Oh My Styled Life

Here are five ways this Wisconsin lake house pays homage to its lakeside location. 

At this lake house, every weekend is a vacation! When O’Hara Interiors designers Krystal and Taylor were asked to work on the Hayward Summer Home just outside Hayward, Wisconsin, they wanted to ensure every interior detail allowed the homeowners to enjoy their lakeside retreat to the fullest. Here are five ways this home’s interior design pays homage to its lakeside location:

1. Prioritize the views. 

Location, location, location: it’s a cliché for a reason. When designing a dream summer lake house, the beauty of the property surroundings should resonate from the water’s edge all the way into the home. A few simple ways to do this are: forgo privacy window treatments, floor-plan to create direct, uninterrupted pathways to the lake, and consider low-profile furnishings for unhindered shoreline views. In the great room of this home, the sectional is low and angled toward the lake and the fireplace, while the two sets of smaller chairs are angled toward the room’s interior. Here on the porch, low-profile furniture allows the homeowners to sit and entertain while enjoying unobstructed lake views! 

2. Consider color.

Color is especially important in establishing a mood throughout a home, and this lake home is a masterclass in color palette selection. The homeowners welcomed using bright colors like ocean blues and sunny yellows. While we decided to play with bolder colors in the bathrooms, our design team opted for earthier tones to ground the shared spaces. These hues help reflect the forest setting enjoyed through the colorful kitchen and great room’s expansive windows. The result is a lake home infused with nature-inspired brightness and energy.

More on OHmystyledlife.com: The 2024 O’Hara Interiors Paint Guide

Want more color inspiration? Read Modern Meets Vintage in this Colorful Wisconsin Cabin on artfulliving.com

3. Play with texture.

Many homeowners want their vacation houses to feel cozy and retreat-like, opting for more subtle design choices that are visually pleasing, but don’t overpower the beautiful lake views. To add intrigue to the interior, the design team focused on incorporating texture in framing spaces of the home. White shiplap walls and brick herringbone floors feel rustic and appropriate for the home’s setting, while the stone fireplace surround, natural wood beams, glassy subway tile, and textiles such as wool throw blankets, silk and wool rugs, and velvet pillows add even more subtle texture.

4. Stay rooted in nature.

The whimsy of the forest and the serenity of the lake are boundless inspirations for interior designers. In the Hayward Summer Home, exposed beams, high-grain wood, and earth tones reference the home’s Wisconsin lakeside location. Fabrics on throw pillows, wallpaper patterns, and artwork also include birds, insects, and forest animals–yet another reference to the great outdoors! 

Read how this lakeside vacation home came to life in Minnesota: Modern Farmhouse Lake Cabin

5. Use what you’ve got! 

One of the most enchanting aspects of this home is the inclusion of heirloom pieces from one of the homeowners’ grandmothers. See the bedroom bookcase, powder bathroom’s marble-top chest, and great room armchairs, just to name a few. These vintage treasures add a sense of history and nostalgia to the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that is truly unique to this family’s lake house.

Love what you see? Get in touch with our award-winning design team to discuss your next interior design project! Contact us today!

All imagery photography by Spacecrafting Photography.