“Our goal was to make this lake house more than a getaway, but rather somewhere ethereal, beautiful, comfortable, and seasonless,” says interior designer Laurin White of Cambridge Row. “We avoided anything too trendy or lake specific and focused on authentic materials with lasting appeal instead.” Laurin was teamed up with architect Matt Costanzo for the project in Russell Lands Heritage development, and the two were soon thick as two design thieves can be. “It seems cliché perhaps to say, but trusting in our collaboration was what made it such a success,” says Matt. A simpatico partnership was especially important as these clients preferred a more hands-off approach to the process, and everyone was remote. “We were trying to figure out what was really important to them when the homeowner showed us this French limestone she wanted to use for the flooring, which helped us realize the kind of look they were hoping to create,” says Matt. “That was sort of a tipping point in the project.” Adds Laurin, “We layered in as many special, luxurious materials as we could to give the rooms dimension and personality rather than relying as heavily on wallpaper or floral fabrics.” In addition to the French limestone, materials include reclaimed barn wood for the ceiling, wide-plank dark-stained oak floors, and painted tongue-and-groove paneling on walls and ceilings. All these selections formed a refined foundation with just enough rusticity to allude to the setting and ready for Laurin to fill in with details.
“Before the house was even built, I closed my eyes and thought about how I envisioned the spaces Matt had created—everything was a little bit aged with existing patina or patina that would develop over time, like unlacquered brass hardware and soapstone countertops—pieces with staying power that were not too perfect,” she says. The designer paid special attention to the lighting, with aged-bronze lanterns in the kitchen and one hand-forged piece from Brandino Brass for the living room ceiling. The tiered fixture provides an artistic presence and some gravitas against the tall vaulted ceilings. Floor coverings were given the royal treatment as well—either antique or specifically colored to blend with the palette by Angie Burge of English Village Lane, using fabric swatches Laurin provided.
Craftsmanship extended beyond the architectural materials to include a hand-made oak dining table that seats up to ten and a walnut coffee table, both from Moses Tables in Homewood. And while there are custom pieces and luxurious, tactile fabrics such as velvet and wool, Laurin included practical elements; for example, chairs and bar stools (with seats in a Kravet bleachable fabric) swivel to take in the views or for conversation.
The designer also imbued the home with some English flavor. “I love the British countryside ‘lived in’ look, so I chose smaller prints by Chelsea Textiles and a Schumacher hound dog pattern to reference their love of hunting and the outdoors,” says Laurin. When it came to decorative accents, she took a light-handed approach. “I wanted to give them space to add special photos and pieces from their travels. Any art we curated was in keeping with their personality and passions,” notes Laurin. “For example, we found a painting with a deer walking through a door with a soccer ball, and we commissioned one art piece for the foyer that includes the family’s two hunting dogs.”
What’s just as important to the enjoyment of the home is something sensed but not seen—an emphasis on the views and outdoor living and the control of natural light in the interiors. The architect made sure all five bedrooms look out over the lake, and there are several porches for a variety of activities, including grilling and television viewing. Subtle interior light adjustments come in through motorized shades employed to great effect. Hidden screens are tucked inside the large arched window in the primary suite, for example, while double walls of glass allow sunlight and privacy for the bathroom soaking tub. The sound system is another unseen joy. “Our audio/visual technician created a music-filled journey,” says Laurin. “From the moment you step outside, tunes play as you walk down to the water; the whole feeling of the sound and the light is just magical and transportive.” Welcome to the lake.