Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Lake Views Lead a Luxury Vermont Home
An idyllic waterfront vista, an indoor sauna and a four-star game room keep wintertime cabin fever in check for two Russian expats
The move from Siberia to Vermont was a big change, but Svetlana and Donat Stern were excited to make the United States their home. After visiting their daughters at the University of Vermont, the couple fell in love with the state and its natural beauty.
They found a narrow lot minutes from downtown Burlington and collaboratively designed a new home with architect Ted Montgomery of Groundswell Architects. With energy efficiency, luxury and a waterfront location in mind, they created a home with vistas of Lake Champlain, passive and active solar, a thermal wrap and an indoor sauna to make the space warm and inviting during the long Vermont winters.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Svetlana and Donat Stern
Location: South Cove, Burlington, Vermont
Size: 4,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 3 full baths, including a sauna
That’s interesting: Some of the windows and wall angles were designed to resemble those of a ship.
They found a narrow lot minutes from downtown Burlington and collaboratively designed a new home with architect Ted Montgomery of Groundswell Architects. With energy efficiency, luxury and a waterfront location in mind, they created a home with vistas of Lake Champlain, passive and active solar, a thermal wrap and an indoor sauna to make the space warm and inviting during the long Vermont winters.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Svetlana and Donat Stern
Location: South Cove, Burlington, Vermont
Size: 4,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 3 full baths, including a sauna
That’s interesting: Some of the windows and wall angles were designed to resemble those of a ship.
The lot is 64 feet wide. That narrowness was a challenge, along with the site's slope and the minimal land between houses, which created erosion and privacy concerns. Montgomery carefully positioned all the rooms — particularly the second-floor bedrooms — to optimize privacy and views of the lake.
Glazed south-facing windows and active solar panels on the roof help keep the home warm. The solar panels also heat the majority of the house's hot water.
Glazed south-facing windows and active solar panels on the roof help keep the home warm. The solar panels also heat the majority of the house's hot water.
The couple hired landscape designer Rebecca Lindenmeyr of Linden L.A.N.D. Group to create a three-level terraced landscape extending from the English flagstone patio to the water. The terraces are built with stone sitting-wall retainers to absorb storm water runoff. The horizontal walls create an illusion of spaciousness, and the lawns are great for entertaining guests, incuding their active grandchildren.
The family room, dining area, kitchen and front foyer all flow into one another. The slightly slanted wall helped make space for the stairway.
Kitchen island, dining chandeliers: Cheers Collection, Tech Lighting, The Lighting House; furnishings: Furniture World; cabinets: Calligaris; rugs: ABC Carpet & Home; table, chairs: Inmod
Kitchen island, dining chandeliers: Cheers Collection, Tech Lighting, The Lighting House; furnishings: Furniture World; cabinets: Calligaris; rugs: ABC Carpet & Home; table, chairs: Inmod
The contemporary furniture in the foyer coordinates with the sleek kitchen cabinetry.
Faucets: Close to Home, Burlington; cabinets: Alno, Dalia Kitchen Design; appliances: Boston, Miele; refrigerator: Viking
Faucets: Close to Home, Burlington; cabinets: Alno, Dalia Kitchen Design; appliances: Boston, Miele; refrigerator: Viking
Drenched with light, this cozy sitting room provides a great climate for Svetlana's orchids. The early-morning light makes it one of Donat's favorite spaces, since he's an early riser.
An office off the first-floor foyer provides a daily workspace for Donat, who telecommutes to the office of his Russian partners. Svetlana often uses it in the evenings to work on her photography of Lake Champlain. "The view from the chair provides a beautiful sight of the lake at any time of day," Donat says.
"The curved hallway was Ted's idea and one that we loved," Svetlana says. "We've always had many books, and this was a perfect spot for them." The hallway leads to a glass doorway, a small terrace and the master bedroom. A door to a guest bedroom is on the right.
Hall chandelier: Crescendo, Tech Lighting
Hall chandelier: Crescendo, Tech Lighting
Natural light fills the hallway just outside the master suite. This series of paintings by Russian artist Postoev V.D. reminds the Sterns of nature back in Siberia, where winter often lasts up to five months.
Donat’s favorite space, the upstairs game room, has a luxury cruise ship ambience, with nautical round windows and Brazilian tigerwood floors.
A granite gas fireplace, full wet bar, wall-mounted television and pool table make this the ultimate place for entertaining and relaxing. The couple often engage friends and family in a game of pool, chess or Chinese checkers in this space.
Bar, fireplace granite: Capalavaro-Brazilian Quartzite, Burlington Marble and Granite
A granite gas fireplace, full wet bar, wall-mounted television and pool table make this the ultimate place for entertaining and relaxing. The couple often engage friends and family in a game of pool, chess or Chinese checkers in this space.
Bar, fireplace granite: Capalavaro-Brazilian Quartzite, Burlington Marble and Granite
The fully equipped game room bar keeps beverages and food within convenient reach.
Set only 50 feet away from the lake, the master bedroom allows Donat and Svetlana to see and hear the lake in all its beauty at any time of day.
Repeated round windows in the master bedroom lead the eye to a walk-in closet and bathroom.
Svetlana loves the master bathroom. “I was careful to keep it masculine enough for Donat with my color and stone tile choices,” she says.
Flannel limestone and smoke marble on the bathtub surround create that masculine vibe. Linear stick stone from North Country Tile in Williston, Vermont, adds unexpected interest to the walls.
Flannel limestone and smoke marble on the bathtub surround create that masculine vibe. Linear stick stone from North Country Tile in Williston, Vermont, adds unexpected interest to the walls.
A sleek, upholstered platform bed and fur pillows make the guest bedroom welcoming and warm for when the couple's daughters visit.
The hall bathroom is connected to the guest bedroom by a walk-in closet. Both rooms have their own doors to the hall.
Tile: North Country Tile
Tile: North Country Tile
On the exterior, deep colors contrast with the stone and clapboard siding. "The exterior of the home is inspired by nautical design, with the straight lines, protruding left angle and round windows," Montgomery says.
A glass pergola above the front patio lets in light and warmth while providing shade and shelter from the rain.
After five years in their new home, it's clear that Donat and Svetlana are content. “We are so happy and comfortable here, being close to downtown, our daughters and their growing families," says Donat. "What could be better?”
Architect: Ted Montgomery, Groundswell Architects
Landscape design: Rebecca Lindenmeyr, Linden L.A.N.D. Group
Interior design: Tami Esbjerg, Tami Esbjerg Designs
Contractor: Roy Rabideau, Royal Design and Construction
After five years in their new home, it's clear that Donat and Svetlana are content. “We are so happy and comfortable here, being close to downtown, our daughters and their growing families," says Donat. "What could be better?”
Architect: Ted Montgomery, Groundswell Architects
Landscape design: Rebecca Lindenmeyr, Linden L.A.N.D. Group
Interior design: Tami Esbjerg, Tami Esbjerg Designs
Contractor: Roy Rabideau, Royal Design and Construction
Countertop: Vermont Danby marble, Burlington Marble and Granite