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paneled billiards room. On the
other, a third guest roomwith its
own bath and laundry room.
“The owner’s sons and their
wives and families live in the
area, and he wanted to create
a big entertainment space for
them,” Kemper explained.
Space was also dedicated to
a climate-controlled wine room,
and elaborate mechanical, air
handling and electrical rooms
that bring to mind the control
rooms of a submarine.
But that was hardly the end
of the renovation plan. Two
more buildings had yet to be
upgraded – the boathouse, and the
324-square-foot “island house.”
“The island house is simply a
place to watch TV or just relax,”
explained Bob Sparks, who
designed all of the cabinetry and
millwork for the main house,
and faced a few unique design
challenges on the island as well.
“There is no plumbing and no
heat, but it has a phenomenal
fireplace and huge windows
with close-up views of the lake.
It’s a great place to hang out.”
It’s also just steps from the
rebuilt boathouse, with its canoe
storage racks and launching ramp.
The teammimicked details of
the main house on the island, using
plenty of natural wood and stone
for the finishes. “The custom-made
wood beam ceiling in the island
house adds warmth to the space,
as does with the reclaimed white
oak flooring,” Daigle noted by
way of example. Pains were also
taken to ensure the roof pitches
mirrored those on the house.
Because of the town’s
wetlands restrictions, all of the
equipment and materials for
the island upgrade had to be
carried over, across the bridge,
by hand. And wheelbarrow after
wheelbarrow full of excess dirt
from excavations and landscaping
had to be taken back across.
While this project was more
physically labor-intensive than
some others that members of the
team have worked on, the end
result more than justified the effort.
“It really is an interesting
project, because instead of taking a
house and making it bigger, we just
concentrated on making it the best
it could be,” Kemper said. “Usually, a
renovation is about adding space.”
He said the homeowner
is thrilled with his new-and-
improved abode. “He loves it.
It really feels like a vacation
home, and his office is nearby,
so it’s like a vacation home
he can go to anytime.”
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HOME LIVING
HM 09.11
Top Left:
An open floor plan encompassing the living room and dining
room allows both a great view of the original stone fireplace.
Above:
The ceiling was raised in the kitchen, where oversized
pendants illuminate the marble-topped island. A farm
sink and motorized spice racks over the stainless steel
stove are among this kitchen's special features.
Bottom Left:
The master bath contains a large marble
shower with custom glass doors and a soaking tub.