When creating a new modern lake house literally from the ground up, the homeowner had a very specific vision: “Everyone is too busy and life is speeding by—I wanted the space to bring a sense of joy to our guests. The goal was to create a cabin that was first and foremost a calming retreat, where we could indulge in a slower pace of life.” The success of the project, to this Minnesota customer, was partly about the aesthetic elements—but also how each carefully selected piece could add to a sense of escape, simplicity and happiness. 

The idea of a peaceful, natural environment, fully enjoyed without worry, inspired Room & Board Design Associate Kathrin D. “She only had her architect’s blueprint when we first met. So I asked a lot of questions: How will she use the space? Who else will be using it? Every detail is important to finding the right pieces of furniture.” 

When asked about working with a Room & Board Design Associate, the homeowner commented: “I doubted that I would be able to add design consultation meetings to my jammed schedule, but working with Kathrin was easy and seamless. I was also concerned that working with a designer could have a result that didn’t feel like me—this couldn’t have been further from the truth. Kathrin’s expertise meant that I saved time by only focusing on options that fit my preferences in the first place.” 

Prepping for Swimsuits and Sand 

The shorefront modern lake house was sited and designed by architect Chris Hawley of Craftwell to take maximum advantage of the stunning views but also was built on a very compact footprint. It was planned for lots of activity as family members jump in and out of the water. As such, Kathrin knew that every piece of furniture needed to earn its place as a long-lasting element plus offer versatile service for when the house was filled with guests. 

“Together, we agreed that there would be no loose-back cushions and all upholstery needed to be easy to maintain. The homeowner fell in love with our bouclé, which is a textured performance fabric that’s easy to clean and hides everyday dirt. So the TV room has a medium-height bouclé sofa with a chaise, allowing clear views of the lake and minimal spaces for sand to get trapped.”  

The choices were a success, as the homeowner has observed their durability over time: “Nothing about the furniture is fussy, which was important to me. If someone sits on the sofa with a wet bathing suit, it’s not the end of the world.” 

Topic of Conversation: Gathering Spaces 

The dining area is also smaller in size, so Kathrin offered a simple solution to extend seating when needed: “By adding two swivel chairs in the space that bridges the TV room and the dining table, I thought that two more people could either be a part of the dinner conversation or swing around to look at the lake — and everything still feels open and not crowded.”  

Surprisingly, the swivel chairs were an unequivocal hit far beyond Kathrin’s original vision. The homeowner notes: “I have vivid memories of visiting my grandmother’s house as a little girl and sitting for what felt like hours on a swivel chair in her living room, spinning this way and that. I selected the green velvet swivel chairs with her in mind. Everyone gravitates to those chairs, spinning to catch the sunlight, a glimpse of the water, the deer in the woods, a conversation in the kitchen or the dancing flames of the fireplace. I love sipping my morning coffee while I watch the sunrise over the lake. It’s my favorite moment of the day.” 

Intentional Choices for Relaxed Spaces 

The use of natural materials throughout the modern lake house (including warm wood finishes, leather seating and wool rugs) fit the vision of bringing the outdoors in, merging a mossy, organic color scheme with bespoke elements created by local artisans. And there are other aspects of Kathrin’s suggestions that the homeowner loves as well: “The textures are gorgeous. The lines and fabrics are peaceful and organic. I love the mix of the slubby sofa with the velvet chairs and the sheepskin throw pillows. It’s fun and casual.” 

Kathrin commented: “The dining table, black brick fireplace and built-ins were custom-crafted for the cabin, but thanks to the way Room & Board collections can be mixed and matched for a timeless look, they merged perfectly with every element.” Two pieces of textile collage art from Toronto-based Lori Harrison are particularly treasured by the homeowner, who considers the Room & Board pendant lights that illuminate the pieces to be complementary sculptural elements. 

Looking for help furnishing your special space? 

From lakefront properties to compact studio apartments, there’s an elegant, livable and versatile mix for you. Get personalized furniture recommendations from a Design Associate virtually, by phone or in person at our stores. Learn about our free design services.

Design and build by Chris Hawley of Craftwell Architecture and Construction, Fargo, ND

Photography by Scott Amundson Photography