It seems the stars aligned for these homeowners, who found a prime spot on Pine Lake in West Bloomfield that became their primary residence once the original structure was gutted to the studs and the rooms were reconfigured to optimize the views. “We created a main living space to enable the family to work, live, and entertain within different zones,” says Barbi Stalburg Kasoff, interior designer and owner of Stalburg Design in Bloomfield Hills and Washington, D.C. “All the details were so well done.”
At 3,500 square feet, including the lower level, the transitional lake house was meant to be multifunctional. Several work-from-home areas stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic include a command center office and a banquette with electrical outlets. One of two guest rooms on the upper level doubles as a workspace overlooking the lake.
On the main floor, a custom built-in bar in a darker shade plays well against the white that defines the hub of the home. “We wanted the cabinet material and design style to be very different from the kitchen, for a differentiation of space,” Kasoff says.
The scullery alongside the bar keeps essentials like the microwave, ovens, and pantry tucked out of sight. A banquette, upholstered in custom fabric, incorporates storage below. Electrical outlets make it easy to transition from a small dining or entertaining area to a workspace.
A convenient work station and scullery, both with chic built-ins, make the home not only beautiful, but practical, too.
Durable materials suit the lakefront location, while pet-friendly selections stand up to the family’s beloved dog. Other practical considerations include flexible furnishings like the smoky brown leather Thayer Coggin swivel chairs that face the lake and can turn toward the TV, positioned above a textured porcelain tile fireplace.
Custom built-ins were constructed on-site. “The homeowners wanted to create a mixture of earthy materials that nod to nature,” Kasoff says about the interiors, which seem to welcome the outside in. “The whole back of the house is glass. Every spot in the home was intended to maximize the view of the lake, and the windows flood the house with natural light.”
Aging-in-place features include the well-appointed main floor master suite, which faces the water and features dual motorized shades that offer privacy without blocking the light. “Wallpaper that emulates waves and the natural lapping of the lake was installed behind the bed,” Kasoff notes.
The lower level, with lake access, sets the stage for entertaining. Amenities include a full kitchen, a changing room, a sauna, and a full bathroom. There’s ample seating on a sectional that was custom-built to fit between the structural columns. Distinctive materials also define the space. “The shiplap wall emulates lake living,” the designer says.
Even the art the owners brought with them from their previous residence looks better in their lakefront home, where they say people often think it’s new. A series of photos depicting a variety of places in Israel is showcased in a dining area, where an understated table and light fixture let the pieces shine, and a unique sculpture makes a striking centerpiece.
Earthy materials — like the rattan barstools — may seem subtle, but they add visual interest to the mostly tone-on-tone interiors. Prefinished vinyl planks complement the prefinished hardwood flooring in other parts of the home. “The floors are super durable for a space with lake access,” Kasoff says. Custom rugs made from carpet also appear throughout the house.
The couple credits the trades for all the incredible details. “It was a great collaborative effort,” Mike Mladenoff, general contractor and president of Lakes Development Group Inc. in Sylvan Lake, says. “We made some tweaks throughout, but we were still able to achieve all the design elements that were really important to the clients.”
Having a great team that includes the clients and Patrick Dyke, who devised the initial architectural plans, made his job much easier. Stalburg Design made several interior architectural drawings that the builder used and worked off of, as well. “We’re a luxury home contractor, so the quality is going to be there, but having owners that recognize and appreciate that work is rare. Working with Barbi and Patrick made the entire project flow so much better and be that much more efficient,” Mladenoff says.
“They all worked so well together. We ended up with a team that was really amazing,” the wife says. “We were downsizing somewhat from our previous home, so my main goal was to maximize every inch of this house. The main living space with the family room, kitchen, and dining table is where we spend the most time.”
Come summer, the couple likes to kayak and paddleboard. “We love being on the lake,” the wife says. Visitors include the couple’s two grown sons. “Our other house always had a designated office. Now we have a pullout couch in the office that doubles as a guest room and makes more sense for us. Our sons don’t have designated bedrooms, so one gets the guest room and one gets the office/guest room,” she says.
“We consider ourselves to be extremely lucky,” the husband adds. “We never envisioned the home would turn out the way it did. We looked for a lakefront property for years and years. One day this listing came up and we found Patrick, and Mike, and Barbi. We couldn’t be more fortunate. The home, for us, is perfect.”
BUYER’S GUIDE
INTERIOR DESIGN
Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills, stalburgdesign.com
BEDROOM, GUEST
Bed frame – Four Hands, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Lamp, Bedside – Uttermost, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Pillows, Throw (Bed) – Pom Pom at Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Rug – Loloi Rugs, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Table, Bedside – Universal, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
BEDROOM, MASTER
Bed frame – Bernhardt, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Fan, Ceiling – Modern Fan Co., Herald Wholesale, Troy
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Pillow, Throw (Bed) – Fabricut, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Pillows, Throw (Window) – Fabricut, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy
Sconce, Bedside – Hudson Valley Lighting, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Sconce, Window – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Table, Bedside – Bernhardt, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
DINING ROOM
Chairs, Dining – Bontempi Casa, Designer Group Collection, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Chandelier – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Table, Dining – Gabby Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
GAME ROOM, LOWER LEVEL
Armchairs – Nuevo, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Chandelier – Troy Lighting, Herald Wholesale, Troy
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Table – Four Hands, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
GREAT ROOM, MAIN FLOOR
Armchair, Black – Thayer Coggin, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Armchair, Light Gray – Four Hands, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Cabinetry, Black – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy
Cabinetry, Brown – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Lakes Development Group, Sylvan Lake
Fireplace – Virginia Tile Co.
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Painting, Lake – Frame TV, Samsung
Pillows, Throw (Black Chair) – D.V. KAP Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Pillows, Throw (White/Black Pattern) – D.V. KAP Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Rug – STARK Carpet, Troy
Sconces – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Sofa – Vanguard Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Coffee – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Table, Display – Uttermost, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
Wine Cellar – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy
KITCHEN, LOWER LEVEL
Cabinetry – Stalburg Design, Birmingham; Architectural Kitchens, Troy
Countertops – Wilsonart, Granite Creations, Farmington
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Lights, Hanging – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Oven/Microwave – KitchenAid, Specialties Showroom, Berkley
Refrigerator – KitchenAid, Specialties Showroom, Berkley
Sink – BLANCO, Advance Plumbing and Heating Supply
Stools, Bar – Lexington Home, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
KITCHEN, MAIN FLOOR
Bench – Stalburg Design, Birmingham; Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy
Cabinetry, Black – Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy
Cabinetry, White – Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy
Chairs, Dining – Bontempi Casa, Designer Group Collection, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Countertops – Granite Creations, Dwyer Marble & Stone Supply, Farmington Hills
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Lights, Hanging – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Refrigerator – Thermador, Specialties Showroom, Berkley
Runner – Chilewich
Sink – BLANCO, Advance Plumbing and Heating Supply
Stove – Thermador, Specialties Showroom, Berkley
Table, Dining – Four Hands, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
LIVING ROOM, LOWER LEVEL
Armchair, Dark Green – Precedent Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Pillow, Throw (Black) – D.V. KAP Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Pillow, Throw (Patterned) – D.V. KAP Home, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Rug – Rebel Carpet & Rugs, Superb Flooring and Design, Troy
Shelving, Black – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Lakes Development Group, Sylvan Lake
Shelving, Brown – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Lakes Development Group, Sylvan Lake
Sofa – Vanguard Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Coffee – Vanguard Furniture, CAI Designs, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
OFFICE
Cabinetry, Gray – Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy
Chair, Office – SUNPAN, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
STAIRCASE
Bench – SUNPAN, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Chandelier, Left – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Chandelier, Right – Visual Comfort, Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Flooring – Everlast Floors, Troy
Rug, Entry – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills; Superb Flooring and Design, Troy
Stairs – Northern Staircase, Pontiac
Wall Paint – Sherwin-Williams, Extra White
EXTERIOR
Landscaping – Matt Mosher, Mosher Design Co., Royal Oak
Paint Color – Sherwin-Williams, Snowbound
Sconces – Hinkley Lighting
Windows – Andersen Windows and Doors
ADDITIONAL PROJECT CONTRIBUTORS
Architect – Patrick Dyke Collaborative, LLC, Ann Arbor
Contractor – Lakes Development Group, Sylvan Lake
Interior Designer – Stalburg Design, Bloomfield Hills
Landscaping – Matt Mosher, Mosher Design Co., Royal Oak
Text by Jeanine Matlow | Photography by Martin Vecchio
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