WELCOME HOME

Built for Family, Built for Fun Many years of memories to be made in Chris and Kim Clair’s home in The Villages

STORY BY CHARIS PATIRES + PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALAN WOHLGEMUT

When Chris and Kim Clair visited the Lake eight years ago for business they had no idea it would became a haven for their friends and family, a place where many happy memories would be made.

Chris, a certified public accountant, was hired to perform an audit for a condominium association. They were given a unit to stay in for a week and had such a great time, they decided to return the following summer and rent a house.

It became a tradition after that so they began to look for something more permanent, and in July 2015, found a lot for sale in The Villages on Shawnee Bend. They held onto it for a few years but then decided to purchase the lot next door for additional space and to take advantage of a better main channel view.

Kim was hands-on throughout the process — from drawing up the plans for the architect to picking out every detail and design that went into the home.

The couple hired Doug Ross, with RC Homes because he came highly recommended. Building a home from three hours away had it’s challenges but the Clairs say between frequent visits and constant contact with Doug he was able to build their dream Lake home. Kim would often bring Doug and Charlie Cloke unique finds that she would have them incorporate into the construction. They made each piece fit perfectly.

The home is 4,500 square feet with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, an office, two full kitchens, a large walk-in pantry, open concept dining and living room, a family room, built-in playhouse, mud room and laundry room.

Everything was built with family in mind. It was designed to be a place where the family could come and get away, which Kim notes, is especially important these days.

“Family is so important to us,” Kim said. “We wanted a place where our entire family could come and have their own bedrooms and bathrooms. We wanted everyone to have a place to escape and built lots of outdoor spaces that anyone could go and find a quiet place to relax. We are looking forward to many years of memories made at our Lake home with our family.”

Warm welcome

Chris and Kim are both graduates of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. They met on the second day of classes during Kim’s freshman year. Chris owns a CPA practice in Kansas City. He grew up in Michigan and his family lived on Lake Huron which sparked his love for living on a lake.

The couple has three daughters, all in their early 20s: Kaylina and Kyrina are twins, and Kassandria is the youngest. Kaylina is married and Kyrina is getting married in October. Chris and Kim enjoy spending time with their two “sons,” TJ and Chris. They all live in the Kansas City metro area.

They also have three fur children, Tinkerbell the Pomeranian, and two cats, Mickey and Jane. All of them come to the Lake with the family and enjoy it just as much as everyone else.

“What we love about the Lake is the ease of traveling just three hours from home but it feels like a real vacation,” Kim said. “We have always done long vacations at various ocean locations across the U.S. but it is nice to be able to get to water without major travel.”

“It is also such a great recreational Lake and we love using our waverunner and boating,” Chris added.

The sign above the doorway says it all… “May this home be a place of happiness, laughter and health. A place of joy and contentment. Of generosity and hope. A place of creativity and kindness. Of daydreams and hard work. Of memories made and traditions begun. May those who live here and those who visit know only blessings, peace and love.”

Kim found it at a home décor store and had RC Construction custom build a frame

About the Homeowners

to go over the doorway.

Wide open spaces

Nothing in the home is super-sized. Kim wanted a cozy, inviting place where friends and family would feel welcome. The couple has traveled along the East coast and love the look of the homes found in Massachusetts and Maine. The designs are timeless, Kim says, and never go out of style.

“We wanted a cottage home like you would find out East,” Kim said. “Our interior finishes are distressed in nature as is our furnishings.”

Instead of a lot of color, Kim likes to use texture.

Outdoor living

Lots of windows and French doors let in natural light and provide views of the water and trees. The upper deck is an extension of the indoor living space. The tile floors, screenedin porch, additional seating, and French doors makes it so anyone can enjoy the Lake view outdoors yet have all the comforts of being “inside.”

Wooden shutters were handmade by RC Home, and are found all around the exterior. Another design element that RC Home suggested was the wood plank ceiling.

Vintage pieces

Many vintage pieces have been built into the home. Several transoms from an old church in Pennsylvania can be found above doorways, including one in the master bedroom (see to the left of the photo). Shutters, doors and windows found at various antique stores in Osage Beach and Kansas City were incorporated into the décor and design.

“We wanted our home to have a timeworn feel and be a place of relaxation. If it’s already distressed then you don’t have to worry about a new little scrape or scratch,” Kim said.

Custom and comfortable kitchen

You’ll notice even the pets were thought of when designing the home. A food and water bowl for Tinkerbell has been built into the island in the kitchen. Downstairs, a custom opening in the wall for the cats to go through was built to conceal the litter pan.

The custom-cabinets in the kitchen have also been distressed to camouflage any unintentional nicks. Light and airy colors give the home a clean, fresh look. Quartz countertops and tin backsplash add a touch of elegance. One of Kim’s finds from an old Victorian house, was repurposed into brackets that were used to hold up the hood over the stove.

The window seat was something Kim was adamant about when she designed the home. Some homeowners might prefer additional cabinet space for storage, but Kim says the window seat invites guests to engage in conversation while dinner is being made.

In the mudroom off of the garage is the pantry and staircase to an upstairs bedroom. This old door from an antique store was used for the pantry.

Master suite

The master bedroom is located off the main floor living area. It features a French door which opens to the main floor screenedin porch. The couple loves waking to the water view each morning. Shiplap on the wall behind the bed adds a soft, subtle contrast. The master bathroom is nicely appointed with a long double sink vanity, walk-in shower, and a large walk-in closet.

ROOMS WITH PERSONALITY

Each bedroom is unique, showcasing the personalities of their three daughters. Details, no matter how subtle, reflect their style. The fixtures, vanity and other furnishings in their bathrooms are the same, although a few items have been added to personalize each room.

“Another thing that is very important is showing our faith and gratitude for the blessings we have in our lives,” Kim said. “Small reminders are in every room. We want to remind everyone to take the time to pause and be grateful.”

A bedroom above the pantry has Boho/Shabby Chic accents. Several bird cages and botanical prints were brought in to provide elements of nature, which gives a clue to the interests of their youngest daughter.

This bedroom showcases their daughter’s love of the mountains and the lake. It also houses a dresser that was Kim’s as a child and had been passed down by her Mom. It’s these design elements that make a house a home, she said.

Their daughter’s bedroom on the lower level has a French/Country flair but also includes lighthouses from East coast vacations. Somehow it all works together.

Playroom

At the top of the stairs, a small playhouse was built that any future grandchildren are sure to enjoy. Exterior siding and shingles were used to replicate exterior finishes on the home on this mini version.

MORE ROOM DOWNSTAIRS

Also located upstairs is the couple’s office. Since they have to share work space at their Lake home, Kim calls it their “split personality office,” combining some of what Kim likes with some of what Chris likes into one room. Both desks are vintage and were refurbished.

Window seats were installed in all of the dormers located in the home, as seen in the office. Baskets under the seats provide additional storage.

A full kitchen, laundry room, family room and two additional bedrooms are located downstairs.

This guest room (bottom photo) is often

Office space

reserved for their parents.

Decked out

The patio downstairs was also screened in for comfort. The stamped concrete extends from the porch, down to a lower outdoor fireplace and seating area, and all the way to the dock.

The home has two fully screened-in porches on the Lake side, a wrap-around pergola porch that goes from the street side to the Lake side where there is a full main channel view at the back of a quiet no-wake cove.

Home Contractors

General Contractor: RC Homes/Doug Ross Architect: Pat Tierney Excavating/Site Work: Paulsen Excavating Foundation Work: Doug Rieke, Inc. Concrete Driveway and Lower Porch Stamped Concrete: Rice Concrete Lumber: RP Lumber Plumbing: Four Seasons Plumbing Electric: Catalyst Electric Drywall: Creech Drywall Heating and Cooling: Searcy Heating and Cooling Windows and Doors: Boone County Millwork Insulation/Pest Control: AB Pest Garage Door: Dulle Overhead Doors Interior Decorator/Furnishings: Mrs. Clair and Tinkerbell Security System/Entertainment System: Electronics Unlimited Flooring: Dugans Shower Doors: Picks Fireplace Countertops: Ozark Granite Cabinets (Kitchen and bath): Jake’s Creative Woodworks Appliances: Nebraska Furniture Painting/Finish Work: Forever New Painting Exterior Finish/Siding: KGB Siding Interior Plantation Shutters and Blinds: Windows and More

Lawn Maintenance, Landscape design, Lake-side stamped

concrete patio and walkways: Green Side Up Financing: Bank of Versailles Dock: Ozark Barge & Dock