This beautiful lake house was designed for a pair of empty nesters by Charlie & Co. Design, nestled on Bay Lake in Northern Minnesota. The homeowners desired a place where they could entertain frequent guests who wish to enjoy the lifestyle afforded by living on a lake.
The property had been in the family for over 80 years and a small cottage was taken down to make way for the home after almost all of it was lovingly reclaimed to be reincorporated into the new home. Norwegian and collected antiques were used throughout the spaces providing character and immediate stories into the new structure.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECTURE Charlie & Co BUILDER Ador Custom Homes INTERIOR DESIGN Lenox House Design
Above: On the exterior facade, great attention to detail can be found with vertical board and batten in the peaks, custom fabricated anchor shutters, a custom stone blend, stained cedar decking, and tongue-and-groove on the porch ceiling. The trim paint color is White Dove OC-17 | Benjamin Moore, while the siding color is Hale Navy HC-154 | Benjamin Moore. The front door is painted in Show Stopper SW 7588 – Sherwin-Williams.
What We Love: This beautiful lakeside dwelling provides its occupants a wonderful place to host family and friends to enjoy everything lake living has to offer. We are loving all of the history and charm in this home, from the reclaimed furnishings and materials sourced from the original cottage on the property to the stunning works of art from the homeowner’s daughter to bring personalization to this home.
Tell Us: What do you think of the overall aesthetics and design details of this home? Let us know in the Comments below!
Note: Be sure to have a look at a couple of other charming lake house tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign: A dreamy cottage nestled on beautiful Lake Muskoka, Canada, and House Envy: Modern lake house in the Midwest with stunning details.
Above: Step inside this beautiful home to be welcomed by a custom staircase that features paddle balusters. An antique rug, a family heirloom secretary (around the corner) a glass bell jar light fixture from Visual Comfort and a custom rug runner help complete this space.
Above: In this inviting living room, a stone fireplace was designed in a custom blend. A limestone mantle and hearth provide perches for accessories. All of the furnishings throughout this home were custom designed by the interior designer, Lenox House Design.
Above: The grandfather clock is an antique, a wedding gift from the wife’s father. It was made in Excelsior, Minnesota.
Above: The design of this kitchen was inspired by hand-painted French tiles from the wife’s mother. The island and window trim are painted in Dress Blues SW 9176 – Sherwin-Williams. The homeowner collects antique copper pieces, so the project team selected copper finishes in this space, including the light fixtures, hood panels, and the rub-through on the bronze cabinet hardware. The Riviera Bar & Counter Stools are by Serena and Lily.
Above: A pass-through bar between the dining area and hallway features custom cabinetry, a wine fridge, and a mosaic tile and stone backsplash. Above the serving stations are hand-painted French tiles within the backsplash.
Above: This custom-designed support kitchen features a blue and white tile backsplash that coordinates with the antique hand-painted dishware. Butcher block countertops, a cast iron undermount sink, a bridge faucet, and a dutch door painted in Show Stopper SW 7588 – Sherwin-Williams, compliments the front door.
Above: In the laundry room, the dog wallpaper was affectionately selected for the owner’s love of their rescue dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. The wallpaper is by Spoonflower, bringing plenty of visual interest to this space that also offers drying racks, floating shelves for doggy treats, and a tile floor for simple cleaning.
Above: Connecting to the garage, this mudroom comes complete with a built-in bench, cubbies, and hanging space with vertical shiplap paneling, and custom fabric cushions for comfortable seating. Chrome boat cleats serve as coat hooks.
Above: In the powder bathroom, an antique wash basin was repurposed from the original cottage on the property. The mirror and basin are painted in Dress Blues SW 9176 – Sherwin-Williams.
Above: This serene master bedroom offers picturesque views of the property and beyond to the lake from the bed. The walls are painted in French Toile CSP-595 | Benjamin Moore, while the shiplap headboard wall is painted in White Dove OC-17 | Benjamin Moore.
Above: In the master bathroom, the vanity is painted in Andes Summit CSP-600 | Benjamin Moore. The countertops are White River Granite, while the crystal knobs are from Emtek.
Above: This custom staircase features square balusters intermixed with paddle balusters. Painted risers and oak wood treads are paired with a custom rug runner to complete the look.
Above: At the top of the stairs, a custom niche was designed to accommodate reclaimed cabinets from the original cottage on the property. A new alder wood top was added to replace the laminate.
Above: In the husband’s office, alder beams highlight the vaulted ceiling. On the floor, reclaimed douglas fir wood from the original cottage on the property. The stove was given a second life as decoration only — used for heating in the old cottage. All of the furnishings were hand-crafted by the owner’s uncle, also given a new life from the cottage.
Above: This cozy loft space serves multiple functions — a place to highlight a cherished family heirloom of a Norwegian Loom. Additionally, this space is used for game nights and as a reading nook with a built-in window bed and bookcases filled with family childhood books.
Above: The window seat has a queen mattress that can be used for overflow sleeping quarters.
Above: This inviting guest room is used for a couple who frequent this lake house, especially during the warm summer months. The accent wall color is painted in White Dove OC-17 | Benjamin Moore.
Above: This serene en-suite bathroom features a green vanity topped with countertops in Fantasy Brown Marble.
Above: The shower was designed under the home’s eaves, featuring a beautiful hand-made shower tile and light mint penny round on the floor.
Above: This guest bedroom has a built-in window seat for curling up with a good book while offering tranquil lake views. The paint color on the walls is French Toile CSP-595 | Benjamin Moore.
Above: The bathroom offers a spa-like feel with its soothing blue color palette, designed for the owner’s daughter who frequently visits. A textural blue shower tile is paired with a glazed ceramic subway accent tile. The vanity countertop material is Imperial Danby Marble.
Above: This home is full of history and memories from the old cottage, which was originally owned by the current homeowner’s aunt, who owned the cottage for 80+ years. She had painted landscapes of the cottage during different seasons. A winter shutter was taken from the old cottage to frame these oil paintings. The paintings are hung in the lower-level hallway between two guest rooms.
Above: This lower-level guest bedroom is filled with items from the homeowner’s previous home.
Above: In the guest bathroom, an antique sink basin and small round mirror is repurposed from the original cottage on the property. There is no natural light in this space, so the designer selected white floors and walls to keep it feeling light and airy.
Above: Mimicking the screen porch of the original cottage on the property is this cottage room on the lower level. Elements were brought in to keep the feel of the porch, including the scalloping from the eaves, and a reclaimed window — custom framed with glass. Board and batten siding and Norwegian accents play up the family heritage. There are an additional two beds on the opposite side of this room to comfortably host up to six guests.
Above: This unique lower-level bar was a surprise design from the wife for the husband. This space features a custom Criss Craft boat island. Wide plank flooring mimics wood, yet with playful tones of blue and grey. An arabesque mosaic backsplash mimics the water. Since this custom bar is on the lake level, it acts as a kitchenette for entertaining guests, complete with a fridge, range, and dishwasher.
Above: The top of this bar features an antique wheel and dials. On the wall is a custom piece by the homeowner’s daughter of a ship that traveled to Antarctica, ridden by her grandmother. To anchor this piece, a custom sideboard was fabricated, complete with chrome boat cleats for the cabinet hardware.
Above: A lower-level family room features a custom stone blend on the fireplace. Wood paneling was reclaimed from the original cottage on the property. Antiques and playful accessories help to reinforce the lakeside design.
Above: A corner of the lower-level family room showcases the daughter’s nautical artwork, along with a reclaimed barrel, and family heirlooms.
Above: In the sunroom, a beautiful chest is on display — an heirloom passed down through the generations that migrated from Norway.
Above: A screen porch feels like an extension of the lower-level family room and the backyard. Waterski sconces are a nod to the kind of outdoor activities to be enjoyed by all who visit this lakeside abode.
Above: The exterior facade is painted in Hale Navy HC-154 | Benjamin Moore and White Dove OC-17 | Benjamin Moore. Marvin Windows were used throughout this gorgeous lake house.
Above: A small bunk house on the property was renovated during the new construction. A bedroom was removed to allow for a new front porch. The exterior color palette was repeated from the main house — Hale Navy HC-154 | Benjamin Moore, White Dove OC-17 | Benjamin Moore, and Show Stopper SW 7588 – Sherwin-Williams.
Above: This expansive lake house is nestled on a beautiful property with south-western exposure. Two additional structures sit on the property — a remodeled guest house and a small boat shed. Two docks allow for boat traffic and relaxation.
PHOTOGRAPHER Spacecrafting Inc.
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