5 minute read
Pursuing Perfection
A lakefront home is reborn as a modern masterpiece
Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Eric Williams
Those who acquire a second home frequently lament the fact they don’t get to spend much time at their “vacation” residence. One enterprising couple who had pondered a second home decided instead to purchase a lakefront property and live like they were always on vacation. While the existing house wasn’t what they were looking for, the spacious lot - which jutted out into the lake and offers three distinct water views – was instantly appealing to the outdoor enthusiasts. To rectify the disconnect between the residence and its environs, the couple enlisted the services of Gradison Building Corp. to renovate and reconfigure the home to suit their needs.
Calling the finished project “the hottest home on the lake,” Joe Gradison and his team, which included brother Mark, architect Gary Nance, and Chad Bruick from Outdoor Environmental Group, completed the project in just over a year, a dizzying accomplishment given its vast scope.
Per the existing footprint, the home features three-car garages on the main and walkout lower level.
At the onset, the clients had a conceptual idea of what they liked and disliked but had not nailed down a particular aesthetic. When Joe showed them a picture of a home from the Pacific Northwest, the theme resonated with styles the couple liked and mirrored ideas they had in their extensive “clippings” file. At this stage, the design process really took off and a “high-level, ping pong-style volley of ideas all focused on achieving excellence,” ensued remarked Joe. He added that while the clients were heavily involved in all aspects of decisionmaking, they gave the team tremendous latitude to lead the process.
Architecturally distinct from any visible neighbors, the building materials that comprise both the façade and the hardscaping are unique to the area in terms of their application and lend a Zen-like aesthetic. Per the existing footprint, the home features three-car garages on the main and walkout lower level.
The homeowners enjoy large family gatherings, and to that purpose, the public rooms on the main level function as one cohesive space. Walls of windows with a subtle tint span the entire expanse; in some cases, they fold out of sight to provide access to outdoor living areas and blur the line between inside and out. Each of the rooms maintains a soft contemporary appeal that is supremely comfortable, allowing the views to take center stage.
Serving as the hub of the space, the expansive kitchen by Conceptual Kitchens & Millwork features a pair of large islands placed perpendicular to the cooking station to accommodate flow-through traffic. “Part of the fun of entertaining is having people gather in the kitchen while the host or hostess does prep work. This floor plan allows for the person cooking and their guests to freely interact without feeling as though they are in each other’s way,” said company president Rob Klein.
Serving as the hub of the space, the expansive kitchen by Conceptual Kitchens & Millwork features a pair of large islands placed perpendicular to the cooking station to accommodate flow-through traffic.
Pointing out the gorgeous wave-like patterns in the “Iron Red” marble slab from Santarossa behind the cooktop, Klein stated that a custom fabricated range hood was a must for a project of this scale to lend mass without detracting from the other design elements. Another unique feature is the quartz and wire-brushed stone countertops on the islands. The stone that caps the eating island has a quarter-inch steel plate embedded within to uphold the cantilevered edge. Eliminating the corbels typically used for support “keeps people from banging up their knees,” Klein pointed out.
A focal point of the main living area on the lower level is a wall of dimensional tile that creates a wave effect. Suspended upside down in a lighted niche over the nearby bar is a one-thirtieth-scale Scuderia Ferrari Formula One race car, one of many pieces of racing-related memorabilia artfully placed throughout this level. Stacked stone support pillars on either end of the bar mimic materials used on the exterior foundation. Both the living areas and the husband’s corner home office have walls of glass that open directly to the stone terrace.
Best admired from the water’s edge, the landscaping is truly a work of art. Formerly overgrown, the gently sloping lot is ideal for the dramatic impact afforded by an infinity-edge pool. Originally contracted just for that singular aspect of the exterior, Chad Bruick from Outdoor Environmental Group quickly convinced the homeowners that he could execute a special plan to complement the unique architecture. “Once Chad got involved, the outdoor facet really took off,” said Joe.
The gently sloping lot is ideal for the dramatic impact afforded by an infinity-edge pool.
Relishing in the rare opportunity to design a contemporary landscape, Bruick jumped onboard the fast-moving project and put together a comprehensive plan in just two weeks. When the homeowners urged him to push the envelope via storyboards they created, he spent two days revising what would become the final plan. Given the freedom to use different components as well as familiar ones in a new way (such as the custom-fabricated linear limestone pavers on the terrace), Bruick utilized no less than 10 hard surface materials for the terrace, pool decking, and driveway.
Shoring up the pool and pool deck are gargantuan steel planters of various sizes that function cohesively as a retaining wall. Filled with aggregate for drainage and topped with a seemingly random yet orderly assemblage of both familiar and foreign plant materials, the overall effect is truly stunning.
Punctuated by vibrant orange Tuuci Manta shade platforms, convivial outdoor seating areas are easily configured for groups of all sizes. There are two outdoor cooking areas. The larger of the two is located just above the pool deck and features an L-shaped bar with a thick concrete top, teak and chrome barstools, and commercial-grade outdoor cooking equipment from DCS by Fishers Paykel. A second grill for inclement weather is built-in next to the fireplace on the covered terrace accessed from the kitchen. Remote-controlled retractable screens increase the comfort factor. Tucked under the stairs leading from the terrace is an outdoor shower with a bamboo screen.
The master bathroom’s contemporary soaking tub is positioned to take in the enviable water views.
The interior design throughout maintain a soft contemporary appeal that is supremely comfortable, allowing the views to take center stage.
