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Featured Homes Lake Geneva

A Naturally Modern Home on Lauderdale Lakes

For 20 years, Chicagoan Kristine Jurczyk regularly trekked to Lauderdale Lakes to hang out with her best friend, who grew up in the area and owns a lake house there. Initially, she traveled solo, but in later years came with her husband and their four kids.

In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, the couple rented a place on Lauderdale Lakes for the summer. The family had such an incredible experience, they knew it was time to purchase their own special lake home.

Jurczyk found a home to purchase, tapping Thelen Total Construction of Elkhorn to replace the old home on the property with a new one, spacious enough to accommodate her family and plenty of guests. The couple had several goals for their new getaway, says Randy Thelen, head of the construction firm. These included separate zones for sleeping and entertaining, independent work spaces and a more contemporary feel than the typical lake home.

Yet while the couple wanted an overall modern aesthetic, they also felt it was important to acknowledge their home’s natural lake setting.

“So I pulled in a lot of wood, natural stone, rattan and leather elements to reflect nature and balance the home’s clean, contemporary lines,” Jurczyk says.

One prime example is the great room, which features a 14-foot, natural stone fireplace flanked by a towering woodpile and six Serena & Lily rattan pendant lights. As planned, the stone, rattan and wood lend an earthy vibe to the modern space.

“Initially, the fireplace was going to be concrete or porcelain,” says Jurczyk. “Then in my pivot to bring in more natural materials, I decided to use the same stone that’s on the exterior of the house. This is one of the most impactful changes we made. I’m so happy with it.”

Jurczyk notes there’s nothing shiny in the entire home. The countertops have a honed finish, for example, the primary bathroom has a resin bathtub and all of the fixtures boast brushed finishes. This was intentional.

After Jurczyk built her Chicago home seven years ago — which has a lot of glossy surfaces — she learned that was not her preferred aesthetic. Plus, shiny surfaces easily show fingerprints, a concern when there are four kids in the home.

One other detail the couple was mindful about was having multiple refrigerators. “We like to entertain, so we have eight fridges!” she says. “I was focused on having drinks easily available everywhere for kids and adults.”

Today, the family adores their new lake home, spending about half the summer there and coming monthly in the off-season.

“I love enjoying the lake with my family and friends,” Jurczyk says. “But in particular, I love watching our kids having fun here and making memories.”

By Melanie Radzicki McManus | Photography by Shanna Wolf

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

8,930 square feet | 6 bedrooms | 6 full bathrooms | 2 half bathrooms

  • Distinctive Designs hand-crafted all of the kitchen cabinetry.
  • The outdoors easily spills into the home via immense windows.
  • Every family member has a cubby to easily stash their belongings.
  • The lake is visible from most places in the home.
  • Baskets under the vanity in the powder room add a natural feel to the more contemporary space. The floor is sage concrete from Bella Tile & Stone.
  • The soaring fireplace, crafted from Halquist Stone’s popular Ledge Collection, makes a bold statement in the great room. The stone, along with the collection of wicker pendant lights, lend the room a warm, earthy vibe.
  • The white oak kitchen table was custom made by DTK Stone Works and Thelen Total Construction and seats four people on each side, and two at each end. “I wanted to seat 12 people, and I didn’t want a super long table,” says Jurczyk.
  • The spacious back deck sits atop the property’s renovated boathouse, and includes a sitting area and fire pit.
  • The built-in outdoor grill is conveniently located adjacent to the dining room and kitchen for entertaining ease.
  • This guest bathroom features a backsplash of white Zellige tile, handcrafted in Morocco, while the flooring was created with striking porcelain hexagon tiles made in Spain.
  • The guest room has soothing gray and white tones, including a stylish alabaster white upholstered bed from Pottery Barn.
  • The primary suite is a soft, calming space, with floor-to-ceiling custom draperies by RM COCO that are tucked into recessed ceiling pockets. The weathered gray acacia wood bed from Crate & Barrel pairs well with the New Zealand woolen rug from RH.
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Featured Featured Homes Lake Geneva

A Stunning Showpiece on Geneva Lake

When Doomis Custom Builders was tapped to remodel a home on Black Point on Geneva Lake, the project’s scope initially was small — the homeowners wanted some of the bathrooms and the kitchen refreshed. But the job quickly morphed into an extensive remodel of the entire home and grounds, resulting in one of the most spectacular residences currently on the lake.

“We pride ourselves with [having] repeat clients, so we were delighted when our former client approached us about … this home,” explains Tom Doomis of Doomis Custom Builders.

Doomis Custom Builders also brought in team members that had worked on previous projects with the client, including Addis Architectural and Pinnacle Landscaping, to transform the home’s entire design, inside and out. In addition to the renewed interiors, the home’s landscape, hardscapes and outdoor spaces are breathtaking as well.

“The level of upper-echelon detail in this home is unmatched in any home I’ve done to date on Geneva Lake,” says Philip Sassano, founder and principal at The Design Coach, an interior design firm based in Harvard, Illinois.

“This project was one-of-a-kind,” agrees Jon Doomis. “It was one of our top three projects ever, and we’ll never see anything like this again.”

What makes this particular remodel so impressive? The many luxe details, folded into its design. New, enlarged windows allow more light — and more of the lake — to spill into the home. A wealth of stunning millwork graces the walls and ceilings — something Doomis Custom Builders has extensive experience in. The company’s partners, Tom, Mike and Jon, pride themselves on being true carpenters by trade, and Mike says the home is an example of the craftsmanship that comes with decades of experience.

The homeowners and Sassano also incorporated many unexpected, delightful details. A good example of the latter is the home’s boat bar, named The Gilded Lady.

The handsome piece was crafted by Larry Lange, head of Lange Custom Woodworking in Lake Geneva. Lange specializes in both restoring old boats and creating boat bars, using pieces from old vessels.

“The boat bar is patterned after the historic Gage Marine tour boats on Geneva Lake,” Sassano says, pointing out the storage closet behind the bar features an old porthole-turned-mirror.

Another of the home’s exceptional elements is in the dining room, which features intriguing rope lighting from Visual Comfort & Co. “We wanted the dining room to have some ‘shock and awe’ through a special lighting element,” Sassano says. “The rope lighting emulates nautical rope in the most luxurious way possible. Its soft glow makes for a jaw-dropping dining experience, and it’s one of the home’s showstoppers.”

Sassano, who began his career as an artist, grabbed his design team to help him stencil and detail Byzantine stars on the dome above the stairwell.

The stars, which glow at night via lights hidden in cove molding, are a nod to the way in which old mariners navigated at night.

“Every room, wall and ceiling in a home is a canvas,” says Sassano.

One thing Sassano and his team really appreciated about the project was the homeowners’ resolve to finish every detail, including furniture, artwork and accessories. So many homeowners bail on these final elements, he says, convinced they will complete them over time. Yet often, they never do.

He and his team also cheered the homeowners’ commitment to making each guest room memorable.

“Guest rooms are often where furniture goes to die,” Sassano says — but not in this home.

One guest room, for example, is decorated with several dozen vintage baskets, an idea that came from Sassano’s lead designer, Brittany Davis. (Artwork doesn’t always mean a framed picture, Sassano notes.) Another guest room makes a splash through a wood veneer wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries.

“There is so much detail in this house, it’s unbelievable,” Jon Doomis says.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus | Photography by Shanna Wolf

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

10,800 SQUARE FEET | 5 BEDROOMS | 7 FULL BATHROOMS | 2 HALF BATHROOMS

  • To help create a classic, timeless look for the kitchen, Philip Sassano, founder and principal at The Design Coach, paired white subway tile and a massive enamel range hood from CopperSmith with eye-catching Ralph Lauren globe lights, courtesy of Visual Comfort & Co.
  • A full-grain leather hospitality ottoman, reminiscent of those found in a New Orleans hotel, seats four and is a focal point in the foyer. It also helps ground the expansive space.
  • While compact, the first-floor powder room is stunning with wavy chevron wallpaper, a vanity retrofitted from a reclaimed piece of furniture and linear sconces.
  • Vintage baskets serve as artwork in a guest bedroom.
  • Kravet kitchen chairs (covered with Cowtan & Towt upholstery) and lovely window treatments by Schumacher round out the kitchen’s blue-and-white theme.
  • Rope lighting in the dining room, which mimics seafaring ropes to continue the home’s nautical theme, makes for a unique dining experience, says Sassano.
  • The bright morning room is a cheery space.
  • Burlwood-framed pages pulled from a 1920s etiquette book add a traditional vibe to the home’s lake room.
  • The main sitting area is softened by the ceiling’s wood veneer wallcovering.
  • Hand-painted stars above the stairwell are an homage to old seafaring navigation methods.
  • A sitting room adjacent to the primary suite gives the homeowners a private space to relax before engaging with their guests. The room’s tall, blue draperies are a striking focal point. “So many people bail on window treatments, but they really matter,” says Sassano.
  • This lower-level kitchen, situated near the guest rooms, allow visitors to serve themselves. “It’s unbelievably functional,” Sassano says. The cabinetry is painted with Benjamin Moore’s Nautical Blue and Dove White.
  • The home’s auxiliary bar provides a self-serving space for guests to grab their own food and drink. “Easy service is a must,” says Sassano. “You can’t enjoy your lake home if you’re always waiting on your guests.”
  • The homeowners kept the original, arched windows, which afford amazing views of Geneva Lake and the property’s pond.
  • A blue wood-veneer wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries makes this guest room memorable.
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Featured Homes Lake Geneva

Modern Comfort

Updating the style of his newly remodeled home was a priority for homeowner Scott Kunes, which led him to interior designer Garrett Cheyne, owner of Curate Design Group in Delavan.

“I wanted a family home with a more masculine style but a lot of comfort,” says Kunes. “Sleek and modern, but incorporating the rustic surroundings.”

Channeling themes like “modern mountain” and “hygge,” Cheyne helped Kunes achieve a perfect blend of sleek, yet rustic comfort. Skilled craftspeople from Heritage Board and Beam installed, stained and hand sanded old-growth barn wood sourced from throughout Wisconsin to create the rustic wood flooring. The company also built the coffee table, explains Kunes, finishing it in a shou sugi ban finish, which burned the wood to create a black char.

“And, Curate sourced anchor chains from the Long Island Ferry to use as table legs on the foyer table,” adds Kunes.

In the living area, Cheyne wanted to find a light fixture that was large enough for the 20-foot ceilings, but also would not block the view of the pond on Kunes’ property that can be viewed from the lofted office. He settled on the Darlana XL pendant from Visual Comfort & Co., a minimal, farmhouse-style fixture that doesn’t impede any views from the second floor.

“You look right through this piece to the lush landscape of the backyard,” says Cheyne. “It fit with our design goals to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out.”

By Tasha Downing | Photography by Shanna Wolf

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

4,500 square feet | 5 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms

  • Cheyne found mid-20th century European metal light fixtures for the dining room from a vendor he works with. “There is nothing like the real deal when it comes to the patina and age of an item.”
  • The black-and-white photograph in Kunes’ bedroom is from Curate Design Group’s own collection, and is a cheeky reference to the historic residency of the Lake Geneva Playboy Club. Two comfy Cloud Chairs from RH in white, stain-resistant fabric frame the photo. The Kelly Wearstler lights from Visual Comfort & Co. are solid brass with etched crystal glass diffuser heads that rest on articulating arms.
  • The gray plaid sectional is a semi-custom piece that Curate had created for Kunes by a vendor out of North Carolina. Potted plants throughout the home add a natural touch, and Kunes found many of them at Treasure Hut in Delavan.
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Featured Homes Lake Geneva

A Charming Abode on Lake Beulah

Mike and Randi Heimert were quite familiar with Lake Beulah, as they owned a vacation home on its shores for 15 years. During the pandemic, the couple decided to sell their Wisconsin lake home and purchase a second home in Florida. But almost immediately, they regretted it. A former Lake Beulah neighbor informed the Heimerts a friend was looking to sell her lakefront home, so the couple jumped on the chance to own a place on the water again and bought the property. Eventually, they tore down the old house to build anew.

The Heimerts worked with J. Timothy Builders, Inc. to create a timeless lake cottage that was perfect for their family.

“They wanted a bright and streamlined home with simple elegance,” said Jon Wittrock, owner of J. Timothy Builders, Inc. “This house showcases so many beautiful custom details, like white oak floors stained with a custom mix designed to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.”

Breezy Hill Landscaping rounded out the home’s exterior design, which included a lovely natural stone pathway.

But the interior decor is where Randi went to work, poring over every detail to achieve her and Mike’s specific design goals of texture and comfort.

“Mike loves stone and wood, so besides the stone fireplaces we wanted character-grade wood floors with natural knots,” said Randi. “Visually, I need a lot of details that are architecturally interesting, whether it’s beams, wallpaper or shiplap.”

Randi found her unique wallpaper designs at Hygge & West, Katie Kime and Mitchell Black. She believes that ceilings are often overlooked, so she also devoted a large portion of the budget to lighting. “My husband calls my lighting the ‘jewelry of the home,’” she said.

By Tasha Downing | Photography by Shanna Wolf

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

3,600 square feet | 4 bedrooms | 3 1⁄2 bathrooms

  • Randi loves her kitchen countertops, which are leathered Taj Mahal quartzite, a natural stone.
  • A lovely blue built-in bar area in the dining room makes entertaining a breeze. Randi and Mike Heimert have had the industrial-look RH dining room table for years. Randi says the textured wood always looks great, regardless of wear and tear.
  • Serena & Lily is one of Randi’s favorite places to shop for furniture and accent pieces because of their durability and the designer’s blue-and- white color schemes.
  • As a professional photographer, the home features many of Randi’s own photographs, along with pieces by artists and photographers that inspire her, like Slim Aarons, Kristi Kohut and Gray Malin.
  • Gorgeous tile and stone in the kitchen and bathroom create a warm, inviting space. “In the kitchen, we used four-by-four handmade ceramic tile from Italy in nine different shades with a shiny glaze,” says Dianne Fasano, owner of Bella Tile and Stone. “The client wanted a timeless bathroom and preferred the look of Carrara marble, so we used 10 1⁄2-inch honed Carrara marble tiles in a hexagon shape with a creamy white base with gray and gold veining.”
  • The porch is a favorite hangout year- round with its proximity to the outdoor kitchen, electric screens and vinyl coverings that can completely close in winter, plus heaters that warm the space with the flip of a switch.
  • The adorable bunk room features a rattan light fixture and ceiling accented with bird-themed wallpaper. “My husband and I cut out birds from that wallpaper and glued them to the wall so it looks like they’re flying up to the ceiling,” said Randi.
  • Wallpaper adds a touch of unexpected whimsy to a powder room.
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Featured Homes Lake Geneva

Views for Days in the South Shore Club

Once you live on the water, it’s hard to look back. Area homeowners Diane and John were living on Whitewater Lake, but frequently traveled to the Lake Geneva area to visit. Eventually, they began looking for a home on Geneva Lake, and found a lot in the South Shore Club. The club offered an appealing array of amenities — which is unique to find in a waterfront development — that the couple couldn’t resist.

“We like being able to reserve a boat when we want to and not have to deal with the hassles of owning a boat,” says Diane. “There are tennis and pickleball courts, a pool and a club house, which are all great for entertaining.”

Diane and John worked with Orren Pickell Building Group to help them shape the vision for their new home. Diane loved that their design team provided a footprint, and then she and John chimed in with their preferred design elements.

“Working with Pickell was great — it was very organized,” said Diane.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but they walk you through the whole process, and give you a timetable of when you need to make decisions.”

The designers at Orren Pickell also flawlessly executed the home’s exterior stonework that echoes the elegant style of the property.

“The home’s veneer is Eden-Valders stone, laid in an Oakfield web pattern,” says Thomas Pins, lead architect with Orren Pickell Building Group. “These stones were mined from one of eight quarries in Wisconsin.”

By Tasha Downing | Photography by Norman Sizemore

  • Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price
  • Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price
  • Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price
  • Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price
  • Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price
  • Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price
  • Architectural Photography by Norman Sizemore & Mary Beth Price

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

7,996 square feet | 6 bedrooms | 6 bathrooms

  • Gorgeous landscaping by ILT Vignocchi provides a lush backdrop for the English Tudor-style home.
  • The wood floors are wire-brushed, five-inch American white oak. Orren Pickell Building Group achieved the floor’s rich brown hue by water popping the wood and adding a custom satin color and Loba semi-gloss finish. Principal interior designer Janet McCann of Janet McCann Associates helped select the home’s furnishings.
  • The sunny, four-season porch is one of the couple’s favorite places to have a cup of coffee or entertain guests. White shiplap walls meld perfectly with the lake views, and white furnishings add to the lightness of the space.
  • Classic two-over-four vertical windows maximize gorgeous lake views in the bedroom. The elegant ceiling beams are hand-hewn Douglas fir timbers stained in weathered grey.
  • Hexagon tiles add visual interest to the shower and bathroom floor. “I wanted the primary bathroom to have great lighting and storage, a makeup area and a beautiful shower with light colored tile,” says Diane. “It’s a very spacious, bright and light-filled area.”
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Featured Homes Lake Geneva

A Timeless Waterfront Getaway on Geneva Lake

For nearly two decades, an Illinois couple and their children enjoyed vacationing in Glenwood Springs, a lakefront community in Fontana. But over the years the couple began to entertain more, and the home they owned there wasn’t spacious enough to adequately accommodate their family and friends.

“There are 25 people in my wife’s family and 45 people in mine,” the husband says, “and we invited them over every year. We thought it would be nice to have family stay at the house, and for everyone to have their own bathroom.”

So when the couple noticed three adjacent lots for sale on Geneva Lake, they snapped up two of them. Then they tapped Ron McCormack, co-founder of McCormack + Etten Architects, to help design their new home. The result? An impressive 10-bedroom, 11 1⁄2-bathroom home with plenty of space for their family and guests.

“This was one of my favorite jobs for sure,” says Ron McCormack.

The couple wanted their new home to have a cottage feel, and McCormack says that despite its considerable size — 14,500 square feet — it exudes a relaxing and even cozy aura.

“There’s no space [in the home] that doesn’t invite you in,” he says, “or that’s uncomfortable spatially.” And the homeowners agree.

“It’s casually elegant, yet nice and comfortable,” says the husband. “There are no vases to knock over!”

One of the home’s more popular rooms is, of course, the kitchen, which features a built-in Miele coffee machine, plenty of storage, a coffered ceiling, and stunning, underlit onyx countertops. Onyx is a translucent stone that allows light to pass through it, says McCormack, so in the evenings the countertops emit a pleasing, warm glow. The island also conceals a television within the butcher block to allow easy viewing while cooking.

The homeowners initially worried the kitchen was too big, particularly the island. But once they began using the space, they found it to be very functional. “You can have a lot of people in that kitchen and still feel like no one’s hovering over you while cooking meals,” the wife says.

One of the more striking spaces in the home is the dining room. It’s a circular room that boasts the best views on the property, and the homeowners say the house was essentially built around this space. The room also contains impressive custom millwork and attractive beam patterns, for which McCormack’s firm is known — and which can be found throughout the home.

Another careful consideration by the homeowners was to incorporate in-floor radiant heating throughout, including the screened porch, effectively turning it into a nearly year-round space, McCormack says. The homeowners definitely appreciate the porch’s heated floor, as well as its elevated fireplace hearth, which they say is great for propping up your feet.

The couple was very environmentally conscious throughout the process, trying to disturb the land as little as possible during construction. That meant limiting the number of trees felled. A few did have to come down, however, so they had their builder create a coffee table from one walnut tree as an homage to the property. That coffee table is an eye-catching accent on their screened porch — although the homeowners note it’s extremely heavy.

“If we want to move it a little bit, we have to have a couple people push it with their feet,” the husband says with a laugh. “It might weigh a ton.”

The couple has been enjoying their Geneva Lake vacation home since 2011, and spent a lot of time here during the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s definitely served its intended purpose.

“This house was built around our family and friends,” the wife says, “and they all love it.”

By Melanie Radzicki McManus | Photography by Shanna Wolf

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

14,500 square feet | 10 bedrooms | 11 ½ bathrooms

The homeowners appreciate having a pot- filler over the stove, as it means they don’t have to tote heavy pots of water from the sink. “When you’re making corn for 20 or 30 people, you have some big pots to fill,” says the husband, adding, “Although you do have to empty the pots at some point!”

The ceiling in the home’s dining room mimics a ship’s wheel. The room’s circular shape is echoed not only in the ceiling, but in the dining room table, area rug, bent-glass windows and chandelier.

The couple decorated their home with paintings and photographs of Geneva Lake. Here in the den, a photo by the late Bruce Thompson showcases the colorful fall foliage along the lakeshore.

The homeowners wanted a statement piece for the powder room on the home’s main level, so they opted to create a vanity from a handsome piece of furniture topped with a striking, blue bowl.

This eye-catching and geographically accurate rendition of Geneva Lake is inset in the foyer’s floor. “It’s a great conversation piece,” says the husband. The medallion is crafted from hickory, walnut and maple burl.

One of the couple’s favorite places is the screened porch, where they often enjoy pre- or post-dinner drinks. The table was crafted from one of the walnut trees felled to make room for the home, as an acknowledgment of the land.

This bedroom is reserved for one of the couple’s adult children. Her Cavapoo – their grand-dog, Harper – clearly enjoys the space, too.

The home has a pool room in the lower level, which features walk-out access to the lake. “Ron [McCormack] made a point to ensure a lot of light came in here,” says the wife, “so you don’t feel like you’re in a lower level.”

The homeowners wanted to create a welcoming space, and this two-story foyer is a stunning entry point into the home.

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Featured Homes Lake Geneva

Coastal Vibes at this Lauderdale Lakes Home

Karin and Paul Lundstedt had been visiting Lauderdale Lakes for many years when a property next door to some old family friends became available in 1996. They initially renovated the home, but more than 25 years — and three grandchildren — later, the home was ready for a complete rebuild to take the family into their next generation.

“We aren’t quite ready to give up our home and connections in Libertyville, but my husband and I were definitely looking ahead to the next 20 years,” says Karin. “We wanted to create a space for our growing family to gather and a place we can grow old together.”

Enter Randy Thelen, president of Thelen Total Construction, Inc., a company with a strong reputation for building gorgeous lake homes for almost 50 years. According to Karin, Thelen’s catchphrase was “aging in place,” and his goal was to build a home for the family to enjoy for many years, structured to accommodate any needs that may arise as the couple got older.

“Randy is such an expert, he came up with so many ideas we wouldn’t have thought of,” says Karin. “For instance, the home is two levels and we left space in case we want to add an elevator in the future. The space is used for closets right now, but if we ever needed to [add an elevator], it would be easy to convert because it’s framed and ready.”

The doorways and hallways are also wider to accommodate for potential mobility issues and light switches were strategically positioned — all details that would be more difficult to retrofit later.

When it came to rebuilding the home on the property, they leaned on Thelen’s expertise.

“The most difficult part of this project was adapting the house to the terrain,” says Karin. “We really wanted to use all of our frontage and maximize the views, and Randy was able to [utilize] every inch because he is very knowledgeable about the village and building requirements.”

To enjoy their water views, the couple was able to double the depth of the home’s screened porch to 16 feet, adding more indoor/outdoor living space.

“The screened porch is quite unique,” says Randy Thelen. “One can relax under the warmth of radiant heaters at the dining table or lounge by the cozy brick gas fireplace while enjoying a cool breeze off the lake. Entertaining is easy watching the big game on the wall-mounted TV or preparing a meal on the attached grilling deck. This is truly an outdoor great room.”

Karin chose to decorate in blue tones paired with cream, shopping at a few favorite stores like Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware and Serena & Lily.

“The cream couches are made with a performance fabric from Restoration Hardware and they are fantastic,” says Karin. “We’ve got grandkids and things spill, but they clean right up.”

The lower level has enough space for a guest family to stay and have some privacy if desired, and includes a smaller kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave, sink and fridge.

“We wanted to keep the lower level playful, and I was looking for a Smeg refrigerator look but didn’t want to pay the price,” says Karin. “I found a little light blue one from Home Depot for a third of the price!”

In the end, Karin and Paul got a new home on an original property that was customized to grow with them for years to come.

“Our goal was to create a timeless design with an architectural style to fit the lake,” says Thelen. “With the owners’ vision, we used specific design elements to make the home comfortable and relaxed, while also combining degrees of style and elegance.”

By Tasha Downing | Photography by Shanna Wolf

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

4,780 square feet | 5 bedrooms | 4 ½ bathrooms

Karin Lundstedt selected the clear glass pendant lighting in the kitchen and an open and airy chandelier over the dining room table. Her goal was to keep the lake view front and center.

White countertops and cabinets provide a peaceful palette as the sunshine pours in through windows in the light-filled kitchen.

Randy Thelen recommended his daughter’s interior design company, Katherine Elizabeth Designs, and Karin loved their choices.The team helped choose colors, cabinets, tile, plumbing and light fixtures during the building process.

Karin found a refrigerator to match her playful lower level kitchen decor at Home Depot. She says it has the vintage Smeg look — but for one-third of the price.

Cabinet company Distinctive Designs by Peggy crafted all of the cabinetry throughout the home, including the gray-blue cabinetry called Dusk from theYorktown line, featured in the kitchen and primary bathroom.

Clear vinyl pull-down shades keep out the wind and rain, and layers of membrane beneath the porch also keep wind and bugs from getting through.

The larger couch and table sizes offered at Restoration Hardware fit the space Karin was looking to fill. To optimize the lake views, she chose swivel chairs for the porch and throughout the home.

For the rustic fireplaces,Thelen used Halquist Basswood Grey stones with limestone caps, supplied by Lakes Brick and Block. “The joints were slightly raked to give the fireplace a more textured look and feel,” he says.

Colorful floral pillows pop against the muted blue tones and call out to the blooms just outside a bedroom window.

Karin chose linens and rugs from Serena & Lily’s extensive line of blue-themed bedding and also found a woven headboard with a nautical vibe that added to the coastal aesthetic.

The vintage-inspired bathroom in the lower level was designed with durability in mind.The vinyl floors can withstand moisture and dirt, and the subway and penny tile on the walls is fashionable and functional. The acrylic wall-mounted sink adds to the look.

Thelen worked with Breezy Hill Nursery on the home’s landscaping, as he believes that site planning and landscaping should be intertwined to achieve a homeowner’s overall aesthetic goals.

Diane Cline Landscaping designed the home’s gorgeous window boxes.

Thelen suggested adding a small boathouse near the dock, which Karin didn’t realize was possible with current rules. “That little 10-by-15-foot structure really saves us from hauling stuff up and down [the stairs],” she says.

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Featured Homes Lake Geneva

This Geneva Lake Home is a Designer Dream

Spending quality time with family and friends has always been a top priority for one Illinois couple. And for many years, their vacation home on Geneva Lake was the site of many happy gatherings. Over time, however, the home no longer adequately served their needs. They wanted more room, for one thing, plus an enhanced outdoor living area with amenities such as a pool and covered seating. So, they decided to build a new place on the lake’s north shore.

To help them realize their vision, the couple tapped locals Jason Bernard of Lake Geneva Architects, Scott Lowell of Lowell Custom Homes, and Suzanne Glavin and Melinda Cahill, co-founders and principal designers of North Shore Nest, an interior design studio in Glenview, Illinois. For more than a year, the group collaborated with one another and the couple, culminating in the creation of a stunning, new vacation home perfectly suited to the homeowners’ needs.

One of the couple’s main goals was to make entertaining easy. This was achieved, in part, by incorporating two islands in the kitchen. One is used for food preparation and has two sinks, while the other is used for informal dining and setting up buffets. In addition, everything the homeowners need to prepare a buffet — such as plates and napkins — is handily tucked into that island’s drawers.

“What we’ve found working on a lot of vacation homes is that it’s a different way of living,” says Glavin. “You need to design [the] home so it’s very easy and efficient to bring large groups together — [and] the homeowners can easily pull things out and put them away [after gatherings].”

That type of efficient design is evident in the lower-level bar, which features French doors leading out to the home’s covered patio and pool. This setup makes it easy for the family and guests to grab a snack or drink and head outside.

Glavin and Cahill designed this space using a darker palette to give it a cozy, lounge feel. But instead of incorporating the same hardwood flooring found throughout the house — impractical in an area where people will be coming in and out wearing dripping bathing suits — they used large porcelain tiles from Lake Geneva’s Bella Tile & Stone, which have a handsome design that mimics wood.

The home’s overall aesthetic, the two say, is a melding of the home with the lake, hence the extensive use of a variety of blue tones throughout spaces, accented with warm woods, wicker and brass. A wealth of lakeside windows also invites the water into the space.

“This home really lives from the inside to the outside, and from the outside to the inside,” says Scott Lowell. “It seamlessly connects the inside with the outdoors.”

But while the home exudes a casual, lakeside vibe, it’s also decidedly elegant. In the kitchen, for example, hand-painted Italian tiles on the hood wall add color and flair, while hand-woven rattan stools from Georgia’s Mainly Baskets provide texture and warmth. The front entry features a dramatic, large arched door, complemented by a V-groove ceiling in natural white oak and a navy blue metal light fixture from The Urban Electric Co.

Downstairs in the bar, Geneva Cabinet Company used a striking Farrow & Ball blue paint on the cabinets, which are beautifully accented by the ceiling’s white oak beam detail and two Ralph Lauren pendant lights.

“We bought those ceiling pendants before the bar was fully designed because we loved them and their size,” says Cahill.

The result of everyone’s careful collaboration is an elegant yet unpretentious getaway where it’s easy to kick back and relax.

“This home is really built to make family memories,” Cahill says.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus | Photography by Aimee Mazzenga

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

8,500 square feet | 6 bedrooms | 7 ½ bathrooms

The home’s screened porch offers great lake views, plus has an eye-catching coffee table from Made Goods that was created from reconstituted stone.

The kitchen’s two islands serve distinct purposes. The island closest to the stove features two sinks and is used for meal prep. The other island is for casual meals and when buffet-style dining is on the menu.

The home’s arched front door is a showstopper, while guests can unpack their bags in the home’s bunk room, which sleeps up to 12. An office allows the homeowners to get some work done, when necessary.

The lower-level bar opens to a covered patio and pool, which overlooks the lake. Durable porcelain tiles, which mimic the look of wood, were selected for the flooring.

The primary bathroom features an elegant shade of blue that warms and elevates the space, while the daughter’s rattan bed frame beautifully sets off its white linens.

The home’s arched front door makes a pleasing contrast with the façade’s numerous peaks.

In the back, the homeowners and their guests can enjoy both covered and alfresco patio space.

Mainly Basket chairs and a Summer Classics table beckon guests outside.

The lounge and media room is next to the lower-level bar.

The guest bedroom features Schumacher wallpaper and a Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture bed.

The patioʹs screens can be pulled up and lowered whenever for unobstructed lake views.

The bunk room bathroom is bold and playful with a nautical feel.

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Featured Featured Homes Lake Geneva

An Inviting Farmhouse Retreat

Peter and Jean Witty, high school sweethearts from Woodstock, Illinois, had each spent time in Lake Geneva on family trips when they were young. After they married and had kids, the couple continued the tradition with their three children, choosing to celebrate major life events like Jean’s 50th birthday, college graduations and engagements lakeside at their favorite getaway spot. In 2021, the Wittys had the opportunity to purchase a home called Stoneheart they had rented in Fontana with gorgeous views of the water.

The couple brought in Jeff Auberger, remodeling consultant and designer with Stebnitz Builders, to do a whole-house remodel. All but one room was torn down — the home’s hearth room remained standing throughout the entire process. Jean was dedicated to preserving this circa-1936 classic sitting room with its fireplace and two magnificent beams.

“The hearth room has an incredibly timeless design, and we paid homage to the previous home by preserving it,” says Auberger. “The space features large, ornate beams and a classic fireplace, which we enhanced to modernize the room a bit.”

As a third generation-owned company, Stebnitz Builders has been handling special requests like this for over 50 years, and the Wittys were extremely pleased with the results. In the newly-designed hearth room, the couple has showcased a 1965 Steinway Baby Grand piano that Jean’s father, Richard Peters, bought for her mom, Carolbel Peters, a classical pianist. Multiple generations of the family have enjoyed its beautiful music and continue to do so today.

A delightful addition to plans for the home was the sleeping porch on the second level. “My grandparents in Monmouth, Illinois, had an old-fashioned, Midwestern sleeping porch designed to escape the summer heat before air conditioning came along,” says Jean. “Ours turned out beautifully. It’s a three-season room, and Stebnitz added amazing vinyl windows you can lift up in sections.”

Aesthetically, the couple’s goal was lake house meets country farmhouse. They sought help from Tammy Schmidt at Novel Interiors, who provided advice on design combinations for color, tile and plumbing fixtures for the kitchen as well as the 5 1⁄2 bathrooms. The decor is a combination of new pieces and vintage, sourced locally. The Wittys also hung several beautiful watercolor paintings by Peter’s mom, Donna Jill Witty.

Auberger says the design for the rich, dark brown wood floors on the main level was very intentional, regarding both the wood and stain selection. Downstairs, the Wittys opted for vinyl plank flooring to suit the casual entry and living areas.

“We used luxury vinyl planks from a local vendor, with a distressed yet modern look and finish,” says Auberger. “I love the durability of these floors.”

The property sits on a hillside in Fontana with amazing views, and Auberger jumped at the chance to maximize those views in the new plans. “We enhanced the ability to see Geneva Lake from every angle inside and outside the home by 200-300% with the redesign,” he says. “Now, nearly every room in the house has incredible views of the water.”

Based on the recommendation of Jean’s brother, John Peters, a restoration ecologist for over 30 years, the Wittys decided to remove all invasive, non-native plants from the hilly backyard, which equaled almost 90% of the plant life. They planted five new trees and spread a prairie mix seed on the hillside. They look forward to seeing the backyard come to life over time. They also hope to replicate a flowing spring water feature from the original homestead.

With a home that beautifully melds touches from the past with a modern, functional design, the Wittys appreciate their lakeside abode.

“Ryan Hibl, our production manager, and Jeff Auberger were incredible partners throughout the entire design and build process,” says Peter. “From the beginning, they understood the importance of this project to our family and worked tirelessly to make our vision a reality.”

By Tasha Downing | Photography by Chris Kayser, Kayser Photography

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

6,200 square feet | 4 bedrooms | 5 ½ bathrooms

Homeowner Jean Witty worked with an interior designer on tile, paint and furniture selections throughout the home. For accent walls in the dining room and behind the television, she chose Benjamin Moore’s popular Hale Navy shade. The stove features a soft geometric tile backsplash.

“Our carpenter, Chris Egner, nailed each of our design goals,” says Jean. “In addition to maximizing views of the lake, it was also important that we incorporate certain design features from the original house, like a notable, circular window, prominent eaves and walls built with stone from the original property.”

The three-season sleeping porch has quickly become a family favorite. Says Peter: “I think [my son] would rather sleep up there instead of his bedroom, given the choice!” Elegant white marble countertops in the bathroom are complemented with brushed gold fixtures.

A Notre Dame-themed pool table in the upstairs great room entertains guests and harkens to a long line of Notre Dame graduates in the Witty family. New bedroom furniture was purchased from Penny Mustard Furnishings.

In the original homestead, the fireplace and mantel in the hearth room were set in white plaster. The fireplace was redesigned using local stones and master carpenter Jerry Potter crafted a dark mantel with millwork in a detailed rope pattern that matches the molding on the original beams.

Dan Sojka of C&D Landscaping created an inviting front yard. The team used stones originally located behind Stoneheart to create support walls for the front porch and patio area. “My family came to love Fontana and Lake Geneva because of my dad, Don Witty,” says Peter. “It was a dream of his that someone in the family could own a home in the area. He died in 2019 before we could make that dream come true, but his passing helped inspire us to purchase Stoneheart when the opportunity came along.”

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Featured Homes Lake Geneva

Modern Meets Cozy Farmhouse

When it came time for homeowners Tonya and Ryan (who asked that their last name not be used) to build a full-time residence on Geneva Lake, Tonya knew she wanted the home’s aesthetic to embody a warm, farmhouse feel — she grew up on a farm in Nebraska, after all. Ryan’s aesthetic, on the other hand, leans more toward a modern design style.

The couple, who bought the property in fall of 2016, managed to meet in the middle when it came time to design their new residence with the help of developer John Matustik of Matustik Builders and interior designer Brady Mathews of Sojourn Design House.

A longtime builder and developer of lakefront homes, Matustik helped the couple map out how they would want the home to function over the years. He knew the home had to be adaptable. It needed to accommodate the daily life of the couple and their two young daughters and comfortably host large gatherings of friends and family.

“It starts with lifestyle,” Matustik says. “How are they going to live in the house as the family grows and things change? How are they going to utilize the house 10 years later? [And it’s] imperative that the house feels intimate when it’s just you and your spouse.

But when you have 30 to 40 people there, you also don’t want it to feel cramped.”

The design of the 7,637-square-foot home deftly accomplishes that goal and it certainly delivers on wow factor. From the moment guests step through the front doors, it’s hard not to be in awe. The rustic wood accents (all of which are sourced from barns across Wisconsin) have a grounding affect on the main floor. But other elements — like the glass wine display in the dining room, the leather-backed bar chairs around the kitchen island and the moody blue wallpaper in the main floor bathroom — offer modern touches that feel elegant and masculine. And despite its size, the three-story home does feel intimate, while maintaining the ability to sleep 22 people.

When the project kicked off, the couple didn’t have an interior designer. But after having a few conversations about the build with Mathews, a family friend, they decided to bring the Austin,

Texas-based interior designer into the fold. He came in with a vision for how each room could have its own wow-factor moment.

The kitchen, for example, has a grand stone range wall with a custom steel hood vent. Originally, the refrigerator was going to sit against that wall, but the new layout was Mathews’ idea and design, and it’s one of Tonya’s favorite features.

“I love having that open shelving and having everything within reach. But it’s also open. If someone is sitting at the table in the family room, we’re still able to converse with them,” she says.

Another showstopper is the four-season room just off the kitchen. Matustik, Mathews and the couple say it’s one of the most incredible parts of the home. The room opens up almost completely to the outdoors, thanks to the two exterior folding glass doors that open seamlessly to the outdoor pool and sunken fire pit.

“This room was a must-have,” says Ryan. “We wanted it to feel like an outdoor room that we could close off and use in the winter.”

The upstairs is the family’s respite, with three bedrooms and a bunk room for guests that comfortably sleeps about 10 people. The lower level is all about entertainment for the entire family. Ryan has a dedicated space for his golf simulator. And the girls have a small stage with a changing room off to the side.

“When we started planning this house, the girls were four and two [years old] at the time,” Tanya says. “In our previous house, they’d built this little stage and they were constantly on that. That’s one of the things we wanted to incorporate here. It’s crazy how much they use it.”

And to keep everyone active and occupied during the colder months, a gym area and sport court were set up in the garage. The family can play a little basketball or volleyball, and Tonya and Ryan have a home gym. Of course, the in-ground pool and lake provide a bevy of entertainment options in the summer. Having spent summers in Lake Geneva prior to making it their home full-time, the family knew what to expect during the warmest months. Come winter, the entire landscape transforms, and it’s opened their eyes to a whole new range of beautiful scenery and outdoor fun.

“We knew we’d love summer here,” Ryan says. “The winter months are a very different scene, but very enjoyable as well. When the ice [forms] on the lake, there are some winter activities we didn’t partake in before.”

“We’re loving it,” Tonya adds. “We absolutely love it up here.”

By Shelby Rowe Moyer | Photography by Shanna Wolf

MORE ABOUT THIS HOME

7,637 SQUARE FEET | 5 BEDROOMS | 6 1⁄2 BATHROOMS

UPSCALE AND FUNCTIONAL
The elegant design doesn’t sacrifice functionality. The couches are intended for outdoor use, so wet swimsuits and errant spills are no match for the durable upholstery.

FAMILY FRIENDLY
The main living room is cozy and intimate, perfect for the family of four who live here full-time.

A POLISHED POWDER ROOM
Early in the design process, the homeowners knew they wanted one statement room with dark features. Depending on the light, the wallpaper looks black in this room, but it’s actually a midnight blue.

BALANCING ACT
The spacious kitchen is intended for large gatherings, so to maintain a cozy vibe for the family of four, a breakfast nook was added to the left of the island.

FARMHOUSE FEEL
The ceiling beams warm and ground the main floor living spaces. The wood was sourced from old barns across Wisconsin.

PRETTY & SOPHISTICATED
The ensuite bathroom in one of the girls’ rooms has its own whimsical design. When it came to styling the girls’ rooms, they each got to help pick the color palette.

COOL & COZY
The owner’s bedroom has a spacious ensuite and closet. The couple aimed to maximize the room’s square footage by using it where they knew they’d need it most.

ROOM TO GROW
The rooms of the two girls have a bit of a grown-up feel, which was an intentional decision. This way, the rooms won’t feel too young and outdated when the girls reach their teenage years.

MODERN MOOD
The owner’s bedroom has a muted, masculine vibe, but the design doesn’t lose connection with the rest of the home. The barn wood beams tie in with the main floor living area.

SMART KITCHEN
The scullery behind the main kitchen wasn’t part of the initial design plan, but the extra storage and work space has proven invaluable.

DROP IT LOW
The sunken exterior fireplace ended up being one of the most brilliant features of the home. Its low profile buffers the area on windy days (enabling the family to use it nearly year-round) but also maintains a clear sight line out to the lake.

PUP FRIENDLY
Even though much of the home’s furniture was chosen to withstand plentiful guests and playful children, the durable and easy-to-clean upholstery is also great for the family’s two dogs, Trecker and Stella.

GRILL MASTER
Tucked just out of view is the grill area, which can be accessed through the back of the kitchen.

This home was featured in the Lake Geneva: Summer 2022 issue. For more photos of featured Lake Geneva homes, visit the Lake Geneva Gallery page.