With a palette of blues and greys throughout the home, this Lakeview home captures an easy-going coastal feel reminiscent of a cozy seaside cottage.
Story by Ann Butenas | Photos by Dawn Conners Photography
Subtle elegance coupled with a casual, laid back vibe attend to the overall ambiance and charm of this Lee’s Summit lake home nestled contiguous to Lakeview Lake. It has a true vacation feel to it yet enjoys all of the comforts of home.
Built in the 1980s, this space was easily brought into the 21st century with the help of professional staging designer, Helen Bartlett, owner of Refined Interior Staging Solutions. With a strong background in styling and staging homes to focus on the home itself, creating a natural flow from room to room, Bartlett has been an integral part of creating a genuinely calm, peaceful and serene environment that coordinates perfectly with the outdoor landscape and is beautifully inspired by the water.
“I love this location. The home is so beautiful. It was built in a very traditional way but it currently supports a more transitional style,” she said, referring to the unique touches she has incorporated into the home, elevating its look to embrace an updated style without losing touch with its traditional roots.
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- The relaxing entry way speaks its mind with a strong industrial piece made of recycled wood with metal supports holding the corners. Made of all recycled pieces, it sits on wheels that are about eight inches in diameter. Accent pieces include a piece of driftwood and a perfectly placed candle to complete the look without cluttering the space.
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- A pair of classic blue and white pottery pieces along with a piece of coral in the family room maintain the nautical beach theme without being too kitschy, and these accent pieces complement the brown leather couch and the wooden tray with wicker candle.
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- The focal piece here is the live edge top, a strong focal point that is the perfect piece upon which to coordinate matching vases with palm leaves, preserved green plant material in a wooden bowl in the middle and a simple piece of driftwood. The artwork just above the cabinet is a set of six fern leaves with tone-on-tone mattes that still give a nod to the nature theme without minimizing the dramatic feel of the live edge top.
A true stand-out in this home is the inviting living room. With two couches symmetrically, yet casually, facing one another to provide the perfect place in which folks can just lose themselves for hours in conversation while allowing the copious amounts of light and the stunning lake view to provide enough visual entertainment without overwhelming the space. The light grey walls partner harmoniously with the tweed-like, nubby linen fabric of the couches and with the soft baby blue with a hint of grey on the expansive area rug, along with the spindle chairs flanking either side of the fireplace, all of which encourage both a formal and informal gathering spot.
The darker than royal blue colors on the chairs match the dark urns on top of the fireplace mantle while the checkered aqua blue and white coral pattern of the couch throw pillows offset the tone of the hardwood flooring and work well with the coffered ceiling above.
“The original ceiling in this room was dark and the owner repainted it a bright white, also adding a new stone fireplace and hardwood flooring,” noted Bartlett.
The dining room makes a statement with a unique distressed table that provides a beachy look. The accompanying slip cover chairs give it a casual feel which are tempered by the two burlap ones on either end, giving the space a bit of texture. The existing pendant lighting and hardwood flooring in this room complete the look, along with the unassuming centerpiece.
“It was important to keep the centerpiece on this table to a minimum to allow the light fixtures to be more of the focal point,” noted Bartlett.
The deck just off the dining room is the perfect extension, not only of the home but also of the day. Can you just imagine yourself relaxing with a cool beverage on a warm summer’s evening while lounging in these comfortable wicker resin outdoor chairs?
“I could just sit out there and spend an entire day,” smiled Bartlett.
Working with a palette of blues and greys throughout the home, Bartlett has captured an easy-going coastal feel reminiscent of a cozy seaside cottage. She has successfully blended soothing hues along with numerous beach-like accessories and furnishings, to create an appealing look.
Because this home sits on the lake, the details of the furniture and the accessories provide a coastal-like atmosphere without being too beachy.
“It is good not to have everything match to allow for more depth and interest in the space,” emphasized Bartlett. “It makes it more interesting that way.”
Resources
Designer: Refined Interior Staging Solutions | Sofas: Nebraska Furniture Mart | Spindle Spool Chairs: Ballard Designs | Rug and Farm Table: Wayfair | Slip Cover Chairs/Dining Chairs: Nell Hills | Industrial Chest: Indigo Designs
