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Lake Michigan Masterpiece
Are you looking for a home that combines nature, light, water, natural stone, windows and other timeless and classic elements into one setting? How about unparalleled elegance that gets enveloped by eighty-foot bluffs looking over the shores of Lake Michigan? This home could literally live-on for decades without being changed. It has a rare and uncanny capacity for combining contemporary design with classic elegance, while at the same time drawing in the natural beauty of the lakeshore and surrounding landscape.
Settled on one of the most gorgeous lots Whitefish Bay has to offer, I honestly believe the back of this home has as much curb appeal as the front. From the front of the home, as you cross over the hand-laid stone driveway and past the professionally manicured entranceway, you`ll find that the generous foyer inside reveals a very open yet intimate design. The formal dining room is the centerpiece of the main floor, flanked by built-in cabinets, one of four natural fireplaces and a set of French doors leading to the outdoor patio. Facing directly east at this point, the wall of windows draws in the lakeshore and the rest of the natural beauty from the backyard.
Circling around to the right we enter into a spacious library/den. With beamed ceilings, a wet bar area, another natural fireplace and more built-ins, this room is also trimmed out in walnut stained maple hardwood. Another wall of windows and French doors allow the bluestone slate floor to flow right out to the identical finish that the patio has. When I mention being drawn in, this is part of what I`m talking about.
Continuing around we find the first of several sanctuary spaces within the home. Here you`ll find a quaint little sitting room with a cozy fireplace and an earthen tile surround. It`s a perfect craft or reading room. Walking back past the foyer and the elliptical styled staircase to the second floor we move toward the eat-in fashioned kitchen. The kitchen is finished in classic white custom cabinets offset by a smoked tile floor and rich granite counter tops. It also includes a Sub-Zero refrigerator freezer combination, along with a six-burner Wolf stove, a warming drawer and wine fridge. There`s also a separate planning area in the kitchen with custom made computer and printer cabinets. This area contains the master control for the Terra Nova-built surround sound system. There`s a gracious flow from this room into the adjoining family room, great for entertaining and day and nighttime social activities. This room also features another natural fireplace, built-in custom shelving and a third set of French doors (leading out to the pergola covered living section and a unique patio kitchen area).
The backyard, by the way, has some exceptional flower and shrub work lining the patio, completed by Flagstone Landscape & Design. It also includes huge hedge lines along either side of the yard for privacy and an unobstructed view of the great lake. Out on the edge of the bluff perch is a cozy sitting area with a fire pit overlooking the waterfront.
Back into the house and through the kitchen before we head upstairs, there`s a full sized laundry center on one side of the hall. On the other is a private mud room with more custom cabinets and cubby holes for storage. Heading upstairs we circle around passing another sitting area. There is domed lighting all over both floors that helps highlight the distinctive nooks and crannies uniquely cut into various parts of the home. There are also dozens of strategically placed picture lights buried into the ceilings that allow the door frames and elegant artwork to really stand out.
The highlight of this floor is of course the master bedroom. Loaded with intricate detailing, a few more custom made cut-outs and another comfy sitting area, this room has elegance written all over it. It is purposefully set on the southeast corner of the home, drawing in as much natural light as possible and giving an awesome view of the morning sun rising over the lake on the eastern horizon. When the weather is right you can step out onto one of two second floor verandas and have your coffee out there as well. The beamed cathedral ceiling in the bedroom area gives way to two separate walk-in closets. The master bath is finished in Italian marble and includes a private whirlpool bath area with his and her sinks and a walk-in double-headed shower.
Each of the other four bedrooms includes their own private baths (each with its own unique retro inset hexagonal style tile flooring) and walk-in closets. The bathrooms also include custom lighting in the cabinets and quartz counter-tops with Kohler fixtures. The first of the extra bedrooms is the biggest and coziest, and also has the second veranda style balcony going for it. Not bad for a kid`s bedroom. The second and third bedrooms are separated from the other two by a gallery-style hallway. This is another perfect sitting area with a great view, and is also ideal for family or personal-favorite picture groupings. The fifth bedroom in the far northeast corner was originally designed as a guest suite. It has its own private sitting area, a media wall, walk-in closet and a whirlpool tub in addition to the shower stall. It was obviously designed for a home-away-from-home feel for visiting family and guests.Before we head back downstairs there`s one more little hidden secret to share. In the space where you`d typically find an attic or private storage area, the owners have added a fully temperature controlled third floor gaming or workout area. This could obviously be used as an additional bedroom or study if desired.
This home was originally designed and remodeled by Deep River Partners and built by RP Custom Homes. Some of the additional features of the home include but are not limited to: deep cut crown moldings throughout; a state-of-the-art security system; finished basement; wine cellar; automatic timers for all outdoor lighting; completely automated irrigation system; four separate high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioning units; dual sump pumps with a battery backup system; and a three-plus car garage.
Designed with the ultimate centerpiece of the great lake in mind, with endless attention to detail and an incredibly hospitable open concept, there is no shortage of elegance associated with this home. There are countless classic and timeless features showcasing some of the best craftsmanship of the area`s artisan communities and trades. With a magnificent flow, achieved by marrying the indoor and outdoor features together, you cannot get any more intimate than this. |
