Design help for lake house needed & appreciated
My husband and I were recently gifted a house on the lake by my generous parents. We are in the fortunate position to be able to make the house everything we want it to be, but we are a bit stuck on the design of its street side exterior. We are definitely losing the shutters, replacing the faded, warped vinyl with hardie plank siding, and replacing all windows. What we need help with is updating the curb appeal, making it look as if it could've been constructed in 2018. A major porch re-do? Maybe adding a metal awning over the 1st floor window? We appreciate any help you can provide us!! In case you are curious, the lake side of the house in on stilts and has a screened in porch the length of the house which we plan on enclosing with glass.
Apologies for the messy driveway. We are having 2 trees removed as I type.
Here is one idea we have. Thoughts?
Edited to add: At present, the front door of our house opens directly into the breakfast area. I would like an entryway very badly, hence the inspiration picture of an enclosed vestibule.
Comments (19)
greenfish1234
5 years agoCongratulations! Where is it located? Region matters. Is this a primary or vacation home? Is that concrete covering the front yard?? I feel like you could do a lot better than "built in 2018" -there is so much crap out there. Hire an architect for sure. Take inspiration from your natural surroundings, not houses/features of houses that you like that won't make the most of or work with your beautiful setting. My gut tells me hardiplank clapboard is all wrong, how about board-and-batten or shingles instead?
i have a lake house with a screened porch and I am baffled by the urge many have to glass theirs in or turn them in to interior rooms. There is no greater joy than a game of cribbage and a glass of beer on a screened porch, an experience not even remotely approximated by being in a glass room with the windows open. If you want to use it for longer install a wood stove out there and wear a sweater! In my experience "three season" rooms are actually only used during one season, if at all.
This is one of my favorites on Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/houzz-tour-a-peaceful-lake-house-rises-from-the-rubble-stsetivw-vs~25748021
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Help with new fireplace design-lake home
Comments (6)I would actually make the fireplace smaller than advised above, and smaller than the blue tape on wall in the picture. First, it's not a huge wall, and the ceiling looks to be right around 8 ft. or 8'8" at the most on that wall. Putting a fireplace surround all the way up to the ceiling is going to bring the ceiling down visually, and whatever material is used will look too heavy for the size. Something modern and uncomplicated , like a drywall bump out with the firebox recessed and flat slate or something around it? I wouldn't do elaborate moldings or a wooden mantel as that would draw attention to the lack of molding in the rest of the room. From the picture, the placement looks problematic. Most people want to use the fireplace as a focal point and arrange seating around it. The space chosen looks like it is a walk through from another room, and if so it couldn't be blocked by any furniture. Unless it is the space currently occupied by the tv? It's hard to tell from the pictures....See MoreLake house guest room design guidance needed.
Comments (19)I like the red & gold quilt too and think it would look good with your furniture and carpet. Some brightness is needed in the room. Yes, blue would be another possibility, but I'm partial to the red myself. I was also going to suggest either a wall-mounted light fixture or a small shelf to put glasses, book, or whatever for the person sleeping in the top bunk. It would be inconvenient to me to not have something there. I'd also put a slightly larger lamp next to the bottom bunk. Can't tell if there is enough room there, but is there room for a slightly larger side table? Even if you have to paint an old one, something larger would be nice. Maybe you don't want to do this, but could the bed be moved 4-6 inches into the room toward the window? If you can't move the small table, I'd probably replace it with a small chest and hang a mirror above it. I'd look for a small upholstered chair for the corner between the windows. And perhaps get a fold-up luggage rack or 2 for bags to keep them off the floor. You could keep them in the closet out of the way....See MoreNeed curb appeal help on small lake house!!
Comments (35)One other thing, as far as plantings go, eventually you need to identify what the trees and shrubs are on your property. That's key to deciding what to plant around them, and how to care for them to keep them looking their best. For example, if one of your trees has a wide, shallow root system, that is going to determine what can grow under it and how to plant it. Some plants express toxins from their roots or leaves that inhibit the growth of other plants around them, etc. You may never get lush growth, depending on what the trees are. Something to think about as you progress. I wouldn't repaint the house, save the money for more significant improvements, and I'm wondering if you have vinyl siding which would make that problematic anyway. Landscaping is artfully solving problems, which to me looks like you need a stoop and as long as you're at it, some type of awning or extension of the roof to cover the stoop so that when folks knock on your door when it is raining they're not standing in front of where all the water is going to run down off the roof! It looks like you have a groovy walkway already no? After that, I also second the suggestion for a little picket fence to visually block off your lake side from weekend gawkers driving around the lake. Not necessary but would be nice. Doll it up with plantings if you like. I am totally jealous, I would love a little place like that. One quickie suggestion, to add color and contrast to your hosta beds out front, try astilbe, or various ferns, and various types of heuchera. The classic combos. Also European solomon's seal and lilly of the valley for spring scent. Sweet woodruff makes a good groundcover in shade, as does vinca, the old standby, or ajuga. For spring color, jacob's ladder or virginia bluebells or some type of wild geranium or phlox. Throw in some turtlehead and bottle gentian for summer and fall blooming. Keep it simple, don't plant all of these, they are just suggestions of easy to grow shade garden plants. You want to enjoy your time at the lake and if you don't love to garden you want low maintenance. I'm not sure if they'll grow well in your zone, but azaleas and rugosa roses are classic landscape shrubs. Any of the viburnums would give you beautiful white blooms and low maintenance UNLESS you have a deer issue. If so, they can be grown but need protection. But if your hostas are still alive, the deer may be under control already....See MoreNeed help with master bedroom furniture and layout for new lake house
Comments (12)Floating the bed is a nice idea but you wouldn't have room for any type of night stands. An armoire is a wonderful idea for extra storage. Something like this with some extra drawers would work. https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Grain-Wood-Furniture-Greenport-2-Door-Armoire/25739333/product.html?option=43173892 Then use bachelor chests or 3 drawer nightstands for more drawer storage. https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/rosalind-wheeler-lusia-3-drawer-nightstand-w001460587.html If there's room, perhaps you could add a bench under the window. Just simple white sheers on the window since you don't seem to need privacy. The floors are beautiful and it's a lovely room. A modern antique brass bed like this would make a wonderful juxtaposition in a traditional room! https://www.burkedecor.com/products/westwood-bed-in-antique-brass?...See More
lakemurraylivin
5 years agolakemurraylivin
5 years agoColonialgp, we are actually meeting with a builder on Thursday. He is highly regarded in our area. I am fairly certain he will recommend an architect if we need one. This has crossed my mind as well...to inquire if he can draft or if hiring a drafter is the place to start. Although our addition will be small-ish, we want it to be well-designed. Also, we are definitely replacing the vinyl with a painted hardie plank siding. Considering a light moss green...
S Reams, we are pretty much stuck with the concrete as having it broken up would be too costly. And to be honest, we enjoy not having to maintain too much on the street side of our home. However, I agree 100% we need some vegetation! We want the front to look as beautiful as the lake side of our home! Do you think placing very large planters against the house would help for now? Planters similar to these:
housegal200
5 years agoA pergola across the front on either side of the portico would add a cottage feel. This isn't the right photo, but a pergola on which you could grow climbing roses or wisteria would enhance give the feeling of a cottage and eventually add dappled shade. If you're planning to work with a landscape designer, this might be worked into a plan.
lakemurraylivin thanked housegal200lakemurraylivin
5 years agolakemurraylivin
5 years ago- lakemurraylivin thanked saratogaswizzlestick
lakemurraylivin
5 years agolakemurraylivin
5 years agoThank you for all your excellent advice. If I may ask another question...
Since we will be replacing our windows, would bumping out the first floor window (located in master bathroom over the tub) add to the look of the house?
greenfish1234
5 years agogreenfish1234
5 years ago
colonialgp