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Retreat to Pine Lake
By Craig Mattson
A semi-private drive leads to a stunning contemporary rustic home at 4676 Pinecrest Drive in the village of Chenequa. The entrance rolls past a large, fenced-in tennis court and beneath towering pines that gently arc above the driveway. The landscaping looks sculpted, maples and pines placed in an eye-pleasing pattern throughout the front yard. Approaching the home, the entry becomes a circular driveway that brings you right to the front door.
The beige stucco exterior of the home is harmonious with the wooded lot. The house is perched on a small hill that descends toward Pine Lake, with large stands of trees reaching skyward. The home rests at the meeting place between the open sky and a rich view of the lake directly below, as if it was designed to fit perfectly within the landscape at the intersection of sky and earth.
A copper roof with patina finish provides a pleasing contrast to the gentle earth tones of the house. Walking toward the entrance, you will notice two columns made from stones shipped from Arizona that match four custom-made chimneys on the roof. The slate green, tan, and rosy beige stones provide a colorful addition to the balanced exterior.
Stepping inside, you will see an expansive great room that opens onto a brilliant view of Pine Lake. Contributing to the rustic nature of this house, the great room is constructed with full weight bearing logs. The large, open room is as spacious as a resort lodge, with an elevated ceiling that creates a bright, comfortable spot to relax or entertain. An adjoining breakfast nook is custom-made with hand-hewn logs, fabricated by two log craftsmen from northern Wisconsin. Look up and you`ll see large wooden beams below the crest of the tall ceiling, placed to allow a full view of a grand fireplace. The chandelier in the great room is made from fallow horns and stands 6-feet tall.
Imagine spending time with guests in the perfect home to entertain. Relaxing in the great room, you might be reminded of vacations spent at a mountain resort lodge. A roaring fire set in the main fireplace or another of the four fireplaces in the house will help create a festive mood. The huge fireplace has a fire surround made with stones from Arizona and in—hearth lighting, showcasing the enormity of the fireplace. The large windows allow natural light to flood the entire room.
Take time to enjoy relaxing on the large log porch, complete with built-in infra-red heaters, lights, speakers, TV outlet, and motorized retractable screens that roll up into the logs. Each log is custom fit, built by log craftsmen, and the floor has a marine finish to protect it from rain and snow.
The calming feel of the great room is heightened by the custom welded hand railing that leads up to the loft office. It begins at the foot of the stairs and wraps around the entire outer edge of the loft area and adds to the feeling of being housed in a special resort. The black railing is enmeshed with curving metal branches and pinecones. The attention to detail is impressive. The precision craftsmanship of this hand railing gives the impression of real wood and branches captured in metallic form.
And when you`re not entertaining, the loft office is the perfect space to get work done, offering a view of the lake and the entire ground level of the great room. The master bedroom sits on the ground level, just to the left of the stairway to the loft. The immense bedroom has its own gas assisted fireplace surrounded by honed, off-white marble slabs that reach all the way to the custom wood ceiling. The pleasing lines of the geometrically constructed ceiling help to create a warm, spacious feeling that inspires comfort and class.
Adjoining the master bedroom you will find a large master bath. In between his and her vanities and dressing areas is a custom walk-in shower made from hand-chiseled limestone. The chiseled stone is formed into a half-circular enclosure with custom etched glass made by a local artist. You will appreciate ample closet space in the master bath and dressing area. His closet sits just behind the vanity beside his bathroom, while her 12-feet-by-29-feet closet comes complete with full-length mirrored fitting area and built-in dressers. Each side has its own closed bathroom. White Kalista sinks and Kalista whirlpool bath highlight the custom features of the master bath.
When the day comes to a close, there are three ground level bedrooms in this wing, enough for quite a gathering. The master bedroom in this wing features views through a large window looking onto the lake, and has its own private deck and view of the garden. The master suite features a soaking tub, vanity with his and her sinks, and a walk-in closet.
Preparing food for your guests will be easily accomplished in the richly featured kitchen next to the great room. A Gaggenau range with deep fryer and double Gaggenau ovens are supplemented by an indoor grill. Custom cabinetry on the Sub-Zero refrigerator matches the custom kitchen cabinets.
This home offers various places to gather for dinner. Choose from the intimate breakfast nook, the elegant dining room, or the large gathering table in the kitchen. On the lower level a large sunk-in recreation room with light beige carpet is complemented by a backlit staircase that will add ambience to any gathering. The recreation room features a home theater with retractable movie screen and overhead projector, a beige billiards table and a large fireplace with fieldstone fire surround. There is also a large full bathroom off the recreation room complete with shower, perfect should kids come in from the lake and want to rinse off. Cove lighting in various colors completes the ambience.
Visitors will appreciate the full-service professional bar with its elegant brass top. The home`s lighting is computer controlled using a lite touch system. Push one button to create the right mood for the entire house. Or turn off all lights, inside and out, from a button next to the bed. If you are having a large gathering, the lower level also features a complete catering kitchen tucked out of site in the storage and utility room just off the recreation area. Have a complete dinner prepared as your guests lounge in the bar or watch a movie.
Just past the bar you can exercise in the workout room while looking out over the lake. A Finnish sauna is just a few steps from the workout room. Next to the sauna is another guest room and bathroom suite.
A weekend with the family or guests will be enhanced by a stroll through the garden. Perennials and red flowers dot a manicured landscape of stone set along a meandering garden path that features three reflecting ponds. A waterfall begins at the zenith of the backyard near the house and winds downward through successive steps toward the lake, ending near the beach. A large circular deck at the shoreline makes a great spot to observe the bubbling stream and waterfall descending through the backyard. The sound of the water is pure serenity, whether you hear it from the lake or the screen porch.
Three outdoor decks wind around the back of the house, providing ample space for people to mingle. An outdoor barbeque conveniently located near the kitchen will help you feed your guests as they explore the house and 4.69-acre grounds. Touring the forest, playing tennis, or lounging in the recreation room and bar; these are just a sample of the entertainment options available at this Chenequa home. |
