A New Lease on Life {Part 2} | Season 2 Episode 1
Because the Ward’s home renovation was so extensive, I created two separate recap posts. In case you missed the tour of the main floor, you can find it HERE. Today, I’ll take you through a few of the spaces in the basement that you didn’t get to see on the show and I’ll give you more details on the boathouse surprise project. Let’s get started…
Exterior Back
BEFORE: A lakefront home in need of a facelift.
Once we removed the siding, we wrapped the entire house in cedar shake and kept the white trim consistent throughout. Out back, we built two new patios – one adjacent to the dining room and another private balcony off the main bedroom – in order to create symmetry and add outdoor space for entertaining and relaxing. I went with a horizontal iron handrail in order to maintain the modern lake house aesthetic and maximize the views of the lake. Finally, the new windows and wrapped lower columns were the finishing touches to transform the exterior. We were a little worried Troy and Melode would pass right by when they arrived by boat because the house looks completely different than it did when they left us the keys!
AFTER: A stunning lake home.
Sources
Lighting | Kichler
Landscaping | John Zito Landscaping LLC
Exterior Trim Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove
Boat House
BEFORE: A boat dock with a small storage closet.
The existing boat dock was nice but wasn’t anything special. Both Dave and I really wanted to update the boat dock for Troy and Melode and Dave found creative ways to save money in the budget (by using lumber we had on hand and building everything himself) in order to make it happen! This was such a fun surprise project that Troy and Melode weren’t at all expecting.
First off, Dave and Chase worked together to extend the roofline which gave the Ward’s their own covered outdoor bar area to enjoy and entertain in lakeside. Then, we wrapped the entire building in the same cedar shake as the house to create consistency between the two spaces. The antique canoe Dave found was GIGANTIC but, after he modified it, it became the perfect custom light suspended above the bar (hung by shipping rope). The trough sink inside the bar Dave built is perfect for keeping drinks ice cold while fishing off the dock. Dave also built a spot for an outdoor TV behind the white doors on the wall (something you didn’t get to see on the episode). We also updated the kayak storage and Chase built the special “Second Chance Fishing Club” door for the storage closet.
Another really special project you didn’t get to see was the fire pit we had built for Melode. She told me that her dream was to have a fire pit down by the lake surrounded by adirondack chairs. I enlisted the help of our neighbor (who specializes in custom metal work) in order to create a fire pit with a custom cut out inspired by the ship on Melode’s beloved antique blue and white clock passed down from her grandma. Although we didn’t have time to share this project on the show, it was one of my favorite personal touches.
AFTER: The perfect boat house for entertaining.
Sources
Custom Canoe Light | Dave Marrs
Trough Sink | Signature Hardware
Custom Fire Pit | Johnson Machine Shop
Landscaping | John Zito Landscaping LLC
Exterior Trim Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove
Daughter’s Lounge
BEFORE: A large, blank slate.
The walk-out basement desperately needed a facelift and, after talking through how the Ward’s would use the space, we decided to create a hangout area for their daughter, Ally, and her friends. We wanted this to be a lounge where they could play games, grab snacks and relax after a day on the lake. In order to do so, we first installed the same white oak flooring (sealed with an epoxy finish to make it extra durable for lake life) as the rest of the house, added large windows and new french doors. These changes immediately brightened the room and made it feel more inviting.
Next up, was what I called the “soda bar” for Ally. We included the essentials in the kitchenette – a popcorn machine and snacks- along with a floating white oak shelf for visual interest. To finish off this space, Dave built a beautiful live-edge bar and swinging bar stools underneath. I love how this entire space feels modern and welcoming and will grow with Ally as she ages.
One space that you didn’t get to see on the show is the reading nook we created under the stairs. This space was a previously unused closet and, as soon as I saw it, I knew we needed to carve out a cozy niche for Ally to snuggle up in! I absolutely love this detail in the hallway.
AFTER: The perfect hangout space.
Sources
Soda Fountain Sconces | Kichler
Swing Out Seat Bracket | Get Back, Inc.
Wooden seats and Bar | Dave Marrs
Mini Sink | Signature Hardware
Sink Faucet | Signature Hardware
Plants | Shop All Things Kindred
Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray HC-173
Cabinet Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Green Smoke No. 47
Daughter’s Bedroom & Bathroom
BEFORE: An unfinished bathroom and uninviting bedroom.
Ally told me she loves pink and she loves cats. So, I gave her a funky cat painting in the lounge (see photos above) and I knew I wanted her bedroom to be pink and girly, without feeling childish. In order to do this, we needed to give her a larger window for more natural light and then I incorporated a feature wall in a dusty rose shade of pink. I brought in texture with lighting and furnishings and then had my talented friend, Kim, paint a small mural on the wall adjacent to the feature wall. I think the overall look is welcoming, cozy and beautiful!
Lastly, Ally’s bathroom has touches of pink with the zellige hand-crafted accent tile and feels feminine with the freestanding soaking tub. I love how pretty and timeless this bathroom is!
AFTER: A beautiful “pink” bedroom and bathroom.
Sources
Bedroom Pendant Light | Creative Co-op
Bed | Howse
Accent Chair | Williams & Sonoma Home
Bedroom Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17
Bedroom Accent Wall Paint Color | Farrow & Ball Sulking Room Pink No. 295
Bath Sconces | Kichler
Bath Wall Tile | Home Depot
Bath Wall Accent Tile | Riad Tile
Freestanding Tub | Signature Hardware
Tub Filler and Curtain Surround | Signature Hardware
Bathroom Sink Faucet | Signature Hardware
Bath Vanity Paint Color | SW Acier 9170
Thank you for joining me on this tour of the Ward’s lakefront home. I absolutely love this home and this family and the entire project was a true joy for Dave and I to be a part of! Our hope for the Ward family is that this home will serve them well and they’ll create many wonderful memories together in this place.
We’ll see you next week – same time (9|8c), same place (HGTV) – for another brand-new episode of Fixer to Fabulous!
Jenny
