Powder Room Panache

When she was asked to help create a glorious summer home in Boyne City on Walloon Lake, Cynthia Evans, owner of Cynthia Evans Interiors in Birmingham, already had a head start. Having worked with clients Pam and Bob Granata on multiple projects, the designer was well aware of Pam’s exuberant passion for color and pattern. “She wanted to have a home on a lake, not a lake home,” Evans says about her client’s sophisticated style, which invigorates each space.Colorful art led the way for the lively palette used in the 9,500-square-foot new-build situated on a scenic waterfront lot. An abstract graphic from Troy’s Michigan Design Center, displayed in the foyer, became a jumping-off point, with shades of yellow, blue, and pink that pop against the crisp white walls and dark wood floors. Further inspiration came from an oil painting in the great room made by Pam’s college sorority sister; the piece features gorgeous hues of pink and aqua that echo the changing colors of the lake.The sky-blue exterior of the three-story structure, with an architectural nod to New England, speaks to the lakefront setting and sends a cheerful message that extends inside. “Overall, the interiors are traditional in style, with unexpected pops of color and a nod to mod,” says Evans, referring to refreshing elements like the custom-sized raspberry shag rug in the great room that lends color and texture in spades. “It exudes a vibrant personality, like Pam — it’s happy, fresh, bright, and cheery. People love that rug, and everyone loves that it’s so soft.”A pair of pink upholstered benches by the stone fireplace accommodate the couple’s frequent guests, who can also congregate on the lower level and the spacious deck. “There’s plenty of seating and it’s a great place to entertain,” Evans says. Bursts of pink provide an element of surprise, while the dark wood ceiling highlights the coffered details. The textured fabric on the chairs shares the same aqua color with the sofas, which are upholstered in another fabric.Pam’s penchant for pink isn’t at all limiting; it plays well with other colors, like the green walls in her husband’s home office, which pay homage to his alma mater (Michigan State University). Green also appears on the stools in the kitchen, repeating one of the colors in the abstract graphic that got the visual ball rolling. White Shaker-style cabinets with beadboard details provide contrast, along with the aqua-colored island and the glass subway-tile backsplash.In the dining area, whitewashed wood furniture strikes a subtle note alongside animal print upholstery and a crystal light fixture above. A screened porch provides a bonus spot on one end of the expansive deck.Blue wallpaper with a floral motif perks up the powder room, while a bold pattern makes a splash in the master bathroom against the white countertop, cabinets, and trim. Cozy as could be, the main-floor master bedroom gets a comfort boost from an upholstered bed and an acrylic bench topped with faux fur. Mirrored nightstands add symmetry to the soothing space, which features pale blue walls and overlooks the deck and the breathtaking lake.On the lower-level walkout, a comfortable sectional offers a place to chill. The lower level also includes a guest bedroom, as well as a colorful bathroom that sports green-and-pink floral wallpaper. Other convenient features of this quintessential vacation home include a three-car garage, a boat garage, and a fire pit near steps leading down to the lake.Evans says she enjoyed working with Pam on the distinctive details. “It’s a very collaborative relationship,” she says. The feeling is mutual, says Pam, who loves making the selections that Evans turns into a cohesive whole. For this project, Pam envisioned a more elegant aesthetic than the nautical or cottage décor often associated with a lakefront dwelling, and she says her husband has become accustomed to her vibrant style. Besides, she adds: “Pink is the new black. Men are wearing pink shirts and ties.” She likes the bright, energetic feel the hue conveys, and wanted to create that type of atmosphere in their home.With three daughters in college, entertaining is a given come summertime, and Pam says people have been known to fall asleep on the plush rug in the great room. The response to the couple’s dynamic environment has been overwhelmingly positive. “The house is extremely well-designed, just the way it flows and the functionality,” Pam says. To make sure the space is perfect for years to come, the architect incorporated little nursery rooms inside the bedrooms, for potential grandkids.While people drive by on boats and wave, those who enter the home know they can expect visual stimulation indoors as well as out by the lake. “I love how great it is for entertaining, and we can sleep so many people,” says Pam, who loves hosting family and friends — which is never a problem, with five spare bedrooms including a guest suite that can sleep six. Finally, she says she treasures the location: “I just love it. Walloon Lake is so tranquil and the house feels that way, too.”