Forest Lake Addition

This lakefront home had an incredible view, but the homeowner wanted more usable space to enjoy them. His original wishlist included a new front porch, a family room addition, all new siding and windows, and even a possible second-floor addition over the garage.

After walking through the ideas together, we encouraged him to put the focus on the lake view. Instead of investing heavily in a new front entry, we updated the front door and columns, and put the majority of the budget into a spacious family room addition overlooking the water.

The new family room features a vaulted ceiling and an entire wall of windows framing the lake with a horizontal fireplace for cozy evenings. The deck was modified to fit the updated design, reusing the decking and railing the homeowner had recently installed.

We also added all new siding, soffits, fascia, and energy-efficient windows all around the house. Additionally, we framed the roof of the addition to make a future second-floor addition possible, protecting the homeowner’s long-term vision while staying within budget.

One of the standout upgrades is the motorized Crestron blinds, which are programmed to automatically open and close on a schedule and can be controlled via app or wall switch.

When asked if he’d change anything about the project, the homeowner said an emphatic, “No, we love it!” and added, “The best thing was Jeff telling us NOT to build a new front entry. He had our best interests in mind, and the advice was great.”

This project is a perfect example of how thoughtful design and trust between homeowner and builder create a beautiful space and a home that truly fits.