Photo by Geneva Nodland
The Preppy Playhouse By Brady Drake
Photos provided by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss
n 2021, Christen Anderson of Christen Joy completed an exciting project in Lakes Country, known as "The Paul & Babe," for a client with a playful spirit and a taste for bold design. Two years later, on the same property, Anderson was hired by the same client to create "The Preppy Playhouse"—a separate space designed for guests to stay and for parties to continue into the wee hours of the night. The Paul & Babe serves as the owner's primary summer home. She spends her winters on the East Coast, returning to the lakes area each summer. Originally, The Preppy Playhouse was intended to be a remodeled garage. "We were going to remodel it, but we essentially found out that the bones were not great, and structurally it was not going to function well. Based on this, we opted to remove the structure and start fresh.” That is how The Preppy Playhouse came to be. 52
HOME BY
| J U LY 2 0 2 4
This is really an extension of the home. It's meant for over flow of guests and it's also an area where when you're hanging out by the fire it’s convenient to pop in and grab a drink. It’s also a wonderful space to play games or unwind together with a nice movie." "In a lake home, high functionality is essential. You need a space that can handle sandy feet, wet bodies, and the flow of drinks, whether it's a Diet Coke or a rum and coke. For this reason, we opted for a laminate floor—it's easy to clean and perfect for a quick run with the Dyson. To add a touch of comfort and style, I chose a rug that complements the great room without overwhelming it. This rug provides an extra layer on top of the laminate, echoing the neutral tones and feel of the lake area, while still being practical for lake living."