Lakeshore Living Lake Geneva 2024

Photos by Stoffer Photography Interior Design by Amy Storm & Co.

40 That Natural Feeling

Soothing, earthy tones and materials take center stage in this home.

62

49 A Stunning Showpiece

A Geneva Lake home features jaw-dropping finishes and incredible details at every turn.

A Charming Abode

This tranquil lake home has a sunny disposition and an airy, coastal vibe.

57 Modern Comfort

Cozy, hygge elements blend perfectly with updated, masculine décor in an area home.

69

Views for Days

An elegant new build brings the outdoors in.

DESIGN

15 The Edit | Make a Splash

Embrace this vibrant color trend in your décor.

17 Inspired Interior | Catch the Blues

How to style a room with chambray blue.

19 Transformation | Actively Chic

A family of six builds their dream workout room.

THE LOOK

23 Style | High Style

Florals and preppy pieces make a splash this summer.

26 Shoppist | A Boho-Luxe Stop Circa’s luxury and vintage goodies.

AT HOME

29 Lifestyle | Capturing Color

The best hues to use in interiors right now.

33 Gatherings | Sipping the Region

Trying the Lake Geneva area’s wineries, distilleries and breweries.

37 The Workbook | The Best Outdoor Living Trends

How to make your backyard an oasis with the latest in landscaping, furnishings and luxe add-ons.

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 From the Editor

Celebrating a milestone.

74 Last Look

Revisiting some Lake Geneva history

SHANNA WOLF

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Happy Anniversary!

It’s hard to believe that ten years have passed since we published the first issue of Lakeshore Living Lake Geneva in summer 2014. As we celebrate our tenth anniversary this year, it’s made me reflect on the countless homes that I’ve toured and written about, and the hard-working, local business owners I’ve gotten to meet.

Lake Geneva is both a homey place to live and work — yet offers wonderful dining and shopping options

that you’d find in larger cities. It’s why the region has been coined the “Hamptons of the Midwest.” Another reason for the nickname? The spectacular homes that are on the area lakes.

A lake home is no longer the dark, cottage-y abode of the past. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, homeowners are using their vacation getaways year-round (not just during the warmer months) and making them comfortable, relaxing and stylish.

You’ll want to tour all five of the amazing homes in this issue, including a masculine, modern abode; a charming, coastal home; and a jaw-dropping estate with fabulous finishes.

I hope you enjoy this issue, and feel free to send me a note if you know of a home or business we should feature within our pages.

Enjoy the lake!

Shayna Mace, Editorial Director @shaynamace

Want more Lakeshore Living?

Do you follow us on Instagram? If not, find us at @lakeshorelivingmag for bonus pictures of the homes we feature and other home and garden happenings.

PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL

PUBLISHER

Barbara Krause bak@ntmediagroup.com

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Shayna Mace shayna@ntmediagroup.com

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DIGITAL DIRECTOR Kristen Rouse krouse@ntmediagroup.com

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CIRCULATION Eric Johnson eric@ntmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Lakeshore Living magazine is a publication

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Lakeshore Living magazine is published annually by Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc., 400 Broad St., Unit D, Lake Geneva, WI 53147.

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Unsolicited material must be accompanied by return postage. Lakeshore Living magazine assumes no liability for damage or loss.

Tasha Downing, Kristine Hansen, Maura Keller, Nikki Kallio, Holly Leitner, Melanie McManus, Shanna Wolf, Alexandra Wood

of Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc. Gary E. Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President, Barbara Krause, Publisher. 400 Broad St., Lake Geneva, WI 53147.

“I’m

Make a Splash

Embrace this vibrant color trend in your décor. STYLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY LEITNER

Clockwise from top left: Two’s Company marble tic-tac-toe game, $49.99 , and chinoiserie double deck playing cards, $42.95 , both from Fontana Home ; Wisconsin glass, $13.75 , SS Con 12 x 24 motorboat plans, $159 , and floral 7¾-inch ceramic vase, $24.99, all from Angelus Home & Garden ; and Patty Rybolt melamine fish platter, $35.99 , Fontana Home ❦

Catch the Blues

KateKazlo, founder & owner of The Home Market & Kate Kazlo Interiors in Milwaukee, creates designs and interiors that are classic, timeless and fresh.

“My client gave me free rein in their second-floor guest bedroom at their country farmhouse. I wanted the space to have a traditional feel, but made it fresh by mixing a lot of bold patterns and pretty textures. I chose chambray blue as the main color because it is versatile and soothing for a bedroom. I incorporated my client’s existing antique brown highboy dresser, as it was a family heirloom, and added brass bedside table lamps to enhance the traditional charm of the space.”

Pattern Play

From top to bottom:

Branca Stripe small wallcovering in sky, casabranca.com

Capri Blue Heaven fabric, casabypc.com

Lorraine Celestina fabric in medium blues, quadrillefabrics.com

Scalloped grasscloth lampshade, $180, newportlampandshade.com

Granada queen duvet, $624, shophomemarket.com

Jean Roger small tulip candlestick, $325, casabranca.com

Kemi frame, $75, shophomemarket.com

Hue Cues

SELVEDGE , Farrow & Ball (No. 306): This color works well in lowlight spaces and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. It’s well suited for bedrooms or rooms that you spend a lot of time in.

THE EARLY STUFF, Backdrop

Paints by Schumacher (BD175102801): A clean, cool and crisp blue with a hint of gray. A perfect color to use in any space where you want a pop of blue.

PAPER WHITE , B enjamin Moore (OC-55): A white color with undertones of gray and blue. This color would make a great choice for a soothing, coastal-inspired space where you want a subtle hint of blue. ❦

Produced by Alexandra Wood @alexandrawooddesign

Actively Chic

A family of six builds their dream workout room.

BY SHAYNA MACE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLY LEITNER

Sports and staying active has always been a way of life for the six-member Hayes family. That extends to their getaway-worthy backyard, complete with a pool and workout building.

When the pool was installed by Brinkman Pools in 2021, mom Jocelyn requested that a concrete pad be poured at one end with the intention of adding a workout room there eventually. She and her husband, Joel, worked with Brad Augustson of Augustson Homes to complete their workout building in 2022.

The family loves it, Jocelyn says.

“We just thought that this [room] would be a great solution that everybody could get use out of.”

The room houses a Peloton treadmill and bicycle, a large weight machine and free weights. A small AC/heat unit keeps the building comfortable year-round.

Top: The durable vinyl plank flooring can easily withstand workouts. Right: Board-and-batten siding and black-trimmed windows and French doors give the workout building a clean exterior look. Left: A fridge keeps beverages cold for the family. The four Hayes kids, which range in age from 11 to 18 years old, use the room constantly, along with Jocelyn and her husband, Joel. ❦

High Style

Florals and preppy pieces make a splash this summer. STYLING BY SHAYNA

MACE | PHOTOGRAPHY

BY

HOLLY LEITNER

These floral items are cool, unexpected and a little groovy. Clockwise from top left: Dina shirt, $120, and Fate print blazer dress, $98, both from Jayne; Carve Designs Stinson swimsuit top and bottoms, $52 each, Clear Water Outdoor; Maisy flower earrings, $28, and Jeffrey Campbell Timeless platforms, $165, both from Jayne; and ILTM floral skort, $74, Genevieve Lake Geneva

Prep is back — and better than ever.

Clockwise from top left: Thread crossbody handbag, $40, Clear Water Outdoor; Mable striped dress, $72, Genevieve Lake Geneva; bow earrings, $28, and Voy stripe elastic band textured dress, $72, both from Jayne; Collins Malawi swim jacket, $99, Clear Water Outdoor; Silent D Claudette sneaker, $170, and Moon River crewneck striped sweater jacket, $96, both from Jayne ❦

A Boho-Luxe Stop

BY SHAYNA MACE

Not many people can say that becoming legally blind — then having their sight miraculously restored by a double cornea transplant — inspires their work. That’s what makes Denise Zajac’s story one-of-a-kind — just like her shop, Circa.

During those harrowing years, Zajac says, “my world [that was] once full of color, design and fashion was now a hazy white.”

Zajac, once an executive at Saks Inc., left the big-box retail world to work in finance and concurrently opened her own vintage shop in Chicago. In 2023 she closed her Chicago boutique, moved to Lake Geneva and opened Circa.

Her “bohemian luxury” shop specializes in vintage Levi’s jeans and shorts; vintage, high-end clothing; pre-owned luxury handbags and costume jewelry; and Indian silk pieces. The silk line in particular is special: Zajac hand-selects the Indian silks, designs each piece (caftans, tops, dresses) and a friend manufactures the line for her.

“The colors and patterns represent joy to me. I am so happy that my designs appear to bring joy to others,” she says. ❦

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Capturing Color

The best hues to use in interiors right now.

BY NIKKI KALLIO

I f you’re looking to give your walls or interiors a refresh, today’s color trends are exciting and sophisticated. Vibrant colors and warm neutrals are trending, and Lake Geneva-area interior designers are seeing a desire for rooms that are either warm and organic, or bold and dramatic.

What’s Trending

The paint pendulum is swinging toward warmer, more earthy colors — which is a departure from the previously popular grays we’ve seen for many years. Hot hues include ultra-warm putty and mushroom tones, as well as rich, dark blues and greens.

Sometimes these colors are paired together.

“I think in general, there’s a shift towards a more organic feel in design,” says Carly Loobeek of Studio M Interiors.

When it comes to cabinetry colors in particular, Natalie Spiniolas of Tailored Spaces LLC, says, “people are tending to go a little bit deeper with colors — so lots of really strong dark, deep greens and blues [and] blues that are almost on the edge of black. We just did a kitchen in [Sherwin-Williams’] Inkwell … a very, very deep, dark navy.”

at home | lifestyle

Creating a Mood

Another intriguing trend is “color drenching,” in which the same paint shade is carried throughout a room on the walls, trim and more, equaling a dramatic look.

“It creates a whole mood, per se, versus just [painting] the walls,” Loobeek says.

Because of its impactful look, a homeowner may opt to color-drench just one room, then have the rest of the home be warm and light, Loobeek says.

A recent project of Loobeek’s folded deep green hues into a home office — incorporating the color right down to the outlets. “That’s the room you might read in, or have a cup of coffee or a cocktail, and it makes it a more intimate space,” she says.

Recently, Spiniolas worked on a cottage remodel that employed a rich green shade (Vintage Vogue by Benjamin Moore, see sidebar) in the kitchen. The maple butcher block countertops provided a lovely, light contrast. “[The space] still had a very … traditional Wisconsin cottage vibe to it, but we paired it with white and gold appliances and accessories, and it was very cute.”

While color-drenched rooms often incorporate dramatic blues and greens, color drenching isn’t limited to rich or vibrant hues — any shade can be used. A recent project Spiniolas worked on used Sherwin-Williams’ Accessible Beige on the walls throughout the entire home as well as in the cabinetry in the kitchen: “[The shade] just moved through very nicely.”

Bringing Personality Into the Home

The COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role in homeowners desiring rich, bold colors as they began to spend more time at

home — including working from home offices — and started envisioning spaces that were more inviting and personal.

“Even secondary homes [in Lake Geneva] are being used more frequently, and I think [people are] bringing more of their personality into their homes,” Spiniolas says.

In fact, the sky is the limit when it comes to color for some homeowners, says Spiniolas.

“I think it’s really interesting how much color is making a comeback,” Spiniolas says. “We just saw a pink bathroom coming back. [And] I think a lot of these cabinet companies are taking liberties to do any color that you want on cabinetry now. It’s not as limiting as it used to be.”

People also are going bolder with colorful ceramic tile in bathrooms and kitchens. “It just emits more feeling and more emotion than a home that’s all neutral,” Loobeek says.

Even appliances are becoming more colorful again. “We haven’t seen those in years,” Spiniolas says. “But it’s kind of everywhere, where people are being a little bit more fun.” ❦

Nikki Kallio is a Wisconsin-based writer and author of the short story collection “Finding the Bones.”

Popular Paints

Sherwin-Williams’ Loggia: Loggia is among the warm putty colors that have been popular for walls and cabinets, says Carly Loobeek of Studio M Interiors. Sherwin-Williams notes it as a light stone gray that is ideal for kitchens and pairs well with a warm red.

Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy: This shade of navy is Natalie Spiniolas of Tailored Spaces LLC’s “favorite navy of all time. It’s the perfect depth of blue,” she says. “It’s not too bright … it just reads perfectly navy blue from any distance.”

Benjamin Moore’s Vintage Vogue: “A beautiful green” shade that is a warm alternative to charcoal, Spiniolas has used Vintage Vogue for an office remodel as well as a kitchen project, which gave the room a cottage-like feel, she says.

Behr’s Cracked Pepper: The company’s selection for Color of the Year, this soft black pairs well with a variety of warm neutrals and pops of color, such as Behr’s Laguna Blue or Mountain Olive.

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Sipping the Region

Trying the Lake Geneva area’s wineries, distilleries and breweries.

BY KRISTINE HANSEN

Whetherit’s downtown Lake Geneva, just across the Illinois border or on an Elkhorn farm, the area is bursting with innovators of wine, beer and spirits. These tasting rooms allow you to literally sample their success.

Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company, Elkhorn

Laura (Duesterbeck) Johnson is chief creative officer and her husband and co-owner, Ben Johnson, is the brewer at her family’s fifth-generation farm. Twenty (or so) of their beers are on tap and visitors can order either a 16-ounce pour, a flight or drinks to-go. Live music during the summer months takes place on the outdoor patio on Friday and Saturday nights, and food trucks offer local fare.

What sets this five-year-old brewery and taproom apart is that the owners grow and harvest their own hops. “We are doubling our hops yard. That is fun for us because I love

agriculture and am a horticulturist. I’m really excited for that. It’s new for us this year,” says Laura about the property, which is not dog-friendly.

Visitors can learn more on Saturday tours (11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) as well as on Aug. 24, when they will harvest hops. Laura invites people “to see how we do it (and learn) what’s behind our product,” she says.

Studio

Winery and Geneva Lake

Distilling, Lake Geneva

Owners Doug and Kathy Jackson — a musician and artist — strive to fill their tasting room with creative pursuits. Live music is hosted from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (indoors during the cooler

Duesterbeck’s Brewing Company

months and out on the patio in the summer and fall) and items made by local artists are sold, including Kathy’s jewelry.

Cocktails folding in their spirits — moonshine, rum, gin, brandy, whiskey, vodka and bourbon — are switched up each season. Visitors can also taste spirits in a flight.

The wines are made from grapes grown just across the Illinois border in McHenry County. Many are cold-climate varietals well suited to Midwestern weather, such as Petite Pearl, LaCrosse and Frontenac. As a nod to the live music, labels are named for rock stars and musicians, like Hendrix Semi Dry Red, Amadeus Semi Dry White and Coltrane Sweet White.

Rush Creek Distilling, Harvard, Illinois

The tasting room at this distillery offers a full selection of Rush Creek’s craft spirits.

Among the most popular cocktails is a coffee martini featuring their Coffee Flavored Vodka, which won a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute. “There are always seasonal drinks on the menu,” says Mark Stricker, one of the distillery’s four founders.

“We keep our old favorites. That includes [an] Old Fashioned. There’s [even a] Banana Old Fashioned, and different [drinks] you wouldn’t expect.”

Another reason to visit: “Some of the spirits are unique to our store only, that we don’t make enough of to go into distribution,” says Stricker. This includes their Honey Bourbon and Maple Syrup Bourbon.

On Saturdays, Rush Creek Distilling hosts live music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., along with food trucks. Then, every other Sunday (1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) there’s also live music and corn hole games, hosted on their dog-friendly patio shaded with umbrellas.

For those who want to learn more about the production, hourlong tours (Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m.) are followed by a tasting of five spirits.

Topsy Turvy Brewing, Lake Geneva

This small-batch brewery opened in 2020 and has a beer

garden in back and patio in front. Being this micro allows for experimentation with new beers.

“If it works and takes off, we can go larger,” says owner Dan Schuld, who scoured the region for the perfect spot for his brewery, and found it in a historic, 1910 church.

“We tried to keep all the charm that was there,” says Schuld, such as the chandelier and stained-glass windows, “to preserve all we could.” Both indoor and outdoor spaces are dog-friendly.

During a visit, sample a flight of four beers or choose a pint from what’s on tap. Among the most popular beers is the lowcalorie Lake Path IPA, says Schuld.

Food options include pretzels, pizza and brats, or takeout food can be brought in from other restaurants. On Friday and Saturday nights, live music by small, acoustic bands fills the former church, or on the patio during nice weather.

“We have a lot of board games,” says Schuld, adding that trivia nights, plus guided painting and planting classes, are also offered. “We’re always trying to do something fun.” ❦

Kristine Hansen is author of “Wisconsin Cheese Cookbook: Creamy, Cheesy, Sweet, and Savory Recipes From the State’s Best Creameries.”

The Best Outdoor Living Trends

How to make your backyard an oasis with the latest in landscaping, furnishings and luxe add-ons.

BY MAURA KELLER

Backyards

used to be pretty basic: take a lawn, and throw in a grill and a few lounge chairs. Today, homeowners are injecting much more style into their outdoor living areas to reflect their overall home design. From stunning landscaping to relaxing spa retreats to dramatic hardscapes, today’s outdoor living trends are capturing homeowners’ attention like never before.

Gorgeous Greenscapes and More

A good landscaping plan can create multiple relaxing zones for a variety of different functions. Think: manicured gardens, a fire pit area, a freestanding pergola or lounging in a cabana.

“Outdoor spaces have become an extension of the home for living and entertaining, and people are investing more in this element of their homes,” says Kathie Perkins, owner of Fontana Home.

Raised-bed gardens are on trend and afford homeowners the ability to manage gardens more easily. No kneeling or significant bending is required, they limit the amount of weeds that can emerge and they’re off-limits to rabbits and other critters looking for a meal. Kitchen gardens, complete with trellises covered in lush, climbing beans, peas and cucumbers have become a cornerstone of today’s landscaping, as homeowners can grow plant-to-table ingredients.

Also on trend is more natural landscaping that melds with the environment. Natural stone paths, shaded sitting areas and meditative water features are all ways to foster a Zen-like atmosphere. Wildflower gardens are also trending as they are easy to grow, beautiful to look at and provide flowers that can be cut all season long.

Creating Relaxing Spaces

Want to up the relaxation factor in your backyard? Pergolas and other structures are also popular additions to today’s outdoor spaces.

A more recent option to consider [is a] cabana structure that [has] louvered ceilings, screens, removable walls and lighting,” Perkins says. “Outdoor fire pits and heat lamps allow outdoor living even in the cold weather.”

When it comes to either revamping a deck or building a new one, plastic composite lumber (which resembles wood) is the material of choice, thanks to its weather resistance and ease of maintenance. For a hardscaped patio space, natural stone and cultured stone materials, stamped concrete and patio pavers are all low-maintenance surfaces that are popular.

Outdoor Amenities

Outdoor furnishings used to be blasé — think: basic plastic chairs and metal patio tables. Now, cozy and comfortable furniture can accent outdoor kitchens, gardens and fire pits. As Perkins explains, durable outdoor fabrics make it easy to extend the living area to the backyard with throw pillows, blankets and area rugs.

“All-weather, recycled plastic furniture has been around for a long time, but has become increasingly popular,” Perkins says. Some of these pieces can even be left outside year-round and withstand the harshest

of elements, making it less of a concern where to store out-of-season furniture.

To add to the living room-like vibe, comfortable seating can be positioned around a fire pit or outdoor fireplace with a TV hanging nearby. Drinks can stay cold in an outdoor kitchen’s refrigerator, and pizzas can cook in a wood-fired pizza oven.

“There is also the latest integration of home applications into the outdoors. Using a touch screen, homeowners can manage outdoor lighting, music, fire bowls, a TV and pool/spa features,” says Michael Murillo, director of sales at Barrington Pools.

Watery Wonders

Homeowners are taking advantage of the beautiful, albeit short, summer months in the Midwest by incorporating pools and spas into their outdoor spaces. A larger backyard with open spaces and elevation changes may be ideal for a boulder waterfall and naturalistic freeform pool, whereas a smaller, more intimate outdoor space may be more ideal for a spa.

While pool lighting has traditionally been focused on safety, it’s now also about mood and ambiance as nicheless lighting, which is embedded in the side of the pool rather than in a carved-out niche, is available in many sizes and colors, allowing for flexibility of installation.

Murillo also has noticed a greater use of porcelain tile pavers for the areas around pools and spas, as the coloration and patterns of porcelain pavers can mimic the look of natural stone.

“Their uniform thickness makes them great for tanning ledges and decking as well as applications to more geometric-style water features,” Murillo says. “Porcelain pavers stay cooler to the feet in full sun, don’t need sealing and are less susceptible to staining than natural stone or concrete pavers.” ❦

Maura Keller is a Midwest-based freelance writer and editor.

That Natural Feeling

A Lauderdale Lakes home is outfitted in soothing, earthy tones and materials for ultimate lakefront relaxation.

BY

MELANIE RADZICKI MCMANUS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

For 20 years, Chicagoan Kristine Jurczyk regularly trekked to Lauderdale Lakes to hang out with her best friend, who grew up in the area and owns a lake house there. Initially, she traveled solo, but in later years came with her husband and their four kids.

In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, the couple rented a place on Lauderdale Lakes for the summer. The family had such an incredible experience, they knew it was time to purchase their own special lake home.

Jurczyk found a home to purchase, tapping Thelen Total Construction of Elkhorn to replace the old home on the property with a new one, spacious enough to accommodate her family and plenty of guests. The couple had several goals for their new getaway, says Randy Thelen, head

Opposite page: Distinctive Designs hand-crafted all of the kitchen cabinetry. Top: The outdoors easily spills into the home via immense windows. Bottom: Every family member has a cubby to easily stash their belongings.

of the construction firm. These included separate zones for sleeping and entertaining, independent work spaces and a more contemporary feel than the typical lake home.

Yet while the couple wanted an overall modern aesthetic, they also felt it was important to acknowledge their home’s natural lake setting.

“So I pulled in a lot of wood, natural stone, rattan and leather elements to reflect nature and balance the home’s clean, contemporary lines,” Jurczyk says.

One prime example is the great room, which features a 14-foot, natural stone fireplace flanked by a towering woodpile and six Serena & Lily rattan pendant lights. As planned, the stone, rattan and wood lend an earthy vibe to the modern space.

Opposite page, top left: The lake is visible from most places in the home. Top right: Baskets under the vanity in the powder room add a natural feel to the more contemporary space. The floor is sage concrete from Bella Tile & Stone. Bottom left: The soaring fireplace, crafted from Halquist Stone’s popular Ledge Collection, makes a bold statement in the great room. The stone, along with the collection of wicker pendant lights, lend the room a warm, earthy vibe.

“Initially, the fireplace was going to be concrete or porcelain,” says Jurczyk. “Then in my pivot to bring in more natural materials, I decided to use the same stone that’s on the exterior of the house. This is one of the most impactful changes we made. I’m so happy with it.”

Jurczyk notes there’s nothing shiny in the entire home. The countertops have a honed finish, for example, the primary bathroom has a resin bathtub and all of the fixtures boast brushed finishes. This was intentional.

After Jurczyk built her Chicago home seven years ago — which has a lot of glossy surfaces — she learned that was not her preferred aesthetic. Plus, shiny surfaces easily show fingerprints, a concern when there are four kids in the home.

One other detail the couple was mindful about was having multiple refrigerators. “We like to entertain, so we have eight fridges!” she says. “I was focused on having drinks easily available everywhere for kids and adults.”

Today, the family adores their new lake home, spending about half the summer there and coming monthly in the off-season.

“I love enjoying the lake with my family and friends,” Jurczyk says. “But in particular, I love watching our kids having fun here and making memories.”

The white oak kitchen table was custom made by DTK Stone Works and Thelen Total Construction and seats four people on each side, and two at each end. “I wanted to seat 12 people, and I didn’t want a super long table,” says Jurczyk.

Top: The spacious back deck sits atop the property’s renovated boathouse, and includes a sitting area and fire pit. Bottom: The built-in outdoor grill is conveniently located adjacent to the dining room and kitchen for entertaining ease.

Top left: This guest bathroom features a backsplash of white Zellige tile, handcrafted in Morocco, while the flooring was created with striking porcelain hexagon tiles made in Spain.

Top right: The guest room has soothing gray and white tones, including a stylish alabaster white upholstered bed from Pottery Barn.

Bottom: The primary suite is a soft, calming space, with floor-to-ceiling custom draperies by RM COCO that are tucked into recessed ceiling pockets. The weathered gray acacia wood bed from Crate & Barrel pairs well with the New Zealand woolen rug from RH. ❦

Melanie Radzicki McManus is a freelance travel writer and speaker based in Sun Prairie.

A Stunning Showpiece

A Geneva Lake home features jaw-dropping finishes and incredible details at every turn.

BY MELANIE RADZICKI MCMANUS | PHOTOGRAPHY

BY SHANNA WOLF

WhenDoomis Custom Builders was tapped to remodel a home on Black Point on Geneva Lake, the project’s scope initially was small — the homeowners wanted some of the bathrooms and the kitchen refreshed. But the job quickly morphed into an extensive remodel of the entire home and grounds, resulting in one of the most spectacular residences currently on the lake.

“We pride ourselves with [having] repeat clients, so we were delighted when our former client approached us about ... this home,” explains Tom Doomis of Doomis Custom Builders.

Doomis Custom Builders also brought in team members that had worked on previous projects with the client, including Addis Architectural and Pinnacle Landscaping, to transform the home’s entire design, inside and out. In addition to the renewed interiors, the home’s landscape, hardscapes and outdoor spaces are breathtaking as well.

“The level of upper-echelon detail in this home is unmatched in any home I’ve done to date on Geneva Lake,” says Philip Sassano, founder and principal at The Design Coach, an interior design firm based in Harvard, Illinois.

To help create a classic, timeless look for the kitchen, Philip Sassano, founder and principal at The Design Coach, paired white subway tile and a massive enamel range hood from CopperSmith with eye-catching Ralph Lauren globe lights, courtesy of Visual Comfort & Co.

“This project was one-of-a-kind,” agrees Jon Doomis. “It was one of our top three projects ever, and we’ll never see anything like this again.”

What makes this particular remodel so impressive? The many luxe details, folded into its design. New, enlarged windows allow more light — and more of the lake — to spill into the home. A wealth of stunning millwork graces the walls and ceilings — something Doomis Custom Builders has extensive experience in. The company’s partners, Tom, Mike and Jon, pride themselves on being true carpenters by trade, and Mike says the home is an example of the craftsmanship that comes with decades of experience.

Top left: A full-grain leather hospitality ottoman, reminiscent of those found in a New Orleans hotel, seats four and is a focal point in the foyer. It also helps ground the expansive space. Top right: While compact, the first-floor powder room is stunning with wavy chevron wallpaper, a vanity retrofitted from a reclaimed piece of furniture and linear sconces. Bottom right: Vintage baskets serve as artwork in a guest bedroom.

The homeowners and Sassano also incorporated many unexpected, delightful details. A good example of the latter is the home’s boat bar, named The Gilded Lady.

The handsome piece was crafted by Larry Lange, head of Lange Custom Woodworking in Lake Geneva. Lange specializes in both restoring old boats and creating boat bars, using pieces from old vessels.

“The boat bar is patterned after the historic Gage Marine tour boats on Geneva Lake,” Sassano says, pointing out the storage closet behind the bar features an old porthole-turned-mirror.

Another of the home’s exceptional elements is in the dining room, which features intriguing rope lighting from Visual Comfort & Co. “We wanted the dining room to have some ‘shock and awe’ through a special lighting element,” Sassano says. “The rope lighting emulates nautical rope in the most luxurious way possible. Its soft glow makes for a jaw-dropping dining experience, and it’s one of the home’s showstoppers.”

Sassano, who began his career as an artist, grabbed his design team to help him stencil and detail Byzantine stars on the dome above the stairwell.

Top: Kravet kitchen chairs (covered with Cowtan & Towt upholstery) and lovely window treatments by Schumacher round out the kitchen’s blue-and-white theme. Bottom: Rope lighting in the dining room, which mimics seafaring ropes to continue the home’s nautical theme, makes for a unique dining experience, says Sassano.

Top left: The bright morning room is a cheery space. Top right: Burlwood-framed pages pulled from a 1920s etiquette book add a traditional vibe to the home’s lake room. Bottom right: The main sitting area is softened by the ceiling’s wood veneer wallcovering. Bottom left: Hand-painted stars above the stairwell are an homage to old seafaring navigation methods.

Top: A sitting room adjacent to the primary suite gives the homeowners a private space to relax before engaging with their guests. The room’s tall, blue draperies are a striking focal point. “So many people bail on window treatments, but they really matter,” says Sassano. Bottom right: This lower-level kitchen, situated near the guest rooms, allow visitors to serve themselves. “It’s unbelievably functional,” Sassano says. The cabinetry is painted with Benjamin Moore’s Nautical Blue and Dove White.

The stars, which glow at night via lights hidden in cove molding, are a nod to the way in which old mariners navigated at night.

“Every room, wall and ceiling in a home is a canvas,” says Sassano.

One thing Sassano and his team really appreciated about the project was the homeowners’ resolve to finish every detail, including furniture, artwork and accessories. So many homeowners bail on these final elements, he says, convinced they will complete them over time. Yet often, they never do.

He and his team also cheered the homeowners’ commitment to making each guest room memorable.

“Guest rooms are often where furniture goes to die,” Sassano says — but not in this home.

One guest room, for example, is decorated with several dozen vintage baskets, an idea that came from Sassano’s lead designer, Brittany Davis. (Artwork doesn’t always mean a framed picture, Sassano notes.) Another guest room makes a splash through a wood veneer wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries.

“There is so much detail in this house, it’s unbelievable,” Jon Doomis says.

Top: The home’s auxiliary bar provides a self-serving space for guests to grab their own food and drink. “Easy service is a must,” says Sassano. “You can’t enjoy your lake home if you’re always waiting on your guests.” Bottom right: The homeowners kept the original, arched windows, which afford amazing views of Geneva Lake and the property’s pond. Bottom left: A blue woodveneer wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries makes this guest room memorable. ❦

4,500 SQUARE FEET | 5 BEDROOMS | 5 BATHROOMS

Modern Comfort

Cozy, hygge elements blend perfectly with updated, masculine décor in an area home.

BY TASHA DOWNING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

Updating the style of his newly remodeled home was a priority for homeowner Scott Kunes, which led him to interior designer Garrett Cheyne, owner of Curate Design Group in Delavan.

“I wanted a family home with a more masculine style but a lot of comfort,” says Kunes. “Sleek and modern, but incorporating the rustic surroundings.”

Channeling themes like “modern mountain” and “hygge,” Cheyne helped Kunes achieve a perfect blend of sleek, yet rustic comfort. Skilled craftspeople from Heritage Board and Beam installed, stained and hand sanded oldgrowth barn wood sourced from throughout Wisconsin to create the rustic wood flooring. The company also built the coffee table, explains Kunes, finishing it in a shou sugi ban finish, which burned the wood to create a black char.

“And, Curate sourced anchor chains from the Long Island Ferry to use as table legs on the foyer table,” adds Kunes.

In the living area, Cheyne wanted to find a light fixture that was large enough for the 20foot ceilings, but also would not block the view of the pond on Kunes’ property that can be viewed from the lofted office. He settled on the Darlana XL pendant from Visual Comfort & Co., a minimal, farmhouse-style fixture that doesn’t impede any views from the second floor.

“You look right through this piece to the lush landscape of the backyard,” says Cheyne. “It fit with our design goals to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out.”

Cheyne found mid-20th century European metal light fixtures for the dining room from a vendor he works with. “There is nothing like the real deal when it comes to the patina and age of an item.”

Enlightened Style Natural Woven Shade

Enlightened Style Dual Shade

Top: The black-and-white photograph in Kunes’ bedroom is from Curate Design Group’s own collection, and is a cheeky reference to the historic residency of the Lake Geneva Playboy Club. Two comfy Cloud Chairs from RH in white, stain-resistant fabric frame the photo. The Kelly Wearstler lights from Visual Comfort & Co. are solid brass with etched crystal glass diffuser heads that rest on articulating arms. Right: The gray plaid sectional is a semi-custom piece that Curate had created for Kunes by a vendor out of North Carolina. Potted plants throughout the home add a natural touch, and Kunes found many of them at Treasure Hut in Delavan. ❦

Cont. from P. 58

Tasha Downing is a Chicago-based freelance writer.

3,600 SQUARE FEET | 4 BEDROOMS | 3 ½ BATHROOMS

A Charming Abode

A Lake Beulah home features dashing details and an entertaining-friendly floor plan.

BY

TASHA DOWNING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANNA WOLF

Mikeand Randi Heimert were quite familiar with Lake Beulah, as they owned a vacation home on its shores for 15 years. During the pandemic, the couple decided to sell their Wisconsin lake home and purchase a second home in Florida. But almost immediately, they regretted it. A former Lake Beulah neighbor informed the Heimerts a friend was looking to sell her lakefront home, so the couple jumped on the chance to own a place on the water again and bought the property. Eventually, they tore down the old house to build anew.

The Heimerts worked with J. Timothy Builders, Inc. to create a timeless lake cottage that was perfect for their family.

“They wanted a bright and streamlined home with simple elegance,” said Jon Wittrock, owner of J. Timothy Builders, Inc. “This house showcases so many beautiful custom details, like white oak floors stained with a custom mix designed to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.”

Top: Randi loves her kitchen countertops, which are leathered Taj Mahal quartzite, a natural stone. Bottom: A lovely blue built-in bar area in the dining room makes entertaining a breeze. Randi and Mike Heimert have had the industrial-look RH dining room table for years. Randi says the textured wood always looks great, regardless of wear and tear.

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Top: Serena & Lily is one of Randi’s favorite places to shop for furniture and accent pieces because of their durability and the designer’s blue-andwhite color schemes. Bottom: As a professional photographer, the home features many of Randi’s own photographs, along with pieces by artists and photographers that inspire her, like Slim Aarons, Kristi Kohut and Gray Malin.

Breezy Hill Landscaping rounded out the home’s exterior design, which included a lovely natural stone pathway.

But the interior decor is where Randi went to work, poring over every detail to achieve her and Mike’s specific design goals of texture and comfort.

“Mike loves stone and wood, so besides the stone fireplaces we wanted character-grade wood floors with natural knots,” said Randi. “Visually, I need a lot of details that are architecturally interesting, whether it’s beams, wallpaper or shiplap.”

Randi found her unique wallpaper designs at Hygge & West, Katie Kime and Mitchell Black. She believes that ceilings are often overlooked, so she also devoted a large portion of the budget to lighting. “My husband calls my lighting the ‘jewelry of the home,’” she said.

Gorgeous tile and stone in the kitchen and bathroom create a warm, inviting space. “In the kitchen, we used four-by-four handmade ceramic tile from Italy in nine different shades with a shiny glaze,” says Dianne Fasano, owner of Bella Tile and Stone. “The client wanted a timeless bathroom and preferred the look of Carrara marble, so we used 10½-inch honed Carrara marble tiles in a hexagon shape with a creamy white base with gray and gold veining.”

Top: The porch is a favorite hangout yearround with its proximity to the outdoor kitchen, electric screens and vinyl coverings that can completely close in winter, plus heaters that warm the space with the flip of a switch. Bottom right: The adorable bunk room features a rattan light fixture and ceiling accented with bird-themed wallpaper. “My husband and I cut out birds from that wallpaper and glued them to the wall so it looks like they’re flying up to the ceiling,” said Randi. Bottom left: Wallpaper adds a touch of unexpected whimsy to a powder room ❦

Views for Days

An elegant new build brings the outdoors in.

BY TASHA DOWNING | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NORMAN SIZEMORE

Once you live on the water, it’s hard to look back. Area homeowners Diane and John were living on Whitewater Lake, but frequently traveled to the Lake Geneva area to visit. Eventually, they began looking for a home on Geneva Lake, and found a lot in the South Shore Club. The club offered an appealing array of amenities — which is unique to find in a waterfront development — that the couple couldn’t resist.

“We like being able to reserve a boat when we want to and not have to deal with the hassles of owning a boat,” says Diane. “There are tennis

and pickleball courts, a pool and a club house, which are all great for entertaining.”

Diane and John worked with Orren Pickell Building Group to help them shape the vision for their new home. Diane loved that their design team provided a footprint, and then she and John chimed in with their preferred design elements.

“Working with Pickell was great — it was very organized,” said Diane.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but they walk you through the whole process, and give you a timetable of when you need to make decisions.”

The designers at Orren Pickell also flawlessly executed the home’s exterior stonework that echoes the elegant style of the property.

“The home’s veneer is Eden-Valders stone, laid in an Oakfield web pattern,” says Thomas Pins, lead architect with Orren Pickell Building Group. “These stones were mined from one of eight quarries in Wisconsin.”

Opposite page: Gorgeous landscaping by ILT Vignocchi provides a lush backdrop for the English Tudor-style home. This page: The wood floors are wire-brushed, five-inch American white oak. Orren Pickell Building Group achieved the floor’s rich brown hue by water popping the wood and adding a custom satin color and Loba semi-gloss finish. Principal interior designer Janet McCann of Janet McCann Associates helped select the home’s furnishings.

Top: Classic two-over-four vertical windows maximize gorgeous lake views in the bedroom. The elegant ceiling beams are hand-hewn Douglas fir timbers stained in weathered grey. Bottom: Hexagon tiles add visual interest to the shower and bathroom floor. “I wanted the primary bathroom to have great lighting and storage, a makeup area and a beautiful shower with light colored tile,” says Diane. “It’s a very spacious, bright and lightfilled area.” ❦

A Moment in Time: A family poses by the water in the Whitewater area. Although this image isn’t dated, it’s from Henry F. Bergmann’s collection of photographs, circa 1890-1905. According to watertownhistory.org, Bergmann, who lived in Watertown, was a pharmacist but also had a side business taking postcard photography.

COURTESY OF THE WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY (WHS-68001)

IMAGE

Geneva Cabinet Company Remodel Designer: Joyce Zuelke, CKBD Photographer: Shanna Wolf