Hiner Home Designs

Zerwas Residence

Why was this your favorite, what made this one so special to stand out in your mind, what were some of the key features that made it so special?

I hesitate to use the word “favorite” since I work with so many wonderful people and on so many interesting projects. So rather than saying this is my favorite, I would just say it is one of the more unique projects I’ve had the opportunity to work on. The homeowners wanted to expand their cabin but were hesitant about tearing down the old cabin which contained so many wonderful memories. So, my design solution was to keep the existing cabin and build new around it. The old cabin is inside the new structure and still retains its knotty pine walls and modest size bedrooms with the old living room area turned into a cozy game room. The new addition rises over and around the old cabin and has high ceilings and windows viewing the lake in the modern kitchen and great room area, so it’s a wonderful balance of blending the new with the old.

When was this project started and completed?

The design was developed during 2017 with construction in 2018.

What was one major challenge you had with this project?

It was important to leave the old cabin and its memories intact, so the challenge was to connect it to the new structure so that it flowed and functioned as one cabin. This was accomplished by creating a connection between the new great room and old cabin game room so that people and conversation could flow easily between the two areas.

Greatest success?

Enjoying a glass of wine in front of the fireplace with the homeowners after construction was complete, admiring the fruits of our labor.

What advice would you have to give to people thinking about remodeling their bathroom?

Plan ahead, hire the right people, and be open to creative ideas.

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With a vast wall of windows overlooking the lake, there's a fantastic view from the new kitchen, dining area and great room. And the 22-foot-high asymmetrical stacked-rock fireplace, constructed by Solid Rock Masonry, features a lighted mantel.