“Dr. Seuss” Lake Home

“Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living . . .” ~Dr. Suess

 Dr. Suess, the author of some of the most iconic children’s literature, drove the inspiration for this vibrantly enchanting Michigan lake home. Having amassed a collection of limited-edition works by the famed cartoonist, the homeowners were not afraid to infuse a little fun into their day-to-day. The artwork in this home was the starting point of our design process—and we mean from the blueprints stage! These clients have one of the most impressive art collections we have ever worked with, featuring Dr. Suess.

For the lower-level great room, a vibrant blue color palette was entirely driven by the art. It shows off beautifully in this space and throughout their new home. We included a lot of fun interior features as well, including a golf simulator room, a pool table, banquette seating for card playing, and a generous bar space for gathering. A walk-out to an expansive al fresco living space provides seamless indoor-outdoor access.

As one would expect, these fun-loving clients are the life of the party, and they embrace entertaining with exuberance. First and foremost, they wanted their home to embody a clean palette so the whimsical Dr. Seuss artwork could take the spotlight. Secondly, their wish list included a well-curated mix of durable fabrics that could withstand the wear and tear of the many friends and family who come to enjoy life on the lake.

WELCOME IN!

We love the oversized arched front door with its rich walnut patina! The elegant dark stain generates a striking contrast against the neutral palette, truly making this a grand entrance foyer. A special edition Dr. Suess artwork bursting with color above the foyer bench collaborates with “Bobbie,” the festive elephant on the opposite side, making spectacular greeters for guests on arrival.

AWE-INSPIRED LIVING

These strategically designed great room windows capture the splendid lake views in spectacular fashion. Here, we used vibrant splashes of blues, greens, and purples mixed with quiet neutrals to create a well-balanced aesthetic that harmonizes with the landscape. An innovative two-piece cocktail table blends light and dark woods to anchor the space while providing optimal function and flexibility. And, of course, we always incorporate swivel features into our chairs when designing interiors for a gorgeous lake property! When you have a place this stunning, 360-degree views are essential.

TABLE WITH A VIEW, PLEASE

Like the tranquil lake waters outside, the great room flows gracefully into the kitchen and dining areas. For this airy, open space, lighting was our standout feature. We selected the newest designs from Hammerton, one of our favorite lighting design firms, to illuminate the dining table and the kitchen island. We return to this company repeatedly when looking for spectacular statement pieces.

TRUE BLUE

“Hale Blue,” to be exact. We selected this moody hue for the kitchen island and the great room cabinetry to create visual continuity and a seamless flow. Even though these clients are Michigan State Spartan fans, they love this blue shade, and so do we. Both serene and energetic, it was the perfect finish against the white perimeter cabinetry. Plus, it complements the deeper accent tones we used throughout the home.

BUTLER SERVICE

We partnered with Kirshman Cabinetry in Kalamazoo, MI, for the kitchen/pantry design and cabinetry. The door to the pantry mirrors the refrigerator doors to create a clever, symmetrical design that completely conceals this high-functioning walk-in. The generous space houses a freezer and tons of open and closed cabinetry. Extensive countertop surfaces with extra outlets keep holiday and party dishes warm and out of sight.

“FUNNY THINGS ARE EVERYWHERE.” ~Dr. Suess

Although grandchildren aren’t quite in the picture yet, our clients are ready for them when they arrive. The area under the staircase offers a magical secret place for reading books or a play area for the little ones. The cozy nook is incredibly inviting to a child and a smart use of often unusable space.

Okay, this laundry room might even make you look forward to doing laundry! Our fabulous design even offers a pet kennel and a private hideaway for the family dog. Understanding our client’s needs and desires, talking through the options, and finding solutions while maintaining a beautiful aesthetic is always what we strive to do—and this laundry room nailed it!

“THINK AND WONDER, WONDER AND THINK.” ~Dr. Suess

What could make a more inspiring at-home workspace than this charming second-floor loft/den displaying sweeping lake views? We used a compelling contrast of wood finishes for the desk and created textural layers with rugs underneath. The rich colors from yet another vibrant Dr. Suess masterpiece informed our palette selection for this amazing space.

SLEEK SOLUTIONS

The primary bedroom is another example of quiet colors and finishes used for the larger pieces juxtaposed with vibrant accent fabrics. A glorious outdoor deck offers the homeowners an idyllic spot to enjoy morning coffee or a soothing nightcap.

But, in the primary bathroom, we did not have enough room for conventional mirrors because the space faces the front of the home and features three small windows above the vanity. Our solution was to incorporate LED ceiling-mounted mirrors that appear to float weightlessly. The frames were custom-designed to the proper height, allowing maximum natural light to come through the windows and delivering appropriate mirror sizes. And as always, our vanity choice offers lots of great storage. The pinned double drawers hide personal care caddies, keeping hairdryer cords out of sight yet readily available.

PARTY TIME

This lower-level great room stuns with its well-planned windows designed to drink in the lake views beyond and effortlessly meld the indoor-outdoor living spaces. We analyzed and selected all the fabrics for performance to endure the many fun parties guaranteed to happen here.

We designed this banquette area and custom table with a Dr. Seuss-inspired table base reminiscent of a Mad Hatter’s hat. This little corner made the perfect spot to incorporate a banquette table for card playing, conversation, and, most importantly, eating. We didn’t want a clear glass tabletop, but the surface had to be durable—so we had the back of the glass top painted in a sandy neutral tone that emulates natural stone. 

Equipped to host many guests at a time, this full-service bar sports a natural stone top, amplifying the deep blue tones throughout the home. A textured stone backsplash makes a spectacular feature wall incorporating floating shelves, artwork, and premium spirits. This bar area is ideally located to grab a drink before entering the game room, where a golf simulator offers rousing practice rounds during the cold winter months.

THE SEUSS GALLERY

Custom-designed to house the homeowners’ playful art collection, this alluring niche offers a comfy lounge space for guests waiting their turn in the golf simulator room. Since we opted to keep the concrete ceiling for this space, we suspended colorful acoustic panels to absorb the sound and tame the noise levels. Legendary Dr. Seuss characters such as the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch keep the party vibe light and lively, never failing as instant conversation starters.

We love having new clients become our friends, and we could not be happier with how well this home showcases their art. These people have the biggest hearts—they love to share and can’t wait to host endless parties in their new home for family, friends, and neighbors.