A Dream Come True
Comfortable home hosts fun, fitness, and family
By Suzy Frisch
Photo by Jim Kruger, Landmark Photography
Jim and Chris Freytag knew if they ever moved away from their home in Plymouth, it would be to Wayzata, a suburb they admired for many reasons. So when they began working with builder KC Chermak at Pillar Homes to remodel their existing home and discovered he could offer them a rare opportunity to own a 1.6-acre lot in Wayzata with sweeping views of wetlands from the north and south, they felt providence at work.
The Freytags seized the opportunity to build a natural retreat of cedar shake and stone that comfortably accommodates their family of five and Chris’ job as a health and fitness expert.
The home’s location amid ponds, wetlands, and wildlife is one of its most striking amenities. “The vistas are unbelievable,” Jim says. “Where the house sits on the lot and how we’ve designed it lends itself to a fair amount of privacy.”
Working closely with the Freytags, Chermak designed a one-and-a-half story home offering flexible space for family time, entertaining, and work. Integrating adaptable space was important to Chris. “My line of business is helping people create healthier lifestyles, and to me that means more efficient and more comfortable,” she says. “I work at home and my kids are at home, so I wanted my office and home to meld in a good way that makes life simpler.”
The couple spared no detail, starting with the two-story entrance, which is adorned with rich walnut floors. The foyer opens into the great room, which overlooks the protected wetlands and features expansive views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Across the hall sits a large office with built-in alder desks for three occupants. Chris and an assistant each have a workspace, while the third desk is for other family members to share.
Instead of a formal dining room, Chermak designed a flexible dining space adjacent to the kitchen that will easily accommodate large parties. The kitchen’s cream-colored cabinets and golden taupe granite countertops create a serene space for family living and entertaining. The generous alder island has a five-seat breakfast bar, ample counter space, elegant carved corbels, and an extra copper vegetable sink. Other highly functional touches include a 48-inch refrigerator, two dishwashers, an oversized range, a walk-in pantry, and a stunning copper under-mounted sink.
Photo by Jim Kruger
Landmark Photography
The home emphasizes fun and fitness, with a mini sport court on the lower level for basketball or floor hockey. Nearby, a mini-studio was designed with a dancer daughter in mind, complete with mirrored walls, padded flooring, and a ballet barre. The expansive workout room holds a wide variety of equipment, from resistance training to Pilates.
The workout space blends well with the lower level’s function as a recreation room, complete with a pool table, card table, built-in bar, stone fireplace, and an alder entertainment center that houses a large flat-screen television. A bedroom and a three-quarter bathroom easily accommodate guests or a post-workout shower.
As the parents of three pre-teen and teenage children, Chris and Jim made relaxation a priority and positioned their bedroom and bathroom oasis on the main floor. A walk-in shower, oval soaking tub, and ample vanity space provide a retreat in soothing shades of creams and tans. Upstairs, on the other side of the house, the kids’ bedrooms feature walk-in closets and either private bath or Jack-and-Jill bathroom.
By incorporating elements of Old World style and lake-cabin charm, the Freytags now have a calming retreat to call home.
Suzy Frisch is an Apple Valley freelance writer.
Click here to watch a video tour.
Builder
Pillar Homes
Home location
Wayzata
Suppliers
Alexander Design Group
Cambria
Cartier Lighting
GE Builder Center
Granite-Tops
Harmony Melamine Creations
Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies
IDC Doors
Marvin Windows and Doors
Minneapolis Glass Company
Orion Home Systems
Peters Billiards
Pipeline Supply
6 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
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