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CommentsAll in the Family
A modern cottage brings the lakeshore into its bright, spacious interiors
By Michelle Baltus
Photo by Jon Huelskamp, Landmark Photography
“When we purchased the land, we wanted to build something that would accommodate the continued family gatherings we’ve had there over the years,” says Gene, who has six siblings and many nieces and nephews. “This home is a way for us to stay connected to our roots while keeping the family connected at the same time.”
The couple’s gracious manner is reflected in their 4,000-square-foot home’s bright and inviting floor plan, which hinges on a window-lined great room and sunny eat-in kitchen. There’s also a tranquil main-floor owners’ suite, a spacious private office, two guest suites, and a mother-in-law apartment. Multiple picture windows flood the home with light and scenery, while an octagonal screen porch with a stone-faced, wood-burning fireplace enhances the lakeside experience.
“The idea was to open up the house to the water as much as we could,” says Don Nelson, owner of American Classic Homes.
This includes the carpeted owners’ bedroom, which offers picturesque access to the lake and a covered back porch via oversized sliding glass doors. A private side entrance in the owners’ bathroom provides quick access to the deck or Marcia’s nearby potting shed. The suite’s earthy color palette sets the stage for relaxation, as does the roomy air-jet tub and dual-head shower. Tile flooring insets in muted aquamarine hues convey the home’s beach-cottage theme, while his-and-her granite vanities add polish and class.
Photo by Jon Huelskamp
Landmark Photography
The Altstatts installed a unique, under-counter drawer microwave in the honed marble and granite center island, as well as double ovens, a gourmet cooktop, and a built-in desk. Soothing yellow paint and Australian spotted gum wood flooring, chosen for its rich color and grain variation, provide the foundation in this natural gathering space.
A hallway, housing a walk-in pantry and powder room, leads to the mudroom and back door, which functions as a separate guest entrance for a fully equipped, one-bedroom apartment above the garage. Inside, stainless steel appliances reflect a retro feel with beach house-style furnishings in fruity shades.
“The look is just for fun,” Gene says. “Sort of Jimmy Buffet-esque with some back-to-the-’60s thrown in.”
The back staircase also leads to the home’s second-story interiors, which features two guest suites and an elevated study with built-in bookshelves and a rolling library ladder. The treetop space allows Gene, a financial advisor who works part-time from home, to mix business with pleasure—pleasurable views, at least, of his boats docked within scenic Wildwood Bay.
The home’s rustic stone and mossy-green shake exterior belongs to the waterfront landscape, much the way Altstatt does. Not surprisingly, there are fun nautical elements inside and out, including bulkhead-style light fixtures, boat-shaped weather vanes, and green and red light bulbs on the rear of the house, mimicking those seen on boats. A memorable lifestyle is forecasted ahead—full of lake views and family barbecues.
Michelle Baltus is a St. Paul freelance writer.
Builder
American Classic Homes, LLC
Home location
Mahtomedi
Suppliers
The Brass Handle
Guyer’s Builder Supply
Haferman Water Conditioning, Inc.
Harmony Melamine Creations
Home Valu Interiors
James Hardie Siding Products
Jenn-Air
11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
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