significant design priority was to convey a distinct sense of tranquility, which the architectural team achieved by incorporating floor-to-ceiling windows that highlight the vivid year-round sunsets and frame views of Beaver Island. The home’s exterior is composed of concrete, charred wood, glass, and steel. On snow-covered days, the family enjoys the stark beauty of winter across the vast waters, and on summer nights, they spend time on the concrete patio around the fire pit.

“During the design process, we conducted detailed material studies of polished finishes juxtaposed with rough-hewn textures to discover ways of echoing the rugged terrain, diverse weather systems, supernatural winter shores, and slick lake surface,” says Daniel.

Tranquil Transparency

Both levels of the home are highly transparent upon approach, and from the road in, visitors can see clear through the house to the lake. The second floor features a private den for film viewing, a bunk room, and two-bedroom suites.

“One of my favorite features of the composition is the glazed cantilevering upper level that gives you the sense of floating into the forest with unobstructed views of the lake,” says Daniel.

The family uses Camp MINOH as a vacation retreat rather than a year-round home, but they visit in both the warm and cold months. The shared family vision for this Northern Michigan home was a retreat that would offer communal shelter in the depths of winter and serve as a gathering place for long summer nights.

“Our versatile design allows for this,” Daniel adds. “Camp MINOH is also intended to be used by various generations and age groups. By designing a home with flexible spaces and adaptability, we ensured that many combinations of family and friends could be comfortably accommodated for years to come.”

Mid-Century Modern Mystique: A Lakeside Cabin in New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region

Posted on Jeanne Delathouder
Architecture: Katie Cassidy Sutherland, kcs ARCHITECTS
Photo courtesy of Jared Kuzia, Jared Kuzia Photography

One of the most appealing aspects of this lakeside cabin nestled within New Hampshire’s Monadnock Region is its 1950s camp-style charm. Originally constructed as a summer cottage, the dwelling was desperate for some long-overdue TLC and a modern update to allow the current owners, who live in New York City, to enjoy all four seasons on the lake. So when they enlisted architect Katie Cassidy Sutherland of kcs ARCHITECTS, their primary goal was to preserve nearly every facet of the original cabin, particularly the rustic ceiling beams, the knotty pine wallboards, and the surrounding mature trees—even those that partially obstructed the breathtaking water view.

“Snowshoeing and ice fishing are popular winter lake pastimes on New Hampshire lakes,” says Katie, “and this is certainly a place where winter and summer alike can be enjoyed. So first, we created a coat of continuous insulation around the building walls and roof to take the chill off. We then put new wood board siding—vertical Alaskan yellow cedar sheathing paired with red asphalt roof shingles—characteristic of New Hampshire camps, but with more contemporary details and much larger windows,” she adds.  

This allowed the inside to maintain the same cottage feel with exposed framing and wood boards, also distinctive of summer lake cottages in New Hampshire. In addition, all windows were replaced with insulated glass casements, which are much more airtight than the existing original single-glazed double-hung windows.

“A large two-story opening was created to open up views to the lake from the main living space and primary bedroom above,” Katie continues. “The house was built in the 50s as a summer camp and now retains that rustic New Hampshire vibe with a stronger visual connection to the trees and lake.”

Sign Language

The cabin’s original signature mark—a colorful hex sign—lends a unique artistic embellishment to the lake-facing façade. Since the original had deteriorated, the owners commissioned Claypoole Hexsigns in Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania, to recreate it. The symbol means “good luck in all four seasons of the year.”

“To enhance up the exterior, we detailed wood plank doors outside some of the glass doors to serve as storm doors in the colder winter months,” says Katie. “They are installed with old-school hook and eye hardware to keep them held open in the summer months.”

Effortless Entry

Sunlight streams through the living room’s main seating area via a wall of windows and a pair of glassed doors flanking either side. Matching Heywood Wakefield chairs from Strictly Hey-Wake in Hagerstown, Maryland—near the wife’s childhood home—immediately capture the 50s vibe that flows throughout the entire home. “We intentionally kept all the details very minimal, says Katie, “to celebrate the 1950s modernism.”

View Finder

“Our design concept was to open the house up more to the lake in front of it and create more living space with a primary view to the shore,” Katie explains. “We added a lot of larger insulated glass openings and doors to better connect the experience to its beautiful setting. In the living room, fixed bottom windows are combined with tilt-and-turn top windows,” she sums.

Modern Hues, Cabin Charm

“We wanted to push the modern details, colors, and patterns inside,” Katie explains. “The clients were heavily involved with furniture and fabric selection as well as the overall vision. We wanted to have a couple of different colors to create playful movement, so we designed teal concrete counters to pick up on the summer hues outside. Splashes of sunny yellow and a mix of natural wood and white cabinet doors complement the 50s look,” she notes.

Katie designed a small addition on the cabin’s south side to include a dining area featuring sliding doors that open to the lake. She incorporated a steel support beam to allow the kitchen to flow directly into the new dining room. She also removed the drop ceiling to expose the original structural wood beams and installed Juno track lights that are cleverly tucked between them. A delightfully distressed picnic table, where the family enjoys games and puzzles, was reclaimed from the original owners.

“The family drives in from the city to enjoy their home primarily in the summers and during school holidays throughout the year,” says Katie. “They are avid hikers, campers, and kayakers, and I must say, they are culinary geniuses as well. I relish every dinner invitation,” she laughs. “The kitchen is well used and a perfect spot to bring friends together near and far.”

Happy Meals

The newly created dining area continues the kitchen’s whimsical midcentury-modern vibe with cheery yellow cushioned banquettes that wrap the room and provide plenty of seating space for guests. Splashes of teal from the countertops are echoed in the overhead pendant light and table lamp. The wife, a talented photographer and avid Gillian Welch fan, purchased the colorful silkscreen prints above the banquette.

Suite Dreams

On the second level, which was once an attic-like storage space, Katie designed an open and airy private suite for the homeowners with a beautiful birch plywood floor and sweeping views of the lake. To retain the room’s quirky camp-cabin feel, she left the pine wall boards that don’t quite reach the ceiling intact. A Haiku fan light from Big Ass Fans accentuates the soaring ceiling height and provides cool ventilation in the summer.

Sleek Simplicity

The couple’s bathroom, located behind their bedroom, features a skylight that Katie added to brighten the space. Kohler Purist fixtures complement a custom maple vanity with a white concrete top. Rain Gloss glass Roku wall tile by Walter Zanger strikes a visually satisfying contrast against the textured Original Style Moonbeam penny-round ceramic floor tile.

A plank door is a replica of one of the cabin’s original doors. “I love the juxtaposition of the modern frameless glass shower and glass tiles with the rustic repurposed 1950s-style plank door,” Katie says. “It is one of my favorite detail moments in the interior.”

Bunk Bliss

The existing bunk rooms on either end of the home were lovingly restored for the owners’ daughter and son. They both retain the original bunk beds and natural pine boards. Katie installed larger windows so the kids could experience magical views of the lake.

Easy Access

On top of the dining addition, Katie designed a new deck on the cabin’s south side accessible from the couple’s private suite. “I love that they can go directly from the lake right up to their bathroom,” she says. “Since our renovation, the family spends summers and winter holidays here. The homeowners were thoughtful and meticulous about creating a four-season retreat with modern sensibilities and vibrant midcentury-modern style,” she adds. “Working with such creative clients—a photographer and her husband, an attorney who plays the cello beautifully—really made for an inspiring and enjoyable design collaboration.”

Wakesurfin’ Safari: Montana’s Whitefish Lake Home

Posted on Jeanne Delathouder
Photo courtesy of Lech Naumovich, Greater Than Image.

Ideally situated near Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort and the area’s abundance of water recreation, this was undoubtedly the sweet spot for Lauren and Brittan Ellingson to build their family lake home. Owners of Notice Custom Boards, a custom wakesurf and snowboard company in Whitefish, Montana, the couple was intent on creating an all-seasons haven where they could connect their family to the great outdoors any time of year. On the storied grounds of an old summer camp, they decided to construct their new retreat when they approached the builders at Mindful Designs and Zach George, a partner and architectural designer at Workaday Design. The Ellingson’s lot, formerly the check-in office, was the last lot to have one of the camp’s original buildings, which had been converted into a triplex structure. When they discovered the old building had mold problems, the team decided to tear it down and start fresh.

Twin Gable Treehouse

Photo courtesy of Gibeon Photography.

“When we designed the new building, we wanted to keep the camp inspiration and the gabled feel of the original structures,” says Zach. “The angled white-brick entry relates to the angle of the street and offers an appealing buffered entrance to the home.”

Built around the idea of having two separate zones in their home, the dwelling includes one main residence and a second space above the garage for guests who are going out on the lake. “This programmatic idea drove the form of the home,” Zach adds, “and it was further brought to life with a design language that the building team felt reflected the modern architecture of the surrounding lake and ski town. The home has both Scandinavian and Japanese architectural influences with 12 x12 pitched gabled roofs, wood-slat screen walls for added privacy, and an honest material palette,” he sums.

Go-To Guest Studio

Photo courtesy of Gibeon Photography.

At the couple’s request, a secluded guest studio was built over the garage at one end of the house. The rear is outfitted with an open-air stairwell and an innovative slatted screen that allows light to pierce through, creating dramatic shadows that shift with the angle of the sun. The space has served as “a great place for family and friends to shower, dry off, and hang out after spending time on the water,” says Zach.

An adjoining covered breezeway features a striking two-sided white brick fireplace and enables a seamless connection to the main indoor living spaces. The airy outdoor seating areas capture views of the lake beyond, and a black-stained custom slat screen with operable doors reiterates the design of the front porches while providing privacy from the street. Because of the lot’s challenging triangle shape and heavily treed sightlines to Whitefish Lake just across the street, Zach’s team sited the home at an angle to allow a bigger backyard and optimize spectacular views of the lake. 

“The primary siding material is a natural cedar with shou sugi ban (charred cedar) siding in the recessed areas of the exterior,” Zach explains. “The natural wood complements the surrounding trees and nature of the site and will gray out over time. The wood slat screens create varied visual experiences in the home as the shadows change throughout the day,” he adds.

Front Porch Perch

Photo courtesy of Lech Naumovich, Greater Than Image.

At the opposite end of the house, a cozy second-floor balcony mirrors its partner over the garage and offers a sheltered bird’s nest in the trees from which to take in the beautiful views. Here, the Ellingson kids kick back after a test drive on one of their dad’s custom wakesurf boards.

Color Connection

 Photo courtesy of Lech Naumovich, Greater Than Image.

Fresh green cabinetry and white oak flooring in the guest studio echo the color scheme of the home’s main kitchen and living room space, ensuring a satisfying continuity throughout. The interior décor, color palette, and furnishing selections were all created by owner Lauren Ellingson.

Balance & Flow

Photo courtesy of Lech Naumovich, Greater Than Image.

“Lauren did a fantastic job of creating a warm and cozy vibe for the interior of their home,” says Zach. “The green cabinetry serves to play off the surrounding trees and lake, and the warm wood ceilings prevent the space from feeling too austere. It was Lauren’s idea to incorporate the white-painted bricks to the home’s central fireplace and continue it to the angled front entrance to help create continuity and a hint of what is on the inside,” he notes.

Island Oasis

Photo courtesy of Lech Naumovich, Greater Than Image.

The spacious kitchen island is a favorite gathering hub for Lauren, Brit, and their two young kids. To visually connect the space to the home’s other white brick accents, Lauren chose a white brick backsplash that allows the green cabinets to pop.

Lake Break

Photo courtesy of Lech Naumovich, Greater Than Image.

Father and son hit the lake to try out a new wakesurf design. “This is one of the best perks of living here,” says Zach. “The home offers an ideal setting and has served as a great laboratory for Brit to test out his latest creations on Whitefish Lake,” he adds.

“Overall, this was a great project to collaborate with truly creative and bold clients,” continues Zach. “Lauren had a vision that we were able to work towards together and create a truly special home. Mindful Designs did a spectacular job helping to make it all come together with great attention to detail and craftsmanship,” he sums. “I think that really amazing projects have some amount of risk associated with them—to go out on a limb and do something bold, fresh, and new. The entire team’s commitment to these ideals shines through with the finished home.”

Interested in finding or building your dream home in the Whitefish Lake, Montana area? Visit Lake Homes Realty for more details and enjoy the lake life!

Whiteboard Topics: 7 Tips For Finding Your Dream Lake Home In 2022

Posted on Kamari House

The lake real estate market can be difficult to navigate when you don’t plan ahead. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, shares 7 tips to aid in the search for your dream lake home.

  1. Be Realistic: A home may not fit every criterion, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a solid choice. Don’t let your new lake home pass you by because of unrealistic expectations.
  2. List Your “Got to Haves”: Shifting your mindset to realistic expectations is essential, but it’s important to make a list of must-haves you refuse to compromise on. Think about what you truly cannot live without.
  3. List Your “Nice to Haves”: Creating a list of wants versus needs allows you to discover what you can compromise on. These bonus items can help you choose between similar homes.
  4. List of “Don’t Care”: Sorting out home characteristics you are indifferent to will help broaden your scope of available homes that fit your other criteria.
  5. List Your “Do Not Wants”: This list will help you determine which homes are automatic no so that you don’t waste time. This market is hot, and you don’t want to spend time on a home you would never buy.
  6. Focus: Pay close attention to the detailed lists you’ve created when searching for your dream lake home. This will ensure you narrow your focus to homes that have potential.
  7. Put Your Agent to Work: Now that you’ve developed these detailed lists, it’s time to put your lake real estate expert to work. You’ve built the perfect roadmap for them to follow while they search for your dream home.

Great things in life come from great planning. It can feel tedious breaking down all of your wants into detailed categories, but being thorough will ensure you find the home of your dreams!

Whiteboard Topics: 4 Dangers Of Buying A Lake Home “Sight Unseen”

Posted on Kamari House

The market is difficult to navigate right now, but that doesn’t mean you should jump on just any home you see available. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, breaks down the risks of buying a home ‘sight unseen’.

  1. Location Matters: Lake homes have specific qualities to look out for when it comes to location. You need to know things like the proximity to the lake and whether it’s a lake view, lakefront, or lake access property. 
  2. Photos Oversell: With the right photos, any home can look flawless. The only way to get a solid feel of what the home is like is to visit it in person.
  3. Lake Access: Depending on angles and lighting, the ‘lakefront’ home you were expecting could actually be water access. Variables like the season and time of day can also make determining this more difficult without seeing it in person.
  4. Contingency Games: Sellers are becoming more aware of the contingency games buyers may play because they are putting an offer on a home ‘sight unseen’. Participating in these games could lead to your offer being disregarded, or a home with problems you weren’t aware of.

It can seem impossible to secure a home when it feels like nothing stays on the market long enough for you to even consider it an option. However, the benefit of touring a home in person is worth the wait!

Whiteboard Topics: 3 Reasons to Not Sell Your Lake Home Now

Posted on Kamari House

With high demand and low supply, selling your lake home might seem like the right move, but is it? Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, gives reasons why you may want to reconsider letting go of your lake property now.

  1. Lake Life Matters: If you love the lake lifestyle, life is too short not to enjoy it. Spend time making memories on the lake of your dreams.
  2. Where Do We Go?: When your lake home is your primary residence, it can be daunting to find a new place to live. It could mean it’s time to make your lake home, your permanent home.
  3. Money Does Not Matter: Even though we are currently in a seller’s market, if you’re in a stable financial situation, the money may not matter. The value of life at the lake may overshine the money you’d make from your home now.

Don’t let the lake life you love pass you by if you’re not ready to let it go. Take some time to enjoy your lake home before you put it on the market! 

Whiteboard Topics: 5 Ways To Know An Agent Is Not A Lake Expert

Posted on Kamari House

The rules of real estate are difficult enough to grasp, but the rules of lake real estate can get even trickier. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, shares why you need a lake expert, and how to tell if your agent meets the criteria of one.

  1. History: Having general real estate knowledge is valuable, but the lake real estate market is a specific market that only lake experts can successfully navigate.
  2. Water knowledge: Water levels can be affected by a variety of causes such as seasonal conditions, flood preparations, and location. It’s imperative that your lake agent is able to break down the habits of your prospective lake.
  3. Regulations Knowledge: Regulations vary by lake and can have specific restrictions regarding motor crafts, dock additions, and other water activities. Rules like these should be communicated thoroughly by your agent before you make the commitment to live on a lake.
  4. Generic Out-of-Area Marketing: Question if an agent lumps in lake listings with other generic real estate properties when marketing homes. Lake real estate is a unique market, and true lake experts take the extra step to ensure lake properties are reaching a targeted demographic, similarly to the Lake Homes website.
  5. Dismisses Differences: Again, the rules of the lake real estate market set it apart from other generic property transactions. If your agent dismisses fundamental differences within this market, it’s a clear sign they are not a lake expert.

There are so many moving parts when you enter the lake real estate market. The only way to make the most out of your investment, as a buyer or seller, is by ensuring your agent is a lake expert!

2021 Winter Interior Design Tips

Posted on Jeanne Delathouder
Photo courtesy of Clayton Boyd via Boston Magazine

Even as temperatures plummet, there’s still lots to love about winter at the lake. Whether it’s spending evenings by the fire, watching movies with friends, or savoring the sweet aromas of holiday baking wafting from the kitchen, there’s always something innately soothing about the cozy comforts of hearth and home.

Our desire to retreat indoors when the weather turns cold and cocoon ourselves in softness and warmth is perhaps one of the most essential elements of our well-being. We all know the feeling—so how can we bring more of that wonderfully calm and relaxed vibe into our lake homes? Here are some easy tips you can apply to any room in your house to instantly generate a sense of coziness that even your guests will notice.

Pull Up a Chair

Photo courtesy of Philip Vile via  Elle Decor

The first step? Rethink your furniture arrangement, especially if you have a fireplace. Begin by pulling everything inward—closer to the fire—to create a relaxing and intimate oasis that immediately draws people in. If your sofa doesn’t face the fireplace already, move it either directly in front or perpendicular to the hearth so you and your guests can bask in the warmth and ambient glow of firelight. Pull in armchairs for extra seating that complements your new sofa arrangement and accent with occasional tables so that every seat has a surface within reach to hold drinks and snacks.

Layered In Luxury

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Nothing speaks of toasty winter warmth like plush throws, pillows, blankets, and rugs. Use them in abundance throughout your rooms, and layer them to your heart’s content to design lavish texture vignettes that comfort and invite. Toss a fluffy sheepskin rug on the floor or atop a leather bench or ottoman to create cozy areas for morning coffee and evening cocktails. Drape smaller pelts over benches and dining chairs for added cushion and warmth. Pile pillows high with a mix of cable knits, faux furs, and other snuggly-soft fabrics, and keep enough blankets on hand for family and guests to stave off winter’s chill.

Quick Tip: When layering, make sure your soft goods adhere to a harmonious color scheme to ensure eye-pleasing continuity throughout.

Enlighten & Illuminate

Photo courtesy of Houzz

For instant gratification that requires little effort on your part, there’s nothing like the allure of candlelight to generate an instant cozy vibe. If you’re a scented candle connoisseur, even better. A seasonal fragrance—think cinnamon, clove, spiced apple, bourbon-vanilla, birchwood, pine—can lift your spirits and transform the mood of your spaces with the strike of a match.

Battery-operated candles offer a safe, mess-free option, and some come with timers so you can walk away and forget about them. For a more casual, Bohemian-chic look, string lights can illuminate windows, ceilings, and even artwork for an extra glint of glamor. And lastly, be sure to limit cold-temperature lights throughout your lake home and install warm light bulbs instead. Click here to learn more about lighting temperatures.

Natural Beauty

Photo courtesy of William Waldron via Elle Decor

Celebrate the beauty of nature and bring it indoors. Despite frigid temps, this spectacular outdoor space blends seamlessly with the frosty winter landscape and exudes an enchanting sense of warmth and charm. Take inspiration from the simplicity of its design and bring similar elements inside your home to warm up your rooms. Think pine branches and pinecones to adorn a table setting or stunning potted plants and floral bouquets to integrate splashes of green, pink, red, or white into your winter décor. No matter the season, the simple beauty of nature is at once tranquil, lively, and uplifting.

Cabin Cozy

Photo courtesy of House to Home Designs

Don’t forget your bedrooms when cozying up your lake home this winter. Swapping out your bedding is the quickest way to make a seasonal statement, and it doesn’t have to be costly. Adding colorful quilts or coverlets can transform your bedrooms in an instant and create that snug winter feel that you—and your houseguests—will love sinking into at night. Rich reds—solids, stripes, and plaids—generate a warm vibe and wrap the room in luxurious comfort. If color isn’t your thing, layer your bed with an ethereal mix of soft whites, creams, grays, taupes, and browns in a heavenly blend of cottons, cable knits, faux furs, and fleece. A plush, neutral-hued rug underfoot will add extra warmth and ground the vibrant color palette.  

Mantel Makeover

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

When the hearth takes the spotlight in winter, now’s the perfect time to give your mantel an alluring new look. Dress it up with a large mirror overhead that reflects the light—both sunlight and candlelight—and creates a high-impact focal point for your seating area. Here, a fresh green garland and a sprinkling of candles bring effortless elegance to the rustic, rough-hewn plank walls and the decidedly masculine style of the space. Wrought-iron deer figurines and fireplace tools create a sculptural design and echo the mirror’s black metal frame. Remember to keep it simple and achieve a pleasing balance with both elements from nature and meaningful decorative accents that add visual beauty to your space.