Huddle House
Through this extensive 2,720 SF exterior and interior renovation, a dark & inefficient four-bedroom lake house built in 1998 was revived into a 5-bedroom, 5 bathroom, light-infused, spacious, and highly functional second home, welcoming family and friends to gather and build memories for generations to come.
LOCATION: Okoboji, IA
COLLABORATORS:
Dulin Contracting (Mechanical & Plumbing)
H Windows
Mueske Electric
Rossow Construction (General Contractor)
BJ Ferguson (Landscaping)
Watonwan Enterprises (Custom Furniture & Cabinetry)
Free Afternoon (Project Photos & Video)
Design Challenges
Surface-level design elements centered around dark corners and inefficient use of space. The house contained its fair share of quirks, largely when it came to layout and storage. Many of the features of the home were unused and uninspired. Sleeping spaces were unbalanced and limited added to the lack of gathering spaces making the home feel disconnected from the desire to be a communal family space.
Beneath the surface, there were major constructional issues that needed to be addressed. The original structure had severe water damage on the foundation and exterior sheathing, leaving the main level interior floor sinking and requiring intense structural repairs.
The homeowners purchased the lake house in 2013 knowing that there would eventually need to be renovations made but had no idea what extent would be necessary.
APPROACH
BLUE PENCIL COLLECTIVE (BPC) was selected to transform the entire home on a 9-month timeline to create a natural and warm family environment that would support and inspire all guests it opens its doors to welcome in.
The renovation tackled the interior and exterior of the home. Throughout the course of the project, BPC executed due diligence and master planning, architectural and interior design, landscape design, and construction administration.
Interior
The first phase of the renovation included an entire overhaul of the interior of the home. The complete areas addressed and renovated included:
Main Level:
- Main Entry
- Sandroom (with stackable laundry)
- Sandroom Bathroom (3-1/4 bath)
- Living Room
- Kitchen + Walk-In Pantry
- Dining
- Reading Nook
- Main Laundry
- Guest Bedroom 1 + Bathroom (King Suite or Main Floor Suite)
- Guest Bedroom 2
- Guest Bedroom 3
- Guest Bathroom 2
Upper Level:
- Game Area
- Kid’s Den
- Bunkroom
- Bunkroom Bathroom
- Owner’s Suite + Bathroom + Private Balcony
Addressing and remedying the foundational issues created strong bones to support the home in years to come. A major change within the interior of the home was the reconfiguration of the staircase, which expanded and enhanced the entrance and floor plan efficiency providing dramatic, tiered layers of detail and light.
Exterior
Phase two of the renovation addressed the exterior of the home. Transformed from dilapidation to warm and welcoming, the moody exterior is now a juxtaposition of the bright and energizing interior. Featuring dark blacks and natural wood accents, blending it into a peaceful setting. The exterior renovation included the below elements:
- Garage
- Deck with Grill Station
- Patio + Fire Pit
Environmental
The entire project utilized the existing structure of the home, which minimized environmental impact and negated waste. The philosophy of creating space without expansion challenged the design team to think creatively and prove that efficient configurations can overcome special perceptions.
The Results
A natural, honest, simple, and warm family home
The Okoboji lake house now boasts an all-inclusive-family home with ample space inside and out. There is increased efficiency throughout the home when it comes to space, with added sleeping quarters and multiple family gathering locations. A bunk room was added to sleep up to 10 kids with an overflow space upstairs (den) full of games and the ability to sleep 2 additional kids. Fun, quirky accents, such as the black and white stenciled fish wall covering, add flair and highlight the fun personalities of the homeowners. The kitchen has been reconfigured to support the entertainment of large groups. The unused fireplace was removed which maximized the space for the living area. Natural materials of wood, stone, and river rock create a cape cottage vibe, alluding to its shore-front location on beloved Lake Okoboji.
· The interior is highlighted with bright whites and creams with pops of green and terracotta
· The exterior is a juxtaposition of the interior with dark blue-blacks and natural wood accents
· This lake home was always a family destination and always will be…but its potential has been enhanced to reflect what it always had.
LONG-TERM VALUE
The Okoboji home is now perfectly positioned as a highly-functional second home. The renovation supported comfort, connection to the outdoors and efficiency as paramount, ensuring family life at the lake is filled with rest and relaxation. Additionally, it allows the family to rent the space out to other families, supporting a healthy return on investment and sharing the magic of Lake Okoboji with others.