When a long-time client comes to us with an idea to surprise his wife and kids with a condo on a lake, but needed help with a full gut renovation and furnishing, remotely, we couldn’t help but get excited. A lake house surprise, yes please! This home was turned upside down in a matter of eight weeks to be ready for a summer on the lake. The design brief was to create a calm, clean and beach vibe utilizing materials and finishes that wouldn’t blow the budget. AND - everything had to be in stock! While this project was logistically layered, the photos we’re sharing are all from behind a phone, so bear with us there.
Here is where we started:
We quickly moved into creating design and space plans:
The aesthetic was driven by the location and family first feeling - coastal and casual.
With space plans and design plans for all the living spaces, the kitchen, two bathrooms, the laundry room, the construction was underway quickly.
Working with a fabulous husband/wife LOCAL CONTRACTING TEAM - we utilized FaceTime and phone calls to knock out all the details. When the need for substitutions came up, we pivoted quickly and trusted the boots on the ground to make a few judgment calls - and they did a fabulous job. Site walk throughs were accomplished virtually and despite the Uber-ambitious timeline the big reveal was ready just in time for the 4th of July.
With a fun family reveal, it was a lakeside summer surprise that will be enjoyed for years to come.
To learn more about other lake house design considerations, read our preparing for lake house life blog post.