Above: Tudor touches give this lake cottage curb appeal and charm.
Walk in the front door of this lake cottage-inspired home and two views delight: a 16-foot vaulted ceiling in the great room and an incredible north-facing vista of Lake Minnetonka, from Excelsior all the way to Wayzata.
The homeowners, empty-nesters with two grown children who live nearby, were eager to trade their large family home on Christmas Lake for one that will meet their needs now and into the future. “We wanted to live locally, walking and biking to downtown Excelsior,’’ the homeowner says. They yearned for a house with customized spaces for their tight-knit family and property that was more about relaxation and enjoyment than maintenance.
They hired Vine Hill Partners and architect Mike Sharratt of Sharratt Design & Co. to bring their dream to fruition. The 4,200-square-foot home’s design is one of simple functionality—defined yet open spaces with distinctive details, says Sharratt. Everything the homeowners need is on the first floor. The combined great room, dining area, gourmet kitchen, and porch are perfectly scaled for both daily living and family fun. A petite banquette for two in the kitchen adds charm. The master suite, with expansive lake views, has a spa-like bath and adjoining dressing closet. Even the dog has customized digs: A mudroom off the garage opens to a kennel that allows for letting out the dog easily and safely.
The homeowner chose a tranquil palette of brown, beige, and gray, and added some glamour in her lighting choices. The quarter-sawn oak floors glow richly against the crisp white woodwork, molding, and cabinetry throughout the home.
On the lower level, 9-foot ceilings and large windows with a walkout facing the lake add a spacious feel to the main TV room and adjoining game room/workout area. Two bedrooms provide privacy for their guests. A wine room and wet bar make entertaining easy. A boulder wall with waterfall, patio, and fire pit completes the outdoor area.
It’s just steps to the dock, where the homeowners’ boat and their son’s are ready for a tour or dining adventure. It’s a home designed to be casual, comfortable, and conducive to the family life they love on the lake.
Windows above the front door accentuate the great room’s vaulted ceiling. Stairs lead to a shared office and bath on the second level.
By Susie Eaton Hopper
Photos by Spacecrafting
Architectural Designer: Sharratt Design & Co.
Sponsors: ALL, Inc., Southern Lights, Twin City Fireplace & Stone Company
