Lakeside Oasis

Builder: Tim & Kyle Burns,
Burns Construction Company

Interior design consultant:
Chris Stephens, Total Concepts Furniture,
Dimension Designs, Inc.

Architect: Louis Wamp, Louis Wamp
Architect & Associates, Inc.

Taking this home from a getaway retreat to a full-time residence took equal parts talent and vision. Luckily, seasoned professionals – like builder Tim Burns and designer Chris Stephens – were on hand to interpret the homeowners’ vision. With the help of architect Louis Wamp, they were able to upgrade this home to a lakeside oasis.

By Candice Graham

Photography By Beacon Imagery

Natural Majesty

Made with all-natural, local mountain stone, this brand new fireplace gives the great room a nature-infused focal point. “The new fireplace is anchored a full story below. There is another fireplace in the basement, and this helped support the weight of the stone,” says Tim. Poplar beams maintain the earthy aesthetic while a pine mantle serves as an anchoring foundation for a treasured metal art piece.

Breaking up the large room into various nooks serves to facilitate entertainment and make the atmosphere more intimate. Angled sofas near the fireplace are sectioned off from a curved conversation couch in a vanilla hue. A community table rests nearby, providing guests a spot to play cards or enjoy snacks without being segmented from the common space. See more from Burns Construction Company at burnsconstruction.bksites.net.

“Shades of nature were delicately blended in this home. There are undertones of warm greys, warm greens, and warm browns with lots of light infused.”

– Chris Stephens, Total Concepts Furniture, Dimension Designs, Inc.

(above) The kitchen boasts an extra-long island, making dinner prep a breeze and offering an additional place to gather for meals. “With a nearly 15-foot-long island, a prep sink was so important in this kitchen’s design. Incorporating this sink gave each side of the kitchen clear purposes with prepping and cooking on one side and clean up and baking on the other side,” explains Jackie Howard of Scarlett’s Cabinetry.

Keeping with a color scheme inspired by nature, the cabinetry, wall, and countertop tones lend a cloud-like ambiance to the space. A mini-coffered ceiling was designed by Stephens to add visual height and striking detail in the kitchen.

Appliances: Ferguson

Cabinetry: Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Cabinetry design: Jackie Howard,
Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Countertops and tile: The Tile Store

Furniture: Total Concepts Furniture

Trim, ceilings, and beams: Interior Trim & Supply, Inc.

Building on the nature-inspired aesthetic and open spacing of the main level, the screened-in porch provides spectacular waterside views. “The screened-in porch rests about 50 feet off the drop,” explains Wamp.This high vantage point results in sweeping, wide views. By installing a fully windowed wall on the back of the home too, family and friends have unobstructed views to the lake from the dining area and community table inside. Because of the open floor plan, clear sightlines provide views straight through from the front door. “We wanted to take the homeowners’ vision and create what they’d always wanted this house to be,” says Tim. “And my framing crew and excavator were able to make this happen on such a difficult site. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Window treatments: Sun Catchers Blinds, Shades and Shutters

(above) Cantilevered 70 feet above the water, the master bedroom is a one-of-a-kind respite. With a hickory cathedral ceiling and lake views, it’s a grand, but ultimately relaxing, retreat. A robin’s egg blue wall echoes the hue of the water outside. “Blues have a very calming affect. I was in search of a calm atmosphere combined with water colors,” says Stephens.

Even though the home is relatively secluded, discreet window treatments provide additional privacy. “At first look, you think they have none, but if you look closely you’ll find them. When you live in a glass house, sometimes you still need privacy,” Stephens explains.

The attached master bathroom showcases plank tile with the look and feel of wood. A walk-in shower keeps the space open and, in keeping with the rest of the home, neutral hues and wide windows make it hard to tell where the outdoors end and indoors begin.

Other Suppliers: Flooring: Key’s Carpet and Wood Center

Kitchen table and benches: Creek Chic Farmhouse Design

The exterior of the home also needed a facelift, so vinyl siding was removed in favor of Hardie board siding painted light blue. A new entrance was created, with the portico being turned at a 90-degree angle to address sightlines and driveway circulation when approaching the property. “We built the portico to break up the front and add character when you drive in,” explains Tim. Wamp adds, “This was unique to the home and different from any front porch I’ve done. Typically you approach it straight on, but with this one you’re approaching from the side.”

A wooded swale in front of the house lends a mountain-cove feel to the outside space, which is still visible from the covered front porch. Mountain stone, found on the column bases and chimney, creates a cohesive blend with the home’s natural surroundings.