Tour this award-winning lakeside home with rustic charm on Alabama's Lake Martin

Green shingled lake house with a screened porch and stone chimney among tall pines, with blue Adirondack chairs, a stone seawall, and a boat docked on Lake Martin

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This stunning two-story lakeside home on the picturesque shores of Lake Martin, Alabama, was designed by Pfeffer Torode Architecture and offers the ultimate in indoor-outdoor living. It was named Country Living Magazine’s 2017 Lake House of the Year, and it is easy to see why.

The design team set out to create a haven of relaxation, a place where people lose track of time. Based on Russell Lands’ “Longleaf” cabin design, the 2,897-square-foot home features four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, a screened-in porch, a stone terrace and a lakeside fire pit. Outside, rough cedar siding and a natural stone chimney give the home a rustic presence, while a deck provides the perfect perch for watching the sun set over the lake.

Because some residents of this lakeside community live here year-round, the designers steered away from cottage-style trends. Instead, rustic elements are paired with elegant furnishings, finishes and fixtures. The fireplaces are built from local stone, while the mantels and beams were crafted from trees harvested right on the property.

Durable materials like nubby linens, performance velvets, sisal and rag rugs keep the home feeling casual and comfortable. King’s House Oriental Rugs are featured throughout; have a look at Country Living’s resource guide for the complete details.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECT Pfeffer Torode Architecture
BUILDER Classic Homes / Chad Calhoun
INTERIOR DESIGN Nan Jackson, Interiors Etc. by Nan
STYLING Page Mullins, Country Living
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Larry Bates
DEVELOPER Russell Lands On Lake Martin
PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Woodcock

An Open Living Room Designed Around the Views

Open living and dining room with a stone fireplace, wood ceiling beam, white upholstered dining chairs, gray velvet armchairs, and checked curtains

The open layout offers plenty of space to entertain large groups during the holidays, yet still feels intimate year-round thanks to its distinct zones for dining, reading, lounging and card-playing. Expansive windows in every room take full advantage of natural light, and a smooth cypress ceiling crowns the open living space. Maximizing the views was a priority throughout, so this space has just one overhead light fixture, suspended in front of the street-side view. The artisan-crafted fixture, inspired by gas lanterns, was sourced from Low Country Originals.

Rustic Kitchen With a Pecky Cypress Island

Kitchen with white cabinets, a dark reclaimed wood island with four wood-and-metal stools, a copper candle-style chandelier, and a planked wood ceiling

The heavily wooded landscape surrounding the property inspired the home’s overall aesthetic. Interior finishes nod to the outdoors, including tongue-and-groove pine walls, oak hardwood floors and natural-fiber area rugs. These warm, rustic materials keep the home feeling cozy, while the kitchen and bathrooms lean more contemporary.

Above: The rustic kitchen island is clad in stained pecky cypress wood. The quartz countertops (London Grey by Caesarstone) are complemented by a Pearl Ash subway tile backsplash, which continues into the pantry.

White pantry with a subway tile backsplash, a sink below a window with a cafe curtain, and a green patterned runner

What We Love About This Home

This beautiful lakeside home radiates warmth thanks to the wood used both indoors and out. The spaces flow openly into one another, making it perfect for entertaining, and the indoor-outdoor connection is thoughtfully handled, from the layout to the materials and finishes. The overall aesthetic is comfortable and relaxing, with just a hint of elegance. A true place to call home!

Tell Us: Would this be your idea of a dream lakefront retreat? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts in the Comments!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign on Alabama’s Lake Martin: This beautiful Alabama lake house is the ultimate waterfront retreat on Lake Martin and A cedar shake lake house offers a peaceful escape on Alabama’s Lake Martin.

Wood console table with a pair of white ceramic lamps beneath framed heron and crane prints, above a faded vintage rug

A Four-Season Porch for Enjoying the Lake

Enclosed porch with wicker sofas and armchairs, a striped rug, and tall windows framing pine trees and the lake

Above: An enclosed four-season porch is the perfect spot for entertaining while taking in the mesmerizing lake views. Outdoor furnishings gather around a coffee table, while a galvanized beverage cart stands ready with refreshments.

Upstairs Landing With Vintage Charm

Antique green painted cabinet holding folded quilts on an upstairs landing, topped with a woven basket and a vintage cowboy painting

Above: On the upstairs landing, an antique green cabinet provides functional storage for board games and extra quilts.

A Serene Primary Suite in Nature-Inspired Hues

Primary bedroom with a navy linen throw, floral curtains, woven shades, and two striped wingback chairs by windows overlooking the lake

Above: The color palette throughout the interiors was inspired by nature, with soft blues, greens and browns. The primary bedroom reflects these hues beautifully, creating a serene atmosphere. The jute window treatments throughout were sourced from Smith & Noble (Belize Sand downstairs; Fiji in Mist upstairs), offering privacy and texture while still letting natural light filter through. Floral linen panels (“Wild Thing” in the cobalt/copper colorway by Carleton V) frame the windows and add a feminine touch.

Bathroom with a drop-in tub surrounded by chevron-patterned tile, a tall window with a woven shade, and framed bird nest prints

Above: The spa-like primary bathroom is flooded with natural light and features quartz countertops in Shitake by Caesarstone, along with printed porcelain tile surrounding the tub.

A Warm and Inviting Guest Bedroom

Guest bedroom with an upholstered headboard, sage green coverlet, rustic wood nightstand, and a framed print of two terns

Above: The guest bedroom features an earthy color palette that feels warm and inviting.

A Kids’ Bedroom and Playroom Made for Fun

Bedroom with two dark wood poster twin beds in blue striped bedding, a desk with vintage school chairs, map-print Roman shades, and framed American flags

Above: In the kids’ bedroom, a pair of vintage wooden beds is dressed in crisp striped bedding, while a vintage school desk and chairs sit beneath the window. Wicker chests at the foot of the beds provide handy extra storage.

Reading nook with a low black bookshelf of yellow vintage magazines and red books, a red gooseneck lamp, a dartboard, navy striped shades, and a sailcloth bean bag

Above: Upstairs, the bonus room serves as a kids’ playroom, a cozy hangout filled with vintage books, games and accessories, along with oversized sailcloth bean bags that are perfect for lounging.

A Stone Fire Pit at the Water’s Edge

Round stone fire pit on a flagstone patio at the edge of Lake Martin, with two wooden folding chairs beneath tall pines

Above: A stone fire pit at the water’s edge is paired with two iconic, clean-lined Kentucky stick chairs.

Lake House Floor Plans

Note: These floor plans reflect the home’s original design. A few details, including the kitchen layout, were adjusted during construction, so some rooms in the photos differ slightly from the drawings.

Main floor plan of the lake house showing the living and dining room, kitchen, covered porch, owner's suite, pantry, laundry, and entry

Upper floor plan of the lake house showing a bunk and rec room between two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom

4 Comments

G. A. Anderson

3 days ago

It is frustrating when the layout of the floor plan contradicts the room photos.

Patricia Harmanci

Reply to G. A. Anderson

Agree! I kept going back and forth— room photos do not reflect the floor plan…….

Author

2 days ago

Great catch, and thank you for pointing this out! These plans were drawn for this home, but a few details, including the kitchen layout, changed during construction. We’ve added a note to the post to clear up the confusion.

PAULO FONSECA

Beautiful…

Tour this award-winning lakeside home with rustic charm on Alabama’s Lake Martin