Lakeside Lifestyle

a large enclosed patioAlecia Stevens is a Minneapolis writer and interior designer.
Photos by Jim Kruger, Landmark Photography

This home is made to order for a family at work and play.

The mandate for this exquisite empty lot on the shores of Lake Minnetonka was a family friendly home with exterior references to the Mediterranean style. Now that the home is complete, it’s clear that the Stonewood Design Build team fulfilled the homeowners’ desires.

The simple stucco exterior is classic in line with an impressive red tile roof reminiscent of a vintage Mediterranean home. Yet the interior was designed to meet the needs of a very modern family, including a request to create an energy-efficient heating and cooling system. The geothermal technology, using heat from the earth, will keep annual heating and cooling costs at around $1,000 for this 7,495-square-foot home.

“The homeowner asked us to create the interiors to suit their lifestyle,” recalls Sven Gustafson, owner of Stonewood Design Build. “This includes their love of entertaining and finding ways to enjoy the lake.” An open floor plan on the first floor invites social time in the combination kitchen and dining area with both a screened porch and separate deck overlooking the lake. The casually elegant kitchen features granite countertops and an iridescent glass mosaic tile backsplash. Glass tile and granite countertops are repeated throughout the home.

Adjacent and open to the kitchen is the great room, which carpeting helps define as a separate space. It features a modern fireplace wall and a commanding view of the lake from an expansive floor-to-ceiling bay window. Also off the kitchen is a room that the family lovingly calls “Home Central.” Looking suspiciously like an office—until you discover the real office—this room is set aside for homework, a place to keep schedules, computers, and so on. Lavender paint, cherry cabinets, and aqua countertops make it a cheery place for kids.

Tiger wood, a heavily patterned exotic wood that is rich in color and character, adds drama to the hallway that runs from the kitchen to the other end of the main floor. It ends in the adult office, which dazzles with hand-finished iridescent walls, French doors, and a view of the lake. Nearby, a magical powder room is tiled in horizontal glass tile with a charming piece of furniture repurposed as the vanity.

Upstairs, the four bedrooms are comfortable in size. Cherry millwork appears throughout the house, except in the owners’ bath where a nautical theme prevails. Here, cabinets and trim are glossy white to contrast with azure floor tile, aqua painted walls, and blue and green mosaic tile for the shower and tub surround. Clearly water—perhaps even the Caribbean rather than the lake outside—inspired the palette here. A laundry connected to the master bath lies close at hand for all family members.

The lower level glows with light from the window-filled lakeside and the pistachio green painted walls, a handsome complement to the cherry wood. A bar and kitchen can serve friends coming in from the lakeside activities. Another bedroom, laundry, and bath are carved out of this space, creating a private, contained area for guests.

The garage offers a room above to build out a studio or small guest suite, and below is a truly custom touch: the homeowner’s dojo—a martial arts studio. An instructor of goju-kai, the homeowner now has a 25- by 40-foot studio with wooden floors and mirrored walls.

This home offers it all—family rooms, private rooms, offices, mudroom, guest quarters. Now, add to that list, even a dojo.

BUILDER
Stonewood Design Build, LLC

HOME LOCATION
Orono

SUPPLIERS
Appollo Systems
The Brass Handle
Cartier Lighting
Guyer’s Builder Supply
Harmony Melamine Creations by Scherer Bros. Lumber Co.
Hedberg Masonry & Landscape Supplies
J. Roux Design Studio
James Hardie
Minneapolis Glass Company
Molin Concrete Products Company
RBC Tile & Stone
UMR Geothermal

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