■ BY SUSAN WEINGARDEN
inding the perfect lake
property can take several
years of Sunday drives.
Then, one day you find just
the right lot. You fall in love with it,
but the existing 60-year-old country
home is not situated right and doesn't
meet your needs. What do you do?
"We tore it down and started from
scratch," said the wife of an Oakland
county builder and developer. "This
house is similar in design to our
previous house but we love these sur-
roundings. It is definitely our dream
house. It's everything we envisioned
and more:
To design their magnificent contem-
porary home situated on two and a
half acres on a bay of an Oakland
county lake, the owners called on Bir-
mingham architect Robert Wine.
"We designed the home with each
room focused on the water to give the
maximum view of the lake," Mr. Wine
said. "The home maintains a contem-
porary manor but has characteristics
of the Renaissance period, such as
heavy moldings and arched windows.
The materials used were carved and
sculpted to show off their beauty."
Mr. Wine designed varying roof
shapes to add interest to the large
home. "The owners didn't want to live
in a big open box," he said. "They
wanted a spacious open feeling with
no tight spaces. Throughout the
house we used graduated ceiling
heights that step down. This changes
the scale of the space from an open
to a more intimate feeling."
Though only one of three children
lives at home, the house is often brim-
ming with activity. "We always have
friends over and we love to entertain,"
the wie said.
Birmingham designer Andrea
Sachse was given the challenge of fur-
nishing the 9,000 square foot home.
Having decorated the owner's
previous home, Ms. Sachse was
familiar with their needs.
"The owners wanted a warm in-
viting look that would blend in with
FR
16
HOME
the setting and take advantage of the
environment," Ms. Sachse said.
"Though most of the furnishings are
neutrals, we picked up color in the
rugs, fabrics, art and appointments.
We used the blue green because it
had the feeling of the lake."
Mr. Wine worked closely with the
lighting design "to create different
feelings in the space." The wood rail-
ing on stairway leading to the lower
level has hidden lights, as does the
concrete driveway. Mr. Wine says an
The
contemporary
exterior
resembles a
work of art with
arched windows
and the
interesting roof.
The living room
features a
sculpted, marble
fireplace, black
leather chairs
and a wet bar.
Photos by -
Beth Singer.
Right
The dramatic
foyer with a
Persian rug is
illuminated by
the windows and
marble light
cove. The wood
railing is an
architectural
sculpture.