Oh My Styled Life

Home Tour of a Timeless Lake Minnetonka Waterfront Home

A Stylish Home Tour for the Classic at Heart

For a globe-trotting couple who wanted to kick off their shoes and relax as soon as they arrive home…relaxation was top of mind for this lakefront home design. Since they host as often as they travel, a home that would help them switch gears from traveling to hosting was a must! Follow along this home tour for a classic, timeless design that’s sure to age gracefully.

19 Excelsior Waterfront Home Master Sitting

1. Creating a Clean and Classic Aesthetic

Designing a timeless home that won’t need many future updates shows up on many of our client’s wish lists. The trick to accomplishing this in style is through classic finishes and furnishings, accented by personal touches. Whether your personal flair is whimsical, glamorous, or rustic, we find that art, fabrics, rugs, and accessories are the place to incorporate them into your home.

In this primary bedroom’s sitting room, we incorporated a petite gallery wall that frames a vintage table and traditional-style spindle chair…coordinated tastefully with rust tones and stylistic birds on the neighboring sofa. All of this was made possible by our client’s personal love of antiques and their collections of vintage pieces!

Ever wonder what it’s like to work with an Interior Designer? Read What to Expect When Hiring an Interior Designer.

3 Excelsior Waterfront Home Entry Detail

20 Excelsior Waterfront Home Master Suite Detail

2. Finding Opportunities to Create Warmth & Comfort

With the blank slate that comes with every custom home, we decided to add traditional character and charm through finishes and millwork. . From custom wall paneling & classic black and white tile floors, to warm woods & statement fixtures, everything we selected went towards making this home feel welcoming and timeless. The goal for a comfortable home for hosts and guests alike was accomplished!

In the front entry, you’re welcomed with statement ceramic flooring balanced beautifully with the warm rift-cut white oak flooring throughout the rest of the home. Linear paneling and comfortable bench seating invite you to sit and make yourself at home! And in the primary bedroom, we focused on textiles in bright neutrals so you feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. With a vintage rocking chair and Turkish rugs to top it all off…we couldn’t think of a better spot for a good night’s rest.

We adore incorporating loved pieces into a home design! We especially love vintage rugs! Check out our favorite vendor for vintage Turkish rugs, Fay + Belle Rugs.

5 Excelsior Waterfront Home Living Room Straight

3. Large Scale Doesn’t Have to Feel Bare

Large homes have a tendency toward feeling cavernous, but they don’t have to! Consider how you use your millwork, ceiling details, and light fixture to fill vertical space, while rugs, furniture, and accents fill the living area. The real trick is to finish the design! That means taking things past functional all the way to photo-ready. How do you do that? Hire a designer! Or remember your decorative pillows, accessories, console tables, lounge chairs, and art.

In this grand living room, the main attraction is the statement glass chandelier (weighing over 200 lbs!). By selecting extra long sofas, adding side chairs, oversize ottoman, and footstools, there will never be a guest without a seat.

This stunning home has many large-scale rooms. Check out the rest of the home and how we floor planned each room here: Excelsior Waterfront Home.

26 Excelsior Waterfront Home Garden Room

4. Having Fun With Color & Pattern

Just because it’s a classic home doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with color and patterns. Traditional colors like Green, Blue, Yellow, and Rust in soft and comforting shades are our accent colors of choice…and they all seamlessly blend with the neutral tones in this home. If you’re feeling brave, we love seeing accent colors used in cabinetry and wainscoting. If you’re feeling a little less brave, we love seeing these colors in fabrics and rugs.

Thinking of going in the opposite direction? Here’s a traditional 1930s Tudor home with a bright main level makeover: Martha O’Hara’s Main Level Makeover in Minneapolis.