Family Retreat

Family Retreat

In Connecticut there is a historic man-made lake that is nearly 100 years old.  When the lake was constructed, the surrounding area was largely farmland.  Upon is completion many farmers began to selloff plots of lake front property.  Many of these partials were financially attenable by working class families looking to build a summer getaway.  Most of these homes were built by the new owners. Based on the quality of construction it’s reasonable to assume that most of the “builders” had no real experience in homebuilding. Additionally, as time went on the additions to these houses lack knowledge and craftsmanship.  This is a story of one such house and its journey to becoming a modern home for summers but also a retreat for all the other seasons.

This house started its life in the 1940’s as a simple Cape style with a boulder rock foundation typical of it time.  In the years to follow this home would see many additions and alterations, each with a seemingly different purpose in mind but never taking into consideration the flow of the house.  However, disjointed it felt the house had a warmth that the family loved, and they knew it could be a special place.  The owners reached out to interior designer Betty Wasserman with whom in the past on another home.  Their design would help breathe new life into the old house.  

The first major decision was to take the center section of the house down to the first floor.  There would be too many compromises in the design if this section was not rebuilt.  The numerous structural beams in the large living room that had been added during a previous remodel coupled with the low ceiling of the first floor were aesthetically unpleasing.   Due to the sub-standard framing of the second floor the new baths planned for that level would make that portion of the design almost unattainable.  Additionally, the sunken area of the living room with its lower fireplace, disjointed handrail and steps robbed the living room of a cohesive feeling.  

Once the decision to deal with the center of the house had been made it was now time to look to one of the family’s favorite spaces, the sunroom.   A wonderful space overlooking the property with amazing lake views, it was in very rough condition.  Rot was hidden behind the walls.  The ceiling had additional rot due to the aging deck built above the roof.  The floor had been framed over raw soil inside of a crumbling stone foundation.  It was determined that this room would have to be taken down completely and rebuilt with a new foundation.  While not ideal it opened the opportunity to bring this three-season room into the house, making it a comfortable space for all seasons.  

With the commitment to those areas finalized the rest of the design could now start to take shape. Out-of-date stonework was removed from the house and a single type of siding would take over, making the outside feel connected.  The update new tile steps leading to the front entry will welcome family and friends.  Stepping through the front door into the modern foyer with its raised tray ceiling the tone of this house can immediately be felt. This modern lake front home has a sense of playful sophistication.  Directly beyond the entry is the large kitchen and dining area with sliders opening to the spacious dining deck overlooking the lake. Immediately to the right of the foyer the new living room with its large windows facing the lake offers a place to relax with family and friends. The living room also gives access to the re-built sunroom.  The kitchen, living room and sunroom all have deck access that connects to the lower-level patio area, which provides the ability to make every living area part of entertaining space.  The hallway to the left of the foyer leads back to the primary bedroom en-suite with cathedral ceiling and a sitting room. The sitting room was an addition designed to be a quiet place to enjoy the lake views with access to the deck space off the kitchen.  

The lower level of this home has a large TV room, exercise room and a hidden office.  This level also has its own kitchen meant to help service the outdoor spaces.  The entire level has access to the outdoor patio area with covered dining space, a firepit and outdoor kitchen all with lake views. The patio spaces have been designed for easy access to the lake and boat dock.  

The re-built section of the second floor has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  The 1st bedroom is a large guest room with its own full bath and access to a private deck over the re-built sunroom.  The other two bedrooms shared a bath with a freestanding round soaking tub.  The bonus room above the garage has been converted into 2 additional bedrooms with baths and a private front side deck space. 

 

In Connecticut there is a historic man-made lake that is nearly 100 years old.  When the lake was constructed, the surrounding area was largely farmland.  Upon is completion many farmers began to selloff plots of lake front property.  Many of these partials were financially attenable by working class families looking to build a summer getaway.  Most of these homes were built by the new owners. Based on the quality of construction it’s reasonable to assume that most of the “builders” had no real experience in homebuilding. Additionally, as time went on the additions to these houses lack knowledge and craftsmanship.  This is a story of one such house and its journey to becoming a modern home for summers but also a retreat for all the other seasons.

This house started its life in the 1940’s as a simple Cape style with a boulder rock foundation typical of it time.  In the years to follow this home would see many additions and alterations, each with a seemingly different purpose in mind but never taking into consideration the flow of the house.  However, disjointed it felt the house had a warmth that the family loved, and they knew it could be a special place.  The owners reached out to interior designer Betty Wasserman with whom in the past on another home.  Their design would help breathe new life into the old house.  

The first major decision was to take the center section of the house down to the first floor.  There would be too many compromises in the design if this section was not rebuilt.  The numerous structural beams in the large living room that had been added during a previous remodel coupled with the low ceiling of the first floor were aesthetically unpleasing.   Due to the sub-standard framing of the second floor the new baths planned for that level would make that portion of the design almost unattainable.  Additionally, the sunken area of the living room with its lower fireplace, disjointed handrail and steps robbed the living room of a cohesive feeling.  

Once the decision to deal with the center of the house had been made it was now time to look to one of the family’s favorite spaces, the sunroom.   A wonderful space overlooking the property with amazing lake views, it was in very rough condition.  Rot was hidden behind the walls.  The ceiling had additional rot due to the aging deck built above the roof.  The floor had been framed over raw soil inside of a crumbling stone foundation.  It was determined that this room would have to be taken down completely and rebuilt with a new foundation.  While not ideal it opened the opportunity to bring this three-season room into the house, making it a comfortable space for all seasons.  

With the commitment to those areas finalized the rest of the design could now start to take shape. Out-of-date stonework was removed from the house and a single type of siding would take over, making the outside feel connected.  The update new tile steps leading to the front entry will welcome family and friends.  Stepping through the front door into the modern foyer with its raised tray ceiling the tone of this house can immediately be felt. This modern lake front home has a sense of playful sophistication.  Directly beyond the entry is the large kitchen and dining area with sliders opening to the spacious dining deck overlooking the lake. Immediately to the right of the foyer the new living room with its large windows facing the lake offers a place to relax with family and friends. The living room also gives access to the re-built sunroom.  The kitchen, living room and sunroom all have deck access that connects to the lower-level patio area, which provides the ability to make every living area part of entertaining space.  The hallway to the left of the foyer leads back to the primary bedroom en-suite with cathedral ceiling and a sitting room. The sitting room was an addition designed to be a quiet place to enjoy the lake views with access to the deck space off the kitchen.  

The lower level of this home has a large TV room, exercise room and a hidden office.  This level also has its own kitchen meant to help service the outdoor spaces.  The entire level has access to the outdoor patio area with covered dining space, a firepit and outdoor kitchen all with lake views. The patio spaces have been designed for easy access to the lake and boat dock.  

The re-built section of the second floor has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  The 1st bedroom is a large guest room with its own full bath and access to a private deck over the re-built sunroom.  The other two bedrooms shared a bath with a freestanding round soaking tub.  The bonus room above the garage has been converted into 2 additional bedrooms with baths and a private front side deck space. 

 

We recently had the pleasure of working with Lou, Shawn and Terry at LS Construction on a significant home renovation project. Lou came highly recommended to us by a trusted industry professional who knew him and his work for many years.

From the very start, they made it a priority to keep us informed at every stage, promptly addressing any questions or concerns we had. This transparency greatly reduced the stress often associated with home renovations. The attention to detail and quality of workmanship displayed by the entire team was exceptional, and their commitment to excellence was evident throughout the project.

Moreover, they demonstrated impressive problem-solving skills. During the project, we encountered a few unexpected challenges, but LSC approached each one with a solution-oriented mindset. They worked collaboratively with the design and architect teams, ensuring that our vision remained intact while adapting to the realities of the construction process. This level of teamwork not only facilitated a smoother workflow but also resulted in innovative solutions that enhanced the overall design.

In summary, our experience with LSC has been first-rate. Their blend of strong communication, attention to detail, high-quality workmanship, and effective collaboration with design professionals made the renovation process not only successful but also enjoyable. We are thrilled with the results and would wholeheartedly recommend LSC to anyone considering a new construction or renovation project.