More Thoughts on Taking Your Exteriors To the Next Level

This Pelican Lake home boasts an impressive series of catwalks to and from the property.

In the April/May issue of Lake and Home Magazine, we did an article on custom railings - both interior and exterior. For me, one of the most fascinating exterior photos we saw was of a series of catwalks built by Lands End Development on a Pelican Lake property that allowed the homeowners to "level out" a clearly undulating landscape and add significant architectural detail to their entire property.  

Unsure about the specifics in building this particular home, when I saw the photos for the article it got me thinking about how many other similarly situated lots may have benefited from a similar and equally interesting solution.  Frankly, my reaction to the photo was "that's awesome".  I've always been a fan of homes, especially lake homes - more like compounds - that seem like they've been built up over time with multiple buildings connected by walkways, breezeways, bridges etc.   Maybe its because they feel like "summer camp" to me.

Build-able lots here in "lakes country" can come at a premium and using a bit of imagination can help a seemingly difficult lot realize its full potential to become something architecturally interesting.  So I set out, as I often do, on a web search to find a few inspiring examples to share.

Traditional Exterior by Kerrville Architect Paddle Creek Design

Contemporary Exterior by Palo Alto Architect Stoecker and Northway Architects, Inc.

Traditional Exterior by Seattle Architect Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

Modern Entry by Spokane Architect Uptic Studios

Contemporary Exterior by Seattle Architect Clinkston Architects

Contemporary Entry by Falls Church Architect Coupard Architects and Builders

There are as many solutions as there are lots.  From contemporary to modern to traditional architecture - whether your lot is on the lake and no matter where you call home, a challenging lot presents great opportunity for you to design a unique solution and take your home to the next level.  

We hope our pages continue to bring you inspiration. Please share your inspiration with us on our Facebook page or visit us on Pinterest to see even more ideas.


Jan Ellis
Editor
Lake and Home Magazine
Email me directly at janeteellis@live.com

To subscribe to Lake and Home Magazine Click here

April / May Issue on Newsstands Now

Our April/May issue is on newsstands (or your coffee table) now!

We are excited to bring you three gorgeous homes along with some pretty unique pendant lights, a great selection of outdoor furniture, some amazing custom interior railings and an article on lake lifts.  Who wouldn't love an elevator at the lake?

We've also got information on growing tree fruits in our area and everyone's favorite shade plant, the very versatile hosta.

I'm one of those folks who absolutely loves to garden.

Well, to be honest, I love having a garden.  Maybe not so much "gardening".  The hard parts of gardening such as soil preparation, planting, pruning, weeding and transplanting admittedly aren't as much fun as the planning, watching, cutting and harvesting.  Nonetheless, I still flip through all the gardening catalogs as they arrive this time of year and turn the pages over on those that look interesting (and would actually grow in my zone 3 space).  I'm willing that big pile of snow to melt and reveal that patch of grass in the front of the house that's begging me to put in a perennial garden this summer.  It faces south and is unencumbered by shade so my options are pretty open.  I'll be planning for a least a few more weeks until the ground thaws.  Meantime, I'll be referring to my back issues of Lake and Home for inspiration.

We hope our pages continue to bring you inspiration. Please share your inspiration with us on our Facebook page or visit us on Pinterest to see more ideas.



Jan Ellis
Editor
Lake and Home Magazine
Email me directly at janeteellis@live.com


To subscribe to Lake and Home Magazine Click here