
ββThe ultimate 1970s bachelor pad,β is how Erik Abraham describes the 3,500-square-foot contemporary-style house on Walnut Lake in West Bloomfield that he and his wife, Katie, purchased in 2016. With a white stucco exterior and minimal architectural detail, the simple structure did come with a round master bedroomΒ β and a round bed β and it filled the entire second floor.

It wasnβt exactly what the 30-something couple had in mind for their growing family, which includes 1-year-old daughter Celia and two rescue dogs, 12-year-old Bindi and 2-year-old Summit (Katie is on the board of the Michigan Humane Society). βThe intention all along was to demolish the old house,β Erik explains.

lake views and bay window.
The existing house may have left something to be desired, but the lot was ideal. Perfectly situated on an all-sports lake close to Birmingham and Detroit, the location appealed to the couple β wake-surfing enthusiasts who own a speedboat and a pontoon. Surrounded by trees, the site felt private and included 50 feet of enviable waterfront.

βIt was definitely all about the lot,β Erik confirms. βIt was just a beautiful property. We looked at this and one other, and liked this because it felt like it was in the woods. If you walk outside, you canβt see other houses.β
Once the lot was theirs, the couple enlisted the help of Kevin Serba and John Rattray, of Birminghamβs Serba Interiors, who helped them transform the swinging β70s structure into the warm and welcoming family home they envisioned. Technically a renovation, the 6,800-square-foot new house, which gives a nod to the classic Shingle Style found throughout the East Coast, includes just one original area located in the basementβs storage area.

βOur overall goal was to seamlessly transform the existing, dated contemporary structure into a timeless, traditional lake house,β Serba says. βFor the exterior, we selected classic materials such as cedar shake siding, full-range limestone blocks, boxed-column support beams, and true divided casement windows, while interior rooms were fitted with large cove crown molding, tall baseboards, and coffee-brown oak floors. Throughout the home, we designed custom fireplace surrounds, paneled wall details, and built-in cabinets with classic architectural details.β

Open-plan interiors complement the exterior architecture and the landscape. βIβve always liked blues and greens,β Katie says, adding that the color scheme is a nod to the nearby water. Partial to the βNantucket and Marthaβs Vineyard look,β Katie says she and her husband βarenβt into trends; we like whatβs easy and lasting.β Erik agrees: βWe wanted an elegant but casual Hamptons feel. We used as much of the property as possible, to showcase views of the water. The focus of the house is entertaining and encompassing the outdoor lake activities.β

To achieve that end, the designers opted for furniture layouts that offered plenty of comfortable seating; durable, family-friendly fabrics for soft furnishings; and a warm, neutral color palette that allows views of the water and foliage to take center stage. Stairs leading down to the water drift toward the lake from the living room, and highlight the coupleβs gardens along the way. Multiple decks and all five bedrooms offer lakefront views.

An open-plan kitchen, living room, and sitting room provide one large area that functions perfectly for everyday family routines, as well as the coupleβs frequent entertaining. The warm, neutral tone used on the painted cabinetry and island bases, and a large wall of stained cabinets, balance the kitchen while complementing the porcelain countertops, which Serba says were selected for their classic beauty and their superior durability.

The homeowners and designers agree the round sitting area in the living room is their favorite space, due to its abundance of natural light and views of the lake. Katie admits the roomβs day bed is where she likes to hang out with Celia. One floor up, the master bedroom features a charming turret and the same view of the lake. βItβs so high up, you sometimes feel like youβre in a high-rise,β Katie says. βThere are drapes, but I donβt think weβve ever closed them.β

classic beauty and superior durability.
Surprisingly, Erikβs favorite space is windowless β part of the homeβs expansive lower level. It may not have a view, but it does boast a barrel ceiling and storage space for up to 1,400 bottles of wine. βThis is easily the best room of the house,β he says of the large wine cellar, located near the bar area and spacious family room.

The home was the coupleβs first major building project, but possibly not their last. βI had a blast doing it,β Erik says of the two-year process. βItβs a lot of work and a lot of money, but I enjoyed it. If I saw a better piece of property, Iβd do it again β but I havenβt seen one yet.β

BUYERβS GUIDE
INTERIOR DESIGN
Serba Interiors, Birmingham, serbainteriors.com
BATHROOM, MASTER
Armchair β The Parsonβs Nose Antiques, Ferndale
Cabinetry β Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy
Chandelier β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Drapery β Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Flooringβ Virginia Tile, Livonia
Towels β Restoration Hardware
Wall Sconce β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
BATHROOM, POWDER
Drawers β Chelsea Textiles, New Jersey
Mirror β The Art of Custom Framing, Troy
Sconces β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Soap Dispenser β Restoration Hardware
Vase β The Parsonβs Nose Antiques, Ferndale
Wall Treatment β Thibaut, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy
BEDROOM, MASTER
Armchairs β Highland House, Hickory Chair, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Bed β Hickory Chair, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Bedding β Eastern Accents, Illinois
Chandelier β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Drapery β Pindler, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lamp β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table, Occasional β Duralee, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Wall Paint β Benjamin Moore, Tapestry Beige 975
DINING ROOM
Blinds β Royal Crest Inc., Oak Park
Chairs β Hickory Chair, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Chandelier β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Drapery β Kravet, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Glasses β Ralph Lauren, New York
Rug β Stark, Troy
Sconces β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Table β Lorts, Goodyear, Arizona
Wall Treatment β Thibaut, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy
ENTRYWAY
Wall Paint β Benjamin Moore, Cloud White 967
Chair β The Parsonβs Nose Antiques, Ferndale
Occasional Table β The Parsonβs Nose Antiques, Ferndale
Decorative Plant β English Gardens, Royal Oak
KITCHEN
Backsplash β Virginia Tile Company, Livonia
Bar Stools β Fairfield,Β North Carolina
Blinds β Royal Crest Inc., Oak Park
Cabinetry, Island, Bar, Cabinets β Perspectives Cabinetry, Troy
Centerpiece and Vase β The Parsonβs Nose Antiques, Ferndale
Chairs β Woodbridge, North Carolina
Chandeliers β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Pillows β Stroheim, Oklahoma
Table β Redford House,Β California
Wall Paint β Benjamin Moore, Tapestry Beige 975
LIVING ROOM/SITTING ROOM
Chairs and Bench β Highland House, Hickory Chair, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Pillows β Kravet, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lamp, Floor β Visual Comfort, City Lights Detroit, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Lamp, Table β Wildwood Lamps, North Carolina
Rug β Crescent Carpet, New York
Table, Coffee, White β Redford House, California
Table, Wooden Occasional β The Parsonβs Nose Antiques, Ferndale
Wall Paint β Benjamin Moore, Tapestry Beige 975
OFFICE
Desk β Redford House, California
Desk Chair and Cabinet β Fairfield, North Carolina
Drapery β Duralee, Michigan Design Center, Troy
Rug β Riviera Carpets, Georgia
Vases, White β The Parsonβs Nose Antiques, Ferndale
Wall Treatment β Thibaut, Rozmallin, Michigan Desigin Center Troy
EXTERIOR
Builder β Hudson Building Co., Royal Oak
Landscaping β FleurDetroit, Bloomfield Township; Great Oaks Landscape Associates Inc., Novi
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