Photos by Spacecrafting
When a couple with three boys decided to move from their urban abode to a family-focused neighborhood in Deephaven, they selected an idyllic setting in which to build their dream home. But when it came to the design, the clients were hands-on in their approach—she was trained in interior design and loves timeless décor with provenance and patina. By collaborating with Jean Rehkamp Larson of Rehkamp Larson Architects and Kyle Hunt & Partners, the family now enjoys “what the team affectionately calls their ‘new 100-year-old house,’” says Rehkamp Larson.
The 8,310-square-foot home, with five bedrooms and six baths, was designed and constructed in a “European-cottage style,” says Kyle Hunt. The exterior materials palette includes hand-troweled stucco, cedar shingles, copper flashing and gutters, and wood windows. The aesthetic continues inside the home with plaster walls, recycled hand-hewn timber beams, inset wood cabinetry with exposed hinges, stone counters and sink basins, and textured cobblestone accents.
“The owner has a curious mind and designer’s eye that is playful and imaginative,” adds Alecia Stevens of Alecia Stevens Interiors. “She brought to her new home a collection of antique furnishings, timeless accessories, and art that would immediately personalize the interior.” The family also wanted their new home filled with natural and organic materials with history and texture. “The interior materials reflect this commitment through soft plasters, sheer paint finishes, aged beams, and unlacquered brass hardware,” Stevens adds.
The wife’s love of authenticity is reflected in the cabinetry, wall coverings, and fabrics. A local artisan created the plaster mural in the powder room—an intriguing scene lush with deep hues. Throughout the home, a mix of modern and classic, formal and informal lighting fixtures adds layers of scale, material, and illumination to the interior spaces. “The level of detail in this home is truly one-of-a-kind, handmade, and authentic,” Hunt says.
The family has already enjoyed gathering around the sturdy European-inspired cleft stone fireplace. When the kids need to release “their monkey energy,” says Rehkamp Larson, they burn it off downstairs in the extra-height mini sport court.
“As a builder of artisan homes for more than 30 years,” adds Hunt, “we thrive on bringing together the best local craftspeople to fulfill our clients’ dreams for their new home. It was a privilege to be a part of a team that cares so deeply about each element that was drawn, designed, and built.”