Lake View Blues

by Lori Helms photography by Serena Apostal

Aqua, turquoise, powder, baby, teal, navy, cyan, powder ... the ways to describe different shades of blue are virtually endless.

Almost as endless as the views enjoyed at this beautiful, 5,200-square-foot Lake Norman waterfront home in Mooresville, built by Simonini Custom Homes. It sits on a very private lot in an area off Langtree Road, and from the moment you arrive, it’s basically impossible not to quench your design thirst with an eyeful of blue hues, dictated only by the time of day you get to enjoy them.

“The colors inside the house mimic the lake ... which is this big view of water that you see from the minute you pull into their driveway,” says Wendy Yeakley, owner and lead designer of Homestyles Interior Design. For color inspiration, Yeakley leaned heavily on what was readily at hand –Lake Norman views from essentially every part of the home.

It starts at the entry, with its 10-foot tall, custom iron and glass front doors. Thanks to the home’s layout, the view from there is unobstructed – straight through to the rear of the house and the broad expanse of its lakefront.

“They were designed by the architect to have that wide door opening,” she says, “because the views here are just amazing. From the front step, all you see is water.” Depending on the time of day, the calming mix of blues is met with layers of sunset orange hues. It’s a palette that guided Yeakley through the 18 months of this project, in which she played a role in every aspect of construction elements and selections, right down to the green-blue Kentucky Haze paint on the kitchen island.

“In reality, the colors of blue on the interior are just a continuation of the water colors that you see the minute you walk in this house,” she says. For their new custom home, the owners hired Yeakley and her firm for her well-known, full-service design skills. They are trained specialists in everything from construction elements such as cabinets and tile down to the last lamp. It’s all done with her client’s input, which Yeakley says focused on building and designing a home that would be their last, and a place for their growing extended family to enjoy for years to come.

“They wanted their interior design to stand the test of time,” she says. “It’s a very family-friendly but well-appointed interior. I would call it high-end design with a casual lake house flair.”

In the primary suite, Yeakley says that high-end design concept included elements such as a focal wall covered in a heavily textured grass cloth layered with metallic accents, as well as custom motorized Roman shades. And then there’s the stunning marble detail in the primary bath. The pattern in the shower is Yeakley’s own, made

To maximize seating for the homeowners’ growing family, Yeakley says the use of sectionals in the living room area was a great way to do that to accommodate the gatherings they expect to have. And when that crowd is not gathering in the dining area with its very welcoming furnishings and custom built-in cabinetry, there is plenty of room for them in the kitchen with its timeless white design.

“White is classic. White is never going to go out of style,” says Yeakley. “There is a trend right now toward more wood tones, however this client wanted white because it will stand the test of time. White is always in style.”

Especially when coupled with Lake Norman’s beautiful blues.