Jill and her husband, Dom, had always wanted a home on the lake. As a self-proclaimed HGTV addict, she has always wanted to remodel a home. So when they found their current home in their dream location on the lake, they knew it was the one. "The home was dated but had great space. When I walked in, I could see what the home could be," said Jill. "And the lake lot was exactly what we were looking for -- deep and spacious in a no-wake zone."
A well-designed home is one that creates a feeling -- of peace, contentment, and appreciation, and understanding how you use your home and what you need and want, is the first step in getting there. From a focus on the rooms that matter most to the pain points you want to avoid, Jill had a clear vision for her new home and worked closely with Dana Dziuk of Lee Lyn Construction to bring that vision to life.
The Design Vibe
She wanted to feel like she was on vacation in the comfort of her own home. "A home is to be lived in," said Jill. "We want to use our space and things, especially now that our children are grown we don't have to worry as much about everyday wear and tear."
Dana described the aesthetic as coastal and calming, with a hint of rustic farmhouse. The whole home palette mixes blues, greys, and whites, with the warmth of white oak and depth of black accents.
Where Layout Matters
Her husband's love of cooking as a way to relax meant they needed a kitchen and entertaining space that could accommodate friends and family easily. Jill knew the pieces she wanted but wasn't sure of the layout. In working with Lee Lyn's preferred custom cabinetry company, Gray Woodworks Inc., she was able to create a layout that addressed all of her wants and needs. Instead of a formal dining room, this dreamy kitchen includes a huge island so everyone can naturally gather where the cooking happens. This kitchen is about function and flow, with a light and airy aesthetic that showcases the lake view.
Bathrooms were also a priority. For the master suite, Jill wanted to completely reconfigure the space for how they live. This meant relocating the master bath to take advantage of the lake views. To do that they reworked the closet and bedroom space and added laundry, stacking the washer and dryer. Other bathrooms were updated to fit the home and Jill's aesthetic without major changes to the layout.
Prioritizing Hobbies
In addition to cooking, Dom loves wine so a basement wine cellar was designed based on an inspirational image Jill found on Pinterest. "We worked with the cabinetry designer and electricians to bring the vision to life, along with a beautiful door Jill and Dom had found," said Dana. "We integrated this feature into what would have otherwise been unused space below the stairs."
The mudroom was another space designed around their hobbies. Jill, an avid horse rider, and Dom, a hunter, and angler, needed the mudroom to be more functional and accessible for these activities. By moving a bathroom, they gained square footage to create the space for a walk-in closet and laundry room nearby, making the task of cleaning up after those hobbies much easier.
At the end of the day, a well-designed home is one that fits how you live. It makes the tasks of everyday life easier while creating the feeling of peace and calm a homeowner seeks from their space. Jill's design vision was about creating a home that served how they want to live on their dream lake lot.
