Remodeling

After spending several memorable vacations at the Sylvan Lake property, the family found the experience so enjoyable that they began considering a permanent move. That enthusiasm ultimately led to the recent purchase of the home with the intention of making it their full-time residence. Although the house worked well as a getaway, it lacked the space and amenities needed for everyday living. Wanting a home that better suited their lifestyle, the owners consulted with Lynn to explore options for expansion and remodeling. After evaluating the site, the family determined that the existing modular structure would be sold and removed as Lynn had suggested. This decision opened the door to significant improvements, including raising the lower-level walk-out ceilings from 8 feet to 9 feet and giving Lynn full freedom to redesign the main level to meet the owners’ goals. The planned expansion includes an oversized two car garage, a dedicated laundry [...]

The owners of this property on the west shoreline of Clear Lake came to Lynn seeking to expand and remodel the home to better accommodate family and guests. The lack of an attached garage was another priority on their wish list. As is the case with many lake properties, challenges in complying with size and setback ordinances played a large part for Lynn's redesign of the existing layout. The result was the expansion of the lakeside bedroom on the 2nd floor with a new dormer and the repurposing of another bedroom to a loft. Two new bedrooms were added above the new single car garage and a new formal entry, which was lacking in the existing home. Completing the expansion on the 2nd floor was a new full bath and laundry closet. Room was made in the lower level expansion to add a new master bath with walk-in shower, which [...]

We completed construction of this lake home in 2019. It has served the homeowners well, but they found that their family enjoys having guests stay with them practically every summer weekend. This created a dilemma of sorts for them. They absolutely love their spot on the lake and the home as well but there was a lack of bedrooms and bathrooms. They approached Lynn about the possibility of expanding the home to better accommodate their guests. The challenge this presented Lynn in designing an addition was that the allowable space that complies with the county ordinance was completely occupied by the current home. Understandably, the owners were reluctant to undergo the process and uncertainty of obtaining a variance that would need to be obtained from the Board of Zoning Appeals. So, the logical solution was to build up instead of out. So, with these constraints and the aesthetics of the [...]

Having completed a partial renovation of this cottage on beautiful Clear Lake several years ago, the owners contacted us about partnering with them again on a more extensive remodel and expansion.  Because of significant nostalgia for the cottage, a total demolition and rebuild was discarded as an option. Lynn was then tasked with coming up with a design that achieved the goals of the owners, yet stuck to a very strict budget. The result is a vacation home that provides 5 bedrooms, which is one more than the cottage originally contained. There also is an additional bath that now makes a total of four. The existing kitchen was disassembled and relocated into the expanded area with a new very large island added that is the center of the combined kitchen, dining and great room area. A fireplace chase that was clumsily located in the center of this space was removed [...]

The owners of this home on Big Long Lake in northern Indiana had been contemplating for awhile as to how to go about updating the cottage to meet their changing needs. They contacted Lynn to give his opinion on what would be the best way to go about achieving the goals that they desired with the project. Several options were discussed, including the possibility of complete demolition and rebuilding. Although the home was obviously dated, Lynn determined that the home was sufficiently sound and remodeling and expansion would be the best option. With specific direction from the owners, Lynn set out to design a vacation home that would provide the features that were important to them and the additional space they needed. As is typical for lakeshore sites, complying with county ordinances needed to be included as part of the design process. The result is an exterior that bears little [...]