I had worked with investor Raghad Farah on her properties before and we’d developed a really effective collaboration to create experiences that resonate with her buyers. When she was looking to turn a lakefront property into a beautiful home worthy of its parcel and fit for entertaining, I was delighted to help her realize her vision! Could we turn a dated space into a contemporary lakefront haven?
Homing in on the Client Persona
Nestled on a gorgeous plot in Bloomfield Township, this home features large open living and dining spaces ideal for entertaining while taking in breathtaking views of Walnut Lake. With several bedrooms upstairs, it’s also perfect for a young family. These features locked in our client persona – the lakeside entertainer with a young family!
Bringing Contemporary Style to Lakefront Living
The home was built in 1977 and features a modern exterior. We knew that we wanted to carry that vibe into the interior with a clean, contemporary approach to the cabinetry, countertops, tile, and finishes. While appealing to a modern sense of style, we also needed to make sure the space felt warm and inviting.
This remodel involved tearing everything down to the studs. I walked with Raghad through the rough framing to understand her vision, and we worked together taping things down and moving things around to envision the space.
Raghad knew she wanted contemporary full-access (frameless) cabinetry in the kitchen which would pair well with the luxury appliances from Monogram that she had in mind. We spent a lot of time on door styles and colors. We started with a white slab, but it was too stark and sterile. The Milan door style by Inspira Cabinetry provided the perfect anchor for the space in a darker charcoal color called Urbane Bronze with matte finish. Wrapping around the perimeter of the kitchen, dark cabinetry also grounds the rear space by the hallway while providing extra storage. To bring in warm tones, we selected Inspira’s Chalet door style, in a durable textured melamine finish called Peele.
The kitchen space presented an interesting challenge with the shape of the space and placement of the window and fridge wall. We decided to embrace asymmetry by creating a two-step waterfall island with a raised portion that aligned with the large window above the sink, while having a functional landing zone opposite the range at the far end. The taller, dark waterfall stands out from the rest of the counter-height island while providing seating for four. It also references the black cabinetry and hardware throughout the space, while the warm wood of the island ties back to the hutch by the fridge, sitting in contrast to the black cabinetry of the kitchen perimeter.
Knurled hardware throughout the space creates a contemporary look, with black and gold finishes contrasting with the wood tone and black cabinetry respectively.
In the large dining room we added a wet bar and wine storage. To make a statement with the bar, we selected a slab door, Inspira Vienna, in high gloss wired zinc onyx. The bar features metal and glass backlit doors for uppers to showcase drinkware, mixology books and more.
Moving down the hallway, we used the same cabinetry in the powder room that we employed in the bar. The dark cabinetry sets a moody feel without being overwhelming in the tall and bright space.
The spacious master bath design included a shower, sauna, and freestanding tub. Raghad had a vision that prioritized statement tile on the floor and wall. To play off the warmer accents in the tile as well as the earthy tones of the beautiful view, we selected Inspira cabinetry in the Horizon door style with a high gloss wired bronze finish for the dual vanities. The bronze brings in earthier tones to play off the beautiful view in the large circular window.
We often think of laundry rooms as purely functional spaces, but a well-designed laundry can be a serene escape from the day-to-day, even when washing and folding linens! We expanded the home’s original laundry room by 5’ and flipped the layout to make it more open and better utilize the beautiful large windows and skylights. For cabinetry, we selected Medallion Cabinetry in the Bella door style with an Irish Crème finish. It’s a nice taupe that adds more warmth to the space while keeping a light, airy feel. Being situated right off the kitchen, we matched the hardware selection here to create consistency between the spaces.
We’re so excited with how this lakefront entertainer’s home turned out, and I can’t wait to work with Raghad again on her next investment. Follow Raghad Farah @rfarah720 on Instagram for more on her properties!
Delivering Exceptional Experiences
KSI works with a wide range of clients, from homeowners looking to update their own space to investors looking to remodel a home for their ideal buyer. We collaborate with our clients to craft beautiful, functional spaces that stay on budget while setting the scene for life’s special moments. Are you ready to get started? Request an appointment with KSI today!
