LAKElegacy

Sometimes a lake home is more than a summer retreat, it’s a place where generations of a family can make memories, build relationships and encourage one another. Recently, a local family decided to do a significant remodel and an addition of their 1990s modular home, and create a place that would not only be a delightful year-round home, but a tribute to their parents, refuge for their kids and a legacy for their grandkids.

Good bones

“The modular home was very well built, and had ‘good bones’ as we say in the construction business,” noted Paula Boehm, co-owner of Paul Davis of Detroit Lakes, and one of the designers of this lake home remodel. “Rather than demolishing the existing home, the homeowner wanted to use it and expand to create more livable space. Our goal in any project is to reflect the personality of the individuals and family who is going to live there, so we listened to the needs and dreams of this family, and helped them create a family legacy.”

The original 3900-square-foot home had six bedrooms and three bathrooms, but the space was not always well-utilized, Boehm noted. The main floor had a combination kitchen and dining room space plus a great room, but with a limited lake view. The downstairs bath was one large room that served three bedrooms, but wasted a lot of space. The front of the home was plain and simple, rather uninviting for guests.

The process

“Paul Davis, licensed general contractors in Minnesota and North Dakota, has specialized in lake home remodeling for 20 years,” noted Boehm, “so we know the habits and tendencies of people at the lake are different from their other homes. We have first-hand experience, since we also live at the lake: we know what questions to ask, so we get the right answers. To build a home, or remodel one, you have to know how the family lives so we can enhance the quality of their experience after the remodel is completed.”

In this remodel, the homeowner had expressed a desire for a more inviting entrance and a better view of the lake, with expanded living space. Boehm said they began looking for ways to maximize the view of the lake, since it was so limited in the original house. In addition, the homeowner wanted year-round comfort and easy maintenance.

Because Paul Davis specializes in lake homes, they “make lake life better,” she said. Paul Davis is based in Detroit Lakes (not to be confused with the franchise in Fargo!), so they understand the lake environment and county rules and regulations that a contractor needs to abide by; an asset they can offer to property owners. Plus Paul Davis has a full design center and showroom right in Detroit Lakes so homeowners can find all the roofing, siding, windows, stone, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, tile and paint samples in one place. Their 3-D drafting and design also allows homeowners to see the colors and textures they’ve selected―before anything is built. “It really helps the homeowners to feel comfortable about their decisions,” she confirmed.

The remodel

The first step was the front entrance, which got a significant facelift, adding a covered sun porch with fieldstone accent pillars to the side of the front double fiberglass doors. With a sun porch facing east, it’s a great place to start the morning, relaxing over a cup of coffee. In raising the roof―literally―they also created a double gable on the front, providing a more inviting and impressive entrance.

Stepping inside the front doors, there is a clear view to the lake, framed by new Pella windows. The great room with a 16-foot cathedral ceiling, now extends from the front door through the new 800-square-foot addition (on each floor) to the back windows. On the right is a beautiful open kitchen, with a long island angled around the cooking spaces. Tucked behind in what was the old kitchen is now an oversized walk-thru pantry, complete with floor-to-ceiling shelves, an extra refrigerator and prep space.

The kitchen has knotty alder cabinets, finished in a custom burnt sugar color with a black glaze. An oversize island and backsplash has Fusion granite in shades of rust, gray and cream with a polished finish. Because of the massive island space, the granite countertop with “breathtaking movement” is six cm thick―double the normal depth, with a quarter radius edge. Eight comfortable stools with red leather seats cluster around the island, complete with wrought-iron footrests. The homeowner chose to have the cooktop in the island, and installed a specialized automatic downdraft hood that pops up with cooking, then retracts into the countertop when done.

Brushed nickel hardware complements the stainless appliances, including double ovens and an oversized refrigerator/freezer. Adding light to this interior space are Solatube skylights as well as recessed can lights and blown-glass pendants above the island.

The flooring throughout is a Mohawk porcelain tile in subtle colors called White Mountain. Tile sizes range from 13 x 13 to 20 x 20, placed in a random pattern to add an interesting background to the spacious area. The living area holds a comfortable leather sofa and matching chairs, along with a covered coffee table that can double as added seating. Along the rear window overlooking the lake is a cushioned window seat, just right for napping or reading. The dining area, which is in the new addition, captures the magnificent lake view.

Bedrooms are in a private wing away to the left of the great room, and all had new Pella Designer-Series windows installed with blinds inside the windows for a crisp, clean look. To enhance privacy, higher transom windows were used on the side facing other homes, while the lake views were enhanced.

Lower level

Going from the main level to the lower level used to be a quick jaunt down the back stairs, but the remodel also included a touch of fantasy with the addition of a spiral staircase in a fieldstone tower, topped with a copper roof. Blending the natural fieldstone with maintenance-free vinyl shaker and lap siding on the exterior, the turret addition looks like part of the original building.

Downstairs the addition provided room for a new custom fieldstone wall fireplace and wet bar in the family room. Since the original wood in the lower level was cedar, that wood was used to complete the space. The lower level bedrooms also got an updated look with new flooring and windows, but the bathroom had the biggest transformation. From one single room, Boehm said, they created three spaces: a toilet room, shower room and double sinks in another. Now, instead of having one person using the space, three or four can be getting ready for the day at the same time.

The exterior of the home also received a significant update in the landscaping. Luscious plantings are flanked by flagstone walkways and borders, creating a beautiful environment around the home.

A delight

“We were honored to be able to work with this homeowner,” said Boehm. “She knew what she wanted for her family, and was a delight to work with: she had great taste and was confident in her decisions,” she said. “Every decision is a blend of form and function. Although the homeowner drives the project, part of our job is to ensure that the products selected and the space planning will meet their needs and create the home of their dreams.”

With this remodel, a nice family lake home has been transformed into a family treasure, with beautifully crafted details, combined with wise use of space and thoughtful, creative Paul Davis design. As Boehm noted, “Our vision is to transform lives, one client at a time.” In this home, the family would concur: there has been a transformation, and it is one that will help create memories now and into the future. [AWM]

For more information contact:

Paul Davis

Design, Build, Remodel, Restoration

Attn: Paula Boehm, co-owner

25130 County Highway 6

Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 www.pdmidwest.com

218-847-1800