By Barb Howell | Photography by Shanna Wolf
On the north shore of Geneva Lake stands a shinglestyle home that is so strikingly blue that on a sunsplashed day, with the lake’s water shimmering before it, one has the feeling that these blissful surroundings just might be heaven.
The couple, who owns this grand yet inviting home, readily admits they feel blessed. Married for 43 years, they discovered the beauty of Lake Geneva when their romance was just beginning in the early 1970s. As their love blossomed, so did their love for Lake Geneva and the people who live here. Throughout their marriage they’ve owned other homes on the lake, but once they saw this property one year ago, they knew it was perfect for their family. “It was meant to be,” they explain.
A FAMILY RETREAT
The house is truly designed for family living, and with two married daughters and five grandchildren, ages 2-8, it checked all the boxes (and more) on their wish list. The three-level, 10,000-square-foot home has seven bedrooms, six full baths, three half baths and three laundry rooms.
One portion of the third level is designed for the couple’s grandchildren and includes a bunk room/playroom complete with a boat-shaped bed and bunk beds. The home’s lower level combines an indoor pool, wine room, family room with bar and billiard table. Large outside entertaining spaces encompass decks, porches and patios, plus an in-ground pool and outdoor kitchen. However, the kitchen and great room on the home’s main level, are where guests and family typically congregate, according to the homeowners.
SELECTING A NAME
The home, built in 2008, was designed by Architect R.R. Browne of West Dundee, Illinois and its extraordinary attention to detail is second to none. As a former home builder, who has completed high-end residences for several prominent clients in the Chicago area, the homeowner says he’s never seen such a well-conceived design coupled with quality craftsmanship.
The home’s millwork is beautiful and elaborate and encompasses everything from wainscoting on the walls and bead board on some of the ceilings to built-in bookcases and decorative columns.
The exterior — with its stunning blue shingles, white trim and interesting architectural details — is reminiscent of an East Coast vacation retreat. The “blue house,” as the couples’ grandchildren fondly call it, needed a more fitting name they explained. Brainstorming sessions ensued but to no avail. One day, however, while walking back from the pier and looking at the house, their son-in-law came up with “My Blue Heaven.” The family unanimously agreed on the name.
Now that their home has been formally christened, the couple hopes it will serve as the setting for a natural continuation of many more Lake Geneva memories. And for this family, that’s a heavenly idea.
This home was featured in the Lake Geneva: Summer 2016 issue.
For more photos of featured Lake Geneva homes, visit the Lake Geneva gallery page.